Chapter 58: Chapter fifty eight

Arielle

I've had several interactions with Drayton in the past, most of it involved us antagonizing each other. None of our conversations have been as awkward as this afternoon.

At least we ignored each other when we were rivals, there was none of that now. Despite our awkward interactions, I still had to sleep in the same house as him tonight.

I didn't know which was worse between him knowing I was a virgin or that he was about to turn me down before we got interrupted.

God, I was going to die of embarrassment.

“Earth to Blondie!” I flinched at the sound so close to my ear. I didn't need to turn to know who it was.

“Jesus, Brett. I can hear you properly, you didn't have to scream into my ear.”

“It didn't seem like it the last five times I called your name.” Suzie said from across the counter. “What are you thinking about so much? You aren't concentrating.”

“Uh…nothing. I'm sorry, what were we talking about?”

“The showcase.”

“The hot dancer.”

They both of them said at the same time, and well, you can guess who said what. Suzie and I turned to Brett with our eyebrows raised.

“What? We stopped talking about the showcase hours ago. We were talking about the girl that was giving me the eye.” Brett said.

“She was ignoring you, and I'm pretty sure the eye she gave you was ‘stay the fuck away’.” Suzie replied.

“What girl is he talking about?” I asked.

“We met this really cute girl at the dance studio yesterday. She barely said anything to us, but Brett had somehow gotten it into his head that she likes him.” Suzie said with an eye roll.

“Because she does. She smiled at me. And it wasn't a flirtatious or mean smile, it was a genuine smile. You don't understand.” Brett argued. His face had turned a light shade of pink.

I've never seen Brett blush when talking about a woman since I knew him. He must really like this girl.

“So she gave you one smile and you fall in love with her.” I said.

“No, it's not that. It's just…” he trailed off.

“He just wants to fuck her.” Suzie supplied.

“I mean, that's not completely off the table, but no. All I know is the girl has a pretty smile that does something to people.” Brett said. His eyes was glazed like he was remembering whatever happened that day.

Suzie had obviously had enough of it.

“Yeah yeah.” She drawled and rolled her eyes.

“So you would fuck her even if she is a virgin?” I blurted.

Shit! What the fuck did I just say?

The two of them turned to me with a surprised expression. The question was oddly specific and a little bit close to home. I just hope they didn't figure it out.

“Not that I want to know, but uh, you felt an instant attraction towards her. It's highly possible that the attraction fades when you realize she doesn't have any sexual experience. Especially when you have plenty. I'm just saying, incase if something like that happened.”

Why was I rambling? I needed to keep my mouth shut before I humiliated myself further. I'd successfully made the conversation awkward. Now would be a really good time for the earth to open up and swallow me whole.

“I haven't really thought about that.” Brett answered, a thoughtful expression on his face.

I hadn't expected him to respond to my question. But as it turns out, I was the only one feeling awkward about it. Maybe because that was my current situation.

“I guess not though. Virgins get attached easily. I don't need any emotional attachment in my life. Sex is supposed to be fun.” He added.

“Okay, that's it. I'm not going to sit here and listen to Brett talk about his sex life. I'll be in the back if anyone needs me.” Suzie stood up and walked away.

I didn't know what prompt me, but I leaned closer to Brett.

“But what if she didn't want any emotional attachment? What if she wanted fun too?”

I was officially shameless. But my curiosity was piqued. I couldn't let it go now.

“They always do. Something about wanting the person to be their first and last. I thought I was going to marry the girl I lost my virginity to. But I found out she was dating a senior. My heart was broken.” He placed a hand on his heart for emphasis.

“Oh God, I still heard that.” Suzie shouted from the kitchen.

“That's because you were eavesdropping, Suz.” Brett chuckled.

Suzie walked out from the kitchen and sighed.

“Alright, enough sex talk. It's been almost a month since we started making plans and we've never gotten anywhere. We never get to finish our planning because somehow they always get interrupted.” She glared at Brett.

“Why are you looking at me? Blondie asked the question.” He said defensively.

Suzie turned to me and ignored him.

“Where the hell is Drayton? This is the third time he's missing work. We'll never go through with this if you guys keep this up.”

“He had to run an errand. He said he was going to meet me here.” I said, my guts churning as I remembered the excuse Drayton used. He was clearly avoiding me after our failed intercourse.

“Really? Yesterday too?” Brett asked and i shrugged.

“Looks like we'll have to carry on without him.” Suzie sighed. She leaned forward and began talking, “So the dance instructor said they have a venue in mind, but it was still under renovations. We managed to convince her to use the cafe. She's coming in this weekend to see the place and make a decision.”

“This weekend? It's the annual senior trip.” I said.

“Yes, I know. Brett and I will take care of it. We just have to make this place so irresistible that she agrees to use it.”

“And hope Chuck doesn't kill us when we ask for permission.” Brett added.

“You haven't asked Chuck?!” Suzie and I asked in unison.

“Dude, the task was specifically assigned to you. You open this place everyday and clearly see Chuck more than we do. We've been making all these plans and we didn't even have permission from our boss?” Suzie fired.

“Hey! There's still time to ask him. He's just been a little scarier lately.” He mumbled.

“How about we all ask him together when he comes in? That way no one has to face him alone Incase he loses his shit.” I proposed. The two of them nodded in agreement.

“Sounds like we have a plan then.” Suzie muttered.

.

.

.

Chuck didn't show up that day neither did Drayton. The three of us agreed to talk to Chuck together the next day. I was also given the task to make sure Drayton shows up tomorrow, even if it meant dragging him by his ear, Suzie's words.

I didn't know how I was going to do that when I couldn't even enter the house. I might have escaped interacting with him at breakfast, but there was no escaping him now.

I stood on the porch, contemplating whether to go in or not. I had no where else to go. Well, except Dan's house. But I've been avoiding him at school for a while now, a surprise sleepover would be suspicious. And it will make my mum worried.

Besides, it wasn't like I could avoid Drayton forever. I had to accept that he didn't find me attractive and move on.

But as I open the door, voices began to filter from upstairs.

“What the hell is his problem? Why wouldn't he just sign the damn paper and leave me alone?!” I heard my mum scream, the sound followed by hurried footsteps rushing down the stairs.

“Joyce! You can't do this. You'll ruin everything!” Penny yelled after her.

The two of them slowly came into view. I hid behind the curtains and watched them. My mum's face was swollen. She'd obviously been crying for a while.

“I've had enough. I endured that monster for years, Penny. Years. And now he want to throw me in jail because I want to leave him. After all the torture he put me through. When does it end.” Mum sobbed.

Penny wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tightly while she continued crying.

“He can't send you to jail. You didn't do anything wrong. You will tell the court the truth. Everything about your abuse and how he framed you for stealing from him. We can even get Arielle to testify against him. She can tell him what happened the night you decided to leave.” Penny said as she stroked my mother's hair.

Mum disengaged from her and shook her head in clear refusal.

“I don't want my daughter anywhere near him. I haven't even told her about the lawsuit. I'm going to talk to him and get him to drop those charges against me.”

“There's no point, Joyce. He won't listen to you. He will only rile you up more and make you do something that'll prove his point in court.” Penny said.

I'd heard enough. I couldn't stand to hear what more torture that man had put my mother through. No more.

I tiptoed back to.the entrance and slipped out of the door.

Penny was right. He wouldn't listen to her. But I knew one person who he would have no choice but to listen to. Someone he yearned to control.

Looks like it's time to face the Devil. I just hope I come out victorious.