Chapter 43 Deal's off

Chapter 43 Deal's off
Melanie's POV

“You refused to take the clothes home with you.” William said, pulling up a chair to sit across from me.
The classroom was empty as I had arrived at school very early. The extra minutes of peace and quiet were priceless. I hadn't expected William would do the same today.

“How about we start the conversation from when you scheduled a full wardrobe change without telling me. Or even asking me if I was open to it." I narrowed my eyes at him.
He sighed dramatically and folded his arms on the desk. “It was a sort of … class requirement. I can't keep teaching you about appearances and confidence while you walk about in your Granny's sweater and baggy jeans."

“My clothes are just fine….”
" Not good enough to attract Conner. Come on Mel, we've been over this.”
" Uh,no we haven't. I don't care what your reasons were. You don't just order me stuff.”
" What exactly are you getting pissed about? It's free clothes. Any girl would grab at the opportunity."
“ I'm not a charity case, William. And is that why you did it? Because any girl would appreciate it?” I leveled a challenging gaze at him
His eyes darkened and he leaned in closer "I did it because it was going to help our cause. Believe it or not, this was an entirely selfish move. If you thought it was something else, that's all your fault.”

My mouth hung open slightly in the silence that followed. I'd made this argument to Ross the previous night hadn't I? My defence had been that William was simply trying to move things along faster and he just said it out loud.
So why did it still hurt?

Williams' eyes darted to the window as we heard a car pull into the driveway. The first set of students were starting to arrive.
" The party starts by 4pm on Saturday. I'll be at your house to pick you up by 3:40.” He said quickly to me then reached into his pocket and withdrew a sheet of paper. " I had Rebecca give me the contact of a hair and makeup stylist. I've scheduled a home session for 12pm Saturday. I assume these things take up to 3 hours. You simply call and give her your full name and address. She'll know you're from me.”

He got up and walked out without another word.

I could barely pay attention in class for the day. Every now and again, I took out the paper and stared at the number then took out my phone and stared at the pictures Ross had taken of me in some of the clothes. Clothes that were currently in my closet at home.
Clothes that were now mine.

It felt too surreal. Even if the plan didn't work and William was wrong in his prediction of how Conner would act, the clothes were mine. I would get to dress and feel like a princess for one day of my life.
In one way or another, William was fulfilling my dreams.

My good mood and high spirits lasted until after school when I sat across from Conner in the library. He had the same scowl on his face and was barely paying attention to me again.
It didn't hurt me as much as it would have this time. Because I knew it didn't matter. By this time Saturday, William's plan would be underway. Conner would get to see a different Melanie.

I patiently explained the physics formula to him as he sounded a pen absentmindedly on the desk.
“Do you understand so far or would you like me to explain again?" I asked with a warm smile.
Conner raised his head to look at me and in his eyes I saw a look I knew too well,

Disgust.

“No. I think I got it." He drawled.
“Are you sure? I mean, it's a rather tricky one so….”
He dragged his chair across the marble suddenly and sat upright. " Tricky huh?" He smirked, “ Well how about you give me a problem to solve then, tutor?”

The sudden change freaked me out but at least he was paying attention now.
“Alrighty. I'll start you off easy." I scribbled a question on the notepad and gave him the pen.
He stared at it,scoffed and scribbled back furiously.

I took the finished work with a smile, expecting to see that he'd failed it but he hadn't. He'd not only been the answer right, but he'd also used a shortcut formula I didn't teach him.
“Wow, that's..amazing Conner. I didn't know you knew this method. Ok, how about we go a little higher?"

I write down a harder problem. One that would take him at least five minutes.
It took him three. This time, I couldn't hide the shock on my face.

“This…I mean…” I stuttered and raised my head to look at him.
I was expecting a smile. Or some show of pride that he'd solved the problem so expertly but instead, the scowl had deepened and his eyes bore into mine with malice.

" You thought I was dumb enough to require tutoring from you?” He spat out.
" No I…I Jean the head counselor was the one who…"
“I don't care whose idea it was. You might have gotten here in a scholarship but there's a reason Dalderia Academy is an elite school. The creme of the crop. Only the intelligent survive here."

"But your grades were dropping. The head counselor said you needed help." I protested weakly.
"I don't need your help. Or Anyone else's. This whole thing has been a waste of time and I should never have indulged it in the first place." He rolled his eyes and got to his feet.
" You're... Leaving?"
" We're done here, Melanie. It's been torture having to endure spending time with you for a fucking useless tutor session. Tell the head counselor he can kiss my ass."

He turned around and stormed off.