Chapter 96 I can not believe we are going to the same school....
My whole body locks up in surprise. What in the world is happening?
So many questions fly through my head while he holds my neck and keeps kissing me. I know I should be shocked or angry or even sick. He is my brother, for God’s sake. But for a moment, I still lose myself in it.
His lips are cool. I can even taste vodka and fresh lemon on his breath. His eyes are shut, his long eyelashes brushing against mine, making my heart beat fast. I have never felt anything like this with anyone before.
But before I can do anything, he shoves me away again. Without even looking at me, he goes back to the couch and sits down like nothing happened at all.
I swallow hard. I suddenly realize I have been holding my breath so long my lungs are burning. Everyone else is clearly shocked too. Especially Rossi. Her face twists with rage.
“What the hell was that!” she shouts, saying exactly what I am thinking.
Liam is strangely calm. Still not looking at me, he takes a drink from his glass. “You wanted to see her kiss someone. Now you have.”
Rossi’s mouth falls open. Even she is too stunned to speak.
My first wave of panic starts to fade, and a fresh wave of shame and anger takes its place. He makes it seem like kissing me is no big deal. That it was just something he did without thinking. That I do not matter.
But it is a big deal. My heart is still beating hard. My body is still shaking. I am ashamed of myself for liking that kiss even a little bit, and then getting thrown aside like this.
Alex tries to put a hand on my shoulder, but I shrug him off.
“Liam, you are an asshole!” I yell, then I run out of the house.
I race across the hall and hit the button for the elevator. Tears are pushing at my eyes, but I force them back. No, I will not cry over that jerk. Crying would mean he got to me. And I will not let that happen.
I can not believe how stupid I was. To think he was actually being good to me, the only one who would take me in when everyone else said no. But it turns out, he is just using me to pass the time. And he has no problem throwing me away or humiliating me once he gets bored.
I hear heavy footsteps coming fast. Someone grabs my shoulder and turns me around.
“Where are you going?” Liam asks, his voice hard.
I can not believe he has the nerve. “Do you really think I can still stay here? After what you did?”
He looks embarrassed for just a second, but then his face goes blank. “Why? Because I wrecked your big moment with that Alex guy?”
I am done talking to him. “Fuck off, Liam. I am leaving.”
But he grabs my wrist. “Are you crazy? It is late and dark out. Did you not learn anything? Plus, where would you even go? You have nowhere to go!”
His words hurt me all over again. Yes, he is the golden boy, and I am the one nobody wants. But that does not give him the right to treat me however he wants.
I push him away and try to get into the elevator. But he is much stronger than I am. He tightens his grip and looks at me with pure anger. “Sophie, I was fucking saving you! You would be kissing some stranger right now if it were not for me!”
My jaw clenches tight.
But how can I tell him? That I would rather kiss Alex, someone I hardly know, than him. At least kissing Alex would not leave me feeling completely messed up inside.
“Forget it, Liam. Just leave me alone.”
His fingers loosen. I take the chance to pull free and rush into the elevator. As the doors close, I see his face. It is full of anger and something that looks like hurt. Why in the world would he feel sad?
It really is dark outside. I stand on the street by myself and think for a minute. The best and only choice I have is to go back to my mom’s place. I am tired of having nowhere to stay. Maybe I should get my own place, if I can afford it.
I take a car. When I get to the townhouse and the door opens, Mr. Thorne is standing there.
“Sophie.” He looks surprised, but he gets himself together fast and gives me a smile. “Quick, come inside. It is just time for dinner.”
With Mr. Thorne there, my mom never gets the chance to ask me a bunch of questions. But she keeps giving me suspicious looks all through dinner, and I keep ignoring her.
What am I supposed to say? That Liam kissed me, and my head is all messed up about it right now?
Hell no.
I stay at their place for a few more days. I do not leave the house at all. A week later, boxes show up. My dad has sent all my things to me at once. It hurts all over again, how fast he wants to be rid of me.
That day, while I am unpacking, Mr. Thorne knocks on my bedroom door.
“Sophie, is this a good time?”
I hurry to let him in. “Yes. Please.”
“I was hoping to talk to you about your school.” Mr. Thorne sits down. “I spoke with the board at Liam’s school. They are very happy to have a good student like you. In fact, there is a tour of the school today. I thought we could both go over there, look around a little, and I can introduce you to the headmaster.”
I feel so honored. “That is so kind of you. Thank you. But… if you are busy, I can go by myself…”
“Do not worry about it.” He smiles at me. “I have been wanting to talk to the headmaster about Liam’s schoolwork anyway. So it is no trouble. Well, shall we?”
I nod and follow him out of the room.
I can not say I am completely happy about going to the same school as Liam. Especially after that kiss the other night. And after meeting his friends, I am sure that fancy school is full of rich jerks just like them. They would make my life miserable.
But I am not really in a position to be choosy. I am thankful for everything Mr. Thorne has done for me.
The school tour is crowded with people. And from the way they look and dress, I can tell they are either rich or important. Surrounded by a group like this, I feel nervous and out of place.
Mr. Thorne leads me to a nice woman wearing a velvet suit and a pearl necklace. “Sophie, I want you to meet Ms. Dave, your new headmaster.”
She is so beautiful and polished. I almost stumble over my words. “It is nice to meet you. I am Sophie Bennett.”
“Miss Bennett, it is a pleasure. I looked at your school records. Very impressive. This school is lucky to have you.” She shakes my hand. “And Mr. Thorne, may I speak with you for a moment?”
“Of course. Sophie, why do you not join the tour group over there? I will meet you after.”
They walk away. I look around and see a bunch of students gathered by the door. They are talking about something with a lot of excitement, so I walk over to them quietly, keeping my head down.
But someone notices me as I get close. “Hey! Are you here for the tour with us?”
“Um, yeah. Hi.”
“I am Katherine.” She seems very friendly, and she is pretty too. “What is your name? We might be in the same class soon.”
I tell her my name, and she follows up with more questions. “Who is your father? Maybe I have heard of him. We just found out our parents are in the same charity group. I mean, what are the odds?”
I seriously doubt she has heard of a middle-aged bartender from Miami, so I change the subject. “I do not think you would know him. Anyway, what were you all talking about before?”
“Oh! The Summer Splash Ball!” She claps her hands, excited. “It is like a homecoming party. We were just talking about what to wear. My clothes are so embarrassing. So, the girls and I are going shopping this weekend. We want to see Valentino’s new collection. You should come with us!”
“Katherine’s mom works in fashion. She gives the best style advice. Oh, and we should totally go to that hair salon you talked about,” another girl says.
“Oh yeah. My stylist is the best. I will make appointments for all of us.” Katherine turns to me again. “What do you say? Come on, it will be so much fun!”
These girls would get along great with my mom. But my whole life, I have never bought anything that cost more than a hundred dollars. I doubt all the money I have saved is enough for a single trip to one of those fancy salons.
I should have known this would happen when Mr. Thorne got me into this private school. There is no way I can belong here, let alone be friends with these people. I already learned my lesson with Liam.
I am still trying to think of a nice way to say no to her offer when Katherine suddenly lets out a sharp gasp.
“Oh. My. God. Look who just walked in… I think I might faint.”
Everyone turns around. My eyes open a little wider when I see who Katherine is talking about.
Liam just came through the door, with Rossi’s arm wrapped around his. They make a perfect couple, both so beautiful, polished, and stylish. Like they just walked off the cover of a magazine.
I look at them, and suddenly I feel a tight lump in my throat.
“Shut up! It is Liam Thorne and Rossi Vale!” another girl says, her voice heated. “What are they doing here?”
“Do you know them?” I ask Katherine.
“Are you kidding? They are the most famous couple in the whole city. Everyone knows who they are. Do not tell me you have not heard of them.”
I do not know how to respond.
“Well, at least you know Liam’s dad, right? Multi-billionaire Alexander Thorne. The man is a legend! I can not believe we are going to the same school as his son!”
The whole room has their eyes on Liam. But he seems totally used to causing a stir. With one hand in his pocket, he slowly looks over the crowd, like he is searching for someone.
I quickly look down at the floor.
But the next second, I hear Rossi’s sharp voice. “Look who it is. I guess she found a way into our school after all.”