CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Raven Dawn
I’m giving my parents the silent treatment. Or they’re giving me the silent treatment. I’m honestly not sure which it is.
What I do know is that it’s been crazy tense around here the past couple of days. They grounded me, and yeah, I guess they were well within their rights to do so. I did break the rules, even though I think the rules are stupid.
I just wish they would trust Fringe. I know he’d never ever hurt me.
Last night, Mom said I was grounded for life while Dad tried not to laugh. That might be a bit too extreme, he’d told her. I downplay it, but my dad is a pretty cool guy. I mean, he was more pissed than I’d ever seen him but still able to see the humor in Mom’s punishment. During the interaction, I, of course, played all teenage angst and hormones, screaming about how unfair it all was and slamming my bedroom door.
I wonder if they know all that is usually an act. I’m just playing the role I’ve been given.
Okay, if I’m being totally honest with myself, it wasn’t all an act last night. And, it felt really good to slam my door as loud as I did. I’m a lot smarter than they give me credit for. Book smarts I have, if I apply myself and don’t cut so many classes—yeah right. To me, street smarts are way more important. I mean, all the book learning in the world isn’t going to get you out of a nasty confrontation in a darkened alley.
Rather than forever, I’m grounded for two weeks. My birthday is in eight days. When I pointed that out, they didn’t seem to give a shit. My ears are going to start bleeding if I hear one more you brought this on yourself or next time you’ll know better.
What a load of shit. I can’t wait until I’m eighteen.
They even kept me home from school yesterday. When I mentioned how hypocritical that made them, Mom rolled her eyes so hard I thought she’d lose them in the back of her head.
“Raven,” she said, “don’t think for a second we don’t know about how often you cut class. Are you even going to graduate?”
That kind of surprised me. Maybe they weren’t as oblivious as I thought.
What really sucks is not having my phone.
I’m not that concerned about being grounded. I can get out of this penthouse undetected anytime I want. It’s not having contact with the outside world that’s the real downer. I miss my friends. Divine. Peach. But especially Fringe. God, I hope he doesn’t hate me for all this shit.
At least they let me come to school today. Never thought I’d be grateful for school, but I was getting texting withdrawals.
As soon as I saw Divine, I told her everything then asked her to text Fringe to explain why I was radio silent.
It’s lunchtime now in the school cafeteria. Can I just say eww? I haven’t sat here at this sticky table in weeks. I’ve gotten spoiled to cutting and eating at the diner or Lucifer’s. The school cafe is gross. The kids here are so juvenile. I can’t believe I’m here.
“What the fuck is that on your plate?” Divine appears behind me, pointing at my tray.
I jump then bust out laughing. “I don’t have a fucking clue. Why are you here?”
“To keep my girl company.”
I’m touched. No one who doesn’t have to be here should be.
“I don’t want to put you through this.”
She plops her tray down across from mine and sits. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll ditch tomorrow.” She winks and holds out her phone to me.
I stare at her then the phone. This is big. “You’re not going to play Candy Crush during lunch?”
She tsks and rolls her eyes. “Of course I am. Just thought you might want to call Fringe or something.”
I slap my forehead. “Duh! Why didn’t I think of that?”
I grab the phone and dial, then eagerly hold it to my ear as a big smile spreads across my face.
“You are so into him.”
“Shut up! I am not.” I grip the phone tighter and wave my hand at her. “Shhh, I can’t hear. Fringe? You there?”
“Hey, baby doll.” His rich masculine voice immediately has me all gooey inside. “I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.”
“Please don’t hate me! This is all such a mess. My parents won’t listen to reason!” I speak in a rush, getting out all my worries in one mad sentence.
“Hey, hey, it’s alright. I don’t hate you. You’re a dork for thinking that I could.” His laugh warms my heart, chases away my concerns. “’Sides, it wasn’t your fault. I should have known better.”
“Playing martyr on me, huh?”
He chuckles then his tone turns serious. “Are you doing okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, really. This will blow over eventually. So, wanna meet me at Lucifer’s tonight?”
“I thought you were grounded.”
“Well, yeah, but they grounded me past my birthday and that shit ain’t flying. I’m gonna sneak out for a little fun. C’mon and join me.”
There’s a pause but before I can read too much into the silence, he says, “Don’t do that, Dawn.” He sighs, and I can imagine him running a hand through his hair. “Look, you’ll only make things worse. Just get through the punishment. You have plenty of time for fun.”
Tears well in my eyes. When did I become such a baby? “So you are pissed at me. You don’t want to see me.”
There’s another sigh from the best friend I suddenly feel like I’m losing.
“That’s not it at all. But your parents did forbid you to see me. Talk to them, clear that up and then I’ll take you out to dinner, promise.”
“Yeah, fine, whatever.” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. He’s BSing me.
“Ah, Dawn, don’t do that. Just stay home. And, please, don’t see Lobo on your birthday. What you’re planning is wrong on so many levels, I can’t even begin to explain.” He pauses again and this time it feels like he’s searching for the right words. “Look, you know me. You know I’d never hurt you and never lie to you. I’m asking you to talk to your parents. Have an honest to god conversation with them about all this.”
“Yeah, sure,” I say quickly before my voice betrays me. “Divine’s getting a call. I gotta go.”
Before he can say anything else, I disconnect and hand the phone back to Divine.
“What the fuck?” Her words are muffled behind a mouthful of disgusting cafeteria food.
“Nothing, it’s cool. Wanna go to Lucifer’s tonight?”
“Sure.” She peers at me while she chews. “What did he say to make you so upset?”
“Dunno. Nothing. I think he’s trying to put distance between us.” I swipe at my eyes before the tears can fall.
She stares at me for a moment with wide, unbelieving eyes. “That’s ridiculous. Come on, you know it.”
I just shrug.
I only have a couple more classes until I can get out of this prison and into the next one, my home. At least Divine isn’t in them. I can’t take any more of her trying to convince me I’m nuts.
In biology, my last class, I can’t concentrate on what the teacher is saying. She’s so used to seeing my empty desk and not me, that I don’t think she realizes I’m in class. So, instead of taking notes, I doodle in my notebook the entire period.
When the last bell of the day finally rings, I run for the nearest exit.
And straight into a crowd of paparazzi.
Fuck.
They spot me immediately and shove mics in my face, shout questions at me. I can barely make out what they’re saying, they’re all yelling over each other.
It’s been a while since they’ve hounded me and I’m kind of curious what brought this on. Trying to make my way through the wall of humans, I start to piece together what they’re saying. It’s about Uncle Milo and Uncle David.
I freeze where I am at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the school. Other students stare at me while making their way around the crowd. Why are these vultures talking about my uncles? I resist the urge to gnaw on my lower lip and get caught on camera like that. They all seem so stern, although a few of them are smiling. I know they’re just trying to get me to talk.
An older, tired-looking reporter with bottle-blonde hair takes the opportunity to shove her mic at me. She speaks clearly, as the others’ voices fall into a murmur. “Did your mom, Rachel St. Claire, have a falling-out with Milo and David? Is that why they’re going on tour this summer without her?”
What the?
I don’t know about any of this.
It must show on my face because another reporter shouts, “They made the announcement at noon today, Raven.”
My mouth drops open, causing hurried whispers.
“She doesn’t know…”
“…kept a secret…”
“Does this mean…?”
“Can’t believe it’s true…”
“…St. Claire retiring?”
“…feud is heating up…”
“…wrong with St. Claire?”
I’m stunned and make my feet move as I murmur “no comment” to each vulture I pass.
A horn honks and I look up to see my savior, Peach, idling at the curb. Sighing in relief, I break through the throng and make a dash for her car. Just as I’m opening the passenger door, one more question is clearly shouted behind me.
“Raven! What are you doing for your eighteenth birthday?”
I turn back to them with a smirk on my lips. “Getting laid, of course!”
I jump into the car amid a new flurry of excited whispers and Peach floors the accelerator. The car leaps forward and we speed away.
Peach is laughing so hard I think she’ll bust a gut. I know what I said was stupid but I hate them, hate them all.
So, now they’ll be talking about me instead of whatever is going on with Milo and David.