I'm at my locker on Monday getting a textbook that I need for my next class when Whitney approaches me.
I see her walking towards me like a woman with a mission and I just know she is about to tell me something I don't like or do something to piss me off. I wonder what it will be.
I feel bad for what happened to her family last week and today rumors have been going round about her withdrawing from Rixon High. I think some say her family is moving away but I know better than to believe rumors.
When she gets close enough to me, I speak first before she can.
"Hey Whitney, I'm sorry about what has been happening to your family-"
"Shut up, you evil bitch" she cuts me off vehemently.
Okay. Now what did I do to deserve such colorful insults?
I exhale. "What do you want, Whitney?" I spit out. I'm done playing the nice girl part. I might sympathize with her and what has happened with her father being seriously hospitalized, but I'm not
It's been an hour after I had the enlightening conversation with Whitney. Since then, I had a mathematics lecture which I attended but barely paid attention to. It's not for lack of trying, I attempted numerous times to concentrate but I wasn't able to. My mind was too... Bothered. The mathematics lecture was one of the few classes I shared with my twin brother, Leo. When I lecture ends and the students start rushing and milling out of the classroom, I take my time packing and arranging my books and learning materials back inside my bag pack. "Lindsey" Someone calls my name. I look around and notice it is Leo. We didn't seat together, we never do. "Yeah?" I ask, not bothering to look at him as I zip my bag close. "What's wrong?" My brother asks me, his voice holding notes of concern. "Nothing" I respond. "You seemed distracted throughout the entire lecture" He notes. "Really? Well I don't need to pay much attent
When we arrive at Robyn’s house in Rixon Garden Estate, the driver pulls into a stop and we get down from the car. Together we walk from the driveway to inside the main house. I don’t bother walking behind Robyn, I’ve been here before so I know the way. When we enter inside, we hear voices, mainly male voices in the living area and we go there. I’m not going there to make conversation but to search for Roman. I guess you can call me the woman with the mission now. At the living area, I quickly scan the three male faces, although familiar, neither of them is Roman. “Where is Roman?” I ask them, bluntly. It is Damon that responds “Well hello to you too, Cookie. We are gallant! Thank you. How was your day?” He grins. I don’t have the time for his jokes right now so I turn to leave. I’ll just check Roman’s room and if I can’t find him there, I will go ahead and check every other room in this huge house if I have to. I’m not leaving here without ta
I ask him, “And if it were me?” Would he deal with me so harshly if I crossed him? He pauses, hesitates. Somehow he knows we're crossing safe territory. His words, his answer could break something between us right now. "If what were you?" He shoots back. I'm undeterred by his avoidance so I press on instead, even though I'm scared to know his answer. I need to know where I stand with him. "If it were me who crossed you? If I was the one who disobeyed you? What would you do to me, Roman Masters? Would you hurt me? Hurt my family like Whitney's!?" I end my question with a broken scream at his face. He flinches. "Don't ask me such a thing" He says. "Answer me, Roman. Am I your girlfriend for real for just to pass the time?" I push forward, desperate to hear him say something meaningful, something truthful. Not hiding behind his half truths, manipulations and false smirks. Roman shakes his head at me looking sad for the first time
The next day, I don't see Roman all day in school. Not in the hallways, and not even in any of the classes we share. I guess he has taken to missing classes whenever he pleases. I don't care. He can quit school in its entirety if he pleases. It is not like anyone can stop him. He does whatever suits him without thoughts of the consequences. I shake my head in spite and bitterness at the thought. I have still not recovered from our fight yesterday. We haven't spoken since then. I can recall how he looked, staring away from me with an angry frown moments before I left his room like it was mere minutes ago. I should've known better than to think he would come after me or at least call and apologize. I'm stupid for holding on to the hope that he liked me too much to let me go that easily. How very stupid and presumptuous of me. The day after the day we fought, Roman finally attends school. We meet in the hallways although meet is not really the most appro
On Wednesday, Cassie, Robyn and I are planning to go shopping for cute bikinis for the pool party. Since the day Robyn officially invited us to the party, she has provided even more details which have left hyped Cassie up even more than before. Apart from the pool party been held in Seattle, it is also a college party and will be at a beach house. The prospects of being surrounded by college students means new people and faces and this is one of the few reasons I'm interested in attending the party at all. Roman and I are still not talking and I'm beginning to lose my confidence that we will get back together. The hope I'm holding onto is waning. I barely see him and whenever I do, he walks past me like he is totally unaware of my presence and existence. I've never been ignored this sternly. It hurts. And it hurts even more that I can't talk to Cassie about it because I don't feel like dealing with the pity I'm sure I'll see in her gaze, I wouldn't mind a consolation hug though. R
A girl holding multiple shopping bags steps out of the clothing store we are about to enter. She looks awfully familiar and as I try to recall where I’ve seen the blonde girl from before, my subconscious warns me not too. I don’t have to try too hard to tweak my memory however as someone steps out behind the girl. It is Roman, my boyfriend- sorry, I meant my ex boyfriend. I’m still getting used to the change in title. Even with the dark sunglasses covering his eyes I still recognize him with ease. Maybe it is because I spend nearly every waking moment thinking about him and when I’m asleep, memories of him calling me ‘Cookie’ in his deep, playful tone fills my dreams. Roman and the girl don’t see us as they are walking in another direction. “Isn’t that your boyfriend?” Cassie asks, coming to stand beside me with Robyn in tow as we watch the boy I broke up with merely days ago on a shopping date with another girl. A really pretty girl, might I add. Suddenly feeling bitter, I spit
Roman's POV I'm chilling in the cinema room watching a basketball match with Damon and Elijah when Nicole comes in. I'm surprised to see her here. Apart from her showing up unannounced, she doesn’t live in Rixon Hills so how she is nearly always around is becoming concerning. I don't say a word about it however, because I don't care. Nicole is a good friend. A long time childhood friend. Our fathers are business partners as close as brothers so we practically grew up together. Ever since we were young, our fathers have tried to get us together. I'm sure they hope for a long lasting bond through some archaic thing like us getting married and uniting their empires but that is a futile dream. I see Nicole as a childhood friend and nothing more. They would be more likely setting her up with Damon that with me. And Damon is a commitment phone so even that is impossible. I'm still good friends with her because she has never given me any inclination to suspect that she is thinking in th
I walk away and into the shopping mall without another glance at Roman or Nicole. Is he dating her? I don't care. I mean, I do care but I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me jealous, of seeing me bothered by the sight of him and another girl. If we hadn't broken up would I have been the one in her place? Following him everywhere and obeying his every word for a few shopping bags and some fancy dates? I sound bitter but I'm allowed to be. Your boyfriend moving on not even a week after you break up will do that to a girl. I shake away the painful bitter thoughts from my head and start searching for Cassie and Robyn. The mall is a big one, the biggest in Rixon Hill so I'm wondering how I'll be able to find my friends. I decide to start with the clothing section since we planned to do bikini shopping hopefully Cassie and Robyn stuck with our plans. At the clothing section stores, I chose to enter the first bikini and swimwear store I see and I'm in luck because I im
Roman’s POVI have decided to have the talk with my father today. No more postponing, no more hesitating. I’m damn tired of not being able to bring my girl over to my house because she is afraid of my father.I walk over to my father’s office and knock once, then twice. I’ll knock a million times until he lets me in, I know he is inside.“Come in, son” I hear him call out.I chuckle as I twist the handle and step in. He knows it was me just because no one else would ever interrupt him in his office. No one but me.My father sits behind his expensive mahogany desk in his huge as hell office. I hardly come here unless when absolutely necessary, like today. It reminds me of my future, that one day I will likely become a workaholic like him, spending nearly every hour, alone and working.“Father” I say in greeting. I always call him father, never dad for many years and we’re both used to it now.He points at the chair in front of his desk for me to take a seat and I do.I don’t waste a mom
Roman’s POVI search for Lindsey all around and everywhere on school grounds but I can’t find her. I ask our friends and her brother but none has seen her since classes before lunch and because I don’t want anyone being privy to our private business and I know how private Lindsey is, I don’t tell them what’s happened.I want to go straight to her house and console her and fix this problem but there is still one last thing for me to settle.It is time for Rixon High athletes to train so I know where he must be at, being captain of the basketball team. I walk straight to the basketball court and when I open the double doors and enter inside, I see him. Going about his life like he didn’t just play a major role in a pathetic plan to ruin my relationship. Like hell if I’ll let him get away with it.I walk over to Collins who doesn’t see me but is focused bouncing a basketball on the courts smooth floor while going over plays with our teammates.I ignore our coach calling my name.“Roman,
CHAPTERRoman’s POVI’m on my way to the cafeteria after class to meet up with Lindsey when one of the janitors walks up to me and tells me that my girlfriend instructed him to find me and tell me to come help her out in the library because she is not feeling well.I give him a look of suspicion but consider his words, although I texted Lindsey to meet me at the cafeteria after her test she never responded. While I had concluded it was because she was in class it could be something else.Maybe something went wrong and she went to the library instead.I’m filled with worry that I don’t interrogate the janitor further but instead take a different turn to lead me to the library.When I get to the library, I realize I don’t even know exactly where Lindsey is at because the library is so huge. I consider calling her to ask but decide to check the literature section first, she is likely to be there because it is her favorite section in the library.I get there and in fact there is a girl th
Lindsey’s POVI am walking to the cafeteria alone after writing one of the most difficult tests I’ve ever written when Collins approaches me.“Hey pretty” He greets with his signature boyish smile.I smile back but my smile is a bit restrained. I know how Roman feels about Collins and I together, even though I don’t know why as I consider Collins a good friend, but I don’t want to do anything that’ll annoy Roman so I keep my distance.“Hey Collins” I respond and he comes and stands in front of me.“I need your help with something” He tells me.I’m confused as I don’t know what I could possibly help him with but I nod, urging him to go ahead and ask.He does, “I’ve been searching for an important textbook in the library for a while now and I’ve not been able to find it, can you come and help me check?”What? I give him a look of confusion. Is he joking? He must be. I laugh a bit just in case then reply, “There are librarians in the library, Collins” I mention the obvious.He grins but
On Monday after Christmas break, I drive my new new car to school. For the first time in months, I’m alone in a car. I’m driving myself rather than getting driven around like an invalid and it’s all thanks to Roman.Just like he had told me, he spoke to my mom and yesterday she even took me to shop for car accessories for my new car. Since I no longer have to worry about her feeling some type of way about Roman buying me a car, I enjoy the feeling of driving the sleekest car I have ever been in, except for Roman’s cars.When I get to school, I park my car and from the tinted glass of the windshield and windows, I can already see the students of Rixon High surrounding me, wondering who is in the car. Nearly everyone knows what everyone drives and so, a brand new expensive car such as this is bound to draw some attention.I should’ve made Roman come with me for the first day but I’m a big girl and I thought I could handle all the looks and whispers on my own.When I open my door and exi
My hand holding my phone shakes as I find Roman’s contact to call him. As my finger rests about an inch away from dialing Roman, I hesitate.I don’t know how to do it, not call him but tell him I’m refusing his gift. Even though I told mom that I’m not rejecting the gift because of her, I think I was lying. A brand new Mercedes Benz car that looks like that must cost a lot, too much. But, the thought of finally owning my own car after always having to beg Leo and ask Cassie for rides all the time feels so good. Sadly I can’t keep it. I harden my mind and call Roman. He answers on the first ring as if he has been waiting for me to call. “Do you like your car?” Is the first thing he says to me. He sounds so anxious like he can’t wait for my answer and hopes I say yes. “I… I do” I answer after a moment of hesitation. I hear Roman breath out with relief. “Thank God. I was getting worried that you didn’t like it, babe” My throat hurts as I force out the words I know he wouldn’t li
Lindsey’s POVOn the morning of my birthday, I wake up feeling all sorts of special. The night before, I had gotten both Christmas and birthday gifts from my mom, Leo and my friends. Leo had gotten his as well but I’m already used to sharing my birthdays with him. I gave him his gift as well. Last night, after I had unwrapped all my gifts, Roman had taken me out to dinner and while he didn’t say specifically that he was taking me out because of my birthday, I assume it was my birthday present. I loved it because the food was awesome and the company, his presence, was even better. I rise from my bed and do a little twirling on the floor, I’m just so happy. My mom yells my name from downstairs and when I quickly rush down, I see mine and Leo’s birthday cake ready with candles on the dinning table.I smile at the sight. It has always been a tradition for as long as I can remember. Mom always bakes a blue and a pink cake for Leo and I for our birthdays, the pink one for me and the blu
I turn to my cousin with a frustrated and doubt filled look. Damon raises an eyebrow at my facial expression. “Do you want my help or not?” I grunt, “Yeah I do. What type of car do you think I should get for her?” I ask him hopelessly. Damon shrugs, “A lambo or something” He replies. My jaw drops in shock, “A Lamborghini? Are you insane!?” My cousin snorts, “Don’t tell me you think it’s too expensive, she is your girlfriend whom I know you love so don’t tell me you’re deciding to be stingy with her gift” I ignore him saying I’m in love with Lindsey, I am but I’ve never told him or anyone, I haven’t even said the word to Lindsey and I should, I plan to tell her on her birthday, but that is not the point of my conversation with Damon right now. A lambo? I’m groan out, “Please where is Cassie and Robyn? I need them back.” I shake my head in exhaustion. Damon gives me a glare for doubting the reasonability of his idea which is an absolutely ridiculous idea. “Call Cassie and ask h
Roman’s POVIt is a few days to Christmas and even fewer to Lindsey’s eighteenth birthday. I have been in a bind all week contemplating a birthday gift for her. I have even brought in Damon, Robyn and Cassie to help me out with ideas and while they have tried by presenting me with numerous options, I’m not satisfied. I’m not very good at gift giving. Having so much money usually means I buy the most expensive things for my friends and family as gifts, but with Lindsey I can not exercise the same level of indifference or carefree attitude. I want to get her a birthday gift that… has meaning. Being with Lindsey Jordan has changed me. She has shown me that money isn’t everything, I mean I always knew that but now I have lived it. The picnic date she had organized for me the night before my birthday as my birthday gift sure didn’t cost anything close to a thousand dollars if I were to wager a guess, but I wasn’t lying when I told her it was the best birthday gift I’ve ever gotten. The