Exile
"Raven," my mom said, "Brad's here." I grumbled and then told her I'll be down soon. Here we go again, I thought. Another potential arranged marriage. It's crazy to think about how I'm going through this again. I wondered for a moment, what would happen if I just stopped going downstairs? More than likely, my father would just drag me down.
I looked in the mirror at my new Louis Vinton dress as I tried to remember the boy's name. It was ivory and stopped right below my knees. It strapless and it brought out my amethyst eyes and shoulder length purple hair. Surprisingly it also looked well against my pale skin. It was beautiful, something that I actually liked. Too bad it would do nothing for me tonight, I thought as I climbed down the stairs. I spotted my parents in the sitting room we never sit in it. They sat in the armchairs. Mom was on the right in a nice Chanel midnight blue gown, and my dad on the left in a black suit.
The perfect image of the modern king and queen.
Across from them were two men. One was older and balding, giving me a cold look. Next to him was a younger man. He had green eyes and blonde hair with a look of easy arrogance. I entered gracefully and faked a smile. Everybody stood and my dad walked to me and kissed both cheeks. He is such a good actor.
"Don't screw this up." he whispered in my ear. I smiled at him. He put his arm around my shoulders.
"Mr. Smith, this is my beautiful daughter, Raven," he said. He motioned to the old man. "Raven, this is one of my partners, Mr. Smith and his son Brad." That's what his name was! So this was one of my father's wealthy colleagues. Always the rich and spoiled. But then again being an heiress to Roth Enterprises and ancient money from Japan, I wasn't anywhere close to broke. And my dad wanted to keep it that way, hence the arrangement.
Brad stepped forward and grabbed my hand. He was shorter than me, which is saying something considering I'm only 5'6" and that's with 3-inch heels. He kissed my hand and smirked at me. I thought I was going to be sick.
"Pleasure is all mines." He said, what I think was suppose to be seductive but came off breathy and creepy.
"Nice to meet you." I said trying to sound relaxed and happy despite the disgust rolling inside me. My mom looked happy but I could tell she was really nervous as he eyes darted between Brad and me. She knew I didn't like him and was anxious about my reaction. While my father talked to Mr. Smith, mom came over to me and whispered, "Should I be worried?" I shook my head.
"It shouldn't be too messy."
She sighed and whispered "Don't be too dramatic, please." I nodded.
An hour later I was still sitting on the couch in the sitting room. My father and Mr. Smith talking. My father had so far said I am very social (lie), debate team (lie), and am delighted to be marrying Brad (…are you KIDDING ME?)
"So when should they get married?" Mr. Smith said.
"That depends. Do I have your consent?" my father asked. Uh-oh. Mr. Smith nodded.
"Yes, you have my consent." No! My father smiled and thanked him. My mom face fell but she quickly recovered. My eyes went wide but somehow forced a smiled. I had to get him to change their mind before they left.
Brad who was on the opposite side of the couch was now next to me. He leaned on me and said "So were getting married." I stood up about to yell at him but then thought of a better idea.
"I'm thirsty. Want me to get you a drink Brad?"
My father narrowed his eyes at me before quickly stated, "Nonsense, Raven. Glenda can get us something to drink." Oh no, dad. Not this time.
"I don't mind. Beside Glenda's probably busy with dessert. Do you want something Brad?" Dad sensed the danger of the situation but couldn't do anything. He was a sitting duck.
"Sure babe. Make sure it's cold." I wanted to slap that smirk off so bad but restrained. I walked out before anyone could stop me. I walked into the kitchen and Glenda was baking cookies.
"Hey Glen." I said. Glenda was our maid since I was 8. She knew me better than anybody else and often encouraged my small acts of rebellion. Though not the best role model, she is a nice relief in my life.
"How's my little Raven?" She asked with a knowing smile. I rolled my eyes.
"You got any drinks that stain?" She smiled and pulled out a coke and a sprite for me. "I mixed a little beer in that coke so it'll never come out. And here's a little something for you after. I know it's your favorite."
"Only after tea. Thanks Glen."
"Make sure you get him good. And I'm sure I'll find a way to make sure your dad won't kill you." I laughed and grabbed the coke bottle. I walked back to the sitting room. The adults were too busy talking to notice me enter. I untwisted the top of the bottle and approached Brad From behind. SPLASH! The coke was instantly on Brad. The adults all had a look of shock on there face as I poured the rest of the drink on him.
"Oops, sorry." I said not sounding sorry at all. "I hope it was cold enough babe." Brad stood up. He was furious and turning red.
"Look at what you did? My clothes are now ruined and I smell like beer!" he yelled. I looked at my parents. My father shook his head. You wouldn't dare, he told me with his eyes. I nodded. I would, I sent back with a quick smirk before giving Brad an
"Oh that was one with beer. I was going to drink that after you left." Mr. Smith was bewildered.
"You let you daughter drink?" Dad shook his head vigorously.
"No Mr. Smith-"
"Don't worry, Brad," I continued, "I'm sure you'll get over it one day. Maybe by then you'll actually have the advantage of being good looking."
"Excuse Me?" He said
"You're slow too? Your dad must spend a lot of time at his job. Those extra tutors must be cashing in." I said nonchalantly.
"I will not have this disrespect towards my son! Come along Brad." Mr. Smith commanded. Brad glared at me. I smiled evilly back. My first real smile all night. My dad, desperate to save the engagement, started to go after them.
"If it was not obvious, Mr. Roth. The engagement is OFF! Good luck marrying her off!" Mr. Smith and Brad left for good. My dad turned to me. He was furious and was turning redder by the minute.
"Bye." I said before I ran to the kitchen.
"RAVEN!" dad bellowed.
I didn't hear him come after me. Glenda was standing in the kitchen with the sprite in her hand.
"Thanks Glen." I said before grabbing the bottle and running to my room. Once I was safely in there with the door locked I collapsed on my bed. I then turned on my TV and watched the security tapes of my mom and dad. "So what's my punishment this time, daddy dearest?"
I sat on my bed watching my dad argued with mom.
"Boot Camp!" he shouted. Mom rolled her eyes.
"No. She's too old."
"Boarding school in Switzerland."
"For one Semester?"
"How about Nor-"
"No!" mom shouted. Dad put his hands over his face. He sighed. Glenda entered and brought chocolate chip cookies. She sat down and watched the argument with me. "What going on?" I grabbed a cookie.
"Trying to see which punishment I should I get this time. Dad even suggested Switzerland!" Glenda chuckled and continued to watch.
"Arella, she's never going to learn if she stays her. This is our only choice." Mom looked down and moved away from dad.
"I don't want her to end up in the same situation as you. You know how she is. She'll look for revenge if we do this to her. Don't do this."
My mom begged him. Dad moved closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, making her look up.
"This is the only way. Raven is smart. She wouldn't do that." He said reassuringly. Mom sighed.
"I know. She's very smart, Trent, but...what if that happens? I can't lose her, not like that." She said softly. He smiled regretfully and pulled her close, stroking her hair.
"I know. I know." He told her. They stayed like that for a while. I turned to see Glenda her eyes wide with realization.
"What are they talking about?" I asked her.
"You are in some real trouble now." She said softly.
"What?" I heard footsteps "They're coming." I hurried and cut off the tapes and made it look like I know anything. Glenda shook her head and left.
"Don't forget to hide the Sprite." She called to me as she left. I hurried to put the bottle in the mini fridge. The last time they found vodka in my room I was sent to Europe for school. Literally. A few moments later mom knocked on the door.
"Raven, open the door." she said. I sighed and opened the door. She had a pensive look on her face and I moved to the side so she could come in. We walked in to my own sitting room. It was similar to the one on the first floor. Mom sat across from me. She had to the same look she always had when she gave me my punishment, stern and a bit nervous about my reaction.
She sighed. "Raven-"
"No." I interrupted her, "I told you once, twice, and now were at the seventh time. I'm not getting married to what Dad thinks I should be married. I want to be married on my own time with who I want. Dad's standards are the rich and spoiled. Mine are much higher." Mom put her face in her hands and groaned.
"Raven,"-sigh-"I'm not going to say what you want isn't right. But what you did was complete wrong. You cannot keep embarrassing this family like that. Your father's business is going to now suffer-"
"Good. I hope it crashes and burns."
"Raven!" she exclaimed, "don't talk like that. Your dad has worked hard for what he has and you know it." She took a deep breath to calm down. "Now your punishment is that you'll be living with your Aunt Ann and Uncle Mike for a while...in Gotham."
My eyes went wide with realization. Gotham; as in Gotham City, New York. They're getting rid of me! I stood up furious.
"DAD!" I yelled. I ran out of my room to my dad's office. He was working on some case. I charged over there and yelled "You're getting rid of me!" He stood.
"Now Raven," he said, "it's only for the rest of school year. Think of it as a long-term vacation." I was furious when he said that. I swept everything off his desk and it came crashing to the floor. He looked at his work and was getting mad quick. The golden rule around here was no matter what, never touch dad's work.
"YOU'RE SHIPPING ME OFF AGAIN!" I bellowed. My dad looked behind me with a shake of his head and snapped. I felt someone grab my arms pin them behind my back. I looked to the security guards. They put me on the desk and asked my dad what to do.
"Just put her in her study. She should be content there until her flight." he told them. It took a guard on each of my arms to get me out. I pulled and tucked as hard I could, escaped a couple of times only to be once again pulled, more like dragged, to my study on the third floor. All the while, I yelling and cursing out my father.
After ten minutes or so of struggling, the guard finally shoved me into the only room with a plain wooden door. They slammed it close after me and locked it. I banged uselessly on the door, screaming until I was horse, clawing at it, but I knew it was only the frustration. The door only opened from the outside. The "study," as it was often referred to was really my fancy prison. My dad is that controlling. I once spent two weeks in here. The inside had a desk, 3 leather armchairs, a window seat, and a wall of books. It was to high the ground for me to climb out and the only exit was the wooden door.
There was also a TV disguised as a mirror. I was lucky I got that in here without dad knowing it was a TV. I sat in the chair behind the desk. I was there only there for a few minutes before Glenda came in. She shook her head in disappointment. She hated it when I was stuck in here.
"You just had to storm into his office huh." Glenda said sounding more like my mom then the maid. She knew I wouldn't resist her like my parents. She knew I respected her more then I respected them. I looked down to avoid her glare. "No you look at me!" She said as she grabbed my chin so I could see her face. It was the look that's been on everyone's face. Pure fury. "You shouldn't have fought your father." I opened my mouth to speak but she stopped me.
"Don't speak. You said enough for everyone tonight." She sighed and rubbed her tried face. "Your flight is in two days. Try and get some sleep tomorrow night. You're going to need this," she placed down the unfinished plate of cookies and my spiked sprite, "Goodnight." She left before I could say any think else. I sat in a deafen silence and closed my eyes before getting up and turning on the TV. And the biggest picture was of my dad's office. He sat back papers picked up and organized once again.
"That went well." he said with a smile. Mom on the other hand was displeased with him. "She'll come around," he said to her, "she always does."
"I told you I hate having her locked in that room. This is not a prison camp for her. This is her home." My mom argued.
"And the sooner she starts respecting it as such, the sooner I'll stop locking her up." My mom scoffed at his words before stalking out the room, upset at her husband once more. I cut it off. My head was swirling with so much rage that I knocked down the bookshelf and started to throw books at the door until I got tired. I went to the window seat and fell into a troubled sleep. He's getting rid of me...again.
I woke to a book colliding with the desk. I wiped my eyes and looked up to see my dad. He was smiling at me.
"Good morning, Princess." He said sweetly to me. Today was the day I leave my California house (it was never really a home) to go to Gotham. My father was especially happy. For he no longer had to deal with me the rest of my high school life.
"I hate when you call me princess." I told me. He just shrugged.
"You are basically royalty." I rolled my eyes. "Oh come on, Raven, don't be-"
"Don't be like what?" I yelled at him. "Pissed off that you have to hide behind those guards because you're a coward? I still can't believe mom don't divorce you yet." He just stood there unaffected by what I said. I got up and went to the door. "Let me out!" I demanded. The guard opened the door and looked at my dad for permission. He rolled his eyes and nodded.
Downstairs my suitcases were packed and ready. Glenda and Mom were down there. I walked straight to Glenda and gave her a hug.
"Bye Glen. I'll miss you." I told her. She hugged me back.
"Be safe." She whispered. I pulled away and smiled. I walked out to my car. It was a raven black Ferrari (F430 Spider to be exact). You be surprised how easy it was to steal this. My dad thought I bought it with my birthday money. That $300,000 was used for more important things. My mom and dad went to there Bentley Continental GT. I looked at the mansion one last time before starting my car and pulling off towards the airport.
7 hours later I was sitting in an airport waiting for Uncle Mike and Aunt Ann. Uncle Mike is dad's older brother (it's always the brother). He's not rich like us though. He's a boxing coach and co-owns a gym with my aunt. It wasn't big or fancy but it was nice. They were good people, my aunt and uncle, with a son and twin girls. I have only visited Uncle Mike a few times and only for a few days on occasional spring breaks.
"Raven!" someone with a low voice shouted. I turned to see Uncle Mike standing not too far away waiting. He smiled when I spotted him. I stood up with my bags and walked over to him. He gave me a hug and smiled at me. "Well, well, well," he said, "Look at you, all grown up." He wrapped his arm around me. It was different from when my dad does it. It was welcoming and safe. I couldn't help but smile a bit. Uncle Mike led me to his Buick.
"I know it's not a Lamborghini or anything but it's good to me." He said. I nodded as I got in, already missing my car. I wonder if mom would convince my father to ship it or if keeping it in California was his punishment for me.
"So how's my little brother nowadays?" I was suddenly flared up with rage.
"Greedy, power hungry, selfish-"
"Whoa, Raven." he said, "calm down. He's not that bad."
"You don't live with him."
"I used to." I rolled my eyes. "Hey. None of that." he said, "I don't know how my brother runs things in California but it doesn't work like that here." He looked at my face before continuing. "Your new school is Northside. It's a good school but only if you stay out of the wrong crowd. You start Monday." I sighed looking away. Through out the ride he told me his rules and expectation along with how excited Aunt Ann was at my arrival.
We eventually stopped at a one-story white house. It was the same as I remember, modern but cozy. The living was an array off whites and browns. I smelled gumbo in the kitchen and went to the kitchen while Uncle Mike dragged my luggage in to the house. Aunt Ann was standing over the gumbo stirring it. She looked my way and smiled at me.
"Hey Rae Rae." She said using my baby nickname. I groaned.
"Come on Aunnie you know I hate that name." She chuckled. I never called her Auntie or Aunt Ann. It was always Aunnie. She hugged me and I could feel her laughing at me. "Hey where's Justin?" I asked. She gave me her do-you-even-have to-ask look. I nodded and went to one of the bedrooms down the hall. I opened the first and saw my 10-year-old cousin playing Halo 3.
"Oh." I said, "This is the kind of welcome I get, Justin, thanks a lot." He turned and ran to me.
"Hey Raven." Justin was like my little brother. We grew surprisingly close even though I never stayed long. Sometimes we would call or email each other during the holidays or when something crazy happened. And out of everybody, I usually missed him the most.
"I heard your staying for the rest of the school year. What'd you do?" I laughed a little bit and sat down on his bed. He followed eager to hear why I was staying so long.
"Well I'm getting a new record. I ruined another engagement. This is number 7."
"Nice." He said. We talked for a while until it dinnertime, him filling my in on what's happened with him and me telling him about the newest cars I got and California.
At the dinner table was where I saw the baby twins for the first time. (My father wouldn't let me visit after they were first born, despite my pleading.) They're names were Vanessa and Denise. Denise was louder and dramatic while Vanessa was quiet and cooperative.
We talked about everything except my punishment. My traveling seemed to always lead back to my father, which was a sore spot for Uncle Mike. He loved my father but always had questioned his decisions.
I zoned out of the conversation halfway through, wrapped up in my thoughts. Tomorrow I would get the real Gotham and I knew it wouldn't be pretty. Gotham wasn't exactly the nicest neighborhood. There were nice parts but the bad parts of town outnumbered them. I was tried by the thought of being here for the months to come.
"Raven, you alright?" Uncle Mike asked.
"I'm fine." I lied. Just perfect.
The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual. I looked around my new bedroom. It had royal blue walls, a queen size bed, a bedside table, and a dresser. I took off the covers and sat there for a while. I remember my father gently waking me up. His smile would make me feel on top of the world. I shook my head to get rid of the thought.
Stop It! I thought He's changed for good. I sighed, thinking of how, at one time, my father meant the world to me…and how has changed since.
I changed out of my pajamas in to a gray sweater, black jeans, and my Timberlands. I tiptoed to the front door and grabbed my jacket and sunglasses. I didn't bring my cell phone just in case Uncle Mike called me. I just wanted to be alone today.
I wrote a note and left on the counter.
Hey Uncle Mike, went to town. Be back before curfew.
-Raven
I climbed down the driveway and out in to the cold city. Uncle Mike and Aunnie lived near the Eastern seaboard. Their house was 15 minutes from Gotham City. I decided that would be my first stop.
Gotham City was noisy and busy. I arrived at the city an hour ago and wasn't surprised at all. It was everything I thought it would be; gray and dirty. Once you passed a certain part it all a desolated, crime-ridden city. I sighed, shaking my head as I entered the nearest Starbucks. It was crowed with people trying to get their morning coffee so they could start their day. I stayed silent as the line inched forward until I got to the counter. The cashier pursed her lips as soon as she saw me, most of her weight shifting to her hips with her hand.
"What would you like?" she asked trying to keep the attitude out of her voice but still having an edge in it.
"Green tea, please." I said, excusing her tone. She was probably tried and was having a bad day. I know I would if I worked here, I thought as I paid and stepped aside for the next customer.
That's when I felt someone's eyes on me. But when I turned around, no one was there. I looked out the window, thinking that maybe it was someone from outside. Still no one.
"Miss." I turned and saw the cashier. She was holding my drink. I took it with a mumbled thank you. I sat down next to the window.
The back of my neck tingled s I felt the person staring at me. Agitated, I turned sharply to look out the window. Across the street, there was a boy staring at me. He was really…cute and that's a word I rarely ever use. Even though he was across the street I could tell he had blue eyes. He was muscular but not too muscular like a track athlete. His hair was naturally spiky. He wore a leather jacket with boots, almost seeming to scream rebel. When he saw me starring back at him, he smiled. I think I felt my heart skip a beat and it felt as though time stopped.
I couldn't look away from him. It was too impossible. Everything disappeared when he looked at me. I couldn't help but smile back. I forgot where I was or how long we were starring at each other. I just knew that for that moment, it was only…us.
Then, literally, with a blink of an eye he was gone.
I blinked twice as I focused back on the sidewalk. I stood up and walked outside, crossing the street. I looked up and down for a sign of him. But whoever he was, he was gone.
The next few hours I walked around the rest of Gotham, trying to remember the moment but eventually got tired of the city. When I looked up, the sky was darkening. I sighed, knowing there was nowhere else I felt like going today, and flagged down a taxi.
"Where to?" the driver asked. I gave him the street near my new "home". As he drove, I couldn't help but contemplate what happened earlier. What did happen? How…how did that stranger make me feel like that? What it even real? Or just something strange daydream? I shook my head to clear it. Whatever it was-real or my imagination-it was over now and I strongly doubt it would happen again.
I walked up the driveway to the house and checked the time. 9:17. I opened the door and was immediately greeted by Uncle Mike's yelling.
"WHERE WERE YOU?" I didn't shake me one bit as I closed the door behind me. I was use to getting yelled at. It happened every day I was in California.
"I told you where I was going." I told him.
"Oh, your note, right. Let's look at that." He strolled to the counter and read the note I left, 'Hey Uncle Mike, went to town. Be back before curfew.'" he slammed the note on the counter. "That was not telling me where you were! That was saying you didn't care whether or not we didn't know where you were! You didn't even bring your phone-"
"I forgot."
"That doesn't mean-"
"Look Uncle Mike I didn't mean to worry you, okay? I just wanted to see Gotham. Nothing happened to me. I'm fine." He sighed and sat down, trying to calm down.
"You missed dinner. It's in the fridge. Be in bed by ten since it's a school night. Goodnight, Raven." He kissed my forehead and went to bed. On his way there, he turned back to me. "By the way there's something in the garage for you." I nodded and he retreated to his room. I went to the kitchen and sighed. Only here for a day and I'm already on Uncle Mike's bad side.
I walked to the garage and my jaw dropped as I saw my Ferrari where Uncle Mike's Buick usually was. I touched the smooth surface, comforted by it's familiarity before spotting the note on the inside. I opened the door, pulling it out. I read it quickly and crushed it in my fist, rage quickly consuming my. I slammed my fist on the car's hood before sliding down to the floor and stayed like that repeating the note in my head.
Hello Raven. Hope your first days in Gotham are good. Raven I just found out your time there might be prolonged. Sorry. Call us tomorrow.
-Dad
