Chapter 3
My eyes flickered open and I saw a bright light coming from my window. It was morning and the day of my graduation, and I suddenly sat upright. My head reeled. Spinning around my brain. I held my head tightly and I crawled out of bed, not remembering anything that happened the night before. I was dressed in a t-shirt and my panties, nothing else. And seeing as though no one else was in the apartment I couldn't care less. I walked towards the kettle to make myself some coffee and maybe wake myself up.
"Morning," muttered someone in the corner. I turned to see Ted eating toast and drinking tea, sat with his legs crossed and his Ray-ban glasses on the end of his nose. He smirked as he looked at me, my hair a mess and all over my face, and my eyes drooped.
"Ted?" I asked, completely confused. My eyes widened and I remembered. Ian. Shit! Ian! "Shit! Ted what the fuck happened last night?" I shouted. Ted was taken aback by my outburst but I couldn't understand. I was drinking, oh the drinking. Outside, and the blond hair. The dress and the bin. Oh god. "I punched a guy who nearly raped you, Phoebe... but don't bother with the 'thank-you!" he muttered, chewing up the last bit of toast on his plate. He stood up and I pelted towards him, throwing my arms around his waist and hugging him.
"I've missed you. Where's Mum and Dad? Please tell me they didn't see me like this!" I pleaded. If they had seen me this drunk, Hell would've seemed like a nice place to live. He smiled and shook his head and long sigh of relief left me as I slumped onto the sofa.
"Where are they? And how the hell did you find me?" I asked, completely confused still. "They're in a hotel about fifteen minutes away from here. Josh found your phone and I rang you, he answered and said he couldn't find you. So, I came to find you. Obviously tracking you," he muttered, smiling. "Dad taught you well," I whispered. He didn't smile, and he looked at me with concern.
"Phoebe, I wont tell Mum and Dad about Ian," he muttered sombrely.
"I will. He deserves what he gets after this." Ted looked shocked and raised his eyebrows, but a hint of kindness and awe was glistening in his eyes. "I'm just a little shocked at what he did. I don't know why..."
"It's because you're beautiful, Phoebe. He was going to take advantage of a smart, attractive and very drunk girl who he could easily get his way with. I'm glad I came when I did or Lord knows what would've happened," he said. He ran his hands through his hair, agitated and obviously thinking of what might have happened if he hadn't of rescued me.
"Despite the fact I'm tiny and a girl, Ted, I can take care of myself. But thank you, all the same." I kissed him on the cheek and rose slowly, gaining my balance. I smiled and looked down at my attire. I blushed and covered my legs, knowing that my older brother was stood smirking at me. I didn't realise till just that he was dressed in a casual suit, looking clever, smart yet very handsome. I looked at the clock and realised that I had two hours to get ready, and that I should better start now.
"Ready? Mum and Dad are downstairs," said Ted as I collected my bag from the counter. I grabbed my keys and locked the apartment door behind us. I slowly walked down the stairs, careful not the trip in my new heels. My dress was new too, a halter neck dress which was black. I always wore black and dark colours, unlike Lilly who wore green most days. Then, I saw the car, and Taylor opening the door and my Mum and Dad clambering out of the car to greet me. "Phoebe, I am so proud of you," my Mum said, sobbing slightly between words. "Thanks, Mum. Dad?" I asked, smiling up at him. He grabbed me tightly and hugged me, kissing the top of my head.
"Well done," he muttered, smiling at me and guiding me towards the car. Ted walked swiftly behind me and winked as we all climbed into the car, and Taylor swiftly drove away towards Harvard. Dad smiled at me all the way there, and I could tell that he was proud of me. We always got on well, me and my Dad. You wouldn't think so seeing as he's incredibly strict towards me, but we've always had this connection. Ted and Mum have been closer really, both being a lot more sensitive than me and my Dad.
Finally, after a boring time of announcements and calling out our names, we all sat back in our seats holding our certificates proudly. I glanced over at my left to see Ian, a large black eye bulging from his face, but he looked straight ahead and I smirked. Serves you right!
"Well done, honey!" said Mum, holding me tightly and taking out the camera.
"Mum, no more photo's! I hate this hat..." I muttered. Suddenly a photographer came up behind me, tapping me on the shoulder. I turned and smiled.
"A family photo, if you please?" he asked kindly. I turned and stood beside my Dad whose arm was wrapped around my Mum, Ted stood beside Mum awkwardly trying to bend down to be a similar height to the rest of us.
"So, where's this boy you've been talking about? I need to know what major he got to I can track him," said Christian, smiling down at me.
"Not necessary. I dumped him yesterday. He was a bit of a jerk anyway. I'm looking forward to coming home! I can't wait to eat Gail's cooking," I muttered, but my Dad frowned down at me and I knew that this wasn't the last of hearing about Ian.
As we sat in the airport, I flicked through a book about fantasy adventures or something but I really couldn't pay attention. My mind kept on reeling back to Ian. He did deserve it, but I haven't spoken to him since. And Ted, he's keeping an eye on me even more so now, including all of the other security team members. As we board the plane, I sit comfortably in my first class seat next to Ted, a small wall separating us but it could easily be removed with one touch of a button. Leaning back into the cushioned chair, I press the button and my chair suddenly swings backwards, flinging me back. I couldn't help but giggle loudly and Ted was sat beside me in tears of laughter. I clambered back up to my seat and set it propely, making sure not to go flying back into the air. A stewardess came over to give us champagne and we smiled, accepting them graciously.
"We will be arriving in Seattle in twenty minutes."
I sighed heavily and peered over towards my left, seeing a couple. Such a young couple holding hands and talking to each other, his hand on her leg as they gossiped. Oh, how I wanted that, so badly. Ted has it with a girl called Bryony and like him, she's beautiful and incredibly smart. Mum and Dad have it, Taylor and Gail do too. So has Sophie, and she's engaged to the guy! Eva has a boyfriend and is serious about him, seeing as they've been dating for almost two years now it's got to be serious, it's Eva! I sighed and realised that I'm the only one left. I will die an old maid. No, I mustn't think like that! I'm going to be a CEO in training and Dad is going to be keeping a watchful eye over me, I'm sure. I turn to see my Dad staring at me and frowning, he looked deeply concerned about something. He clambered out of his seat and sat beside me softly.
"Phoebe, whats wrong? You've been acting strange all day. Is it that Ian?" he asked, holding my hand in his grip and slowly drumming his fingers along my knuckles.
"Yeah, but can we talk about it later? In private?" I asked, holding his hand tighter.
"Of course, darling," he muttered. He got up and went back to my Mum, sitting down and looking a lot more comfortable and relieved.
