Down – Chapter Eight
Two months later
It has been two months since the semester finally ended. It has been two months since I've started been a homeschooled girl. I know it is my fault. I should have paid attention in class and stopped cutting classes. But I failed and I feel like shit. Sorry for the cursed language but I really feel like that. I have a teacher who comes every morning to teach me what I need to know to take the SAT and pass the senior year. She even comes on Saturdays. I actually am not complaining about homeschooling. It has been a good thing though. I wanted to graduate with my class but after what happened with Carter, I changed my mind. All my ex-classmates think I'm a murderer. They reject me and treat me like garbage. I know it was Carter who tried to kill herself… well… I really think it was a made up plan and she didn't want to do it. Maybe she did it to destroy my reputation and stuff. But my ex-classmates don't know that and rather believe her more than me. I guess I'm alone. Joe hasn't called me in months. Miley moved to Florida to attend FIU. I am not a Jonas fan anymore. It was a beautiful experience until it lasted.
"Good morning, Miss Rosalinda," the teacher said while taking a seat next to me.
"Good morning, Mrs. Tina," I replied her greetings.
"I know we rather not be in this situation. Everyone is enjoying the summer and moving away from their parents, but you made some wrong choices that stick you here," she said because she noticed my sad, depressed face.
"It's not that, Mrs. Tina," I told her.
"No?" she asked confused. "Then, what would it be?" she asked again.
"It just… I miss my old life. I regret the day I asked my Mom to take the Jonas here," I answered really nervous, almost biting my lips.
"Oh honey, you shouldn't regret anything in your life. All the situations we have to face arrive with a purpose. The purpose… to learn from them," she calmly said.
I just said nothing. I bet she's right, but I'm too young to handle crisis like this. My Mom is better at that. For some reason she's the President, right? I guess I won't be The President of the United States like her. I don't have what it needs. I am too weak.
"Okay, darling. Let's start the lesson, shall we?" she said.
"Yeah!" I ended.
Suddenly, at the middle of the lesson, my cell phone started ringing. Mrs. Tina got annoyed, so she asked me to answer but quick. I stood up and went outside my bedroom. When I was about to answer I noticed it was Joe.
"Hello!" I answered.
"Hello there, my gorgeous" he said.
"Yeah, right. What do you want?" I asked him using my sarcastic tone.
"Just talk to you. It has been a while since I called you the last time."
"Yeah, I noticed that." I replied.
"I wanted to but I was on tour and doing a series with Disney Channel. I barely have time to spend with myself," he said really worried.
"At least you should've text me or something"
"I did! But every time I pressed send, it said you blocked me," he told me.
"What?" I asked really worried yet confused.
"Yeah, that is what it said. I thought you were the one who doesn't wanna talk to me," he answered.
"But I never blocked you," I replied back.
"I'm telling you what happened. It's up to you to believe me or not." He ended and then hangs up.
"That is weird," I said to myself. Immediately, after that, I decided to call my cell phone provider. I have never blocked any of Joe's messages. Apparently, I just "blocked" him on SMS.
"Hello, this is Five Stars Communication Washington D.C. How may I help you?" said the person in at the other line.
"Hello. This is Rosalinda Montoya and I calling referring to my cell phone plan service. I need information about what changes I made the last few months. I had an accident and don't remember much," I said to the customer service employee.
"Well, let's see… what your phone number is?" he asked.
"I'm calling from the White House. I am the President's daughter. The manager wanted me to keep my number secretly even for you, the employees" I said because like my Mom says… my safety first.
"Oh, I'm sorry Miss Rosalinda Montoya. How fool I am." He replied nervously.
"It's ok. Can you do that favor to me?" I asked.
"Sure. Let's see… I have registered a call you made three months ago to change you SMS plan," he answered. "It says you called to not allow someone to send you messages."
"Really? That's weird. I have never called you before. I've never blocked someone in my whole life," I replied really angry.
"How can you affirm that if you had an accident and forgot things?" he replied back.
Oops, my mistake. I told him I had amnesia. "Well… let's say I know myself and I'm pretty sure I don't do such things. Even my worst frienemy still as my contact and never have blocked her.
"Oh, then I don't know what happened for real. I wasn't the one who worked that day. I'm new. I started working here last week." He explained to me.
"Okay... I guess I must call the manager. Thanks for your help anyway" I giggled and then hang up.
Seconds later, all was clear to me. The other person I told personal information for emergencies is the responsible of that. I can't believe it. She ruined my life. She even ruined my relationship with Joe. I HATE YOU, CARTER!
With Carter and Mr. Mason
They are dinning at the table. Mr. Mason found another job as a private detective. It is pretty dangerous and uncomfortable. It doesn't pay much, either. Carter feels awful about that. She wanted to ruin Rosie's life but ruined everyone's life as a result. She is deeply depressed because of her father. He's her only family and she now took him to live at risk. She barely can swallow her food. She had a lump in her throat. All her lies and bad things she did because of her envy, still running into her head. That left her sleepless and facing hungriness.
"You look awful, sweetheart" said Mr. Mason when Carter sits on the chair.
"I'm fine, Daddy" she said.
"We're running out of money, dear. We should save and spend less. I guess you're not going to College this year."
"Whatever!" she said and then stood up and left.
"Aren't you eating, Carter? You look unhealthier every day. You look like a skinny zombie," yelled Mr. Mason at the distance.
"I'm not hungry. I don't care!" she yelled back.
Carter arrived to her bedroom and lied down on her bed. She opened her photo album and started remembering all the good times she had with Rosie. The school, the White House, the parties, their ex-boyfriends. She can't believe how a stupid obsession changed all that. Carter feels like hating on Rosie, but she can't do it at all. Rosie has been her best friend since ever. Carter wants apologize with Rosie but then she realizes Rosie must hate on her for all what she did. The last thing she did against Rosie; was calling Rosie's cell phone provider and prevent Joe to send her messages. It was obviously to break them up. Carter knew Joe was on tour and filming and he couldn't have time to call Rosie. Carter took advantage of that.
Carter closed her photo album and put it back on the shelf. She got out of bed and went downstairs again. Maybe it is time to talk to her father. Surprisingly, when she arrived to the dining room, she heard a light but deep crying. She stopped and hid behind the wall. Later, she noticed it was her father. He was crying over the picture of The President of the United States.
