Endless Love…
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 10
"The first days in St. Paul"
The next morning, there was the morning mass, Candy didn't know what to wear, she put on her white uniform. She was late and she ran in the hallway. But when she got out, she saw that everybody was wearing the black uniform. She met her cousins.
- Candy! Said Archie, you should've put on the black dress, go and change fast!
- Ok, said Candy
But while she was going back, she saw the reverend mother looking at her with serious eyes.
- Miss Candice White Andrew, you're wearing the wrong dress! She said
- I know, I'm sorry reverend mother, I'm going to go change quickly, said Candy
- You won't have the time, the service is about to begin, go as you are!
- Thank you reverend mother, I'm sorry again.
Candy entered the church with her white dress and the office started. While they were praying, there was some noise at the door; footsteps. Everybody opened their eyes to see what was happening. A young man got it; he was wearing the school's uniform, but he was holding his jacket on shoulder with one hand. Candy couldn't believe her eyes!
- Terrence Grandchester! Said the reverend mother, you're late and you're disturbing the mass and your comrades' prayers. Have a seat immediately!
- But I didn't come here to pray, reverend mother…
- Why are you here then?
- To take a nap…
There were some screams of indignation in the assembly. The students started to laugh. Candy couldn't believe her ears.
- A nap?
- Yes, it's usually empty and very calm and cool…
- You're disturbing your comrades' prayer, said the reverend mother again
- Prayer? I bet you most of them are tired of being on their knees and are waiting impatiently for the mass to be over to get up and stretch their legs. I bet you God is blushing by they are really thinking at this moment…
The assembly burst out laughing. Candy shook her head smiling. The icy water really had an effect on her dear Terrence's brain! But she was in seventh heaven; Terrence Grandchester was a student in the same school as her, he was a student at the Royal College of St. Paul! And he had a ready tongue! But she was feeling a little bitterness in him.
- Terrence Grandchester get out at one, and… started the reverent mother
- "…go wait for me in my office"! Finished Terrence, I know the drill… I'll see you later, then… and you guys, pray for me!
And he got out of the room making a lot of noise with his shoes. When he passed in front of Candy, whom he had noticed because she was the only one wearing a white dress in the whole assembly, he looked into her eyes and winked at her. Candy couldn't help smiling with her lips, without showing her teeth. She had to restraint herself not to laugh. He continued his way after giving her a mocking smile and he slammed the door behind him. The students started to whisper among them.
- Who was that? Asked Eliza
- That's Terrence Grandchester, the heir of the duke of Grandchester, and he's impossible, but he he's a straight A student… the nuns are afraid of him, said her friend Louise
- Well, he is handsome, said Eliza
- Oh yeah, he's to die for! Said Louise
"Why did he look at Candy? Because that stupid girl was wearing the white dress instead of the black one…I'm sure she just wanted to stand out! The tramp! She's doing everything to get the attention of the richest and most good looking guy in the school! She's not going to get away with it! I'm not going to let her!"
- Silence! Said the reverend mother, you're going to pray an extra hour to repent yourself for committing a sin after your friend's interruption. Not another word!
The students were fuming! An extra hour because of that snotty nosed student! On top of that, he was doing whatever he wanted. When the prolonged mass was finally over, everybody was outside fuming for staying overtime in church because of Terrence Grandchester!
Candy was sitting on the grass and she heard Eliza and her friends talking; they were talking about Terrence of course. She walked away, she wasn't in the mood of hearing Eliza talk about anything. She was walking towards a tree in the school yard, which was on a little hill; it reminded her of her Pony hill in America. She was sitting on the grass thinking about Terrence. He was in the same school as her; providence couldn't have done thinks better!
- Hello, Miss Freckles, said a voice coming from behind the tree
- Terrence…
- I smelled your perfume, I knew you were there…, are you following me by any chance?
- Follow you?
- Yes; we saw each other on the boat, at the restaurant and now I find you here at St. Paul
- You incredibly arrogant! I would've left America to follow you here in St. Paul, because I knew you existed?
- You said it! You have to admit that it's kind of funny that I find you everywhere on my way…
- Oh, because you're not on my way? I could say the same thing… and you interrupted the mass; they punished us by making us pray for an extra hour to expiate our sin you've made us do by laughing during our prayer…
- Oh, we're mad because we had to pray longer than usual? Did you at least pray for me?
- There was even a special request from the priest, said Candy smiling
- How touching. By the way, did you put the white dress so I would notice you? You have to say it was difficult not to see you. You looked like an angel with your white dress among all those sinners…
- How do you manage to me make me angry and to make me a compliment in the same sentence?
- I suppose, it's a gift I have….
They looked at each other intensely. Terry felt like déjà vu, but he couldn't quite place when and where. But this young girl with freckles was irresistible.
- Terry! Called a boy, the reverend mother is looking for you!
- She's an old owl! Said Terry
- An old owl? Said Candy, you seem to be getting along very well
- We're on first name basis, said Terry smiling, see you later, Miss Freckles
- See you later, Terry….
He left followed by the boy to see the reverend mother. Candy was on a cloud. Terry was so different. She got up to go to class and she met Stear and Archie.
- Candy! Here you are, said Archie, we were looking for you
- I'm here, said Candy
- Are you ok? You didn't get yelled at too much?
- No, I'm fine. At least I didn't have to go back to my room and change like the others, said Candy
- We can't talk here, said Stear, we have to go to class, but you can come and see us in your bedroom tonight
- How would I know it's your room?
- I'm going to give you a signal and you'd be able to come without any problems
- Ok, said Candy
- Candy! Said Patty's voice, are you coming to class? It's starting
- I'm coming Patty! See you tonight guys!
She ran to join Patty and the first day of school started for Candy. Eliza was trying to give Candy a hard time at every occasion. But Patty was always telling Candy what they had to do.
- Thank you Patty, said Candy smiling you're a good friend
- You're welcome. You're nice Candy, I like you.
- I like you too, Patricia, said Candy hugging her
- We have homework for tomorrow, we could do them together if you want to….
- Of course, I need to get uses to the English program
- I'm going to help you, I'm pretty good
She started to do school work with Patty. They did their homework together for the next day. When they finished. Candy was looking out the window of her balcony for the boys' signal.
- What are you doing? Asked Patty
- I'm waiting for my cousins' signal to go to their room
- In their room, in the boys dorm?
- Yes…
- But that's forbidden, said Patty
- No one will see me, I'm going to jump out the window
- You're brave, Candy
- I almost died on the Titanic. God gave me another chance to live, so I'm not going to waste it worrying about restrictions…
- All right, I'm going in my room said Patty, see you tomorrow
- Bye Patty, thank you and I'll see you tomorrow
Patty left and Candy stayed at her window waiting for the signal. She started to think about Terry. Where was his room? She wanted to go see him… but she was so arrogant and frustrating now! What happened? She had met the happy boy on the Titanic, he was nice and caring. She knew the real Terry, the one from the Titanic, and she was going to bring him out of his shell. Even if she couldn't do it, she wanted to be with him and he seemed interested by her… that could be her way in, to get close to him. She was dreaming in colour on the boat, but that dream could be possible now, even if he didn't remember, they were going to have new ones… but she was thinking a little too much…She saw Alistair's signal and she started to jump from tree to tree until the boys' room. She landed the best way she could on their balcony.
- Easy, said Stear catching her
- Welcome in our room, said Archie smiling
- Thanks guys, said Candy smiling
- Let's go in, said Stear, let's not stay here….
They entered the bedroom talking and smiling.
Terry was in his room was looking out the window, he saw Candy jumping from tree to tree to the boys room and he was impressed and surprised by her agility and flexibility.
"She's got more skills than Tarzan, by Georges! He said in his head and she's going to the boys room; the naughty girl!"
He secretly wished she was coming to his room. He couldn't stop thinking about her and he dreamt about her at night, she had red hair though…weird…
Meanwhile, Candy was with her cousins talking.
- That Grandchester, said Archie, what snotty nosed kid! He made us stay longer at church
- Archie is angry because he went to Grandchester's room by mistake and he got yelled at, he even hit him…
- I was an honest mistake, his room is right next to ours…said Archie
- Right next to ours? Said Candy, which balcony, left or right?
- On the right when you're coming from your room, said Stear
- Be careful not to go there, said Archie, he's going to tell on you…
- No, that's not how he is, said Candy
- Not how he is? You know him? Said Archie
- I met him on the boat, said Candy
- Oh, said Archie, and you've become friends? Asked Archie
- We talk, if that's what you mean, said Candy
- You talk? About what? What could you have in common with him? Asked a jealous Archie
"You have no idea, Archie, I was with him on the Titanic, and we were in love, said Candy in her head"
Mai she didn't say anything. That story was between Terrence and her and nobody else.
- Candy, come and see the chocolate box we had just received….
He had said that to change the conversation. He knew his brother was in love with Candy and he wanted to tell her sooner of later, but now, that she knew Terry; she was slipping away before she even got the chance to be with him. Candy stayed with her cousins and she went back to her bedroom the way she came and Terry was at his window in the dark looking at her; she was so flexible…
Time passed and Candy got some mail from the Pony Home and from Annie. Annie was telling her that she was coming to study at St. Paul College soon. Candy was very happy. There was also a letter from Rose who was telling her about her current life. Miss Pony was also telling her about the Pony Home and Eliza mean as usual, took the letter from Candy's hands and she saw that the envelope was turned inside out…
- What is this? A returned envelope… they don't have money at the orphanage to buy new envelopes? Asked Eliza
- Eliza, give me that letter, you have no right to take without my permission! Said Candy angry
- What? Are we ashamed of our origins? Said Eliza, you penniless orphan! You place is not in this school!
Tara, who had lost her parents on the Titanic, stood up to confront Eliza.
- If her place is not here, so I should leave this school too, said Tara
- No, not you Tara, Candy said Eliza
- Why? Because she doesn't have any parents? My parents are dead too… I'm an orphan…
- But… started Eliza
- You can't hold us responsible and be mean to us for something we couldn't control, said Tara, now give Candy back her letter!
Sister Margaret arrive and reprimanded Eliza too.
- Miss Reagan, you should be ashamed of you behaviour! This school doesn't discriminate against orphans. You should show more compassion for your comrades who have lost their parents instead of denigrating them and insulting them. And to take someone's letter without permission, that's very bad!
- Yes sister, said Eliza looking down…
"That stable girl is going to pay for this! She said in her head"
A little time later, she talked to her brother and she asked him to make Candy pay with his friends.
- Could you take care of Candy for me? Asked Eliza
- Why?
- Because she's getting on my nerves
- No problem, said Neil, consider it done…
Candy was in the school court and Neil dragged her in the wood, pretending he wanted to talk to her.
- Neil, could you let go of me please? Said Candy freeing herself, what do you want from me?
- I want to make you shut up, and put you back to your place, you've become much too comfortable here
- Too comfortable? Said Candy
- Yes. I heard my sister got yelled at because of you
- And you want revenge… alone?
Two other friends of Neil's came out from hiding. Candy looked and she recognise one of them… her face turned pale.
- Damien Leighton? She said surprise
- That's Master Damien to you! You little slut! Said Damien, I should get you arrested!
- Why? Said Candy, because you tried to force yourself on me? Said Candy
- You talk too much, Candy said Damien, you were my maid, my slave…
- You're proud to have a family that buys children? Said Candy
- This time nothing is going to stop me, your boyfriend Jack is not here to defend you, said Damien coming near her
He started to pull her hair and the other friend was trying to pull her dress. Neil push her on the ground. Candy felt lost…
- NO!! She yelled, let go of me!!
- Shut up, stable girl! That's what you're here for…! You're a little slut and you're going to see, said Neil
Saying that, he was trying to put his hand under her dress, but Candy closed her legs and kicked him, which made him angry.
- NO!! Let go of me!! She said again
- Hold her arms and you her legs; that way she won't be able to fight anymore and I'll take care of her, said Damien
The two boys were going to do it, when they got whipped on their hands and they screamed in pain.
- Could someone give me the definition of a coward? Said a voice coming from up a tree
Candy looked up and she was relieved to see Terry. Thank God!
- Are you going to answer me? Said Terry jumping from the tree…
- Terry, said Candy
He was wearing a red jacket and he had a whip; he probably has just finished riding. He was so handsome!
- What's your problem? Said Damien angry, Grandchester, stay out of this, or…
- Or what? You creep! Is that how they thought you how to behave with girls? Said Terry holding him by the collar
- But… said Damien
- To force oneself on a girl is a vicious crime, said Terry
- She's a maid, a stable girl, said Neil
- I don't care what she is, she was saying "no". Which part of "no" don't you understand?
- We just wanted to have fun, said Neil, you can have fun too if you want….
- That you are proposing me something so awful, shows me your lack of good education…
- Let's take him, said Damien, we're three…
A fight started, Terry fought the three boy and he made two of them run. He took Neil by the collar.
- If I catch you again, or if I learn that you touched a single strand of her hair, you're going to have to deal with me…
He punched him on the face again, Neil fell and stood up and ran for his life. Candy had looked at the scene without saying a word. She was in seventh heaven. She picked up her stuff and Terry started to walk away.
- Wait! Terrence!
- Yes?
- I wanted to thank you for saving me…
- I don't like the behaviour of these boys, that's all. It's got nothing to do with you… I don't need your thank yous….
- Whatever, she said, but thank you with all my heart anyway…
She was looking at him intensely, smiling; he looked at her too.
- Why are you looking at me like that Miss Freckles, you want to make me a declaration? You want to make out with me? I know a place where we can be alone…
Candy looked at him surprised. What's with that kind of behaviour? He wanted to play?? All right then… she was going to play with him!
- Really? She said smiling, where? Let's go
He looked at her a little surprised by her answer
- Seriously? You'd be ready to make out with me? He asked
- You just saved me from those horrible boys who wanted to force themselves on me… if it's a kiss you want as a thank you, than a kiss you shall get. I agree, said Candy smiling
Terry looked at her, he didn't expect her to accept. He didn't want to look weak, so he said;
- Follow me than, we're going in the barn. My horse is there, and there's never anybody there
- I right behind you, said Candy smiling
So she followed him to the barn and closed the door. Terry thought she would've been outraged and he would've taken advantage to leave, but…
- Where do you want it to happen? Said Candy, here?
- Miss Freckles, are you sure of what you're doing?
- You think I don't know how to do it?
- Damien Leighton seemed like he wanted to score one with you…
- He a boar and a lout, he tried to force himself on my when I was working for his family, and Jack saved me…
- Jack? Your boyfriend? He's the one who gave you the experience you seem to have…?
Jack? Her brother? But….She let him believe.
- The experience I seem to have? You don't want to find out by yourself? She said with a soft voice
- You don't have to, you know…
- Don't tell me that you gentleman's word doesn't mean anything? You don't spend you time throwing dares for nothing?
- A gentleman always keep his word…
- That's what I thought…
Terry was looking at her; she was so beautiful and attractive… But…He wanted to say something, but Candy did something she never thought she was capable of. She approached Terrence, she put her arms around his neck and his lips on his in a very passionate kiss. He put his arms around her waist and responded to her kiss. He felt like ice water was falling on him and that he lost his partner, for a very brief moment, and he also felt his head spinning.
Candy went back on the Titanic with Terrence during those brief moments of happiness she thought she had lost for good. But she had Terrence back, and she was happy and she savoured the kiss to the maximum. She couldn't resist temptation, she was dreaming about it every single night for almost a year. With Anthony it wasn't the same thing...with Terrence, it was something else…
When they finally stopped, after an eternity, they were breathless.
- Your Jack thought you well, you're sensational! Said Terrence
"Jack…said Candy in her head, you thought me! But I can't tell you…"
- I have to go back to class, said Candy, bye Terrence…
And she left the barn to go back to class. Terence stayed in the barn a little puzzled. Candice White Andrew was full of surprises. He provoked her, and he never thought she would take him at his word. Well his father had always told him never challenge someone, if you're not ready to take it up. Candice White Andrew instead of being outraged, she took him up on his dare…and he was glad, she was….sensational ! He didn't know of course, that Candy knew him from before and to kiss him for her was a dream come true she never thought she'd had again… She was on cloud nine.