Chapter 5

A few days later, the hairdresser Zach was talking about had arrived. I was in my room, relaxing and talking to Brian on my phone, when Miss Turner had hurried over to me.

"Mr. James wants your presence immediately," she announced, and scampered off. I said good-bye to Brian, and went into his room.

"What is it Zach? Miss Turner said it sounded important," I said, folding my arms across my chest. He looked up from what he was doing.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Miss Turner tends to exaggerate," he muttered, then smiled. I sighed.

"Skye, meet Mrs. Sheck. She's the hairdresser that I was telling you about," he introduced, nodding towards her. She stepped out of the shadows. She was a tall, bronzed skinny woman, with blonde hair, and baby blue eyes. You could tell that she had recently had plastic surgery on her nose, and lips. She held out her bony hand, and I took it to shake quickly. She stepped back, and waited for further instruction.

"Let us go into the parlor. I had the butler bring in your things," he said to Mrs. Sheck. She nodded, and followed us downstairs.

"I hope in the end, everything will turn out OK," he said. It sounded more of a threat to Mrs. Sheck than a hope. I bit my lip, and walked into the parlor. A hair washing station was set in the middle of the room, a bucket full of different bottles of shampoos, and conditioners and hair treaters.

"Is this really necessary?" I asked Mrs. Sheck. She rolled her eyes, and tossed her hands into the air.

"Darling, everything is necessary in the world of hair!" she exaggerated. I sighed, and sat down in the chair which she pointed to. She pulled my hair back, making me cry out.

"Easy with her Charlene," Zach demanded. Charlene nodded, and turned on the water.

"Is that too hot?" she asked. I shook my head, and she began work.

"Your daughter has beautiful hair," Charlene commented. I looked up at Zach, who nodded. I bit my lip. Was he calling me my daughter everywhere he went? It put worry in me the rest of the appointment.

Once she was done, she stepped back, and admired her work. She handed me a mirror, and watched at my reaction.

She hadn't cut anything; that was by my demand. She had elegantly curled it, and piled it on top of my head gracefully. I touched it, and felt how soft it was. I looked at Zach, who was smiling gleefully. I smiled, and nodded.

"It's wonderful," I said. Charlene squealed with happiness. Zach agreed.

"Thank you Mr. James. Your daughter was easy to work with," she said, then turned to me. "If you don't want it piled on your head like that, you can just take out all of the pins, and wear it down in soft waves," she instructed, shook Zach's hand, and started packing her things. I went up to my room, and stared at myself in the mirror. It looked good on me, but it looked like I was going to prom. I sighed, later deciding to take it down and wear it like she said, and went downstairs. Mrs. Sheck had left, leaving me and Zach in the parlor.

"Zach," I said softly. He looked up and smiled.

"What is it?" he asked softly. It felt uncomfortable asking what I was about to ask.

"Why did she say that I was your daughter? Did you tell her that?" I asked, almost in a whisper. He leaped up out of his chair.

"I'm sorry. It just came right out of my mouth when I told her. You don't mind, do you?" he asked, grabbing my shoulders. I shook my head.

"I was just wondering," I said softly, and walked out of the parlor.

"We have an hour until the ball. I suggest that you might get ready, OK?" He suggested. I nodded, and walked into my room. I took out the gown from my closet, and stared at it. After snapping out of my dream, I slipped into it, and stared at the mirror reflecting my image. I looked good in the gown, I admitted to myself, but why was I having doubts about it? I shrugged off the thought, and carefully applied the makeup I was going to wear. After I was finished, I put on my favorite earrings, sighed, and sauntered out of my room.

I hadn't seen much of Mommy lately, so I decided to stop by her room, and see what she was doing. She wasn't in her room, or in her bathrooms or studies or libraries. I went downstairs, and found Zach in the living room.

"You look gorgeous," he said taking my hand. I smirked, and looked around.

"Where's Mommy? I haven't seen her in a long time," I said. He cleared his throat.

"She's gone on vacation," he mumbled uncertainly. I asked him to repeat it.

"She's gone on vacation," he said quickly, and smiled.

"On vacation? When did she leave?" I asked curiously.

"She said that she under so much stress," he muttered angrily, and stepped back. He held out my hands, and smiled.

"They are all waiting for us," he said, and threaded his arm through mine, and lead us to the limo. I crawled in, and lay back.

"Everyone is going to be so jealous of us," Zach teased.

"No, everyone's going to think that I'm trying to grow up so fast," I cried. "By the way, you never told me who is this being held by. Who was it?"

"Mr. Matthews." My heart stopped.

"Is it too late to jump out of the limo? I'd rather die than hang around with his son," I muttered, folding my arms across my chest. Zach sighed.

"I'll make sure that nothing happens to you. I promise," he said, and kissed my cheek. I sighed, and looked outside the window. The house loomed before us, and grand colonial 3 story white wash house. I gasped, grabbing Zach's hand, and stepped out of the car, still staring at the house. Zach took my hand, and led me inside. An actual red carpet was on the ground, showing the entrance to the grand house. Once we went inside, I thought I would faint.

Probably a thousand people were inside the house! People dressed up in elegant gowns and suits loitered about the house, laughing and talking. The room was decorated with Christmas icicle lights, adding a dim tone to the atmosphere. Zach smiled at my amazement, and took me into the ballroom, where some people were dancing.

Zach brought me over to Mr. Matthews, who was standing next to his son, Samuel. His eyes brightened when he saw me.

"Miss Lawrence, how nice to see you again. You look wonderful tonight," Mr. Matthew said, taking my hand and kissing it. I smiled, and said thank you.

"Where is Victoria? Is she not well?"

"She is on a short vacation," Zach said, and smiled warmly at me. I smirked, and looked down at my feet.

"Wine?" Samuel asked me, picking up a glass and handing it to me. I nodded, and gulped it down. The others roared. I gave Zach a questioning look, and turned back to the others.

"Seems she knows good wine when she tastes it," Mr. Matthews laughed.

"Just like her mother." I shot a glance at him. He shrugged, and walked off, leaving me to be fed to the sharks of high class society.

"Would you like to dance?" Samuel asked. I looked up at him, sighed, and nodded. He took my hand, and led me out into the center of the dance floor.

"You really look great tonight," he whispered into my ear. I ignored him, and looked down at the floor.

"I heard that you were going to my school when the new school year comes around," he said. I looked up at him sharply.

"Who told you that?" I snapped.

"Zach told my father that," he replied.

"I'll be right back," I said, and ran off to find Zach.

"Zach!" I screamed over the crowd. He bolted over.

"What is it darling?" he asked tenderly.

"I just got some startling news from Samuel," I snapped, folding my arms across my chest. He raised his eyebrows.

"What would that be?"

"I'm going to his private school!" I screamed at him. He winced.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. The school is much closer than the school you used to attend, so I thought of transferring you. I'm sorry," he said. I closed my eyes, and sighed. He embraced me, and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes, and lay my head against his shoulder. I pulled away after a while.

"I have a dance to finish," I shouted, and walked back over to Samuel.

"I'm sorry about that," I said, and leaned against him.

"You look hurt," he commented.

"Oh, you don't even know," I replied angrily. He shrugged.

"Later on, nobody is supposed to know, but my father has something planned. He wants you and Zach to have a special dance in the middle of the ballroom. He wants to honor you somehow," he whispered into my ear. I looked up at him.

"Why?"

"I'm not sure really. I just head what I heard," he said, and shook his head.

"Thanks for the heads up." He nodded, and turned me once the song was finished.

"You look a little dizzy. Was it the wine?" he asked. I shook my head. I was feeling a little lightheaded, but it didn't bother me. I smiled, and walked with him to get another glass. I sipped it, and we talked for a while, actually having fun.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Mr. Matthews shouted. I looked at Samuel, who nodded. I sipped some wine, and watched him talk.

"We have a very special dance planned for tonight. I am very honored, to announce this, because the recipients are very good friends of mine. Zachary James, and Skye Lawrence, would you please come to the center of the ballroom." I almost spit out my wine. I swallowed it with a hard lump in my throat, and headed towards the middle. Zach held out his hand, and I took it, and we danced together.

"Isn't this great? The stepchild that I love so much is dancing with me," he whispered. I didn't respond. The room was getting blurrier and blurrier by the moment. I shook my head, and closed my eyes. My head was beginning to pound faster. Zach lifted my chin, and looked at me. I closed my eyes, and felt my knees collapse beneath me, and I blacked out. I heard people moving around me, but it was all fuzzy. I moaned, and lost consciousness.

"Darling, wake up," Zach said softly, lightly slapping my face. I moaned, and turned over on my side. I was at home, on the couch in the lounge. He sighed with relief, and crouched by my side. I sat up, my head feeling like lead, and scratched my head.

"What happened?" I groaned, my throat feeling dry. Tony ordered the butler to get me some water. I gulped it down, and choked on it, almost sending it back up my throat. Zach patted my back, and took my hands into his.

"Someone put something into your drink, darling," he said soothingly, and helped me up. I staggered on my feet, but regained my footing and walked upstairs. My eyelids were halfway closed, and my head throbbed. I opened my door, and sat down on the chair. He reached for the zipper on my dress, and started to slide it down, but I stopped him, and stood up. "I can do it." He stood by the door, and watched. It felt uncomfortable having him look at me like that, but it didn't matter now. I slipped into my nightgown, and crawled into bed. Zach came towards me, kissed my forehead, and walked out of the room. I closed my eyes, and fell asleep.

In the morning, Zach personally brought up breakfast for me. I was still sleeping, but when I heard the door shut, I slowly woke up.

"Hello darling," he greeted, and sat down on the bed next to me, placing the tray on my lap. I sat up, my nightgown neckline revealing most of my bosom, which I covered up, and yawned.

"How are you feeling princess?" he asked. I looked at him. Why does he keep calling me all of these names my father would use? I thought to myself.

"Fine," I replied, picking up my fork.

"I had the butler make all the things you like," he said, nodding to the tray. I smiled, and stabbed it into the middle of my egg, the yolk breaking, and oozing everywhere on the plate. I bit it, and smiled.

"You really worried me last night," he commented.

"I think that creep Samuel Matthews put something into my drink," I muttered with my mouth full, egg oozing out of my mouth a bit. He smiled, and wiped it off.

"We can't be really sure. It could have been from the wine itself," he said, shaking his head. I shrugged.

"Either way, I still think that he had some involvement in it," I mumbled. He shrugged, and kissed my cheek.

"I have to go to work today. The boss wants me in today," he said, standing up. I nodded, and sipped my milk. "Don't get into too much trouble," he said, and smiled. I nodded, and lay back. He walked out of my room, and shut the door behind him. I finished my meal, and called for the maid to take my tray away. I picked up the phone, and put it to my ear, and heard someone on the other line.

"Victoria, how good it is to hear from you again. Are you having a good time?" Zach asked. I raised my eyebrow. I guess our lines must have crossed, I thought.

"Oh Zach stop it," Mommy cried.

"Oh, well I couldn't help but wonder, because you've been gone for about a month!" I bit my lip to keep from saying something.

"Zach, I needed to get away. Especially away from Skye. She's so stressful! I wonder why I ever considered having a child with Rick."

"Victoria, she's wonderful. You're missing out on your daughters life."

"Believe me, I'm not missing anything."

"I can't believe you would say something like that about Skye. She's a great child. I love her with all of my heart." Tears came to my eyes. How could Mommy say such things?

"Zachary, enough about Skye. Didn't you call just to ask about me?" Mommy cried. Zach sighed.

"When are you coming home?"

"Why? You make it sound as if it's important."

"It is! Your daughter was poisoned last night, if you care," Zach snapped. Mommy suppressed a sob.

"Oh how tragic, she'll get better," Mommy said quickly. Zach sighed.

"I want you to come home this instant! I want you home by tomorrow."

"Why?" Mommy whined.

"Because you are my wife! We are married! I love you Victoria. I'm doubting why I ever married you."

"Fine, be like that Zachary. I'm not coming home until I'm ready."

"Then we have nothing more to say to each other," Zach said angrily, and hung up the phone. I sighed, and slowly hung up the phone. I could hear Zach's heavy footsteps outside of my door, making me freeze in place. After a minute, he walked away, and out of the house, slamming the front door behind me. I took out my hair, which surprisingly was still in place, and let the soft waves tumble down. I sighed, fighting back tears, and picked up the phone, dialing Brad's number.

"Hi," Brad greeted. I smiled.

"I have some bad news," I said.

"What is it? He asked quickly but desperately.

"I found out last night that I'm going to the nearby private school," I said, tears streaming down my cheeks. Brad sighed.

"Great. You told me that you weren't going to go to a different school!" He cried.

"I'm sorry! I just found out last night!" I sobbed. Brad sighed again.

"OK, OK, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lash out at you like that," he apologized. I nodded.

"It's OK."

"Can I come over?"

"Yes, Zach isn't home," I said softly, drying my tears.

"I'll be over in a minute," he hung up. I sniffled, and got out of bed, got dressed in a gray hooded sweatshirt and Capri's, and waited downstairs. I waited in the living room. The butler announced his arrival, and I ran into his arms. He embraced me, and brushed my hair back.

"Do you want to go?" he asked softly. I shook my head, and closed my eyes. He sighed, and pulled away. He plopped down on the couch, and lay his head against the arm rest. I sat on the floor in front of him, staring at the coffee table. He stroked my hair, and sighed.

"What are we going to do?" he said softly.

"You can always come and visit," I said, pulling my knees up to my chest. I rested my head against his knee.

"But it's not going to be the same," he protested, sitting up.

"I know Brad, but I have no choice. Zach has already transferred me," I replied. He closed his eyes, and then snapped them open.

"I always thought that we would be graduating together," he muttered. Tears came to my eyes.

"Do you have to make it worse than it has to be?" I cried, standing up. He rubbed his eyes.

"I know, I'm sorry," he said, standing up. I wiped my tears away, and folded my arms across my chest.

"And you know what else? I found out that my mother doesn't want me! She'd rather be as far away as she can get from me. You know she's practically been on vacation since she got back from the honeymoon!" I screamed angrily. Brad walked over and seized my shoulders.

"Don't get yourself down like that Skye. Don't do that," he demanded, and embraced me. He kissed my forehead, and held me tighter.

"You know, you've been more of a brother to me than a friend," I said. He chuckled.

"Yeah, well you've been more of a sister to me than a friend to me," he replied. I smiled warmly. He kissed the top of my head, and pulled away. "How about we go for a walk?" I nodded, and led him outside. We walked together, side by side, looking at the decor of the background. "You've got it made here. I don't see why you are so unhappy," Brad said.

"It's not the house, it's what it contains," I muttered.

"Very well said," he complimented. I nodded, and stared at the path ahead.

"Have you talked to Brian? Does he know?" I shook my head.

"Then why did you tell me first?" he asked.

"Because I thought you would want to know first," I said softly. He smiled. We headed back inside the house, because he had to leave.

"Good-bye Skye," he said softly, and took my shoulders into his, and pressed his lips to mine. A jolt of electricity ran up and down my spine. It set off good alarms inside my head, ringing sounds of wedding bells. I smiled, and watched as he left. I ran up to my room, and flung myself on my bed, and smiled. My phone rang, making me jump. I reached over, and picked it up.

"Hello?" I asked. It was Brian.

"Hey, it's me," he said.

"What's going on? I asked.

"Nothing, I was just hanging out," he said.

"Why don't you come over?" I suggested. He sighed.

"Here's the thing. I made up that lie, when I stayed the night at your house, and they didn't believe me, so they grounded me. I'm not even supposed to be talking to you," he said almost in a whisper. I sighed.

"Well, I have some news to tell you too," I said quickly. I explained to him what had happened last night, and how I found out that I was going to be transferred to a private school. He sighed after I was finished.

"Man, it looks like our families are trying to keep us apart," he replied. I nodded.

"I have to go, my mother just walked in the door," he said, and hung up quickly. I hung up, and lay back. I watched some TV, and hung around. At two O clock, Zach came back from work.

"Hi," he said, and kissed my forehead. I smirked, and pulled away.

"Zach, I think our lines got crossed," I said softly. He looked in my direction.

"How would you know?" he asked softly.

"Because I was going to make a phone call, and I heard your voice on the other end. I immediately hung up," I lied. He sighed.

"I'll have the phone company come out here and take care of the lines for us, OK?" he said happily. I nodded, and turned around to go to my room.

A month after that was my 17th birthday. Zach and I had planned a great big party, with a whole bunch of my friends invited. At one O clock, people started arriving. I changed into my bathing suit, and greeted all of the guests. In all, there were about 150 guests. I mainly hung around with Brad and Brian and my closest friends. During the party, I went up to my room to get something, when I decided to see if Zach had fixed the phone lines. I picked up the phone, and once again, he was talking to Mommy.

"I coming home in 2 weeks," she declared.

"You were supposed to be here 2 weeks ago. Why aren't you here for your daughter's 17th birthday!" he bellowed. I sat down on my bed.

"Haven't I told you already! I don't want to be around her! She reminds me of her father! That's the last thing that I need to see these days," she muttered. I gasped, which I'm sure Zach heard. I slammed the phone down, and ran out of my room, but Zach was quicker, and he grabbed my arm and spun me around. He glared into my eyes, and I looked back at him, fearful of what he would do.

"How much did you hear?" he grumbled. I lowered my head.

"When Mommy said that she was coming home in 2 weeks," I whispered. He lowered my head, and released my arm.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that," he said softly. I turned away.

"I heard it before," I snapped, and marched back to the party. He grunted behind me, and ran back into his room, probably to tell Mommy what had happened. I pasted on a fake smile, and hung around the rest of the day with my friends at my party.

Later on, Zach came downstairs, and declared that it was time to open up the gifts. We headed towards the table, and I started to rip open the gifts. I got clothes, jewelry, lingerie (from Brian), and other things to make my room homier. I smiled, thanked everyone, as they started to file out of the house. Once everyone had left, Zach grabbed my hand, and led me to a couch in the living room, and sat me down.

"I called your mother just after we talked. She said that she was sorry that she had said all of those mean and hateful things, and that she couldn't be here for your party," he said. I leaped up out of the seat.

"She's just saying that," I snapped, folding my arms across my chest.

"I know that darling, I know," he said, and ran to embrace me from behind. I tore away, and looked at him.

"No, Zach, you don't know. You don't know what it was like to live with her for 17 years!" I screamed, stomping my feet. "It was hell! She never really appreciated me! She always pasted a fake smile on, and pretended that we were a big family! It was never like that! It will never be like that!" I screamed, and ran to my room, slamming the door behind me. I flung myself on the bed, and sobbed. I heard the door open, but didn't acknowledge the fact that he entered. He placed his palm on my back, and sighed.

"I know it hurts Skye. I can understand. Maybe I can't. But I want you to know that I will always love you. I'm glad that I married your mother, only because I could get closer to you. I love you Skye," he said. I looked up. He smiled, and kissed my cheek.

"Happy birthday," he said softly, and walked out of the room. I sat up, dried my tears, and put on my pajamas, and crawled into bed.

Two weeks later, just as Mommy had promised, she arrived at the door, shouting her arrival.

"I'm home! I'm home!" she cried through the halls. I opened my door, stuck my head out, and glanced her way. She flicked her eyes towards me, and paused. I stepped out of my room, and into the middle of the hallway, staring at her. She trembled, and walked towards me, in the end walking past me and going to see Zach. I screamed, and ran into my room, slamming the door behind me. Zach came out of his room, exchanged a few words with Mommy, then stormed into my room. He thrust the door open, and walked towards me.

"Did she do anything to you?" he asked. I shook my head, and sighed.

"I'm going to talk to her, I promise," he said, and kissed my forehead. I walked towards the window, and sat down in the window sill, staring down at the grounds. I heard them arguing faintly, and I pressed my palms to my ears to block out the noise. I walked over to the bed, and lay down, crying myself into sleep.

Later on, I heard someone open my door. I woke up, and looked to see who it was. It was Mommy, her eyes red and puffy from probably crying. I flew out of bed, and towards my window.

"Don't you come near me," I warned, pointing my finger at her. She looked down, and then up.

"I'm sorry," she said softly. I grunted.

"No, you're not. Zach made you do it!" I yelled. She winced.

"You can't stand being in my sight. You can't! I remind you too much of Daddy!" She looked up, a crazed smile slithering onto her lips.

"You're right! I can't stand the sight of you! I wish I had never had you! For emotional reasons, and physical reasons! I wished I had never married your father!" she screamed back at me. My eyes widened. Zach barged through the door.

"Don't you ever say such things to her!" he bellowed. I backed up, running into the wall. Mommy spun around, and faced him. "What do you think you are doing! Talking to her like that. She has just as much right to be on this earth as much as you do! You're the one that doesn't deserve to live. Get out of my sight, before something happens between us." Mommy scurried out of the room, crying. Me and Zach made eye contact, and once he saw how scared and hurt I was, he leaped over to me, and hugged me tight to his body. I burst out into tears, and cried on his shoulder. He rocked back and forth with me, stroking my hair, and trying to stop me from crying.

"Why does she have to be so hateful?" I asked Zach. He looked down at me.

"Because, she has no heart. Someone else had taken it, and it's still with that someone," he said, and sighed. I closed my eyes.

"This problem is going to be solved once and for all. I'll make sure of it," he said, and ran off out of the room. I sucked in my breath, and walked to my bed, curling up into a small ball, and telling myself that everything will be OK.

That night, when Miss Turner brought my dinner, I ordered it to be taken back to the kitchen.

"But why Ma'am? Aren't you hungry?" she asked. I shook my head.

"I'm not very hungry Miss Turner, please, just take it back to the kitchen," I said coldly. She nodded, and walked out of the room with the tray. I stared at the blank TV, not thinking of anything at the moment. The phone rang, and I reached over to answer it.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hi, it's Brad. What's been up? You haven't called me in like a week," he asked. I sighed.

"Oh no, it's not. . . " he trailed off.

"Yes," I choked, a lump caught in my throat.

"I'll be there in a minute," he said, and hung up. I slowly hung up, and lay on my bed. Minutes later, Brad thrust the door open to my room. I sat up, and he came over to embrace me. I closed my eyes, and sighed.

"I know, everything is going to be OK," he crooned. Silently, I was crying.

"Why does everyone keep saying that, and yet, it hasn't gotten any better than it had in the beginning?" I asked softly.

"Because things take time," he said, and kissed my cheek. I nodded quickly, and felt my stomach asking for something to eat. I regretted sending back the tray.

"Miss Turner," I called weakly. She appeared from the lounge.

"Yes, Miss?" she asked, and expectant smile on her lips.

"Please bring up my dinner tray, and also an additional tray for Brad," I commanded. She nodded, and scampered off. I turned to Brad.

"You haven't had any dinner, have you?" I asked hopefully. He shook his head, and stood up. He walked into the lounge, and sat down at the small little table. Miss Turner returned with two trays. She sat them down, and smiled. I picked up my silverware, and began to eat ravenously. Brad laughed, and grabbed my hand.

"You don't have to eat so quick," he laughed. I smiled, and slowed my eating pace. We didn't talk during the meal. We would occasionally lock eyes, but that there was enough said. Afterwards, we sprawled out on our backs on the fluffy red carpet, and folded our hands behind our heads.

"What are you going to do when you get old enough to move out of here?" Brad asked.

"I don't know. Probably stay here, or get an apartment and go to college," I muttered.

"I'm going to go backpacking in Europe," he said, and I burst out laughing.

"Whatever happened to settling down with a wife and kids? Such as Wendy Parker?" I inquired.

"I was joking. I don't know what I have planned for when I get older. I guess . . . just go to college and get a good job, and find the right woman to marry," he replied. I sighed.

"You are such a boring guy Brad," I teased and laughed. He took my hands, and started a thumb war.

"What about you? Going to college and getting my own apartment? Gosh, you think I'm boring," he joked. I lost both thumb wars. I dropped my hands at my sides, and sighed.

"I haven't thought ahead," I said, and shrugged.

"With all this time on your hands? Man, I could plan up to when I'm a hundred years old with all of the free time you have," he blurted. I grunted, and smiled.

"What time is it?" I asked, and lifted my wrist to see my watch. It was about 9:00.

"You should probably get home. Your Mom will start to worry," I said, sitting up. He sat up, and ran his fingers through his hair. I stood up, and helped Brad up.

"I'll talk to you later. Call me if anything happens. Promise?" he took my hands in his. I held up my right hand.

"Girl scouts honor?" he asked. I laughed, and nodded. "Good." He kissed my cheek, and headed towards the door. He smiled, and shut the door softly behind him. I changed into my pajamas, and went to bed.