HE'S MY HEART'S DESIRE
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 1
"A stranger with dreamy colours"
Candy was on the boat with Georges. She was going to England, to St. Paul College in London to join Anthony, Alistair and Archibald. She would've gone with them a few weeks ago, but after the accident and Anthony's illness, she went to the Pony House to recluse herself because the Great Aunt Elroy was blaming her for Anthony's misfortunes. If it were up to her, she would've blame Candy for all the plagues of the world. The Great Uncle William had adopted her and sent her to St. Paul College in London. Candy didn't want to leave America, but Miss Pony and Sister Maria convinced her to take advantage of the opportunity that was given to her, to acquire a good education in one of the best private school in the world. The whole Pony house had accompanied her to the harbour in New York; she had tears in her eyes leaving them.
It was December 31, New Year's eve; there was a party on the boat. Candy dressed for the occasion with a nice long gown; Uncle William had bought for her. She let her hair down on her shoulders, by getting rid of her pigtails. She was very pretty with her gorgeous green eyes. She took some strands of her hair on both side and had them in a half ponytail with a bow the same colour as her dress. She joined George in the party room and took a glass of champagne; she drank it at one. She took another one.
- Miss Candy, said Georges, easy, your head is going to spin.
- I was thirsty said Candy, but you're right, my head is spinning a little. I'm going for a walk and breath some fresh air
She drank a little from the second glass, put it on a platter and got out to go get some air. She was in a hurry to get to London to see Anthony. To go to the same private school as him, Alistair and Archibald too of course, but she loved Anthony more.
- Oh, Anthony she said to herself, how I'm anxious to see!
Her head was still spinning, the fresh air was nice, it helped. She saw a young man that was staring at the ocean's wave.
- Anthony? She said to herself
She came closer and saw a young man with long brown hair; it wasn't Anthony! The champagne must be playing tricks on her! The young man in question had tears in his eyes. He was crying. Candy and her compassionate nature approached him to see if he was all right.
- Are you ok? She asked with a smile
The young man turned around and looked. He saw a very beautiful young woman with freckles on her face. He had a mocking smile.
- You have freckles! He said
A far, you could hear the people counting down and scream HAPPY NEW YEAR! People were screaming, laughing and kissing…
Before Candy could say anything, the young main took her in his arms and put lips on her in a passionate kiss. Candy was caught totally by surprise! The champagne was still making her head spin. She wanted to say something but she couldn't with the young man's mouth on hers. She closed her eyes and put her arms around the young man's neck and surprised herself responding to the kiss. The delicious sensations that were rising in her, added to the effect of the champagne, had brought her to a relaxing cloud. The kiss seemed to last an eternity.
- Miss Candy Miss Candy?
It was Georges' voice. Candy had the impression they were pulling her from a lethargic sleep, she had trouble coming back to reality. The young man finally let go of her, with his mocking smile.
- HAPPY NEW YEAR Miss Freckles!
- Miss Candy? Said Georges
- Yes answered Candy still a little dazed
- Candy? That's your name? Asked the young man
- Are you all right? Asked Georges, you want me to take you to your cabin?
- Euh… started Candy
- Bye, Miss freckles and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Said the young man leaving
- You know this young man? Asked Georges
- No, she said
- He was kissing you though…
- Georges it's the New year, at midnight you kiss the person in front of you…
- Oh! Ok, Miss Candy. Let me take you to your cabin.
In her bed, Candy was thinking about the young man with long brown hair that had kissed her. The effect of the champagne and stupefaction had prevented her to react. In normal times, she would've probably slapped him. How dare he? He had no right! It was the New Year; we could give that, the only day when people were kissing with no concern. But she couldn't stop thinking about anything else but the kiss she received from a stranger she will probably never see again. Once on earth, they will each go to their destination. Anthony…yes, I have to think about Anthony, not a stranger. She fell into a deep agitated sleep, with Anthony's face replaced by the stranger's face and confusion.
The next day, she woke up with a headache. The effect of the champagne and a agitated sleep. She got ready and Georges came to get her to leave the boat that had already accosted. The passengers were slowly getting off.
- Candy1 Candy! Over here!
It was Anthony, Alistair and Archibald.
- Hi! She cried
She ran to them with joy. Alistair and Archibald hugged her briefly in their arms and kissed her on the cheeks. Anthony hugged her longer.
- Candy, honey, how you I missed you!
- Oh Anthony! I'm so happy to see you, I missed you too
Stear and Archie were laughing. The young man from the night before passed near them and had a curious look at Candy. She looked at him for a little while and closed her eyes still hugging Anthony. She had to forget about this young man, she would probably never see him again. But the kiss will be engraved in her memory forever…
- How's the college? Asked Candy
- Cold and brittle said Stear
- The sisters never smile said Archie
- But with you there, it will be better, at least for me said Anthony
They spend the day at the hotel playing having fun and took advantage of their last day of freedom. In college, they will be locked in and they won't be able to get out. At the hotel, they met Neil and Eliza Reagan.
- The college will become colder with Neil and Eliza Reagan said Candy.
Eliza came near them and talked to Anthony.
- Hello Anthony, she said with a soft voice, you want to go for a walk with me?
- No, said Anthony, I spending the day with Candy
Eliza looked a Candy with disdain who had a satisfying smile.
- But what do you see in this stable girl?
- Eliza, leave Candy alone.
He took Candy by the arm and left. At night they had diner at hotel's the restaurant.
- Champagne? Asked Stear, it's the after all, New Year's day…
- No, thank you, I had enough on the boat said Candy, I'm going on the terrace to get some fresh air
- Ok, said Anthony, I'll come and join you in a little while
So she went on the terrace to get some fresh air. She had a shawl on her shoulders. She was in England, going to a private school to become a lady, to be worthy to be an Andrew, to be with Anthony. Did she have to take the British accent too…? She heard steps behind her. It was probably Anthony.
- Anthony?
- Is that your boyfriend's name? Said a voice behind her.
Candy turned around and saw the young man from the boat.
- You, here? She said stunned
- What? It's a free country!
- That's not what I meant
- Miss freckles, I did get to thank you for the kiss…
Candy blushed violently.
- Let's forget about it, she said uncomfortable, excuse-me, I have to go back to my friends.
She left the terrace quickly. This young man was making her nervous. Her life was perfect, she was adopted by the Great Uncle William, she was in school with Anthony. She didn't need complications, and this young man, was complications.
- You didn't wait for me on the terrace? Asked Anthony
- No, it was getting a little cold she lied
- Ok, said Anthony
St. Paul college was big and very spacious. Candy had to separate from her friends to go to the girls, dormitory. She knew no one, expect for Eliza…
In the hallway, she met a girl with brown hair and glasses; she was a little chubby and short.
- Hello said Candy, my name is Candice White Andrew, you can call me Candy.
- Patricia O'Brien, you can call me Patty
- Well, said Eliza's voice, the stable girl is here, we have to ask Sister Grey if they have an opening in the stables for you… you have a suite?
- Always happy to see you, Eliza said Candy
Eliza was with her group of friends; mean and evil girls.
- But as you can see, you're not in charge here, we're in the same reputable private school, added Candy
- You'll always be just a stable girl for me! You don't have your place here
- Apparently I do, otherwise, I wouldn't be here, said Candy. Come on Patty, the atmosphere has suddenly become unbearable here.
She left with Patty, leaving Eliza fuming. Candy knew Eliza was dying to hurt her, but because of Anthony, she was refraining herself, she didn't want to look bad in his eyes. She swallowed her anger and thought about ways to get back at Candy without looking bad. Later she talked to Patty to force her to play a trick on Candy, Patty obeyed against her will. So she told Candy to put the grey dress instead of the black one for church.
Once she was outside the next morning, she saw she was the only one dressed in grey. Anthony Stear and Archie come near her.
- Candy said Anthony, you had to put on the black dress
- Go change, quickly said Stear
Candy looked at Patty who looked down ashamed. Eliza had a mocking smile. Candy got yelled at by the sister, of course but was allowed to go to church. During the mass, there was an incident. A young man, interrupted the ceremony, he entered and was making noises.
- TERRENCE G. GRANDCHESTER said Sister Grey the reverend mother, you are late, have a seat.
- I really just came to see how the others were praying
- You are disrupting the mass, get out at once!
- Ok, I'll wait for you in your office…!
He turned around and looked at the students. Candy rose her eyes and looked at Terrence Grandchester and was surprised to see that it was the young man from the boat that had kissed her. She thought she'll never see him again, but he was there in the same school as her. He saw Candy in her grey uniform, their eyes crossed and Terrence winked at her, she looked down ashamed and stunned at the same time. Terrence at a mocking smile ans got out of the church walking with a lot of noise on purpose. Eliza saw the wink and seemed stunned too. She was happy inside, maybe there was a way to separate Candy and Anthony, and Terrence Grandchester is going to help her without even knowing it. The students were whispering among themselves.
- That's Terrence Grandchester, the son of a rich English duke
- The sisters are afraid of him said another voice, he practically does everything he wants
- SILENCE! Said Sister Grey, you'll have to pray longer today
After church, Candy went near the boys that were talking about the incident with Terrence.
- That Grandchester is just a snotty nosed kid!
- Because of him, we had to stay longer in church said Anthony
- And the sisters are afraid of him
- Are you ok Candy? Asked Anthony when he saw her, the sister weren't too hard on you for the dress?
- Tell about it! I'm fine, otherwise
- What happened? He asked
- I wasn't paying attention said Candy, so she won't speak bad of Patty
She knew Eliza was behind that, but she couldn't prove it. But what was the point anyway?
- Hello Anthony said Eliza
- Eliza said Anthony
- Candy said Eliza, you wore the wrong dress, you have difficulty remembering simple instructions, you should leave the college.
- Don't worry about me Eliza, I learn really fast said Candy, but it's nice of you to worry about me…
The boys started laughing. The bell rang and Eliza mad couldn't answer Candy's remark..
After class, Candy was on a small hill getting some fresh air. The boys were finishing a little later. She thought about the events from the morning, about Terrence Grandchester… Why was she thinking about him? Since the incident on the boat, she could get him out of her head. His rebellious behaviour intrigued her. It was like he wanted to get kicked out of the school. He was crying when she saw him for the fist time.
"All that was only a cover, said Candy to herself. He's sensitive and loving."
- The colour of the dress; that was a good one! Miss freckles
- Terrence Grandchester, I presume? Said Candy
- Terry for my close friends, and after our kiss, I consider you a close friend
Candy blushed when he talked about the kiss.
- I had too much champagne and Candy and you took me by surprise…
- Really? Otherwise, you would've slapped me?
- I would've reacted…
- Terry, Terry! Sister Grey is looking for you!
- I have to go. Bye Miss freckles!
And he left like there was nothing to it. He wasn't that bad after all…What was going through her mind? She was with Anthony, she loved him, she's going to be with him for the rest of her life. He loved her too. Terrence Grandchester…Terry…No, she had to stop thinking about him.
- Candy ? Anthony called
- Hi! She said
- Our class is finished, but we don't have enough time to see each other
- What if I come tonight in your room?
- How? You know it's forbidden said Archie
- And since when that has ever stopped me? Look, we haven't been together in a long time; I can come and see you, so, why not?
- How are you going to do it?
- I'm going to climb trees… but you have to give me a signal so I won't go to the wrong room.
- Oh yeah, the room next to us is Grandchester's room, we wouldn't want you to end up there…
Candy didn't answer. Terry's room was next to the boy's room? Why did that detail interest her?
- Ok, said Anthony, we are going to make a sign so you can come, then we'll spend nice evenings together.
- Ok, see you tonight, Anthony she said
She went back to her room and met Patty ashamed in the hallway.
- I'm sorry about the dress, Candy I'm not as strong as you
- That's ok, Patty. Just don't let Eliza manipulate you again, ok? We're going to be good friends, I'm sure of it.
- Thanks Candy, you're very kind
- See you later said Candy smiling
She went to her room and got ready for school for the next day. After studying for a few hours, she saw the sign at the window in the boy's dormitory. The light was flashing three times.
- That's my signal she said
She took a rope she made and threw it at a branch on the tree and started swinging from branch to branch with incredible agility.
Terry was in his room and thought he saw something passed on the trees, he went to the window and saw Candy jumping to the boys room. He had a little laugh.
- The naughty girl! She's going to her boyfriend's room! But she's better than Tarzan, my God!
But he felt his heart hurt. She had a boyfriend! She wasn't available. He might never admit it to himself, but he was jealous! But he couldn't stop thinking about her. Ever since the night on the boat, where he couldn't stop himself from kissing her…
Candy landed not too bad in the boy's room. She landed in Anthony's arms.
- Well he said softly, Candy
- I'm sorry Anthony, I lost my balance
- Oh don't apologise he said
- Yeah, he couldn't ask for more said Stear
- Ok said Anthony, could you leave us please?
- Of course, said Archie, pretend like we're not here
- After all, it's only our room too! said Stear
They got out of the room, leaving them alone. Anthony sat on the bed and took Candy in his arms.
- How was your first day, Candy?
- Beside the dress incident, nothing special
- Eliza didn't bother you too much?
- You know Eliza, Anthony, she wants to look good in your eyes without really succeeding
- I'll talk to her…
- No! It's only going to make matters worse. I can take care of myself, Anthony. Don't worry about me.
- Ok. But if I witness her cruelty against you… well… What do you think about Grandchester and the scene he did at church?
Stear and Archie entered the room at that moment.
- Yeah said Archie, he's a snotty nosed kid!
- He's behaving like the school belongs to him. His father is very rich, he could commute everyday and stay at his father's castle, but he'd rather be here. How stupid! Said Stear
- To prefer this prison to a castle said Anthony
- Maybe he has his reasons to behave like that said Candy
- Really? You know him? Said Archie
- Why are you defending him? Asked Anthony
- I'm not defending him. It's just that…
- I don't like that boy and I don't like that you're defending him!
- But you don't even know him! Said Candy
- I don't need to know him he said angrily, why are you defending him? You know him?
- Anthony, I didn't come here to argue with you, I think it's better if I leave…
She walked to the window.
- Candy wait! Said Anthony, I'm sorry. Don't go. Come back..
He followed her and hugged her.
- I'm sorry I got carried away…
- That's okay, Anthony. Forget about it.
Candy was thinking. Anthony was very jealous. She could never tell him about the New Year's kiss. She didn't like keeping secrets, but she had no choice. If Anthony learned that Terry had kissed her… My God, she didn't even want to think about it. She stayed with the boys for a while. They laughed; they joked, and were mocking Stear's inventions.
- It's late; I have to go said Candy, Good night.
She hugged Anthony.
- See you tomorrow, Anthony she said softly. Stear, Archie…
- Hey, aren't we allowed to have a hug too? Joked Archie, come…
- Don't even think about it said Anthony holding on to him
- You're selfish said Stear
Candy laughed and returned to her room the way she came. A pair of deep bleu eyes was looking at her returning to her room with the same agility as Tarzan.
- She stayed in her boyfriend's room for a long time… why is that bothering me? Asked Terry to himself
Candy was in her bed thinking about the fight with Anthony. Why did she take Terry's defence! She couldn't help herself. She couldn't stand to hear them badmouthing him, why? Well the answer will have to wait, because for the moment, she had to sleep to be shape in the morning.
Note for the author:
Hi, it's me again…with another "what if…" I hope you like this one, like you liked my other stories. Aleksandra, thanks to putting my stories on your site. I hope you have room for one more…
Dear Lella, this is for you. I wanted to wait until I finish the other story, but you were so impatient! I know, I would be too, in your place… Well I hope you like it. And there's a lot more where this came from…