HE'S MY HEART'S DESIRE
Chapter 2
"Do you like to play, Miss Tarzan…?"
The next day, after class, Candy was walking to "her pretend Pony hill". She had books in her hands. She saw Neil and his friends.
- Hey look! The little orphan said Neil, orphans are not allowed in this school!
- Leave-me alone, Neil, I only want to pass
- The orphan is giving orders said Neil
- The orphan beat you up…! You want a repeat? Asked Candy
- She beat you up? Said one of his friends, a girl?
- Oh Neil, we're disappointed in you said another friend
- ENOUGH! Said Neil, you dirty little orphan….
Saying that, he pulled her hair, which made Candy drop her books she had in her hands. Neil's friends started to push her.
- Stop it! Cried Candy, that's enough!
- Orphan, go back to the orphanage they cried
- LEAVE HER ALONE! Said a loud voice
The boys stopped and turned around, they saw Terrence G Grandchester that was looking at hem with anger
- What's your problem? Said Neil
- Coward, you're not able to take care of her by yourself, so you attack her with your friends
- But… said Neil with anger
- If I understand correctly, she already beat you up once said Terry and now you have backup. But you'll have to go through me first.
- Neil, said one of his friends; I think we have to go…
Saying that, they started to leave. Terry came close to Neil and held him by the collar.
- Who do you think you are? Why are you defending her? Said Neil, she's only an orphan!
- And that give you the right to attack her, you idiot? It's not her fault if she's an orphan! If you don't want to see how angry I get, you're going to run for your life and follow your friends said Terry still holding him by the collar.
He dropped him and pushed him. Neil fell and stood up and followed his friends running. Candy watched the scene without a word.
"He defended me she said to herself".
She picked up her books on the floor.
- Don't thank me or anything, Freckles! Said Terry
- You didn't let me the time to get my breath back, thank you Terry she said sincerely, thank you for defending me against Neil and his friends.
- Can I get a visit from you tonight in my room too, like your boyfriend? He joked.
- You saw me? Asked Candy blushing
- Yes and Tarzan has nothing on you…. Miss Tarzan…
- Another nickname! You are impossible! I'm trying to thank you and you're making it hard for me. Can't you be serious for a moment? Why are you like this? And one more thing, my name is Candice White Andrew!
And on those words, she continued her way with her books. She didn't see that a young woman with red hair had watched the scene from a far. She didn't hear what they were saying, for her it was not important. Candy was cheating on Anthony. Maybe not really, but all it take it's Anthony to find Candy and Terry in a compromising position. So Anthony will be all to herself!
Days passed and one day Annie Brighton arrived in College. Candy was happy to have her childhood friend with her. In the beginning, Annie seemed a little uncomfortable; she didn't want anybody to know that she was an orphan too. She stayed the first days with Eliza and her friends but since they were so mean, she asked Candy to forgive her. Candy of course forgave her, with her generous and joyful nature. Who cares if the world knew she was adopted. Candy's presence and friendship was making her happy.
The school was doing a play. The English teacher chose "Erudite women" by Molière, a comedy. Everybody was very exited.
- Are you going to try out for a role Candy? Asked Patty
- I don't know Patty, acting….
- Come on said Annie, it's going to be fun… and think a little, if the boys get picked… we could spend a lot of time together with the rehearsals
- You could spend more time with Archie, you mean, said Patty smiling
Annie blushed and smiled. She was trying desperately to get Archie's attention. She even offered him some handkerchiefs with his initials embroidered on it.
- Ok, said Candy, I hope we get picked…
The boys had the same idea.
- The play? Said Anthony
- Think about it, said Stear, if the girls are chosen, we could spend a lot of time together for rehearsal
- I'm not too sure it's a good idea said Archie
- What? You're afraid of Annie?
- No, said Archie uncomfortable…
- So it's settle, tomorrow we'll go to the auditions for the play said Stear
Stear and Archie were alone in the bedroom; Anthony was out.
- Are you ok Archie? Asked his brother
- Yes, why?
- It's like Annie's attention is bothering you…Archie, you know she's loves Anthony who loves her too.
- Who are you talking about?
- You know who I'm talking about
- But I love her so much…
- You'll have to learn to live with that. Annie is available…
Archie didn't answer. He knew he could never be with Candy. Anthony was like a brother to him, he could never hurt her. Annie Brighton? She was a little annoying… with her handkerchiefs, her attention. "When you don't have what you want, you content yourself with what you have…"
- You recognised yourself in me, didn't you? Said Archie
- What do you mean?
- Come on bro, you know what I'm talking about…
- Ok. I accepted the situation. There's no hope for me…
Anthony arrived at that moment and the two brothers change the conversation.
The auditions for the play happened the next day after class. Most of the students wanted to be in the play, but only a fraction of them would be chosen. - The stable girl wants to be in the play said Eliza, the role of the maid would be perfect for you.- Or for you said Candy, we don't know what role we get if we're chosen
- Eliza said Anthony you want what role?
- Henriette and I hope you'll be Clitandre said Eliza
- May God help you, Anthony said Archie laughing
Eliza looked at him with mean eyes and left them with her friends. Candy looked and saw Terry from a far. Was he going to audition? She didn't know why she was thinking about him. He was a weird boy, always alone in his corner. But he defended her against Neil and his friends, so he wasn't that bad!
The auditions went on fine. There were all sorts of people. There were talented students, like there were students with no talent. Once the auditions over, the teachers told them he results would be published the next day after class.
Candy was asleep when she heard noises at her window. She went to see what was happening and she saw Terry on the floor. He was hurt and stinking alcohol.
- Terry? Oh my god, you're hurt
- Candy? Oh I'm in the wrong room…
- What happened? Come on and lye down on my bed…
- The couch is fine he said weakly
- The bed is much more comfortable
She took him in her bed and she went to get a wet towel to clean his wounds and bandage them. She had bandages in her stuff, with all the trees she was climbing, she fell some times and she needed bandages.
- I'm sorry for bothering you said Terry half asleep, I just need to rest a little, and then I'll be out of here.
- Don't worry about it said Candy, sleep
Terry closed his eyes and fell asleep immediately. Candy was looking at him sleeping and told herself that if someone saw her, she would be kicked out of the school. What if Anthony knew about it?…but she couldn't leave him in that state. Terrence was the weirdest boy; he was able to get drunk and hurt in this school full of restrictions. He didn't care about the rules and had certainly gone out and fought. After cleaning and bandaging his wounds, she asked herself where she was going to sleep. The couch didn't seem too comfortable and her bed had space… Terry was knocked out anyway…so she lay down next to Terry. Every time he moved in pain, she woke up and calmed him with tenderness.
Terry woke up at dawn and saw Candy asleep on his chest. It took him a few minutes to remember what had happened last night and why Candy was in his arms. He had to get out of the room before she wakes up. But having Candy in his arms was a dream become true. He had to get out so she won't have problems. He got out of the bed a put her delicately on the mattress. She was so beautiful, with her freckles. He got the window and went back to his room, just before the sunrise.
Candy woke up and saw that Terry had left. She prepared herself for school; she didn't want to think about Terry. She felt guilty to have slept with him on the same bed.
After school, she met the boys to go see the results of the auditions. She met Patty and Annie. There were a lot of students in front of the board.
- What Martine? I'm the maid? Said Eliza, how dare they give me the role of the maid!
- But Eliza, you wanted a role or not?
- What did you get Anthony? Asked Candy
- Trissotin… said Anthony
- Trissotin?
- Candy, you're Henriette! Said Annie
- Oh… who's Clitandre?
- Wait a minute, said Annie, here Clitandre…Terrence Grandchester!
- What? Said Anthony, That's got to be a set up!
Candy didn't answer, Terry in the role of Clitandre! She was secretly happy.
- Do you have a role, Annie? asked Patty
- I'm Armande said Annie, what about you?
- I'm Bélise said Patty
- I'm Ariste said Archie
- I'm Vadius said Stear
- Candy is Henriette? Said Eliza, that's not fair! She should've been the maid!
- Why said Anthony, because you say so?
- Anthony said Eliza, Terrence is Clitandre; she will have to spend a lot of time with him, that doesn't bother you?
- Stop it Eliza said Archie, you're talking nonsense, it's for the play
Candy didn't say anything, because Eliza was right. She'll have to spend a lot of time with Terry for the rehearsals, what will Anthony think? Eliza is going to use this to make some trouble.
- Candy, are you ok? Said Anthony
- I wanted you to be Clitandre, so we could have our scenes together…
- Me too, but Trissotin has a scene with Henriette alone, just one! Too bad, we'll spend our evenings together, as usual.
Eliza had a murky smile, she will have to find a way for Anthony to find Candy and Terry together in a compromising position The roles they have on the play was a godsend for her. It was too good to be true. She decided to start spying on Candy to follow her when she could.
The next day in the afternoon, Candy was on her pretend Pony hill reading letters from Miss Pony, Sister Maria and the children of the Pony house. She smelled something burning. Terry jumped from the tree and was in front of her with a cigarette in his mouth. Candy startled a little.
- It's not good to smoke said Candy
- Whatever!
- Did you see the list of the roles?
- Apparently, I'm your lover, Henriette
- Apparently
- How did your lover take the news?
- He was a little disappointed, of course. How are your wounds?
- I'm fine. I didn't get the chance to thank you…
- For what? For leaving without saying goodbye?
- Candy, I'm trying to be serious and you know that it doesn't happen often
- Ok. You're welcome. But try to avoid that kind of problems in the future
Eliza was watching them from a far. She had to find a way to tell Anthony. Candy was cheating on him. She decided to go see Neil so he could help her.
- Grandchester? That fool almost beat me up because of Candy…
- What? And you didn't tell me? Said her sister, you don't realise how much I need that kind of information. She's going out with Terrence Grandchester in secret! We have to tell Anthony
- What if he doesn't believe us?
- He doesn't need to believe us, he just has to see them together… said Eliza
- How?
- Don't worry, I'll tell you when the time comes.
Candy was in Annie and Patty's bedroom.
- So Candy said Annie, you're not to disappointed not to play scenes with Anthony
- A little, but it's only a play
- Terrence Grandchester said Patty. He doesn't have a good reputation, but he's a straight A student.
- That's because you don't know him said Candy
- And you know him? Asked Annie
- I talk to him sometimes…
- Really? Said Patty, what do you talk about?
- This and that…
- Candy, what if Anthony learns about this? Said Annie
- I'm not doing anything wrong, he's a friend
- I don't think Anthony will see it like that said Annie
- That's why I'm not going to tell him anything said Candy and you have to promise me that you won't say anything to Stear and Archie either.
- Ok, Candy, I'll keep your secret said Annie
- Me too said Patty
- Thank you said Candy, thank you very much
Candy had the impression of committing a crime every time she talked to Terry because of Anthony and the fight they had the first night. She knew that it could all blow up in her face, but she couldn't help talking to Terry. And why should she? She loves Anthony of course, but she was free to talk to whom ever she wanted. But she knew that if Anthony learned she was talking, he would be very angry and won't understand. She just had to pray that nothing happens, but that was counting without Eliza and Neil Reagan…
Candy landed in Terry's room one night by mistake.
- Freckles, to what do I owe the honour of your nightly visit?
- Oh, I made a mistake. I got in the wrong window. I'm sorry if I bothered you…
- The pleasure is all mine said Terry with a mocking smile
Candy looked at him with surprised eyes. Terry was interested in her or was he joking? He kissed her on New Year's day, but she had put that to the general joy… Terry came near her.
- Are you coming to spend the night with me? He said with a soft voice, I know for a fact, that sleeping in the same bed as you is a treat…
Saying that he approaches his face near hers… Candy was not moving, she could barely breathe.
- Terry, stop! That it's not funny at all!
- What? It's not like we've never kissed before…
- I'm going now… Anthony is waiting for me.
Terry stepped away from her suddenly.
- Yeah, go see your lover! He said angrily, I don't care!
Candy was surprised by Terry's sudden mood swings; he was so nice a few moments ago… She went out by the window and went to the boy's room.
- Where were you? Asked Anthony
- I didn't see that time had passed said Candy
- That's ok said Anthony hugging her
Candy felt a little weird. To be so close to Terry had given her a weird sensation, like she wanted Terry to kiss her. No, that's ridiculous, she loved Anthony, and she wanted to be with him. So why was she thinking about someone else while she was in Anthony's arms?
- Candy, are you ok? You seem distracted said Archie
- No, I'm fine. Did you start learning your roles?
- Yes said Stear, mine isn't very big
- Mine either, said Archie
- I have a long scene with Anthony, that will be fun!
- I wished Grandchester had another role, the butler or the lawyer, they barely say two words! Said Anthony
The three boys started laughing and Candy just smiled.
- But I envy him, he's got some touching scenes with Candy said Anthony. I don't like it at all.
- Anthony, it's only a play… a comedy said Candy
- And that doesn't bother you? He asked, you seem to like it…
- Don't start Anthony… please
- You want to see my new invention said Stear to change the subject
- Yes, what is it?
Stear had succeeded in changing the subject, and Candy was very grateful to him for that. She didn't want to fight with Anthony because of Terry and the play.
She went back to her room and thought about Terry. She was confused, she loved Anthony but she couldn't stop thinking about Terry. She decided not to try and see him anymore in the days to come to avoid complications.