HE'S MY HEART'S DESIRE
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 9
" It's raining in my heart…"
Candy was locked in the attic, well in one of the rooms of the attic. She didn't know what was going to happen to her. Eliza was fuming in another room of the attic. Anthony was in the dungeon with Billy Jordache, separately. Terrence Grandchester was confined to his room for a week. Anthony, Eliza and Billy were going to be expelled. If they hadn't catch Eliza naked in Billy's arms, Candy would have probably been expelled too. But Terrence won't be expelled; his father was giving enough money to the school for the nuns to keep him.
Candy's friends heard about what had happened and the consequences of it.
- I can't believe it said Patty
- Eliza and Anthony expelled! What about Candy?
- And Grandchester? Said Archie with anger
- We don't know said Annie
- I'm going to break his jaw said Archie, Anthony is expelled, Eliza, I don't care!
He went with his brother in Terry's room. They knocked on the door. Terry asked himself, who could it be, opened the door and he received a blow on his face from Archie. Terry was surprised. What was going on?
- Hey dandy boy! Easy! Tell me what's wrong and don't try to hit me again. Because I can assure you that I won't stay without reacting!
- Anthony is expelled! Said Archie
- And we don't know Candy's fate said Stear
- Where are they? Asked Terry
- Do you care? Asked Archie
- Candy is in the attic and Anthony is in the dungeon said Stear
- Damn that Neil Reagan! Said Terry
- Neil? Asked Stear
- Yes, it was a trap set by Neil to get Brown and I expelled so Candy would be free…
- What? What about his sister? Asked Archie
- I don't think he knew she was there …said Terry
- …doing the deed said Stear, but Anthony is expelled, the great aunt is going to blame Candy for everything!
- Why aren't you punished? Asked Archie
- I can't get out of my room said Terry
- Oh, excuse-me! Said Archie ironically, the master, the son of the duke can't get out of his luxury room and his soft, fluffy and warm bed!
- That's enough said Terry, I heard you. Thanks for the information. Now get out of my room!
Archie and Stear got out of the room. Terry went to Sister Grey's office.
- Mr. Grandchester said Sister Grey, you're punished, you shouldn't leave your room
- Why am I not in a dark a cold room too? Because of my father's donations?
- Mr. Grandchester, we do not discriminate against the students.
- Is that why everybody is confined in their rooms like me?
- Mr. Grandchester!
- Anthony is expelled, why am I not expelled too?
- Mr. Brown provoked the fight and I heard that, it wasn't the first time…
- Is Candy expelled?
- No, she's going to be punished, that's all. But Miss Reagan…
- I don't care about Miss Reagan! Said Terry
- Mr. Grandchester, I will not tolerate that you speak to me on that tone!
- I apologise, Sister Grey.
He came to make a deal. If Anthony were expelled, Candy would never forgive herself. He had to stop that!
- What if I took Mr. Brown's place?
- What do you mean?
- If I left, left the school, Anthony could stay?
Sister Grey remained silent for a while. Why would Terrence G. Grandchester do such a sacrifice? She was a little reticent, but she agreed.
- Ok, Mr. Grandchester, Mr. Brown will stay if you leave.
- Thank you sister Grey
He was doing the sacrifice for Candy. Anthony is going to stay and Candy won't feel guilty. But he had to let go of her. It will take him all the strength of the world to do that. She chose him; they were supposed to be together for the rest of their lives… but Anthony's expulsion had put a dark cloud in their lives. If he stayed with her; they won't be at peace and they would feel guilty. The Great Aunt Elroy, who already hated Candy, was going to make her life miserable. She was adopted; maybe they were going to deny her…. It's better this way. He wrote a note to Candy, took his things and left the college.
"If I were a little older, I would have married you. Be happy my Candy. I love you, I will always love you," he thought.
Candy was freed from the attic and went back to her room. The first thing she did, before even seeing her friends, was to go see how Terry was doing. She went to his room and found it empty. There was a note on the table with her name on it. She took it and read it and tears started to come down her cheeks. Terry was gone! Gone! I had left her and he left the college to go to America to pursue his dreams. But, what happened? She thought he loved her, like she loved him! Why did he leave without seeing her and without saying goodbye? A note! A note was telling her goodbye and when he was going to take the boat. Maybe she had time to catch him? She had to hurry. Without thinking, she left the college for the harbour. Maybe the boat will still be there, maybe it would be delayed? After the trip that seemed endless, she arrived to see the boat leave! She had missed him! He was gone! She missed him!
- TERRY, TERRY! She cried with all her strength, I love you, come back to me she said to herself, why, why did you abandoned me? TERRYYYYYYY!
On the boat, Terry thought he heard his name called in the air. But he thought it was the figment of his imagination. He's hearing Candy's voice now! He missed her so much already!
"Be happy, Candy be happy with him… without me, you'll have a chance. I love you, I will always love you".
Candy went back to college completely heartbroken. She went to her room and started to cry. Terry was gone. She won't see him anymore. The college seemed cold al of a sudden, brittle and boring. She stayed in her room and didn't go to class. After class, her two best friends came to see her; she was in bed still crying all the tears of her body. She was in her nightgown. Her eyes were swollen and red.
- Candy? Called Annie, sitting on her bed
Candy sat up and saw her best friend and jumped to her neck crying.
- Oh Annie, Annie, he's gone! Terry is gone, he left me…
- Candy, calm down, said Annie, come on sweetie, it's ok, stop crying. Terry sacrificed himself…
Candy calmed down, but she still had tears in her voice, when she asked;
- Sacrificed? How?
- Anthony was going to be expelled said Patty
- He made a deal with the sisters to leave the school, so that Anthony could stay
- What! Why? Said Candy
- Because he knew you would feel guilty if Anthony was expelled, and the Great Aunt was going to blame you, said Annie
- He loved you enough to give you up, to keep you out of trouble, said Patty
- But… he left me and I love him so much! Said Candy sobbing more
She calmed herself after a while.
- How did Anthony take the news?
- Not very well, as you can imagine said Annie, he hates that Terry did him a favour
- Do you know what happened?
- Yes, the barn, the fight, Eliza, Billy… I can't believe that she was with another one said Annie
- And Neil was the master-manipulator behind the whole situation Said Patty
- Neil? Said Candy, but his sister…?
- I don't think he knew she was there. He wanted to provoke a fight between Anthony and Terry so they would be expelled and you'd find yourself free.
- All this mess was to have me! And now, Terry is gone, Anthony is mad and Eliza and Billy are expelled! I feel like locking myself in my room and never come out…!
- Come on Candy, said Patty it's not your fault, if they are all in love with you!
Annie and Patty did a group hug with Candy.
Anthony was in his room with his cousins fuming. He was giving punches on the wall, the table, and the pillows…
- Anthony, said Stear, you have to calm down
- Damn it, damn it, damn it!
- Anthony said Archie, calm down
- That no good English boy sacrificed himself for me, because of Candy!
- If you want my opinion, said Stear, it's a proof of love
- Love? Love? For Candy?
- Euh, yes, he didn't want her to be blamed by the Great Aunt and the Great Uncle William, said Stear
- He's in love with her, is she in love with him too? Asked Anthony
- We don't know that, said Archie, you'll have to talk to her
- She was with him in the barn said Anthony
- She also got a note from Neil, it was a trap said Stear
- If she wanted to see him, don't you think that she would've gone in his room or he would've gone hers? Said Archie
- It felt like a trap, but none of you had seen it coming said Stear, you have to calm yourself, and talk to her
- But I wouldn't want to be in Eliza's place said Anthony
- Or Billy's said Archie
- I think her parents and the Great Aunt are going to have a cow! Said Anthony
- Yes this crisis is going to affect us all said Stear
Neil was in his room a little upset by the turn of events. His plan had turned sour. Anthony was not expelled; Grandchester sacrificed himself in his place. And to top all that, his sister was caught with Billy doing the deed. His parents are going to be angry. They were in catholic school; there was zero tolerance for that king of behaviour. Who ever you were.
Annie and Candy were talking in Annie's room.
- Did you talk to Anthony? Asked Annie
- No. I don't even know if we can talk yet
- But you wanted to talk to him about Terry…
- But Terry is gone, it's doesn't matter anymore
- You're going to stay with Anthony?
- Annie, Anthony slapped me when he found me with Terry in the barn. That's what started the fight in fact
- He slapped you? How did he found you? Kissing Terry?
- No. He was already mad when he arrived
- There must've been something that ticked him off…
- Whatever. The slap was a little much. I'm not his private property. I fell in love with Terry. I did everything to resist it, but in the end, he's the one I wanted and I thought he wanted me too…
- Candy come on, Terry loves you. He wanted to spare you some troubles
- Why didn't he ask me to go with him? I would've said yes. I followed him to the harbour, but the boat had already left. You can't imagine how much that hurt me. He didn't even say goodbye.
Candy wiped the tears coming down her cheeks. He heart was broken into a thousand pieces.
- What are you going to do about Anthony…?
- I don't know. I have to get over Terry
- You're not going to tell him that…
- No, it would be all about the fight, I'm going to ask him for a break
Patty came in at that moment
- Hi girls. The situation here in Europe is not good at all. There's a wind of war blowing…
- War? Said Candy, that's awful!
- I know. A lot of students are called back home.
- I wonder what my parents are going to decide said Annie.
- And Uncle William said Candy, with Eliza's scandal, I think we are all going back to America..
- You could see Terry again, said Patty
- I don't know where he is, said Candy
- Don't worry, said Annie if you are destined to be together, the universe is going to make you see each other
- You think? Said Candy
- Of course, said Annie, you have to be optimist. Terry didn't come into your life to upset it and leave. You'll see him again, trust me.
- May God hear you! Said Candy
The news of Eliza's disgrace was very badly received in America. The Great Aunt Elroy became very angry and ordered all the children to return to America. With the wind of war blowing, it was better that way anyway. And if everybody came back at the same time, the rumours will stop. Even Candy was ordered to come back; the great aunt didn't want any problems with Uncle William. Annie's parents had also asked for their daughter to come back. Eliza and Billy were freed from their punishment. Since most or all of the American students were going back anyway, Billy was among them. Eliza was happy of course to be on the boat so she could satisfy her desires she'd refrained in the attic. Even locked in her room waiting for the trip back home, she found a way to get a boy in by the window of her bedroom.
The day before the departure, Anthony went to see Candy in her room.
- Candy?
- Anthony, come in
- How are you?
- I've been better
He remained silent for a while. They were looking at each other.
- I wanted to apologise for slapping you. I got a note saying that you had spent the night with Grandchester…
- What!
- Yes. So, to see you two in the barn so close to each other…
- Anthony…
- Let me talk, please. I lost it. Forgive me, Candy. Forgive me, I love you so much. The idea of Grandchester touching you drove me crazy!
Candy remained silent. Terry was gone, so what was the point of telling Anthony that she wanted to break up with him to be with Terry? Why unnecessarily break his heart? But Anthony's ho temper gave her the courage to say;
- Anthony, it's better if we take a break…
- A break? You don't love me anymore? You want him?
- Don't put words in my mouth. I just need a break to rest, that's all.
- Grandchester left so I could stay, because of you. He's in love with you
- Anthony, I feel bad enough already because all this mess, it's because of me. Neil did all this so that Terry and you would be expelled and I would be free. Even if I were, I would never be with Neil, even if he were the last man on earth. Terry sacrificed himself so you won't be expelled and that was all for nothing, because we are all leaving the college anyway.
- I wish I was expelled and owe nothing to Grandchester
Candy look down.
- I'm sorry for provoking all this
- Candy, it's not your fault if everybody is in love with you…
- Everybody?
- Yes, everybody, included, Stear and Archie. Ok, Candy, let's take a break. Let's see what's going to happen in America
She stood up and hugged him.
- Thanks Anthony, I love you
- I love you Candy, don't ever forget that
He kissed her on the lips and left. Anthony's kiss was fine and good. But Candy could help herself thinking about Terry… she was ashamed of herself and blushed. But Terry came back in her head. It was like she could think about anything else. She'll have to get use to live like that. He would never be erased from his memory. Terry was her soul mate. Anthony… she loved him, but, not like she loved Terry.
The students were glad to go back to America. No more strict rules, no more uniforms! A week of freedom on the boat!
Candy and Annie were sad Patty was not leaving with them.
- I'm going to miss her said Candy
- Me too…
- I talked to Anthony
- So…?
- We're taking a break…
- A break? You didn't tell him that you're in love with Terry?
- I didn't see the point of hurting him more. The note he received from Neil told him that I had spent the night with Terry. He had come in a few seconds earlier; he would've found me in Terry's arms. Terry's sacrifice, humiliated him even more. I couldn't tell him the truth…
- I see. But Candy….well. What are you going to do when we get to America?
- I'm going to go to the Pony House for a few days. I have to get away from Anthony and the others. I need some space.
Neil, after the fiasco of his plan, didn't dare to show his head. Anthony, Stear and Archie told him to stay away from Candy. Eliza didn't learn her lesson. She continued playing the seductress and the easy girl during the whole trip. Neil begged her to stop, but she was playing deaf.
Candy spent as less time as possible with the boys. She was with Annie when she wasn't with Archie. Annie knew she was thinking about Terry, but she couldn't break her friend's confidence.
Once in America, Candy went to the Pony House, and the others went to Lakewood and Annie went to her parents. The children at the Pony House saw her from a far and they started to scream with joy.
- The boss is here, the boss is here! Miss Pony, Sister Maria! Candy is back!
They jumped on her and made her fall on the ground. Candy laughed. She always felt good at the Pony House. She felt at home. She was home. She ran and kissed Miss Pony and Sister Maria.
- Candy! Said Miss Pony, welcome home!
- Welcome Candy said Sister Maria
- Miss Pony, Sister Maria, it's so good to see you!
She was crying of joy. Yes she was home. She told her two mothers, what had happened in college; she didn't want to hide anything from them. She told them about her meeting with Terry on the boat and the rest without giving too many details, until Eliza's scandal and the order from the Great Aunt to come back to America.
- Candy said Miss Pony, you know you're always welcome here, but wouldn't you rather stay at Lakewood?
- No, Miss Pony, I feel good here. I need to get away from them, so I could get over Terry
- Candy, are you in love with this young man? Terrence Grandchester? Asked Sister Maria
- I think I am, Sister Maria. Since he left, I can't stop crying. I want him here near me…
The two ladies looked at each other.
- I think he's in love with you too, said Sister Maria, to sacrifice himself like that for his rival
- He did seem in love when he talked about you… said Miss Pony
- When he talked about me? Said Candy stunned, you saw him?
- Yes said Miss Pony, he came here a few days ago to visit us here. He said that a very good friend had told him about the Pony hill and he came to see himself what his Candy was talking about.
Candy was speechless! Terry, her Terry came to see her real Pony hill! Oh, How much she wished she had been there with him! They would've looked together in the same direction, and they would have declare their love to each other… "To love is not to look at each other, but it's to look together in the same direction". This news made her sad and happy at the same time; sad because she missed Terry by a few days and happy because he came to see her Pony Hill, her hill. So he still cared about her…she felt a sudden new courage, hope. The sadness was gone. Terry loved her, she was sure of it. Even if she never sees him anymore, she felt this comfort knowing he loved her. As long as they are alive, they will see each other one day. She went on her Pony Hill.
Miss Pony and Sister Maria saw the immediate change in Candy when she learned that that Terrence Grandchester came to see her Pony hill. It was incredible, her eyes lit up instantly and she became the happy Candy, fun, laughing, prank girl from before.
- Wow said Miss Pony, the single mention of this young man's name illuminated her eyes!
- She must love him a lot, for just the fact that she knows he was here to see her Pony hill, gave her so much joy as before said sister Maria
Candy was on her Pony hill and was looking far. She came on her hill when she felt happy and when she felt sad.
"Terry she thought, I don't know if we'll see each other one day. If you become a big talented and famous actor, I'll come and see you to congratulate you. And I dare to hope that you won't forget your first partner in theatre…"
She had a little nostalgic smile. "Freckles" that nickname bothered her in the beginnings, she never thought she would miss it.
She stayed at the Pony House for a few days and she was taking care of the children.