Tomorrow in your life
Chapter 3
"Be my Valentine, Romeo"
Candy was a little puzzled by Terry's last e-mail. When they communicated through e-mail, it was like they had an invisible link that gave her a sense of comfort. She had felt it on the plane too, but she didn't want to admit it to herself, because Anthony was still so present. She thought she was dishonouring him, by feeling good with Terry…But Anthony was dead and Terry was alive…But he had a girlfriend… the girlfriend in real life, in school… but on the internet, they were "Romeo and Freckles"… two cyber beings that communicated by e-mail.
Dear Romeo,
The cafeteria scene gave hope to the students… let me explain myself; some students think that I have the power to steal you from Lizzie. Some even suggested that I seduce you! I suppose I didn't realise the importance of your gesture. Are you really the terror everybody is talking about? I have the memory of this nice and sweet boy that cheered me up… I don't know if she already told you, but I had a fight with your girlfriend. She saw us talking from a far…Let me give you my version; she told me that you would never be interested in me. I told her that was not the impression I got on the plane. Excuse-me in advance for the problem I created.
See you later
Freckles
Terry got Candy's e-mail just before Lizzie knocked on his window. He closed his inbox and shut down the computer. Candy… he wished it was her at the window.
- Lizzie, he said, how are you?
- Don't you "How are you me"! I want to know what you were doing with that Blondie!
- Lizzie you're ridiculous, she's a friend, we…
- I know, you met on the plane… But when I confronted her, she pretended that you were interested in her
- She said that?
- No. I have to say; I told her you would never be interested in her…
- Oh… you provoked her….
- You're taking her side?
- Lizzie, didn't I tell you to leave Candy alone?
- Yes, but, she was talking with you…
- And she will continue to talk to me. You leave her alone, Ok? And tell the same thing to your group. I don't want to have this conversation again, if you want us to get along, ok?
- But…
- Eh eh eh…
- Ok. I'll talk to my group and no one will touch a strand of hair of you little protégée…
Lizzie was on the bed, sulking.
- Elizabeth, said Terry nicely, you're going to continue sulking for long? Otherwise I can sleep, you know…
Lizzie ended up smiling and abandoning herself in Terry's arms. When Terry was alone, he quickly sent an e-mail to Candy.
Dear Freckles,
No I'm not the terror everyone is talking about. You saw the real me on the plane. The one here his only a façade. Maybe it's to hide the personnel problems I have…
They suggested you to seduce me? Wow they know what they want, don't they? But if you tried, I will not be indifferent…but I'm sure it's not in your character to seduce guys. Even if you don't need any seduction, all the boys are ready to fall into your arms…
On that note, I leave you here
Have a good night
Romeo
Lizzie went back to her room passing through the hallway. Candy heard the noise, Lizzie's laugh and her group all coming back from their boyfriends' rooms. They were praising their partner's talents.
"She coming from Terry's room… why is that bothering me?" thought Candy.
She heard the notifier telling her she had a new e-mail.
"Terry" she thought.
She went to read Romeo's response. She smiled blushing a little. All the guys were ready to fall in her arms? She didn't need all the guys she only needed… a few days ago she would've said "Anthony" and now… No! She didn't already forgot about Anthony! She felt sad all of a sudden. She called Annie on her cell phone.
- Annie? She said I'm not disturbing you?
- Never Candy. You can call me anytime. Are you ok?
- No
- Tell me what's wrong?
- I got an e-mail from Terry
- What did he say?
- A lot of things among others, that all the guy were ready to fall into my arms…
- Cool
- So I started to think that I didn't want all the guys I only wanted…
- Terry…
- Annie a few days ago I would've said, "Anthony", today Terry came into my head…
- You feel sad because you think you're betraying Anthony?
- Yes
- Candy honey Anthony is dead Terry is alive. Life goes on. You have to stop feeling guilty. Anthony wouldn't want you to stay sad all your life because of him. What did he used to tell you again?
- "You're much prettier when you laughing then when you're crying…" Terry wrote me that on his first e-mail. For me it was like…
- …a sign that you had Anthony's blessing… don't doubt it anymore. So don't feel guilty. You're falling in love with Terry if you're not already…
- Oh Annie, he has a girlfriend
- Judging by the way he looked at you at the cafeteria, I'd say Lizzie Barrington's days are numbered…
- She was coming back from Terry's room a few minutes ago…
- And that made you feel…?
- Weird
- Need I say more?
- Thanks Annie thanks for everything
- You're welcome, sweetie. Sweet dreams
- You too.
Candy had an agitated nigh. She dreamt about Anthony. He was standing near the Pony hill.
- Anthony! I love you! She cried coming next to him to kiss him.
But when she stopped kissing him she looked at him smiling it wasn't Anthony anymore but Terry answering her;
- I love you Freckles and he kissed her
Candy woke up in sweat. Terry… she went to the bathroom and turned on her computer, it was 5 am. She checked her e-mail. There was one from Georges, Uncle William's assistant.
Miss Candy
Hello! I hope you're adapting well to your new school. The airline company sent me the pictures from the New Year's party on the plane. I'm sending you the hard copy by regular mail but for now here they are in attachment. They are very pretty.
Have a good week.
SincerelyGeorges
She opened the attachment and looked at the pictures; they were indeed very pretty. There was one of Terry hugging her at midnight. Her heart jumped seeing it. She decided to send so them to Terry too then she went to take a shower.
Terry was in his bedroom; he was awake and just got out of the shower. He had turned on his computer and was surprised to see an e-mail so early in the morning. He saw that it was from Candy.
"Freckles, you're an early bird he said to himself"
He sent her an e-mail on the spot.
Freckles,
You're not asleep? You're an early bird…
Thanks for the pictures, they really are very beautiful. If you had forgotten about me, those pictures would've refreshed your memory…
See you later,
Romeo
Candy came out of the shower and saw Terry's e-mail.
"You're an early bird Romeo she thought"
She smiled.
Romeo,
Right back at you! You're one to talk…
George will send me the hard copies my ordinary mail. I will have some copies made for you, if you want.
See you later
Freckles
She didn't want to answer the sarcasm, because she couldn't stop thinking about him and didn't want to show her feelings inadvertently.
Lizzie Barrington went to see Eliza in her room, before class.
- Eliza?
- Lizzie? To what do I owe the honour of a visit from the queen of the school said Eliza ironically
- I need your help…
- My help? I'm not sure I want to help you; after all you denigrated Anthony's death…
- I'm sorry, but the Blondie…
- Candy?
- You hate her, as much as I do, don't you?
- She's my cousin… you can't ban her… can't you? Your guy is protecting her…
- It's a real nightmare! And he forbids me to bother her…
- And you don't dare disobeying or you're going to find yourself with no one to keep you warm at night…laughed Eliza
- Ok, no need to be vulgar!
- Vulgar? Don't you swear on vulgarity?
- Are you going to help me or not?
- I don't know… Candy is a lucky she-devil… and judging by the way your guy was looking at her
- Eliza!
- I mean, whatever trick you play on her, she's going to come out smelling like a rose, and your guy will even want to protect her more… are you sure it's what you want? It could backfire on you… I can help you if need be… but I won't take the blame in your place…
- Don't worry about that. If you agree, I'll take care of everything. Come on, I know you hate her…
- Yes, but…
- She's going to steal my boyfriend…
- If she can steal him so easily, you've lost him already. I know, it was the same thing with Anthony. As soon as he looked at her, it was over… it's a matter of days, Lizzie, you'll see you'll prove me right
- Not if I take care of her first, said Lizzie
- Ok. But it's only because I hate her
- Thanks. I'll tell you when everything is ready
Eliza shook her head; she knew from experience that Candy was "indestructible". She had tried for years to destroy her without any result. Candy always fell back on her feet.
Lizzie didn't stop there. She went to see her cousin who was a year older than her and was a womanizer… His name was Ethan Barrington.
- Ethan?
- Lizzie, you need something?
- Yes, a very big favour…
- Big? It's always big with you
- Please…
- What's the favour?
- Can you dishonour a girl for me?
- "Dishonour" you mean sleep with her? Why? Oh… let me guess; the blond your guy is protecting?
- Yes…
- Are you out of your mind?
- What?
- Your boyfriend is going to kill me… I heard him tell the other boys not to touch her, to leave her alone
- What!
- Yes, he wants to keep her for himself
- If you dishonour her before…
- Grandchester is going to kill me!
- You're afraid of him?
- Isn't that why you're here asking me to do your dirty work? Sorry cousin, but it's no…
- If you change your mind, you'll be well compensated
- How?
- How would you like to have my Jaguar?
- You'll give me your Jaguar?
- Yes…
- Oh Lizzie you're cruel! That's hard to resist…
- So say yes…
Ethan hesitated a little. Her Jaguar? Lizzie was ready to give him her Jaguar and all she had to do is dishonour Candy White Andrew… Grandchester's protégée? He's going to kill him… but he wanted the car more than anything.
- When?
Lizzie had a smug smile. She knew she could do it.
"Revenge is best served cold. I'll get you Candy White Andrew" she said to herself.
- I'll let you know. Thanks said Lizzie
At the end of school that day, Candy met Stear in the hallway.
- Hi Candy said Stear
- Stear, I'm going to see Patty in her general quarters
- The paper said Stear
- You want to walk with me?
- Ok, let's go
They walked talking joyfully. They saw Terry and his group and their girlfriends. Candy wanted to ignore Terry, but it she couldn't help herself. They looked at each other and he winked at her. Candy smiled and continued her way. Lizzie, who was looking at her boyfriend, saw the wink but couldn't say anything.
"Soon, she said to herself, soon"
Patty blushed when she saw Stear with Candy. They started to talk nicely. Candy left them alone quietly. They were made for each other.
Annie was at a meeting where they were discussing the end of year festivities. There was going to be a play, and a fashion show. Since Annie swore only by fashion, she was among the coordinators. Candy had promised her to be one of her models.
Everything was fine in class and at the dorm. It was routine. Then Valentine day came. There was suppose to have a small party supervised by the nuns and the teachers. No alcohol, no hard music, only soft music, soft drink and no close up dance. It was already a big deal to have the nuns agree to the party.
Annie, Patty and Candy were getting ready in Candy's room. They had received Valentine cards like everybody, small ones from their friends and bigger ones from interested boys in them.
Candy wasn't expecting anything from Terry, but she was hoping to get a card from Romeo.
When she opened her locker, she found a lot of cards put through the holes of the door. Only one interested her…Terry's. It was simple and pretty;
"Happy Valentine's day Candy. Here is a good occasion to eat you"
She smiled. She had also given him a card in front of Lizzie, to provoke her a little. She was walking in the hallway during recess, with her two best friends. Terry was standing, talking. Lizzie at his arm.
- Hi Terry, said Candy, Lizzie. Thanks for the card, here is yours.
Terry knew that Candy was provoking Lizzie and he had a little smile.
- Thanks Candy and you're welcome. See you later
- See you!
She saw Lizzie's black look and she didn't care.
- Candy said Patty, you're playing with fire. Lizzie will get revenge…
- Let her come, I've survived Neil and Eliza…
- Be careful said Patty, this girl has no mercy
- Don't worry Patty, everything will be fine
Terry put the card in the inside pocket of his blazer, he didn't want to read Candy's card in front of Lizzie.
- Read it said Lizzie
- Later…
- I want to see what she wrote you…
- Exactly, what she wrote me…
Lizzie didn't insist. Every time when it was about Candy, she'll get the brush off…
"Damn you Candy!"
Terry read the card that said;
"Happy Valentine's day Terry. It would be a pleasure to be eaten by you…"
He had a little dreamy smile.
The preparation for the party continued; since it was the Valentine's dance, the theme was red, pink and white. The three girls had all pink dresses. Candy's was fuschia pink, without straps, with a shawl the same colour. Annie's dress was pale pink with thin straps; Patty's dress was dark pink with one strap. Annie did her friends hair; she managed to flatten Candy's long curly and thick hair. She did an up do on Patty's hair. They were ready; they met Tanisha and her group in the hallway.
- Hi girls said Tanisha who was wearing a red dress, very pretty pinkies…
- You too, very pretty, reds
- Pinkies, said Tanisha, let's go!
The gym was decorated with big red and pink hearts and red and pink balloons. The music was… let's just say, that the music let a lot to be desire. Did the nuns really think that the students were going to have fun with that kind of music? Fortunately, there were a few teachers who insisted to put some new pop music. They finally accepted against their will. The music changed a little, not much and the students started to dance. The girls were on one side and the boys on the other side. They went near the food table and were able to talk a little.
- The nuns might as well locked us up in our room, they would've have the same effect said Annie
- No Annie said Candy, in our dorm, we would've had good music
- We can hardly breathe said Patty
- Go near your dates, said Candy, the nuns are not going to kill you
- Go and dance, said the teachers
One of the teachers went in the middle of the gym and invited the young people to dance. There were a lot of couples that started to dance shyly. Neil Reagan had a flask with some gin inside and another with whisky that he poured into the punch and the fruit salad. A few moments later, the atmosphere started to loosen up. Everybody was laughing and having fun.
Candy was invited to dance by Stear and Archie and other boys. Terry was watching her every time she was on the dance floor. He wanted to dance with her, but every time he tried, Lizzie was stopping him or Candy was dancing with someone else.
Candy was watching Terry who seemed to be blocked by Lizzie. She was dancing with all the boys, when she only wanted to dance with Terry. She standing near the door, when she heard a voice.
- Freckles? Do you want to dance with me?
- I thought you'd never ask, she said smiling
He took her to the dance floor, there was a slow. Because of the nuns, he couldn't hold her to close to him. They were looking at each other in the eye with so much love. Everybody could feel the chemistry between them. Lizzie was jealous. She was feeling Terry slipping away from her…she decide to put her plan to dishonour Candy into motion. She wasn't prepared, but she didn't care. All she wanted was to get rid of Candy. She went to see her cousin and gave him some pills in his hands. Then she went to Eliza and gave her some pills. Then she went back to her place like nothing happened. Annie and Patty were dancing with their date, so their table was empty. Ethan went by there and put some pills into Candy's glass. Eliza went by the table, and put some more pills in Candy's half empty glass.
When the dance with Terry was over, Candy went back to her place with her friends. She took her glass, finished it, and had some more punch. The alcohol that Neil put in the punch, plus the pills… she felt her head spinning. Ethan took advantage to invite her to dance. She accepted thinking if she walked a little, she would feel better. She was hearing the music in echoes and slow motion. Terry saw that something wasn't right. Candy was laughing too much. He said to himself that he would go and see her after the dance to see how she was feeling. But he wanted to see her; he looked for her, but couldn't find her. He said to himself that maybe she went to powder her nose.
Ethan took Candy to his room, but he had trouble taking her there, she was a little delirious.
- Anthony? She said, Anthony don't take the car, Anthony come back…
Ethan knew what he was doing was wrong, but his greed took over.
- Where are you taking me? Anthony …no don't take the car…Anthony
He put her on the bed, and was trying to take her dress off… But Candy was not cooperating, she was fighting. She didn't let him do anything; there was still some drops of good sense in her or the worry about Anthony…
- What are you doing? No… I have to stop Anthony… Anthony don't take the car!
Ethan was trying in vain to take her dress off. Candy couldn't stop moving.
Meanwhile, Lizzie took Terry in the hallway of the boys' dorm, saying she wanted to be alone with him. He didn't really feel like it, leaving the party without finding Candy. She had been missing for a while. The last time he saw her, she was dancing with Ethan and was laughing a lot. So he went against his will with Lizzie in the boys' dorm.
Ethan was becoming impatient, because Candy was delirious and was refusing systematically to take her dress off. He tore the dress up and forced her on the bed brutally… Candy felt the whole room spinning, she felt dizzy like throwing up and Ethan's weight on her… she had to save Anthony, or he was going to die, She pushed Ethan off her with strength but fell back on the bed, because her head was still spinning and her dress was thorn up.
- Anthony… I have to warn him… she said
Ethan was mad because she made him fall on the floor.
- You little pious hypocrite! Wait, you'll see
He stood up and walked towards Candy who was going to the door lurching and screaming;
- ANTHONY, I'M COMING ANTHONY!
- Shut up you stupid idiot! Said Ethan catching her by the dress that he ripped up again, letting her underwear show
- NOOOOOOOO! ANTHONY!
Terry was passing by with Lizzie and they heard the screams.
- Candy?
- No Hon, said Lizzie, it's probably a girl with her boyfriend
- No, it sounded like Candy said Terry following the screams, CANDY, CANDY WHERE ARE YOU?
Candy heard Terry's voice in the middle of the turmoil she was in, in her brain like an incessant echo.
- Romeo? She said
- Shut up! Said Ethan, putting his hand on her mouth and taking her on the bed again
The door opened and Terry came in, saw what was happening and took Ethan off of Candy by throwing him to the wall. Ethan stood up and Terry punched him on the face. He ran to Candy who was disoriented.
- Romeo?
- Yes, Freckles he said taking his blazer off to cover her
- Anthony, we have to save Anthony… He's going to die, don't let him take the car…Romeo… don't leave me…
Terry picked up Candy's stuff and carried her to her bedroom. He opened the door and put her on the bed.
- Romeo she said delirious… I love you… don't leave me, please… my head is spinning… stop making all that noise!
- Terry said Lizzie who followed them, you can't stay here…
- Go get her friends, I can't leave her alone
Lizzie went to get Candy's friend. Terry sitting next to her on the bed. He saw Anthony's picture on her night table.
" She still thinks about him" he said to himself.
- Romeo?… you there? Where's Anthony?
- He's fine, he didn't take the car…
- Thanks… Romeo…sleep
She fell asleep for a little while.
'She's going to be sick in the morning " said Terry to himself
He went to the bathroom took a bucket of water, a small towel that he wetted to wipe her face. He wiped her face with the wet towel gently, her neck.
- Humm Romeo? You there? She said weakly
- I'm here Freckles…
- Don't go please… don't leave me…I love you…
She sit up and put her head on his chest. Lizzie arrived with Annie and Patty and that was the scene they saw. Candy curled up in Terry's arms. Lizzie and a twinge in her heart. She understood what Eliza meant by; "Candy is a lucky she-devil,… the situation is going to backfire on you…"
Terry saw Candy's friends and tried to get loose. But any move he made she was holding him tighter.
- Don't leave me please…
Terry managed to get loose, but Candy became hysterical all of a sudden.
- No, no! Don't go please! Don't go Romeo… don't leave me Romeo!
Terry took her back in his arms and she calmed herself.
- I think it's better if you stay said Annie
- What? Cried Lizzie, no way!
- You saw her reaction… what did they give her, where was she? Asked Annie
- I found her delirious in Ethan's room with her dress ripped off said Terry
- What? Said Patty, he must've drugged her, Candy will never go with Ethan to his room
- You never know… said Lizzie
- For Candy, I would swear to it, said Annie, Ethan must have drugged her and with the alcohol mixed in the punch…
- That's why she's delirious and holding on to Terry like a lifebuoy said Patty
Lizzie couldn't say much; she provoked everything by wanting to get rid of Candy…
- Terry, you can stay with her said Annie, we won't say anything, won't we Lizzie?
- I suppose you can stay, she said against her will, I'm going to stay too…
- No need said Terry, we all know that you don't like Candy
Lizzie turned red and was forces to leave with Annie and Patty.
Terry stayed with Candy. She was sick all night long. Terry used the bucket a lot of time during the night. He didn't know what drug they had given her, but it must have one to render her unconscious of what she was doing, to abuse her! Ethan Barrington… he was going to pay for that! How dared he touched his little protégée. He knew Terry have told all the boys that Candy was off limit. Why did he take that risk?… Lizzie! He remembered her insistence to go to the boys' dorm; she wanted him to see Candy and Ethan together in bed! My God! There was nothing worse than a young man taking advantage of a young girl's vulnerability, to do what he wants.
Terry arranged himself to the best he could and slept on the bed with her, without letting go of her… He had dreamt of spending the night with Candy… but not in those circumstances, where she's totally under the influence of drugs, delirious and she won't even remember anything in the morning.