Tomorrow in your life…
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 15
" The end of vacations"
Philippe and Melissa invited Candy, Terry and their friends and their host families to the restaurant at the hotel Intercontinental. They spent a nice last evening, after a memorable and unforgettable stay. Philippe had his camcorder and taped each youngster asking them to say something in souvenir. Melissa took pictures with everybody. She was very happy and very sad at the same time.
She spent the night in Candy's room with little Carissa. This last one was asleep but Candy and Melissa talked until morning.
The departure for London was very painful for Candy and the Cranes. The children were crying, they didn't want her to go.
- You're going to come and see us again? Asked Carissa
- Yes, said Candy and you will come and see me if you come to London.
She also kissed James and Cassie too. She had tears in her eyes. She s got in the car with Philippe and Melissa. This last one couldn't help crying. Philippe was also very sad; he knew that Melissa is going to be said for a long time, after Candy was gone.
- You have all my numbers said Candy to Melissa, don't hesitate to call me, I'm going to send you an e-mail every day and tell you what I'm doing
- Me too, I'm going to miss you Candy
- I'm going to miss you too, and you too, Philippe, I'm going to miss you all! It was good to have a family… a mother, a father… little brothers and sisters
Melissa remained silent, so did Philippe. They were thinking about the child they had lost and that would have been 16, if he had survived. It was like Candy had filled that void…
At the airport, they found most of the students ready to get on the plane. Terry was already there. He had, yet again, changed the seats to first class.
- Hello, Melissa, Philippe. Juliet I managed to change the seats again…
- Really? We're going to be in first class again? Super!
- You changed the seats? Asked Philippe
Terry told them how they met in first class on New Year's Eve.
- How romantic said Melissa, they say the person you're with at the stroke of midnight, is the person you're destined to be with…
- Really? Said Candy, well the universe put us back together in the same school after that
Candy's cousins and friends came near them.
- Hello everybody, said Candy, ready to go back?
- Boarding school to Romania? Said Archie, I rather stay in Romania
Everybody was laughing.
- You can always come back said Stear, I sure Leopold would be glad to have you…
- Yes, he and his family were great! This trip was really cultivating we were able to see how people from different cultures live
Candy took Tanisha a little aside.
- How are you? She asked Tanisha
- Candy, I'm the one who should ask you, how are you?
- I'm fine; thanks to Philip, Terry, Melissa and all of you…
- I kissed Britt…
- I know, that loser told me, while he was trying to force himself on me…
- You're not angry with me?
- You succumbed to temptation; you're human. But fortunately you only kissed him…
- Yeah but Eliza and Lizzie they went all the way…
- Oh… I think Terry got a narrow escape with that one…
They burst out laughing. They went to join the others. It was time to get on board. Warren was there to say goodbye to Annie.
- You're going to write me? Asked Annie
- You'll get the first e-mail on the plane
- I liked spending all this time with you
- Me too…
He kissed her on the lips. Archie was looking at them irritated.
- Annie, you're going to be left behind! Let's go!
- I'm coming, she said between two kisses
But she continued kissing Warren. Archie left to go on board the plane.
Candy was hugging Melissa and Philippe, crying. Her heart was breaking into a million pieces and theirs too.
- I'm writing you as soon as I'm on the plane, she said to Melissa
- I'm writing you as soon as I get home, said Melissa
- Once I'm at school, we'll be able to see each other on the webcam
- The kids will be happy to see you
- I'm going to miss you…
- Juliet, said Terry's voice
- I have to go Melissa, Philippe
- Have a good trip Candy! Said the Cranes
She followed Terry who was waiting for her on the other side and she met Annie was also late, because she was kissing Warren goodbye.
- Annie, said Candy… you love him?
- I don't know. But it was really good
- Annie! Said Candy laughing
- I think that Cornwell is annoyed by your lover boy, said Terry
- You think, Terry? Asked Annie
- Yes. I saw the way he was looking at you two, I think he was jealous
- That's good, said Annie, I had a good time, and I made Archie jealous… I love Romania!
They burst out laughing and finally got on the plane. They were the last one to get on.
During the trip, Candy was really sad. She felt like she'd left her family in Romania. She opened her laptop and saw an e-mail from Melissa. She smiled.
Hi Candy,
I know you only just got on the plane, but as promised here's my first e-mail.
Life won't be the same without you, Candy. That's funny, I didn't know you two months ago, but now it's like you've always been in my life. Have a nice trip my darling, and good luck at school.
LoveMelissa
Candy smiled and she already felt better. Terry was looking at her
- It's an e-mail from your "mummy"
- Yes, I miss her already
She responded to the e-mail as follow.
My dear Melissa,
Thanks for your e-mail. It comforted me. I wanted to thank you for the happy stay I had in your house. I had the impression of being at my parents' house. I know it made you sad when they mistook me for your daughter. You must have your reasons and you'll tell me when your ready. But I was happy and proud they took me for your daughter. I hope it doesn't bother your.
Thanks again for this wonderful stay and also thank Philippe. Kiss the kids on my behalf. I'll see you later on the webcam.
Love
CandyMelissa smiled when she read Candy's e-mail. Philippe was looking at her. Thanks to technology, Candy will always be present in their lives. Melissa needed Candy, to fill the void left by her deceased son.
Life started again at St. Paul Academy. The students came back from vacation with lots of stories to tell. The first assignment, on the first week was to tell about their summer vacations. The group that went to Romania had to do a group work, with pictures, films to have a presentation in front of the whole school. Not everyone liked each other. They were divided in two groups. There was a teacher keeping an eye on them, so he didn't care about their personal feelings; so Candy found herself in the same group as Lizzie. They worked together with the others, somehow. Lizzie was always talking about her past relationship with Terry and her supposed quickie in the washroom.
- Lizzie said Candy, I'm not interested by you foolishness
- Foolishness with your boyfriend you mean… you're unable to satisfy him… that's why he turned to me…
- Let me get this strait, said Candy who couldn't take it anymore, you're spreading your legs for Smith, Terry and Britt? How do you do it? You must have a lot of energy… or is it the drugs that are making you stronger? What about Eliza? Did you have a threesome with Britt?
Candy didn't like being like that, but Lizzie was getting on her nerves from the first day. Lizzie remained silent, surprised to see that Candy knew about her fling with Britt. Annie giggled and Patty burst out laughing.
The final result was magnificent. They presented it in the auditorium in front of the whole school. Those who hadn't gone to Romania were sorry they missed a trip so fun and interesting. Candy felt sad, thinking about the Crane family and when she saw them on screen.
That year, the dramatic art teacher decided not to have a play, but a movie with the students as the stars. The auditions started for the school movie. Terry went to the auditions; he got the principal role. Since the movie was "A Christmas Carol" from Charles Dickens, it had to be done before the holidays because it was a Christmas story. The students selected had to work practically every day after school. Candy didn't auditioned. She helped Terry learn his lines.
- Terry, I think you've inherited your mother's acting genes. I'm no professional, but you're great. I see you're passionate about it… you'd like to make it your profession?
- You're very clear-sighted, Juliet… It's my dream…
- To become an actor? Oh Terry, you've got the talent and you're mother could help you…wait a minute… you want to do it without her, do you?
- Yes, I don't want any help, I want to do it alone…
- But what will you father think?
- He will probably be very disappointed, he will probably cut me off…I've been seriously thinking about it for a while. I wanted to talk to you about it, but since you brought up the subject…
- It's your last year in school; you want to go to Hollywood?
- Yes… I know, it's going to be hard to be far away from you…
- I thought you were going to go to Oxford or Cambridge, and that we'll be able to see each other over the weekend…
- Me too, but I said to myself, that I want to do everything to make my dream come true
- So… we won't see each other….but I'm proud of you. You have a goal and you want to reach it
- It's not for today, he said hugging her, we have time to be together for the rest of the year… we'll talk about it later
Candy didn't answer; she won't see him anymore if he goes to Hollywood to try to become an actor. But Terry was right; they will talk about it later. For the moment, they were still at school together and she's going to take advantage of his presence to the maximum.
Ever since they came back from Romania, Archie was interested in Annie. Ever since he saw her kiss Warren Parker in Romania at the French Embassy, he couldn't get her out of his head. Annie was on cloud nine, she finally got Archie's long awaited attention! She made him sweat a little in the beginning, but she finally succumbed. He was after all, the boy she'd loved forever.
Terry got a message from his mother who was in London; she wanted to see him. He thought about Candy's words and decided to follow her advice. He went to see his mother and reconciled with her. This last one was happy to see her son so kind…
- Terry, tell me, are you in love?
- Why are you asking me that?
- You're answering me with a question, it's yes… What's her name?
- Mum… he said with a nervous laugh, Candy…
- She's the one who told you to give me another chance?
- Yes…
- Tell her thank you… God bless her
He spent the day with his mother. Candy showed him that he was lucky to have a mother that loved him. Candy wanted to be in his place… that's why she got attached to Melissa so much. She was like a mother to her unconsciously. Eleonor bought a nice pink nightgown in silk with a robe for Candy. She gave it Terry so he would give it to her. This last one was touched by Terry's mother gesture.
- Oh my God! Eleonor Baker bought me a nightgown? An expensive nightgown with a robe? Thank you! Tell her thank you Terry, tell her she's my favourite actress and I love all her work…
- Wooa, Freckles! You can tell her yourself
- Myself? How?
- By coming with me to see her, silly!
- Oh… you'd do that for me?
- I'd get the moon for you if you ask me too…
- Terry… You're so good with me…
- That's because your goodness incarnate and I love you
- I love you too. Promise me we'll always be honest with each other? No matter how bad the situation…No matter how awful… the truth above all…
- I promise you, we'll always tell each other the truth, no matter what. Now, let's go see my mother
- Will I be able to get some autographed pictures for my cousins? They adore her too…
- Of course, Freckles… she'll be glad to do it
She went with Terry to thank Eleonor in person. She was so excited to meet her favourite actress.
- Miss Baker, she said it's an honour for me to meet you. I'm one of your biggest fan. Thank you so much for your gesture. I love the nightgown…
- You're very welcome, Candy, said Eleonor, it's the least I could do to thank you. You've softened my son. I've never seen him so happy. I'm glad my son is with a girl that gives him good advice
- He can be a little stubborn…said Candy
- You're telling me? Replied Eleonor
- Hey! I'm in the room, thank you very much, said Terry
They burst out laughing and they spent a really nice evening together.
- Will I be able to get autographed pictures of you for my cousins, my friends and myself, please?
- Of course Candy, with pleasure said Eleonor smiling
- Thank you so much!
Eleonor signed pictures for everybody. Candy and Terry were ready to leave to go back to St.Paul.
- Bye Mum, said Terry
- Bye honey she said hugging him…
- Bye Miss Baker, said Candy
- Bye Candy, she said hugging her too, it was a pleasure meeting you. Terry don't let her get away…
- I won't, said Terry smiling
Candy returned to St. Paul with the pictures of Terry's mother. She couldn't tell them the truth. She gave the autographed pictures to her friends and her cousins in the TV room.
- Wow said Archie, where did you get theses?
- Terry and I bumped into her at the restaurant where we were eating, she said
- Thanks Candy, said Stear, I wish I was with you! How is she? Is she as beautiful in person?
- Oh yes, she looks more beautiful in real life than on screen. She's very nice.
- Thanks Candy for thinking about us, said Archie. You're the best.
- Yes, thank you, said her girlfriends at the same time
Candy looked at Terry who winked at her; she smiled. Terry was always touched by her generosity; she didn't want to keep the joy of meeting his mother for herself; she wanted to share it with her cousins and her friends.
Lizzie was dumped by her boyfriend. He had learned about her fling with Britt Macdonald in Romania. He didn't like being cuckold! Eliza continued with her mean girl's reputation. The boys from school who were interested in her, was only to put her in their beds. She didn't care, she liked it. Lizzie after losing Terry and Smith; didn't care about anything. Eliza was taking advantage of her young years, like she said.
Neil, who had changed his attitude towards Candy during the summer, was nicer to her. Ever since he learned that Britt almost took advantage of her. He felt the desire to protect her, to break Britt's jaw. He was surprised by his feelings… he had followed his cousins' footsteps; he had fallen in love with Candy! He tried to tell his sister to stop sleeping with everybody. She listened to her brother and limited herself to one boy, in school. But when she went out during the weekend with Lizzie, she didn't mind having one-night stands.
- Eliza, said her brother, are you protecting yourself?
- Sometimes…
- Sometimes? This is the incurable diseases era, herpes, aids… you have to protect yourself! I don't want to lose you!
- You're not going to lose me, don't worry…
- Eliza, please, your life depends on it. "Sometimes" is not acceptable; you always have to protect yourself, always! Or stay with only one partner…
- You're kidding right? When I get married, I'll have the same man for the rest of my life. I having my time now…
- At this rate, you're not going to get married if you get sick… Promise me, to always protect yourself, promise me. No sex without a condom…
- Ok, bro, I promise. You're happy?
- Yes. I wanted to talk to you about something
- What?
- You're not going to believe it, but I think I got a thing for Candy…
- What? The stable girl? No, not you too!
- I'm the first one surprised
- But what does she have that you all want her? Terry is even practicing abstinence with her. Lizzie tried to seduce him, but he didn't budge…
- So it was true, he didn't do anything?
- Nothing!… it was really embarrassing for her…
- Grandchester, really does love her… I have no chance
- You can say that again! After everything we've done to her, even without Terry, she will never be with you!
Neil didn't say anything. He knew Eliza was right. With or without Terry, Candy would never be interested in him. He decided to try to become her friend.
Candy found Neil's attitude strange. He was nice to her and didn't provoke her anymore. She didn't ask too much questions, she just hoped that it wasn't a trick for him and his sister. She gave him the benefit of the doubt.