VIII. Cap Boy's Deal
"If he wasn't such an asshole, I'd like him and his twisted sense of humor."
"Are you sure?" Rick asks.
"Who else can it be!?" I say. "We were sitting here-" I point at the spot beside Ms. Sauvé 's door "-you and I talked for a bit; the whole Jay thing happens; and then my locket's gone!"
"As logical as that sounds, especially knowing how Jay can be," Rick replies, "anyone could have picked up the locket. What does it look like?"
I tell Rick the same description I told Emma a few minutes earlier. I sigh. This is not my day. "It belonged to my mother's."
"Your mother's?" Rick's eyes bear into mine's. "So this is very special to you." He concludes in a soft voice.
"Of course," I shake my head, "and I'm so clumsy to I loose it the first time I wear it." My voice shakes, and I feel a lump in my throat. "It's like a lost another piece of her." My mother's locket, of all things, and I loose it! Look at your caring daughter now, mom.
"Hey, don't cry." Rick timidly puts a hand on my shoulder. "I'll help you find it."
This time I manage to restrain my tears. "Thank you, Rick." I say. "You're a great friend. Seriously."
Rick smiles shyly and looks at the floor. "I'll ask Ms. Sauvé if she's seen it."
"Okay." I nod. "Can you call me if you find out anything about it?"
"Sure. I just need your number first."
"I know." I reach into my purse and pull out a blue pen, then take Rick's left hand and write my cell number on his smooth, pale palm. "There." I say. "Just call me and leave me a voice mail saying who you are. I have to go."
"Sure thing, m'lady." Rick grins. "I'll see you later?"
"Yep." I scan the lobby before I walk away from Rick. "Where is it?" I murmur to myself as I walk down the corridor on my way to my next class. I survey the lobby as I go. It's easy to spot that locket since it's fairly large. The fact that I can't find it anywhere confirms my conclusion that someone, if not Jay in particular, took the locket. Eventually I give up the search and walk towards my locker.
There's a piece of paper taped here, with sloppy chicken scratch on it:
Want your necklace back?
Meet me in the front parking lot at 3p.m., and I might give it back to you. -J.
That crazy thug! I KNEW he took it! I'll never figure out how he knew where my locker was, but it doesn't matter: he doesn't scare me a bit.
I text my dad and tell him that I'm staying after school for student council while I look for Jay outside in the parking lot. Soon I spot him in a gray-hooded jacket standing against a pumpkin orange car (orange, Cap Boy? Really?). Moderately, but not quickly, I storm over to him, who spots me from twenty feet in the distance. He stands with a sinister grin on his face that grows the closer I approach. He's clutching something in his hand, and it belongs to me.
"Hand it over now." Is the first thing I say when I reach Jay.
"What's the rush, princess?" The grin stays. "Don't I get a hi?"
"Please give me my locket." I say, a little softer than before.
"Fine." Cap Boy says. "I'll give it to you just because you said please, on one condition: you go out on a date with me to make up for your naughty behavior."
Infuriated, I dive for my locket, but Jay holds his hand up high. I kick his manhood and he doubles over, lowering his hand in enough time for me to snatch away my locket.
Jay grabs my arms. "Do you think I'm gonna let you hit me TWICE and get away with it?"
"Are you going to push me again?" I raise my voice, drawing attention from ongoing students. "In front of all these people?"
Jay smirks as he releases me. "No." he snatches my locket out of my hand, and I immediately reach for it, but he dodges every time.
"Jay!" I shout.
"I said I wanted to take you out on a date." Jay says calmly. He opens the door to his passenger seat. "Now get in." He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a lighter and flicks the flame on, holding it near my locket. "Or you can say goodbye to your necklace. Your choice."
There's sweat under my armpits as I watch the flame lap hungrily at my locket just inches above. Then I pout like a six-year-old. "If you ask me, you're the psycho." I plop onto Jay's seat: the stupidest thing I've ever done.
"Good girl." he closes the passenger door, and that somehow releases a wave of panic within me. I don't trust Jay.
He opens the door to the driver's seat and climbs in. "Nice, isn't she?" he smiles at me again.
"I've seen better." I answer. "Let's go, Jason. I need to be home by five."
"Relax, this won't take long." Out of context, Jay's quote is terrifying.
Maybe Jay isn't as bad as he lets on, I think to calm myself. Maybe he's just a joke. If he wasn't such an asshole, I'd like him and his twisted sense of humor.
The moment Jay's car is traveling down the main road, I speak again. "Cut the crap, Cap Boy. You have a girlfriend. What do you want from me?"
"I told you: to take you out on a date, and show you the scenery, princess."
"Okay, how about calling me by my name: Vivian."
"Fine, Vivian." Although I just requested it, it's weird hearing my name on his lips. "Just relax. I'm taking you to my favorite spot."
Who knows what that is. After a while of driving along the street, Jay turns off the main road, and soon buildings and pavement are replaced by low hanging trees. Some of them are sprinkled with red and orange leaves due to the autumn weather. I can feel myself rocking back and forth as Jay's car travels over a rocky, narrow road, curving farther and farther away from civilization.
The road merges into an unofficial parking lot, which is really a grid version of the sandy, rocky road we were just traveling on. Jay parks his car here, and it overlooks a large grassy field that goes on for miles. I look out: there's an old picnic bench sitting alone, and there's a gathering of twigs, barks, and branches piled together a few feet away, clearly a bonfire nest. Beyond the table lies a dark, old family van, which looks like it was long deserted.
I look at Jay. "Congratulations: you've succeeded in taking me out into the middle of nowhere."
"Like it?" Jay takes off his seat belt.
I do; that it is if you take away the raggedy van and the beat up picnic table. The grass blades are mossy green in the sunlight, and its fresh smell greets my nostrils.
"Why do you care about this thing so much?" Jay holds the locket by the chain.
"Glad you asked: it belongs to my dead mother!"
Jay's expression softens temporarily, and it's a human expression. "Oh." he says, and for a moment I think he regrets taking me here, but then he says, "Fine, I was just bluffing with you earlier. I won't burn it, but we're still having our date."
He walks towards the abandoned van, and I follow him, having no other choice. He slides the side door open and hops on the platform. Shockingly he holds out his hand, and I take it, climbing into the van. It's a little rocky, so I plant my legs a part for balance.
What I see is bizarre: there's a large, blue and green rug covering the floor, and there are candle sticks arranged on some small, platform-like things. A few plush pillows and blankets litter the rug.
"What's this?" I ask as Cap Boy slides the door closed.
He sits and motions for me to do the same. "Where I only take special women."
I frown, but follow suit, and sit alongside Jay Indian style. I clasp my trembling hands. "Please, Jay. That locket's important to me. Let me have it back."
Jay ignores me. "Relax." He massages my shoulders. "You don't want to be tense during this."
I shrug his hands away. All of my suspicions of Jay are confirmed. "My locket, Jay." I say sternly, holding out my hand. "Give it back."
"How badly do you want it?" Jay puts a hand under my chin.
He wouldn't. He wouldn't...
He does. Jay kisses my lips. Instantly I jump back, but Jay pulls me back for another, and this time I let him. I can feel his hands slide my jacket off.
Very slowly, I run my hand over his back, and he grabs my hips, bringing me close until I'm right against his chest. I kiss Jay back, letting the moment rattle me like an electric shock. Jay's hand toys with the bottom of my shirt, and one hand glides up, his kisses becoming stronger, forceful. I feel against Jay's legs and into his pockets until I can feel my locket. As soon as I swipe it away, I backhand Jay with such a force I knock off his backwards cap.
"You're disgusting!" I cry. "Did you think I was so desperate to get my necklace back that I would sleep with you? Do I look like a piece of meat to you? A prostitute?" I stand up. "Screw you, Jay! I'd rather walk home than spend another second with you!" I grab my jacket and purse and slide open the door to the van, but Jay grabs my wrist and pulls me back.
"When I start something, I finish it." Jay kisses me again, holding me tightly. Forcefully, I elbow him in the eye and he cries out, holding his eye with both hands. I kick his poor sack for the third time before turning and leaping out of the van, sprinting for the trees. Some of the branches snag my skin and I bite back a cry of agony as I continue going until I'm out on the other side of the trees and on the rocky, gravel road.
I hear the rumbling of a car engine, and I continue to run, my heart accelerating. Jay's in his car, I think. He's after me. I can't outrun his car. I can't. The scenery of low hanging trees, breathtaking just moments ago, is now a terrifying reminder of how isolated I am from human civilization. Sweat's drenching my face, sliding down as I continue to run.
The engine's louder. But the sound's ahead of me, and suddenly I'm face to face with a granite-colored mini-van. I scream as the van screeches to a stop.
"Vivian!" The passenger door opens and Queenie pops out, eyes wide. "You okay?"
I can barely speak as I gasp for breath. My lungs feel like cement blocks burning in my chest. "Jay...he's after me. We need to go."
"Get in!" Queenie nudges me towards the backseat door and I open it, sliding in. Queenie quickly climbs in the passenger seat. "Turn around!" She says to the driver after I close the door. I jump as I realize it's Rick.
He makes a sharp turn left, then backs up until he can make another left, heading in the opposite direction at a sharp speed. I close my eyes as the car sways on the uneven gravel. I want away from this scenery. Away from Jay. I focus on catching my breath and take them in long and steady.
"Are you okay, Vivian?" Queenie asks me again.
I can hear the beating of my thudding heart. "Fine." My voice quivers as I exhale.
"No one's following us." Rick says to Queenie, and I catch his gaze as he looks through the rear-view mirror. I look away, embarrassed. "Where to?" he asks Queenie.
"To Vivian's, obviously." She replies. "Her brother's going to be home, and she needs to be there."
"You have a brother, Vivian?" Rick looks at me again through the mirror.
"Yeah. He's in college." I say quickly while breaking my gaze from him.
Queenie faces me. "We'll talk when we get there. You know the way right?" She asks Rick.
"Yeah." He replies.
"Queenie, I'm fine. Really." I say.
"Yeah, we noticed." She says. "You don't have to lie, Vivian. Clearly you don't want to talk about this now, and I understand."
I blow a strand of hair out of my face.
"You know, on the way to get you, Rick and I discovered we had something in common: we can both read you like a book."
"Joy." I roll my eyes.
"Hey, I'm just saying," Queenie looks at me through her mirror. "If you don't want to talk to me, I understand. It's just like I said before." She grins at me. "That is...unless you'd rather talk to Rick."
"Queenie!" I raise my voice, and Rick flinches. "Sorry." I say to him.
"Don't be." He says softly.
I steal glances at him through the rear-view mirror. Is his face rosy again? I think it's cute when he blushes.
Never have I been so grateful to have good friends until now. I'm with Rick and Queenie, and we're going home. Everything's okay now.
I wish I could fool myself that easily.
It's not a surprise that Vince is the one to answer the door.
"Brother: my friends, Queenie and Rick. Queenie and Rick: brother."
"That's right, my name's Brother. Brother Vince." he plays along. "Genius at your service."
"More like know-it-all, but interpret it how you wish." I say as the three of us walk into my house.
"Your hair's just as curly as mine's." Queenie takes my brother's hand followed by Rick's after we enter the house.
"Seems like I was worried for nothing." Vince says. "You've made good friends it seems."
"Well yeah. I'm not anti-social." I smirk. "Guys," I address Queenie and Rick, "there are snacks in the fridge if you're hungry. I'm going to go change."
"I'll come with you." Queenie says. "You guys, on the other hand, can have some bonding time. Who knows: you might find that you have things in common with each other." She nods at Rick and my brother.
I feel like a dirty rat. I have to shower now, and wash all traces of Jay Hogart off my body. I rush up the stairs with my best friend hard on my heels.
As soon as the door to my bedroom is tightly shut, I talk to Queenie. "I can't go back to Degrassi now!" I say and wrap my arms around her.
Telling her about Jay is like releasing water pressure. I go through everything: how he took me to a local park; how he wanted to invade my pants in exchange for my locket. All are things that I can't tell dad without attracting the attention of nearly everyone in the school and possibly the city.
"He wouldn't take no for an answer." I say from my closet as I strip off my clothes and put on my light blue bathrobe spotted with red roses. "But I got away from him. I don't think he was interested in chasing me," I emerge from my closet, "or else you and Rick would've spotted-"
"Hey, what's that stain I see on your robe?" Queenie says.
"What? Where is it?" I sit on my bed and search for the stain.
"It's right here." Queenie bends down and lifts the robe off of my left leg.
Partly shocked, disgusted, and fascinated, I stare at the apparent long gash on my shin with dark blood oozing out of it like a brook.
"Holy cow: you're BLEEDING!" Something I never would've guessed if she hadn't pointed it out. "You need to put some ointment on this now!"
"Whoa." I say as if I'm looking at an exhibit. "I don't even remember when I got this strangely enough." I walk into the bathroom to wash off the wound. My own private bathroom: something new I've received since the move, but it's still too much for me to take in. No way, however, am I going to share a bathroom with my dad after this!
"Do you want me to get Rick in here so he knows that you're okay?" Queenie calls after me.
"Queenie, shut up." I chuckle.
"What, do you think I'm blind?" She continues. "You two are totally digging each other, and neither of you will own up to it. It's like a waiting game to see who will make the first move."
"So you think you know everything, eh?" I'm morphing into the stereotypical Canadian. "How did you guys find me anyway?"
"Glad you asked." Queenie grins a playful, but evil, grin. "Rick saw you rush off with Jay, or so he said, when I ran over to him asking him where you were. We promised to go to your house immediately after school, remember? So anyway, he was really worried about you." She moves towards me. "REALLY worried about you." She flicks my hair.
"Stop it." I move her hand away.
"I see you smiling." She sings.
"So...you were able to follow Jay out to the park?" I change the subject. "But you guys were so far behind us."
"Rick wanted to follow Jay right away, but I suggested we waited a little. Rick memorized the path Jay took the moment he pulled out of the parking lot."
I sigh. "I don't want to think about what Jay would've done if you guys weren't there for me." I shudder at the thought. It's bad enough that I lost my first kiss to Jay of all people: I can still feel his lips on mine. At least, as disgusting as it was, he knew how to move his lips. Ugh...my stomach...When will be the next time I feel clean?
"You need to tell an adult about this. Anyone, if you can't tell your father." Queenie says.
"Nothing happened out there." I counter. "And I've already told you. That's good enough. I don't want to attract more attention to this than needed."
"Fine." Queenie shrugs. "Just a suggestion, but you're right-about what you said earlier, that is. If we weren't there to save you..."
I put my hand on her shoulder. "Thanks, sister." I kiss her forehead. "I'm going to go shower. Now."
"Are you going to kiss Rick like you kissed me?" Queenie taunts again.
I look at Queenie and smile. "Of course not!" A kiss on the forehead isn't what I have in mind.
I settle for black slacks and a mint green blouse as I join everyone else, including Queenie, downstairs. There's an explosion of laughter as I walk in on Dad, Vince, Rick, and Queenie playing spades.
"Ha, ha ha!" I didn't know Rick had an evil cackle. "Didn't think we'd win again, did you?"
"I let you have that game." Dad says. Typical.
"This is horrible." Queenie says. "All I suggested was that Vince and Rick talk to each other. I didn't know that would come back to haunt me!"
"Hard to admit that Rick and I are unstoppable, huh?" Vince winks at Queenie.
"Whatever." She sighs. "Let's play again."
"In a moment." Vince hops up from his seat. "I need to talk to Viv first."
"Good, go bond with your actual kin." Queenie makes a shooing motion with her hands.
"And Queenie and I will come up with a strategy." Dad and Queenie step away from the table.
"I'll be back, Rick." Vince and I walk into the kitchen. "I didn't get the chance to talk to you tonight. I was really worried about how you'd adapt here." He glances around the kitchen. "The drive up to Toronto was surreal."
"Everything's fine, Vince. Promise." I say cheerily.
"Not having those weird dreams are you?" Vince frowns at me like a concerned parent. I guess he kind of is with the absence of mom and all.
As soon as I shake my head, Vince comes closer. "Stop lying."
Damn. Isn't there anyone I can fool? I glare at my brother.
"Come on, Viv, I promise I won't tell anyone." He puts a hand on my shoulder. "Don't be like dad on matters like this: you know he won't say anything about how mom died."
"I know." I snap. "I just...don't know why they came back." I toy with a strand of my black hair.
"I thinks it's the change in environment." Vince says.
"If that was the case, I would've had them consistently, non-stop. The dreams did stop, but they came back as of last night."
"That is weird." Vince comments. "Anything significant happen at school?"
I scale my thoughts. "Not really."
"You sure?" He asks.
"Sure I'm sure." I say.
"Huh. Okay." Vince replies. "That Rick guy is something." he mutters.
"I know." I say. "He has an interesting background."
"Interesting, you say?" Vince crosses his arms. "When I asked Rick to tell me about himself, all I got was some lame tangent on theatrics."
I laugh. "Yeah, that sounds just like him. What he didn't tell you is what he's ashamed of."
"Ashamed of what?" Vince presses.
"It's not my business to tell, but all I'll say is that he had problems in a previous relationship, and it, like, branded him a label from the entire school."
"How so?" Vince asks.
"Well, hardly anyone wants to be associated with what he did last year, and he's been an outcast his first few weeks."
"Hmm..." Vince stares down.
"What?"
"Maybe that's why your dreams returned." Vince explains.
"What led you to that conclusion?" I squint at him. Fun fact: Vince is clueless about reading girls about guys, the one thing that I can get away with.
"Didn't dad talk to you about mom's...past?" Vince asks.
"Uh...no? Is there something I should know about it?"
"I'd ask dad first only because he knows more about it than I do." Vince answers. "But first, I'd like to know about Rick's past."
I smile. "I'd ask Rick first only because he knows more about it than I do."
Vince nudges me. "Okay. You got me."
"Just...be a big brother to him like you are to me, and maybe he'll open up to you." I say. "It's just that I want him to tell his own story, and not anyone else to. That's a huge problem for him at Degrassi. He doesn't have a chance to explain his own actions."
"Yeah, talk to dad soon." Vince says. "This is so much like mom's story."
I squint. "That worries me."
"Yeah, well..." Vince looks ahead. "I was shocked too when I found out."
I take his hand. "It's good to see you."
"You too." he says, smiling warmly.
"I know you hate when I say this, but I love you." I say.
"For the record, I don't hate hearing you say that; I'd just prefer a different choice of words. You should've just stuck with 'It's good to see you'."
I roll my eyes. "You're so difficult." Apparently my entire family is too. There's more to mom's story than what I've been told. How is that? Why is that?
I walk out with Vince to the dining area where Rick's shuffling the cards.
I guess he did somehow trigger the return of my dreams.*