I'm sorry if this came out a little late, I kind of lost inspiration to write lately. Here's a much longer chapter to make up for it. Hope you like it!
New episode this week! Yay! Not sure if it's the Darvey flowers episode already, but I hope it is!
CHAPTER 5
After planning about the assignment with Harvey, we agreed to do the 'photoshoot' the next day after class. I volunteered to bring the camera since I have a Nikon DSLR at home.
When I got to the school entrance, my eyes immediately fell on my black car with Jeff standing outside, dressed in a black suit, looking for me. Donna, you should really tell him that he should NOT look like that while he's waiting for you if you want to stay out of the spotlight. His eyes fell on me as I walked towards him and he smiled.
"Hello, Ms. Paulsen." He greeted me as he opened the car door for me.
"Hi, Jeff. How was your day?"
"Pretty uneventful." He answered. "You? How's first day?"
"Same. It was tiring though. I just wanna go home and get some rest."
"Of course." He said as I got inside the car and he closed the car door for me. He also got inside the car and sat in the front seat. We buckled our seatbelts and Ray drove us home.
It was just a short 20-minute drive from my school to our house in Cortland. Ray, Jeff, and I made small talk while we were on our way. I looked out the window and saw the stunning view outside. This place is filled with huge 1900s Victorian homes, brown-stones, and contemporary houses. There are lots of colorful bars and restaurants that I would love to try someday. I certainly know this place is full of hidden gems, unknown places, and things to do!
When we finally arrived, Ray pulled over at the entrance of our beautiful house. Our house here in Cortland is not as extravagant and luxurious compared to our house in Vancouver, but it still is extremely fancy. It is very modern, very black and white, and minimalist. High ceilings, sleek flooring, pin lights, and glass walls surround the house to give a lot of light. It looks so sterile but I feel comfortable here. Unlike our house here, our house in Vancouver has more of a vintage, Victorian era feel to it, full of glorious chandeliers and antique furniture.
To be honest, until now I can't decide which of the two houses I prefer. They're both perfect for me.
"By the way," Jeff leaned back to face me. "Your dad thought that it would be a great idea if I join you in class." He said as he unbuckled his seatbelt and moved to get out of the car.
"What?" But Jeff didn't hear me.
"Jeff! Wh- What did you say?!" I asked, confused as he opened the car door for me and I got out. Ray waited until I have taken my things and Jeff have closed the car door before he proceeded to park the car in the garage and left Jeff and I in the house entrance talking.
Jeff sighed, "Your dad wants me to go to school with you, so you'll be protected inside the school too. We'll be classmates. It's very easy to arrange that, you know. No need to worry. We can effortlessly request to assign me in your section. Mr. Paulsen says he's willing to pay my tuition fee for me…" Jeff kept rambling about the plan. He talked really fast. I think I heard something about the school still accepting late enrollees, but I just don't want to hear any of it.
"Uh- Jeff," I said, interrupting him. "I really like you, you're my friend. But a bodyguard, in school? Really?" He pursed his lips and shrugged his shoulders, empathizing with me. "Ugh. I need to talk to my dad." I said, now irritated.
I went inside our house with Jeff walking three steps behind me, must be protocol or something, and I immediately saw my dad in the living room reading the newspaper while the maid served him coffee. My dad looks like George Clooney with his salt and pepper hair, looking regal as he just sat there.
His eyes brightened when he saw me, "Hey Donna, how was your first day in school?" He smiled.
"Dad! Really?! A bodyguard? In my class?!" I exclaimed, furious, as I put my things on the big couch next to my dad and I stood there waiting for his answer.
"Hi Dad. My first day in school was great. I enjoyed it a lot. Wow, that's good to hear Donna." He answered flippantly, imitating my voice. I huffed at him.
"This is serious Dad. Where's Mom?" I asked, knowing she will defend me on this one. Like she always does. I love my mom.
"No need to find your mom to defend you, sweetheart. She actually agrees on this."
"When are you planning on telling me this, Dad? If Jeff hadn't told me earlier I would have never known."
He sighed. "I was waiting for the last details to be straightened out before I tell you. I've said this before and I'll say it again. It's for your own good, Donna."
"I know that Dad, believe me. I do. And I appreciate that. But don't you think we're kind of exaggerating here?" I reasoned out. I paced in our living room while I continued my rant. "I mean, what could possibly happen inside my school? I can't be myself, I can't feel normal, if I know there are eyes watching me all the time. No offense, Jeff." I looked at Jeff who is standing in the corner of the living room, hearing everything.
"None taken." He shook his head and smiled at me.
I turned my gaze back to my dad. "Dad, in Vancouver, you didn't have Jeff's dad be with me inside the school. What changed now?"
Dad stood up, towering over me, "What changed now Donna, is that at that time your bodyguard was 20 years older than you. Jeff here is almost your age, just three years older than you, so working undercover wouldn't be a problem anymore. And it would be a good opportunity for Jeff here," he pointed his hand with a mug of coffee at Jeff, "to continue his studies."
"As for your previous school, everybody in your school in Vancouver knew you were my daughter. They all knew that I have the power to kill them if something ever happened to you. Every person in that school served as your bodyguard, Donna. Think about it."
I took a seat beside my dad and I turned, facing him. "Okay, I get that. But at least have Jeff in a different section." Geez, my mouth just wouldn't stop. "Again, no offense Jeff."
"Again, none taken, Ms. Paulsen." Jeff replied.
My dad inhaled deeply before he spoke. "If I transfer Jeff in another section then what's the whole point of this? Don't you understand? In Vancouver I have the power to protect you. I don't have that power anymore here in New York, Donna." He said, a little exasperated. "Getting Jeff to be your classmate here is like hitting two birds with one stone."
"But dad-"
"Please. This conversation is over, Donna." He put his right palm up, halting me. "Your mom and I have talked about this. This will be good for you." He said as he stood up to leave the room and kissed the top of my head on his way while I stayed there with my thoughts.
I love my dad. I totally understand his point, and I wouldn't be so against it if we were still in Canada. All this time I thought my life can be normal again. I was really excited to experience how it feels to be out of the spotlight. I guess all those dreams are now useless.
Jeff cleared his throat. "Ms. Paulsen, if you don't mind," Jeff walked towards me. "I think this will be good too. We can be study buddies." He said, as he stood behind the couch, trying to lighten up my mood. "It's just me, you know. I'm your friend, you can trust me."
I sighed. "Yeah, I do. I do trust you, Jeff." He smiled. "We'll have to be very discreet though, please. I don't want my classmates finding out I have a bodyguard undercover in class. I'll seem more alien than I already am to them."
"Don't worry. I'm always discreet, Ms. Paulsen." He said, standing a bit straighter.
"Jeff, you do realize you cannot call me "Ms. Paulsen" or "Ma'am" in class anymore right?"
Jeff whispered. "Yes. I know that, Donna. God, it just feels so weird calling you that."
"Oh, you'll get used to it." I said as I stood up and took my things. "Thank you, Jeff."
"No problem." He replied.
"So how are you gonna arrange this whole thing? Your enrollment, your section…" I asked.
He answered smugly as he put his hands in his pockets, "It's already been arranged today. That's what I did the whole day in school. I can go to class tomorrow."
"Ugh." I rolled my eyes at him and he chuckled.
"Donna, you do realize I have to come with you at the rooftop tomorrow, right?"
"What? Are you crazy?! Harvey will be suspicious if you come there with us. He might find out you're my bodyguard!"
"I don't care. It's my job to make sure you're out of danger." He stares at me.
"Harvey and I are doing our assignment in the rooftop, what could possibly happen to us in there?!" I'm freaking out. This is getting out of control.
"It's not the both of you I'm worried about, it's just you. You've only known Harvey for two days, who knows what he's into." He shrugged.
"Oh my god! This is unbelievable." I put my hands on my forehead because I feel like it's going to explode.
"It'll be fine, Donna. If he asks, I'll say that I'm a family friend and that I'll be hitching a ride with you so I'll just hang out at the rooftop while you guys do the assignment. That's not a lie."
"No, Harvey said there's a guard in there, too. We'll be fine." I pointed out.
"Who knows what that guard's into? They could be conspiring to kidnap you tomorrow for all I care."
"You're being paranoid!"
"It's my job to be paranoid."
"Well then, I hate your job."
"You really want to be alone with him, do you?" He smiled suggestively.
"What?! No!" I shrieked.
"It's okay, Donna. I understand if you have a crush on him. He IS pretty charming." He raised his eyebrows at me. Jeff calling me Donna now is a little disorienting, not to mention him suggesting that I like Harvey. This is ridiculous.
"Jeff! Stop it! No. I don't have a crush on him." I slapped him a little in the arm. He laughed. "Wait a minute- you know him?" I asked.
"I did background checks on all your classmates." He said like it's the most obvious thing in the world.
"OH MY GOD!" I almost want to slap him. In the face this time.
He turned serious and looked me in the eye. "Donna. You'll be-"
"Fine. Yeah, I know." I sighed, giving up. This is too much to process in one day. I was never gonna win this anyway.
"Go. Get some rest. I know you're tired. I'll see you tomorrow, classmate." He said smirking.
"Ugh. I hate this." I said as I turned and walked away from a laughing Jeff.
I went to my room upstairs and immediately collapsed on my heavenly bed. I closed my eyes for a few minutes and cleared my mind. My bedroom is my favorite place in our house. My sanctuary. The only room in this planet that offers me 100% privacy. You might be surprised, but my room actually doesn't look like those kinds of girl's rooms where everything is pink and fluffy, and butterflies and fairies and teddy bears are everywhere. I don't have a bed with pillars and a mosquito net draped over it.
What I have, is a beautiful room with plain white walls and study desk and shelves made of dark brown wood where all my medals and trophies are displayed. A mix of white and brown, thin curtains draped over the window, covering the beautiful view of our swimming pool and garden. A bed with pure white pillows and sheets and a thick white quilt with table lamps on each side of the bed. A beautiful painting above the brown headboard, and a black flat-screen TV attached to the wall adjacent to my bed. A huge mirror beside my dresser with lights on each side, my make-up set arranged on top of the table by the mirror. I have just learned how to apply make-up with all the events my family have to attend. And the most important, my most favorite, the collection of framed pictures of me and my family and friends (in Canada) displayed on top of my dresser. That's my favorite thing to look at all the time. I'm hoping to add more pictures there soon.
I inhaled deeply, enjoying the soothing smell of my room and I opened my eyes slowly. "I could just stay here forever." I said out loud.
"No, you can't dear." A lovely elegant voice said.
You didn't lock the door, Donna. Dammit. I lifted myself up and leaned on my arms bent behind me and saw my mom standing by the door, smiling. She always looked so gorgeous and sophisticated.
"Hi mom." I said, smiling at her tiredly.
"Hello, sweetheart. Do you want to come have dinner with us downstairs?" She asked as she walked gracefully to my bed and sat beside me.
"I'm not hungry. I'm sorry mom, I'm so tired. Is it okay if I just go to sleep already?"
"That's okay. I would ask how your first day was but I could see you're really exhausted."
"Yeah. It was a great first day though. I made new friends." I replied. "I'll tell you more at breakfast tomorrow."
"Sure. Go change first before you sleep though. I'll see you tomorrow." She said as she kissed my forehead and stood up to leave the room. She smiled at me as she closed the door. I smiled back.
I didn't get a chance to change my clothes though as I immediately fell asleep after my mom left my room.
It's my second day in school. Jeff Malone walked awkwardly beside me as we strolled through the halls of our school in search for our room. He said it was because he used to walk three steps behind me all the time and having to walk beside me now can be a little unnerving. But I think it was really because he's just nervous about going to class. Suffice it to say, it was my turn to say "You'll be fine, Jeff."
We finally arrived at our room and I saw a new set of table and a chair placed at the back. I was certain that's for Jeff. I told him he could sit there and he did. I went to my seat in front and saw Harvey already in his place chatting with his seatmate. He looked up when he felt my presence and smiled at me.
"Hey." He greeted, sitting a little straighter.
"Hey, Harvey. I see someone didn't get "lost" in school this time." I said jokingly, referring to the incident yesterday as I sat.
"Oooh. I see someone is a lot more cheerful now than yesterday."
"Well, that's because someone isn't sitting in the wrong seat anymore."
He leaned in, put his arms at the back of my chair and tapped me on the shoulder. "But then I saw someone came to school today with some guy. Who is he?"
"My brother." I shrugged.
He snorted. "You really think I'd believe that?" He looked from me to Jeff.
"It was worth a shot."
"Is he your boyfriend?" He whispered, raising his eyebrows cheekily.
"Why? Are you jealous?" I whispered back, smiling. I do feel kinda bold today.
"Me, jealous? Nah." He made a face. I looked him in the eye and I realized that our faces are just inches apart now. I moved back a little.
"Well, it is none of your business." I said smugly, still whispering.
"You know, 'none of your business' usually means yes." He said as he moved away from my chair, probably sensing my awkwardness.
This could be a good cover story when Jeff has to come with us at the rooftop this afternoon. I thought to myself. Better if I won't confirm nor deny it, keep things ambiguous.
"By the way, he said he wants to join us at the rooftop this afternoon. He wanted to see the view too."
Harvey was a little taken aback, but he immediately recovered. "Of course. We don't want the boyfriend to get jealous." He smirked.
"Right." I said, going along with him.
I immediately texted Jeff after my talk with Harvey.
Jeff, I just told Harvey you'll join us this afternoon. Something about not wanting the boyfriend to be jealous was mentioned.
Woah. What happened to 'just a family friend'? Haha. He texted back.
I didn't say it, he just assumed. I didn't deny it.
It would be less suspicious that way. Yeah okay, I get it.
"So, he's from Canada too?" Harvey asked as he looked from me to Jeff. I looked at Jeff too and saw him fiddling with his phone. I know Jeff's aware that we're staring at him.
"Yeah, he just arrived yesterday so he wasn't able to make it to class." I replied without meeting his gaze.
"Ah okay."
And with that, our conversation was over. Our teacher arrived and the day has officially started.
A/N: Longest chapter yet. I think you already have an idea what happens in the next chapter. *wink*
I think the pacing of the story is too slow (I wrote 5 chapters that covers only Donna's first day, for crying out loud!), don't you think? But I'm still in the process of establishing the characters and their back stories since this is AU. Don't worry, the pacing will become much faster soon enough. We'll have more Darvey moments in the coming chapters.
If you have any ideas on what you would want to see in this story, just leave a review and tell me! I'm running out of ideas and I'll try to incorporate yours if I can. :)
