Temporary Fix

CHAPTER TWO

RONNIE

The Vander's lived up to their names. I could tell that before I even entered the house or came face to face with them, but by the gate out front that was electronically locked and unlocked. There was a man out front who had asked us for our last names before he had opened the gate by pressing a button placed on a remote in his hand.

Karlie had squeezed my hand as we slowly drove up the circular driveway. There must've been a dozen other cars planted outside. The main house was enormous. And did I mention it was just the main house? There was a guest house that was adjacent to the house. It might've just been a guest house, but boy I would've been happy to live in there. Right behind the guest house there was a detached garage, apart from the other already connected to the house. There was also a basketball court outside. I wondered if it was just for show, or one of the Vander's actually used it.

"Ready?" Karlie asked looking over at me in the passenger seat.

"No." I mumbled, but opened my door nonetheless.

My stomach began to bubble up and I shivered as if it was cold or even remotely windy. Anxiety activated. I wasn't going to feel comfortable here and I knew it, but I needed the money if i wanted to stay in school. I didn't just want to stay in school, I needed to stay in school. I promised Auntie Vee.

I didn't want to tell Karlie, but part of me felt like it was a waste of time. The Vander's probably weren't going to chose to sponsor me. I didn't have the best grades, I barely got up on time for class, and to be honest I was completely winging it tonight. I didn't know what I was going to say and I didn't even bother trying to conjure up possible things they could ask me. I just figured it was going to be somewhat like a job interview and I always winged those. And by winged, I mean lied.

It was easy when you were chosen. When people selected you, when you were offered what was being given. But, it felt different when you were fighting to be chosen.

The exterior of the house was no match for the interior. The marble floors, expensive paintings, portraits and canvas on the wall, the high ceilings. It ever smelled like money in here—not literally. But at the same time literally, the atmosphere reeked of expensive.

Karlie tried giving me a run down of the process and even what to expect with Eden. She had told me that there were eight others that Eden was interviewing tonight. Every year Eden had hosted a small celebration to make it feel less formal. But, I felt as if the dresses and heels did anything but. Karlie also said that Eden was down to earth, but if it's anything I learned about being introduced to Karlie's world was sometimes our definitions differed.

      The women were in dresses while some of the men wore suits, while others just opted for a button down and slacks. There weren't many people here, which made it that much realer honestly.

      There was a bad taste in my mouth.

I hurriedly grabbed a glass of champagne

"What are you doing?" Karlie whispered yelled at me.

I put the glass to my lips before even acknowledging her comment. "Trust me, I'll be better with it." After that I downed the champagne, I took Karlie by the hand and braved the richest.

I didn't know anyone here, no one even looked remotely familiar. I could tell that Karlie didn't either as she browsed the crowd lazily. Suddenly, Karlie's eyes widened as she pointed behind me. "There's Eden. She's the one whose going to be interviewing you."

Eden was a short woman with a slim build. Her hair was straight reaching right past her breast with a few light brown streaks in it. Her skin was the color of caramel and it complimented her light green dress and assortments well. She had a bright smile on her face and her eyes had slight wrinkles in the corners as she spoke with her guest.

"Come on." Karlie exclaimed. She only got a few steps from where she was planted before my hand found its way around her slim arm halting her.

I cleared my throat, "What are you doing?" I whispered as my heart began to pound in my chest.

Her eyes narrowed at me as her arms crossed over her chest. "I'm going to introduce you to her. Ronnie, this isn't a game. She isn't just going to pay for your tuition just because you're my friend."

"I never said that she was."

"Okay, then. You and I are about to go over there, I'm going to introduce you two, and you are going to go talk with her."

"Talk with her? Right now?" Karlie didn't respond to me. She just continued walking in Eden's direction and I had no choice, but to follow behind her or stare stupidly at her ass. I chose the former.

      Eden noticed Karlie a few moments before Karlie was standing directly in front of her. When Eden enveloped Karlie in a generous hug, my steps slowed as my nerves shot up again. Eden pulled away slightly, grabbing on to Karlie's arm, before kissing her on the cheek.  I was trying to move slowly so by the time I reached the two, it would be time for my greeting and I wouldn't have to stand there awkwardly staring at them.

      Karlie had filled me in as much as she could about Eden, but it was clearly bias. There families were close ever since Karlie could remember.

      Karlie's head shot back to me, she gave me a quick reassuring smile before she turned back to Eden. "Eden, this is Veronica Cooper," Karlie grabbed my hands, "my bestest friend in the whole wide world."

Eden's smile remained on her face as she took me in. Her eyes lingered on my shoes momentarily before her hand drew up to meet mine. "Pleasure to meet you."

We shook hands briefly, "Pleasures all mine, Mrs. Vander."

I shifted uncomfortably as her eyes continued to search me. It was as if she was trying to see through me, or judging me in her head. I didn't know her well enough to know, and she wasn't saying enough for me to read through the lines. Karlie and her engaged in a slight conversation about me, but I tuned out as Karlie tried vouching for me. My eyes peeked around the room and a realization set in. I didn't belong here, or fit in here—or with Karlie. There were cocktail girls walking around and catered food, I was use to soda cans in a cooler.

The confidence that the champagne had given to me was beginning to ooze away.

      Eden's cool hand on my bare shoulder had pulled me away from my thoughts, "Shall we talk now?" She asked with a warm smile on her face. I looked to Karlie and she nodded in encouragement.

      I cleared my throat. "We shall."

      Shall? Oh my fucking God, I sounded so stupid.

She began to walk, but right before I followed she turned to Karlie.

      "My son should be around here somewhere."