A Complicated Dance

Chapter 3

I should not have agreed to this.

I'm running around the house picking up pointless things, even specks on the floor. Everyone is going to be here in a few minutes.

I straighten blankets on beds and pillows on the couch. The curtains are drawn and I just really don't want people here.

I nearly trip on my way down the stairs with the doorbell rings.

I straighten my dress and unlock the door and pull it open.

They're here.

I exhale slowly and step aside.

"Wow." Marissa says. "Damn, it smells good in here."

Mom and Dad and well...everyone...are suspicious.

"This is a lovely home you have here, darling." Mom says.

"I know you guys are wondering how I can um..." I cough awkwardly. "Afford it..." I trail off. Everyone nods. "Well...you guys know how I hate money..."

"Yes." Dad says.

"Well, I lied." I say. "I...I'm worth a lot more than I let on." I say.

"How much is a lot more?" Mom asks.

"Well I don't know the exact amount..." I clear my throat. "But let's just say that it's um...I get about a million per photograph, and I've taken over five hundred."

Marissa blinks five times. "You're worth over five hundred million dollars?" she asks. "And you're living here?"

"Hey!" I say.

"You could have a million cars! You could afford a million cars! Fuck, you could afford a thousand million dollars homes!"

I cross my arms.

"This is exactly why I didn't want anyone to know." I say.

"Did anyone know though?"

"Uh, Taylor knew...only because she's been here before." I say.

"We won't judge you." Mom smiles. "We're all wealthy."

It's true. With some help from my parents and the Kennedy's, the Scott's wallets enlarged considerably, and with Ryan and Dylan's good jobs, they too, are rich.

"Well, do you guys want the tour?" I ask. Everyone nods. "Okay, well that's the foyer, here's the kitchen, the pantry, a bathroom, the dining room, the breakfast area, and this is the theater slash basement. Here's another bathroom."

I lead them to the third floor.

"Guest room one, with a bathroom, guest room two, guest room three, guest room four, another bathroom, and then guest room five." I open the double doors. "My favorite room of the house, my room." I say. "You guys can come in." I say.

Hesitantly, everyone comes in.

"That's my favorite spot." I point to the window seat that overlooks the whole city.

"This is my bathroom." I show them, and then my closet."

"This is your closet?" Marissa asks. "This is the size of my bedroom."

I shrug and walk out of the door that leads back into my room.

"Make yourselves at home." I say.

"How will this work?" Mom asks.

"Um..." I hesitate. "Mom and Dad, pick a room, Mrs. And Mrs. Scott, pick a room, and Mrs. And Mr. Kennedy, pick a room. Dylan, Taylor, you can pick a room, Marissa, Chase, pick a room, and Ryan, you can just stay in here with me."