Chapter 11- Santana's POV
“So how was school?” Dad asks me, sober, when I got home.
“Interesting.” I answered truthfully. I opened the fridge which was now packed with food. Food that I was not allowed to have. I reached for milk instead of the ham I'd much rather have.
“Did you meet Mrs. Griffin’s daughter?” I take a sip of the foul tasting liquid. I don’t like milk outside of cereal and products with milk, otherwise it tastes like smelly old feet to me.
“Yeah I did.” “Oh, that’s good. Listen Santana. I want you to make friends with that girl…” he says causing me to almost choke on my drink.
“What?” I cough. “Why?”
“Because, she’s their daughter. She practically holds the key to your future. If she likes you it’s like you’re making millions by doing nothing at all.”
“Why does that sound like one of your stupid scams?”
“It’s not. It’s logic.” He winks at me. “Think about it if you’re a bitch to her she can tell her mom and she can fire you. I’m sure Margret values her daughter’s opinion when it comes to fashion. I mean who better than your teenage daughter can you ask for advice about what kids her age like? If little Margret Griffin doesn’t think you’re it then you’re out of the ball park Santana.” He explains. Sadly it made sense.
“Okay.” I say simply.
“Now get dress, Mrs. Griffin invited us over for dinner.” He says. I notice he is already dressed in slacks and a button down t-shirt topped off with a blazer.
I finish my feet and go to my room to get dressed in a simple Adventure Time t-shirt, skinny jeans, and blue converse high tops to complete the look.
I couldn’t help but think how what Dad told me contradicted what Lauren told me. I mean, Lauren says she’s weird, but this whole thing-modeling I mean- is so dad and I can try and start an actual living, even if it is based off lies.
Is it really worth all that based off what one mean girl said?
I pile on some lip gloss and blush so Mrs. Griffin doesn’t think I look too plain and underdressed when we arrive.
Plus what if I don’t even like Lillian. I rub my lips together and think Dad’s right. It’s not worth being kicked out of the ball park. Plus, we need the money.
***
Mrs. Griffin house isn't like the mansion I expected it would be. Its huge and white, with a red drive in and big shiny gates. There is a well put together garden on display in front of the house. Some how the roses seemed to shine in the moonlight making a beautiful bloody type red. The house had had a lot of windows and a big red door.
Dad was the one to knock. The door was opened by Margret herself. She wore a fancy red dress and black high heels that were way to fancy for just dinner.
“Oh Thomas. Santana.” She gave my father a big hug before giving me a shorter tighter one
“Oh come in, come in.” She said ushering us inside her house which was even more breath-taking from the inside. There was a center table filled with bouquets of flowers of different colors. Then there was a spiral stair-case to the left, with a golden rail and matching carpet.
Mrs. Griffin led us into the dining room before I could take anything else in.
The table took up most of the room, it was long with a total count of 12 chairs. Dad and I sat on the end furthest from the door because apparently the ones closes to the door were taken.
Mrs. Griffin sat across from us, while her husband sat further away.
“I don’t want to interrupt your business.” He explains. He takes the lid of his food and begins to eat after that.
What do they do with the extra? I wonder being that there was a plate set in front of all the seats.
“So Santana??” Mrs. Griffin ignores her husband and turns to me. “How’s your diet? I do hope you’re sticking to it.”
I nod. “Oh yes. It’s hard-“and I hate you for doing this to me. “But I haven’t messed up at all today.” I say proudly.
“Well that’s good I –“ Mrs. Griffin is suddenly interrupted by a loud screech type scream.
“LILLY!!” The voice yells. All four of us look at the stair case. I see Mrs. Griffin hold her head. “Oh great.” Her phone beeps and she seemingly forgets whatever she was fretting over to answer.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! –LILLIAN!” the lady screams again ‘causing me and Mr. Griffin to jump up.
He rushes upstairs while Mrs. Griffin gestures for me me to sit back down.
What’s going on up there? I itch to get up and follow Mr. Griffin up the steps.
Don’t just sit there stupid. Do something, Pick up your fork. I think to myself. I pick up my fork slowly reminding of the actions of a robot.
My heart is pounding in my chest as the yelling continues upstairs. My fingers twitch as I stab the broccoli with the teeth of fork.
It reminds me of when my parents use to fight. I chew slowly and dare not glance at dad ‘cause I know he’s thinking the same think.
“JUST SHUT UP!” Dad yelled.
“WOULD you BE quiet?” Mom yelled back her voice changing tone due to her tears.“If you wake her up I swear…”
Crash. Crackle. Shhh.
The sound of glass breaking.
“MARTIN! DO NOT WALK AWAY FROM ME!” Crash. Crackle. Shhh. “MARTIN…”
I straighten up in my seat and brush off the old memory.
“Grr.” Lillian…growls? And climbs in her seat. She picks up her fork and takes a bite of her food.
“Lilly we DO. NOT. BITE!” Mrs. Griffin says to her like she’s a baby who still needs training. Lillian shrugs. “Oh god you broke skin.” She cries and uses her napkin to dab up the blood a little. “GEORGIA!”
I watch Lillian hang her head. Almost like an apology.
The lady in her mid-forties runs in and gets on her knees to examine the wound.
“When was the last time that mongrel I call my daughter took her pills?” her words sting and she’s not even taking to me. Lillian sticks her middle finger at them in response.
“Don’t do that Lilly!” Georgia growls at her. I don’t get it. Why is everyone talking to her like she’s a little kid? She’s fourteen. She isn’t a baby. “This morning ma’am.” Georgia says to Mrs. Griffin.
It wasn’t until Lillian made eye contact with me I notice I’m staring.
A little frown appears on her face. She remembers me from school. Of course she does.
“Lilly, this is your mother’s new co-worker. Mr. David, I’m so sorry for this little scene. I sure Lilly here is a well.”
I see the tears well up in her eyes as she is suddenly interested in her food.
“This is his daughter Santana, Give her a chance Lilly and you might actually make a friend.” Georgia says. Her voice sounded like a warning mixed with something else. Hope?
Lillian looks at her with angry teary eyes. “Well now that that’s over let’s eat.” Mr. Griffin says Drawing my attention away from his daughter.
I look down at my plate and notice its only filled with greens I make a face but eat it and don’t complain.
YOU ARE READING
Blade (Watty Awards 2013)
Teen FictionI hate to say that this is the story of a cutter. However it is. For 14 year old Lillian, life is just beginning, but its like waking up on the wrong side of the bed. Dealing with the loss of her sister, things start bad then they just escal...