The Center

Chapter 22 - a proud look

School started the Tuesday following that hot night in Daniel's car. I thought for sure I'd see him throughout the week, but turned out we didn't have any classes together. In the population of Master's Elite students, Daniel's presence evaporated.

No calls.

No texts.

No contact.

Six silent weeks passed. I couldn't believe it. My stupid heart never liked him more than when he stopped calling. I looked up his schedule. I knew where to find him. This morning I woke up determined to make him see me.

The double doors of my walk-in closet opened like the gates of heaven. Gloria Gaynor's "I will Survive" blasted from my iPod stereo. I grabbed my freshest pair of Jimmy Choos from a shelf, black heels with a blood-red bottom. My heart soared. Daniel would be powerless once he saw me in these. I lifted a couple of hangers and leaned clothes against my body. I needed something sexy yet appropriate for school.

The black mini skirt.

Yes!

Thin lines of red ran through a subtle pleated plaid. Too cute. A lacy, red camisole under a button-up white blouse would give me an awesome schoolgirl look. Master's Elite required modesty, so I buttoned the top.

The French-tips on my nails remained perfect as did the blonde highlights from my stylist. I twirled a smooth strand of hair around my finger. Perfect. Unless he'd become blind, Daniel would be calling me by the end of the day.

The soundtrack ended. Time to go. I abandoned my unmade bed. Nanny Bella would shake her finger at me when I got home. Whatever. I couldn't be late, not if I wanted Daniel to see me before first period. I hurried down the grand stairs, careful not to trip. My heels clacked through the foyer to the front door.

My red Mercedes waited at the peak of the circular driveway, its top already removed. A clear forecast. Another wonderful sign. Even the sky had decided to support my flawless day. I snaked my way down the cement driveway toward the George Washington Parkway. The sun pushed long shadows across the road. The commute took me through old town Alexandria, past historic buildings, then into Arlington. While I liked to drive fast, I couldn't go to school with messy hair, so it took me more than forty-five minutes to get to Arlington National Cemetery. I turned right and crossed the Memorial Bridge into D.C.

Historical monuments reached to the sky. Statues gawked at me as I entered the capitol of the most powerful country in the world. The morning sparkled like a movie star's smile.

Cars crammed the parking lot of Master's Elite Academy. On the furthest end, near the gym, I found two empty slots next to each other. I pulled in at an angle, taking both slots to prevent careless dings to the paint. A bit far from the main building, but I would use the distance to practice my walk.

I flipped open the sun visor and examined my face. A fresh coat of lip gloss brightened my mouth. I slid my tongue over straight white teeth then practiced a big smile. Designer shades finished the look. It took a couple of breaths to fight back the butterflies. I had to pull this off without Bailey knowing how important this was to me. She could never know Daniel and I had sex. She was the biggest gossip in the entire world. Besides, it was none of her business. Far as I knew, my cousin was a virgin and no doubt she believed the same about me. I stepped out of the car.

A couple of struts along the pavement loosened my nerves for the larger catwalk ahead of me. The sky shone with the right amount of teal-blue and rose-red lighting. I had to give props to Bailey. Her clout at school made my transition to Master's Elite smooth. Nothing could be more lame than being a "new kid" your senior year of high school. My cousin prevented any awkwardness in that area.