Prep School

Chapter 33

I polish off my desk and clean up the floor, stuffing loose outfits into the closet.
I quickly take a shower and pull my hair back into a French braid, tossing it over my shoulder.
I go through Mom's stash of important- people-are-coming-over-and-we-need- to-look-fabulously wealthy-clothes.
I pull out a long, silky black gown. Its long sleeves and hem are embroidered with silver beads, making the black color of the dress shine.
There's a matching silver dreamcatcher necklace to go with it.
I hurry into my now-clean room and change out of my shirt and jeans.
I fix up my hair and go downstairs to help Mom.
I go into the kitchen where both my parents are rushing around, fixing up some dishes.
Dad's hair is slicked back and gleaming. His new suit and silver tie have slivers of black running through them, so every time he turns, the suit seems like it's changing color.
Mom is at the stove, adding some last- minute spices.
She's wearing a slim, navy-blue evening gown with a pearl necklace. Her arms are adorned with pearl and beaded bracelets. Her hair is pulled up into an elegant bun.
She looks over at me and shoves a cutting board and some vegetables into my hands.
"Here, I need you to mince these."
My dad chuckles. "Kira, you haven't even looked at her yet."
My mom pauses then looks at me. Her gaze softens and her eyes glisten.
"Well, look at you! All grown up. You look amazing darling."
She moves forward and gives me a hug.
"Mom! Don't make me regret putting on a dress!"
She laughs then kisses me on the forehead.
"Aria's wearing a dress?!"
Riel walks in, his hair still wet, wearing a tux with a silvery-blue tie.
"Go dry your hair! And make sure to comb it!" My mom turns to him.
"But Mom, it's a style!"
"Riel, are you a hobo?"
"No."
"Then it's not your style. Now hurry and go dry your hair!"
She looks up at the clock.
"We have about 40 minutes. Now get to work."
We all rush around, getting the dishes perfect and the table set. We put out flower vases to accent the new curtains my mom put out.
We clean away any last minute messes and fix up our outfits.
The doorbell rings suddenly.
"I'll get it!" Riel and I both rush towards the door.
After tussling a bit, I grab hold of the doorknob and pull it.
"Thatcher!" Riel and I fight again, trying to get a hug first.
Thatcher laughs.
"Children, children!"
Thatcher tries to pry us off, but he fails.
His tux and black tie accent his hair. Which are now both messed up, thanks to our hugs.
He looks at my dad,who's laughing, helplessly.
"Mind helping out a friend?"
"How about..... No. This is too funny."
"I'm your best friend!"
"Ok."
"And I was your best man!"
"Ok."
"I introduced you to Olive Tavern!"
"Good point."
He comes forward and pries Riel and me off of Thatcher.
We grin at each other, both of us thinking about Dad and Thatcher's usual argument.
We head into the kitchen while the other two sit down to catch up on..... Whatever those two talk about.
Mom comes out of the kitchen to say hello to Thatcher.
Riel and I sneak in to steal some bites of food.
We hurry out, our fingers dirty, before Mom comes back in.
The doorbell rings again.
This time, Riel pulls it open, showing Jameson and his family.
Riel grabs Christa's hand and kisses her on the cheek. She smiles and blushes. Her little sister, Jem, makes a face and goes to sit on the couch.
Her small, eleven- year old face looks bored.
Jameson and his wife come to greet Dad and Mom.
I twiddle my thumbs and get my phone.
I stare at the home screen.
I'm bored.
I bet I know who else is bored.
Hey when r u guys getting here
Almost there
I put my phone away and smile to myself.
I fix up the table and go to fix my hair.
I check the clock.
Where are you?
Then the doorbell rings.
I rush forward to answer it.
Another reaper family walks in and smiles at me politely. A girl around Jem's age goes over to her and starts up a conversation.
I smile at the sight of them.
Then I hear, "Hi Aria!"
I look down and see Viky, his hair combed and neat. He's wearing a dress shirt and is smiling widely.
"Hey," I smile at him.
"You look nice."
"Thanks."
"I agree with Viky. You do look nice."
I look up and see Zane's grinning face.
I blush then straighten.
I flip my braid. "Don't I always?"
He laughs and walks in.
Viky follows and looks around.
He pulls at my dress.
"There are no boys my age," he pouts.
"No, but I bet she'd like to have someone to talk to."
I point out a shy, quiet, brown haired girl.
"Ok....." Viky glowers then walks over.
Zane and I watch quietly as Viky talks about something and the girl smiles timidly. Then she laughs.
I smile.
I turn to Zane. "Where's your dad?"
His grin fades a little. "He's coming."
A few seconds later, a man with short, neatly clipped dark blonde hair walks in. His mouth is pointed downward and his eyes are cold as they scan the room.
All the adult reapers that see him immediately stand up and go over to greet him.
Thatcher shakes his hand saying, "Glad you could make it Roster."
Roster smiles faintly and goes to talk to Dad.
Zane's usually happy expression now looks worn and bitter.
I grab his hand and lead him to a spot in the living room.
I sit him down, still holding his hand.
"What's wrong?"
He huffs. "It's nothing."
I squeeze his hand. "Really?"
He sighs, blowing his hair. "Father...... He's not exactly the warm type, y'know?"
I stay silent. He looks away, biting his lip.
"But when he's with his precious society......"
He bites his lip again.
"Like if I get all A's or Viky wins a basketball game...... He doesn't really care. I mean, I get it, his wife died, but he has kids who need him."
He looks at me.
"I'm sorry. You probably didn't wanna hear this anyway. Daddy issues," he says bitterly.
"Zane....." I squeeze his hand again.
He shakes his head.
"Let's talk about something else. How about I get us some soda?"
"Ok sure."
"Coke or Pepsi?"
"Which do you think?"
He cocks his head. "Pepsi."
"Well there's your answer."
He goes off to get the soda and I lean back against the cushions.
Zane comes back with two cups and some snacks.
I open up a chip bag and inhale it. I grab a second one and inhale that one too.
Zane looks at me, his eyebrows raised.
"How can you eat that much that quickly and still stay skinny?" He pokes my arm.
I hold up a finger. "1 word: Elliyot."
His brow furrows and he frowns. "Who's Elliyot?"
"She's my trainer."
He relaxes. "Oh, she."
I smirk and poke him. "Why? Were you jealous?"
He blushes and looks away. "No."
"Then why are you blushing?"
He goes even redder. "I'm not blushing. This is just.... My natural color."
"Oh, I didn't know you're actually tomato red."
"Shut up, ok?"
I laugh.
Mom pops her head in. "Time for the meeting. And dinner."
"Oooh, dinner!" I spring up and go walk to the table.
I grab a bowl of soup, and one of everything else.
I go to sit down with the other teenagers on the couch while the adults sit at the table. Riel winks at me as he and Christa go over to sit down.
I start to eat as Zane comes over.
I hear the adults shuffle around and discussing the finances and different fundraising activities of R.I.P.
All of the teens eat in silence, listening to the meeting. Then I hear a deep, commanding voice interrupt, "Why don't we actually focus on what's important?"
I hear Thatcher next. "And what is that?"
"The traitor."