Hatred With A Burning Passion (Completed)

Chapter 8

            Thomas insisted on coming the next day to wash Charlotte's car, even though she told him countless times that he did not have to. Charlotte sat on the curb, watching him scrub the windows clean. The fact that Thomas's shirt was still on prevented the afternoon from being perfect, Charlotte decided.

"So, how did you do on that physics test?" Charlotte asked her with genuine interest.

"Ok," he said, sighing. "Look, I really don't want us to hate each other anymore. Is there anyway we can ignore Yale for a little while. Can it just be you and me?"

"Yes," She agreed.

"Good. So tell me about yourself. I really don't know anything about your family, you know."

"Well let's see. My parents are rich snobs that I luckily only have see every few weeks. My older sister however, is the apple of their eye. She got into Harvard Law School, and is glorifying my parents' reputation here. And then there's Nina, my housekeeper, who has basically raised me because my parents are too busy running their multi-million dollar companies to spend time with their daughter. And, what else? I have been predestined to become a doctor and carry on the line of Yale alumnis in my family. So... there you have it."

Thomas had stopped working on the car for a second. "I never knew the rich could suffer too."

"Yup, they can. Money doesn't buy everything,"

"Well, let's say that your parents didn't force you to go to Yale. You had freedom of choice. What would you want to do with your life?"

Charlotte thought for a while. "I guess I would go to music school. That's what I've loved to do ever since I was a little girl--play music."

Thomas dropped the rag on the floor and sat on the curb next to Charlotte. "Charlotte, you have to stand up to your parents. You have to tell them that you don't want to go to Yale."

Charlotte did not answer.

"Charlotte, are you listening to me?"

"I can't. I can't do it Thomas. My parents would be so disappointed. They would--I don't even know what they would do."

"You know I'm not just saying this because I want the spot for Yale right?" Charlotte nodded. "I saw you playing guitar at that park, and the way you get so excited when teaching Lola a certain idea or note. I can see it in your eyes. You love it."

"I really do," Charlotte said. "You know what? I am going to talk to my parents about this. I'm not going to let them decide how I live my life." She hugged Thomas. "Thank you."