The Teacher's Pet

Chapter 8

"I see you are enjoying the party, Mercedes."

We stare at each other for a moment. Well it was actually more of a glaring contest.

Ok, Mercy. You are a civilized adult. It is no longer ok to roll your eyes, flip her off and walk away.

"I was until the purple grinch showed up. Halloween is next month, by the way." I smile sweetly, eyeing her costume. Purple jumper, purple purse, purple feathered boa.

"I see you haven't matured one bit," she sneers.

"Can't say the same about you though. You might want to consider some anti-wrinkle cream."

She scoffs before placing her hands on her hips. "Your father is here, if you want to say hello."

"Seriously, did my voicemail give you the impression that I wanted to talk to him? If so, I really need to consider updating it."

"One conversation, Mercedes. One civilized conversation is all I ask of you." She raises her hand to her face and sighs again. I think I wear her out sometimes. Psh, like I care. If I recall correctly, she wasn't interested in any sort of conversation when my mom and I found her and dad screwing like rabbits.

"What do you want Kate?"

"I want nothing more than for you to move as far away from me as possible but your father wants you to--"

"Heyyy, it's Huckabitch! Whoops, I meant Huckabee. Totally did not mean to say Huckabitch." Tyler comes running up at the perfect moment. He puts his arm around my shoulders in a protective gesture.

"Tyler, always a joy seeing you," she replies with a frown.

"Sorry, Kate. I'm not into older women."

She rolls her eyes and I see Emily trying to hide a smile behind her drink.

"Forget it, I don't know why I thought it a good idea to come talk to you."

You and me both. Nothing good ever comes out of the two us being in the same room together.

"Are you finally leaving?" I ask, for once hopeful.

"No, Mercedes. I have a speech to give."

Ugh.

"Also, your father and I are getting married in six months. Come or don't. I personally prefer you don't but your father insists he wants you there."

Wedding? A wedding? A fucking wedding!? The old geezer is finally putting a ring on that used up toothbrush?

It really shouldn't have come as this much of a surprise. A part of me had already guessed this was the reason for my father's constant phone calls. It was something that my brother had mentioned back in Seattle. Something about dad and Kate becoming legit or something.

"Mercy? Mercyyyy. Snap out of it. Huckabitch left already." Ty was shaking my shoulder carefully, as if I might break at any moment.

I blink several times and turn to Tyler. Then I blink again because I really don't know what to say.

"Any chance the drinks are spiked?"

"None. It's a family friendly event."

Great. It sure didn't seem that way at the dance floor.

"So, um" Emily begins. I forgot she was even here. "Why don't you and the vp get along?"

"Huckabitch is the vice principal? No way!"

Well ain't that just peachy. It's just bad new after bad news.

"Excuse me, are you talking about Ms. Kate Huckabee?"