He's Mine.

Chapter Fifteen

I had a great time at William's. He had a great family. I felt like I was really a part of a big happy typical American family, the ones you see on television.

We laughed a lot at the table, which was a contrast to the static silence I know at my dinner table. William had a lot to say. Everyone was really happy I came. That felt nice. I hadn't really felt wanted in a long time to be honest. It felt nice.

The lasagne was extraordinary and I made sure I told William's mother, who told me kindly that I could call her Jules. She even gave me a Tupperware full of the lasagne that was left to take home with me. She was so kind to me.

William's dad, Sam, was like any typical dad. He sneezed loudly, and made really bad dad jokes, but nonetheless, we laughed because they were funny.

After William had promised me ice cream, soon discovering there wasn't any in the freezer, Sam went out to the corner store to buy some. He even dropped me back home because, "We can't have a nice young girl like yourself roaming around the streets at this hour, it's not safe."

How nice it must be, to have an actual functional family. A family where both the mother and the father worked, but still had time to sit down and joke around with their only child.

In the car ride home, Sam kept asking about how William and I knew each other, he even asked me if William was "fitting in." It never occured to me that William was close with his parents, I mean, I wouldn't think otherwise, but I just never thought about how a parent could be so concerned.

I reassured Sam, telling him that William and I were pretty close, and had many classes together. I even said that we had lunch together on several occasions.

Why would I say all that?

Why was it so important to me to reassure William's parents? Why did I make the effort? Couldn't I have let it slide? Or, told the truth, even? I could have said "We had lunch once, we have one class together, and we ditched school together for a damn makeover."

Why didn't I say all that instead? Why did I insist on the fact that William and I were close friends?

But when William wasn't with me, who was he with? Was he alone? Do his parents worry with reason?

By the end of the night, I made a promise to myself- I'd be a good friend to William. No, not because I was being kind to him, it wasn't an act of goodness, it was just so that I wouldn't have to lie to his parents again.

The next day, I had been given the list of names for the cleaning committee for the classroom. They were going to meet up after school to clean up the classroom. There were about 7 students on the list, and I was going to put my name on the list too, but stopped myself.

What if they don't want me to help them?

Ironic. I should be able to do what I want in this school- I run it, after all, and yet, I'm stopping myself from doing the things I want to, afraid of being judged.

Margot was getting too cosy with Aiden, who didn't make the effort to brush her off. It infuriated me, but I took a deep breath and let it go. I was still in the classroom, and drama like this is best at any time of the day, but not at 8am. Nothing is good at 8am. Besides, revenge, my dear friend, revenge.

At the end of the first period, Aiden started making his way towards me, and I made no effort to wait for him- in fact, I went straight to my locker, perfectly aware he was behind me.

"Van! Wait up!" he blocked me from opening up my own locker with his arm. I turned to him, and smiled.

"I'm sorry, Aiden, I didn't see you. What's up?"

"Why are you being so distant all of a sudden? You haven't talked to any of us since yesterday! What's up with you?"

I guess I had it coming, I did afterall, go someplace else. But they couldn't know that.

"Oh, I went home. I heard you guys went to the ice cream parlor but I wasn't invited. I guessed you guys were meeting up to discuss my annual surprise birthday party, that's why I let it go. As for why I've been quiet? Oh come on, if you weren't so busy with Magot-"

"Don't call her that."

I paused, "Why are you getting so defensive about her? You're the one who came up with that name in the first place, have you forgotten?"

It was his turn to be silent, he was probably thinking of how he could defend his side piece without me knowing about what was going on.

"I'm not being defensive. If someone was to call you names, I'd stand up for you just the same. Oh and I called by your place yesterday, your mum said you weren't at home. Where were you?"

"I may have went for a stroll or two. I still have that art project, remember. Now, move. I have art right now."

He sighed, reluctantly, he removed his arm from my locker.

"How is that surprise birthday party going, by the way?" I knew perfectly well that yesterday was not about planning a whole event dedicated to me, but I had to keep up my pretences.

"I can't say anything- it's a surprise." but his eyes said shoot, her birthday is coming up.

I smiled, "Just remember to invite me this time, okay?" I planted a kiss on his cheek, and made my way to the awaiting Mr Adams.

~

~

Mr Adams was attractive to most of the students. It didn't matter if you took art or not, he was one of those teachers who everyone knew, and next year, everyone would be choosing art in hopes of getting him as their teacher. It was my secret pleasure knowing how he was mine under his white bed sheets, dancing naked till we saw stars above our heads.

"Are you okay? You look kind of sweaty." William offered me a tissue, which I declined with my harsh looking glare.

"Yea, just," I turned the textbook page, "thinking."

"That looked more like a day dream..."

His voice zoned out pretty fast as I focused on Mr Adams' arms moving up and down to demonstrate how to make delicate art strokes like Bob Ross.

I could stroke a thing or two pretty delicately too right about now.

How does this new generation of females find saggy bottoms attractive? In what world? Mr Adams' pants hugged his butt and let me tell you how those squats were doing us all a favour-

"Van..?"

And suddenly his buttocks were not a blessing as it first seemed, everyone's heads were turned to me and I had no idea why.

"Vanessa, read." William nudged me, prompting me to start reading the paragraph where his finger was placed.

Why in the world does art involve reading?

Completely lost, I started to read aloud, but clearly it was the wrong paragraph since I heard someone snort. Oh, what have I done.

The bell rung fortunately, and I was saved, at least, today.

"Vanessa, stay back please, I'd like to have a word with you." Mr Adams and his condescending tone I know all too well.

I think it's time for another round.