The Enemy

Chapter 19

Chapter 19: January 2007 - Charterhouse

Beck's throat burned as he chugged down the last of the whiskey. He rubbed the back of his hand across his mouth and another through his hair. He set down the tumbler and looked up at his reflection. He squared his shoulders. For someone on the brink of collapse, he mercifully didn't look it.

He emerged from the bathroom moments later and caught sight of Christopher Saint.

Saint broke out in an impish grin. "Who are you going to shag tonight, Howards?"

Beck retrieved his suit jacket with a grimace, slinging it over his shoulder. "There is no one even remotely alluring." Sure Alexandria Campbell had been up his arse the entire week, but he couldn't be less interested. Her energy exhausted him.

Saint snickered. "Not to worry. Soon we'll have all the choice at our fingertips." He waggled his eyebrows as the two boys headed towards the dance, Chris analyzing and pontificating on the merits of all the female's breasts in their year on the way.

Beck heard none of it. His head ached, and he had to bite down the urge to punch his best friend in the face. Ever since Christmas, Chris had grown unbearable. Beck missed playing a simple match of footie with his mates in the back lawns or raiding the kitchens and going on an all out romp around the school. Now, Chris had become obsessed with the idea of going into politics like their fathers. He could drone on for hours arguing the merit inherent in their aristocratic class, but Beck had listened to the same tired lecture from his father since he could understand it. Britain needed to maintain its aristocracy. Those from common backgrounds didn't have the same bred loyalty or understanding. He got it.

What he didn't get was why the Saints, the Millers, and the de Ferrers had become so keen on pushing it into the minds of their kids. Why were they more interested than ever in the school their children had attended since kindergarten? Why had the smart, outgoing Elizabeth de Ferrers he'd known since birth retreated into her shell like some scared, baby animal?

Beck pulled his tie loose and turned into the Hall. It was sparkly and filled with people, nothing special. It couldn't begin to compete with his parents' Christmas dinner and dance. Immediately, he was ushered into a group of admiring Saunderites and began cracking jokes about the couples on the dancefloor. It was almost too easy. Awkward, stilted figures stumbled around the open area looking like drunk zombies or embarrassing grandparents.

"Alright—"

Speak of the devil. The glittery figure of Alexandria Campbell stepped on his punchline.

"—I want to introduce you lot to someone! Someone who will actually class up the joint."

Beck looked the newcomers up and down. Alex Khan, soon to be renowned football star, stood across from him along with a pretty girl in a golden dress.

"Bet you fifty quid he's a pouf and that I could pull his date," he whispered into Chris's ear. The two shared a smirk.

Alexandria pushed the introductions, and he gave Khan's hand a firm shake then turned his attention to the pretty date. She was looking away, so all he could catch was her profile. She had a sharp nose and long, golden brown hair that shone in the colorful lights, nice breasts too and a great pair of legs he couldn't help noticing. There was something about her that he couldn't quite place. Khan attended Eton, so this girl must go here. It seemed impossible that he didn't know her.

She turned to face him head on, and his heart jolted in his chest. "Stapleton?"

Emma fucking Stapleton? Prude of Charterhouse and bane of his existence? Emma fucking Stapleton, who chased after John Huxton like some pathetic, desperate old maid was here with Alex Khan? Her expression morphed into a scowl, and he knew he was not mistaken. He fought to regain his composure

"Yes?"

He exhaled, exchanging a rude look with Chris. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"What?" She shook her head, tousling her curls and drawing his attention to her pursed lips. He shoved his clenched fists deep into his pockets. "At my own school dance? Yes, what an absolutely unexpected occurrence."

He glared, resisting the need to insult her within earshot of her date. "I didn't expect to see you here with the likes of Alex Khan." His eyes flicked over her again, failing to withhold that insult as he cast a withering glare over every inch of her. "I expected to see you with the likes of...." He cast a pointed look to the awkward couples on the dancefloor. Chris laughed to his left, and he smirked.

"Sorry to disappoint."

Beck bit back a second remark as Alex Khan returned and escorted Stapleton away. Emma fucking Stapleton. He hadn't even recognized her.

"She's got pretty nice tits, too," Chris said.

Beck punched him in the arm and stalked away. Ten minutes ago, he'd almost been able to forget and enjoy himself tonight for the first time in months. He scooped up a large cup of punch and drank. He watched as Christopher turned back to the Saunderites, no doubt expounding upon his ideas. Beck kept drinking. There was no longer any chance of forgetting his reality tonight.