If Only

Chapter Twenty-Three: Warmth

JADE

I couldn't resist my parents any longer. I had no choice but to comply.

Enduring the uncomfortable and deafening silence that hung between my father and me during the drive to school was agonizing. On any normal day, I would have argued when he insisted on driving me to school, but today... I couldn't utter a word. I was grounded and utterly powerless.

I remained silent throughout the entire journey, facing the window and doing my best to ignore my father's occasional remarks. I restrained myself from rolling my eyes at him. After replying to a text from Jared that read, "How'd it go?" with a simple, "I'll tell you later... :*," I shut my phone off.

"I'll be picking you up later this afternoon," my father declared. His words seemed to strip me of any right to make decisions for myself, at least for the time being. I almost wanted to gape at him incredulously and protest vehemently, but I knew that would only escalate the situation and make things worse.

So, with a defeated sigh, I sank deeper into my seat and averted my gaze from my father, focusing instead on the road. As he made the final turn, we arrived in front of the school. I remained silent, choosing not to oppose him for once, hoping that it would be the path to regaining my freedom, even if it was only temporary. He wanted me to be on my 'best behavior,' so if that meant sacrificing my freedom for now, so be it.

I attempted to distract myself by replaying the events of the previous night. It still felt unreal that Jared had asked me to be his 'girlfriend'.

Anyone who knew him well wouldn't believe it. But this time it was real. I couldn't help but feel incredibly fortunate that I was the one he had chosen to change his mind for, the one he wanted in this way. I couldn't quite grasp the idea, but I felt lucky beyond measure.

I fought to suppress the smile that threatened to break through. I didn't want my father to question why I might be smiling, especially given the current situation.

My thoughts swirled with uncertainty about how I'd manage to see Jared now that Gramps' house, my usual refuge, was no longer an option due to my grounding. My contemplations were abruptly interrupted by my father just as I was about to open the car door, halting my actions.

"I know you don't like it this way, Jade... I can tell. But, as your father, I have to assert authority to keep you on the right path," he said. I sensed that he might add more to his statement if I lingered, and I didn't want to hear it.

Taking the silence as my cue, I hastily exited the car and made my way to the school gate. The school guard attempted to offer a smile, but today was not the day for me to reciprocate with random pleasantries. I kept my head low and continued toward the entrance. My mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of how I would see Jared now that I couldn't visit Gramps' place this afternoon. It was a futile concern, though, considering my current grounding.

I realized I'd have to figure it out as the day unfolded.

*****

The day unfolded as usual, with McKenzie and her clique casting their mean side glances across the cafeteria hall while I attempted to finish my lunch in peace.

I could sense that people were probably wondering why I didn't have a flock of "friends" trailing after me like McKenzie did. She basked in the glory of her so-called popularity, while everyone knew my status as the daughter of the wealthiest man wasn't something to be proud of, at least in my eyes.

As for friends in school, well, after what happened back in middle school with McKenzie, I couldn't see myself making another "friend" there. I had Lizzy to rely on, even though she lived across the globe. To get through the day, I kept my earphones on, and my phone buzzed incessantly with unread messages from Jared. I knew it wasn't right to ignore him, especially since I was the one who practically forced him to take me out last night, but I didn't have the emotional energy to talk to Jared about my father's "horn-cutting" agenda.