Secrets of Fayhill High

(10) The Dinner

The room fell into a deadly silence as Lucas and his father stared one another down. Avery moved to stand beside a now terrified Harper, and Mrs- May's face had paled greatly.

"What a way to greet your father, son." Mr. Beckett growled. It was then that I noticed another woman walking in to stand beside him. She looked maybe a few years older than me, and was beautiful enough to be a model. At the sight of her, the entire family groaned. May looked so upset I wanted to reach out and comfort her, but I didn't feel the time was quite right.

"Peter, Melody, wonderful to see you again. Dinner should be ready shortly, so just sit tight!" May choked out. With that, the two exited the room, and Lucas and the others immediately relaxed.

"You knew he was coming." Lucas told more than he asked.

"Yes, he's only going to be here for a few days on business, then everything should be fine!" May said with an obviously fake smile.

Confusion was beginning to overtake me. Like my journalistic father, I had the curse of being nosy. I glanced over at Lucas, who was now intentionally looking away. Okay, so maybe he doesn't want to talk about it. We all sort of stood in a dazed silence for a few more minutes before Lucas cleared his throat.

"I should probably take you home." He muttered.

"Take who home?" Mr. Beckett's voice boomed throughout the room as he entered, this time, he was alone. He searched the room before his eyes finally landed on me. He smirked wickedly.

"Who's the girl?" He asked.

"I'm Hazel." I said before Lucas had a chance to respond.

"Interesting name." He seemed to want to get under my skin.

"I like to think so." I replied indifferently.

"Are you a senior as well?"

"Yes."

"What are you wanting to do."

"I'd like to be a dance teacher or professional dancer."

"Good luck. Not much money in that." He grumbled.

"I'd rather be happy and poor than rich and miserable." I fired back.

"Dinner is ready." May interrupted as Mr. Beckett shot me a glare.

We all silently gathered around the table. Mr. Beckett sat at the head of the table, with May to his left and a now-present Melody to his right. Harper and Avery sat on Melody's side of the table, whereas Lucas and I sat on May's. We proceeded to stuff our plates and dug into the delicious food. However, a certain someone had to ruin it.

"So what do your parents do, Hazel?" Mr. Beckett goaded.

"My mother is an artist and my father is a journalistic writer."

"Where do they work?"

"They both mostly free-lance. My mom does a lot of galleries in the city and my dad sends articles all over."

"Anything I'd recognize? What's his name?"

"Jason Griffin." His face grew sour.

"Isn't that the asshole who destroyed our school and Coach Foster's reputation?" Mr. Beckett seemed to be getting ever more angry. Lucas was unusually silent, as were the rest of those at the table.

"Yes, he is." I smiled.

"That man could've destroyed Lucas's football career. We're lucky he still has colleges interested in him!" Mr. Beckett roared.

"Lucky him."

"You're proud of  man who could've ruined dozens of peoples lives?!"

"My father seeks to end corruption and find the truth. If that is helping people in the long-run, I whole-heartedly support him." I stated.

"Those allegations were false." He spit out.

"I have known Coach Foster my entire life and am very close to his daughter. I've seen him push her into things and verbally abuse her. I can only imagine what he does to the football team. If you don't believe me, ask your son." I said, averting my gaze to Lucas. He seemed lost in thought.

"My son will tell you it's false." Mr. Beckett now also glared at Lucas.

"He did tell the weaker guys to take some steroids. And he slapped one of the guys." Lucas muttered, his eyes on the floor. Mr. Beckett rose quickly from his seat, outraged.

"Calm down a bit, Peter." May mumbled.

"Shut your mouth, May." He yelled, making her flinch a bit. "You know those allegations are false, and yet you choose to embarrass me? Your own father?"

"Yeah, some father." Lucas muttered.

"What did you say to me, boy?!" Mr. Beckett was screaming now. May quickly stood, ushering Avery and Harper upstairs. Melody sat silently on her phone. 

"Lucas, let's go." I whispered to him. He stared straight ahead, nodding before we both stood up. We were almost to the front door when we heard rushed footsteps coming towards us. We both turned around.

"Where do you think you're going?!" He yelled after us.

"Anywhere but here!" Lucas yelled, grabbing my hand as we rushed out and slammed the door behind us. We got into Lucas's truck and sat in silence for a long time.

"I'm sorry you had to see that." Lucas finally spoke.

"It's okay. Assholes can be assholes." I chuckled. He shot me a weak smile.

"I don't know what to do now." He sighed.

"I'm sure my parents or Gray and Kendall's parents would let you stay with them." I replied hopefully.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

He ended up staying with Gray. I was glad, I don't know what I would have said to my parents about all that had happened. It was difficult to sleep that night- I had so many thoughts swirling around in my head. Why was May still married to Mr. Beckett? What happened between that family? How long had this been going on?

Everyone had always seen the Becketts as a kind and respectable family. Mr. Beckett had built his wealth with a business he started with Cole's dad when they were fresh out of college. When Cole's dad died a couple years ago, Mr. Beckett took over the business and it blossomed exponentially. (Luckily, Cole was still rich off his father's old money.) The story was all over the town- two local boys who rose to the top in the big city. I think the only reason Cole and Lucas ever even became friends was because it was expected of them. I couldn't imagine that kind of pressure.

Seeing what happened that night opened my eyes to Lucas. He was so cocky and rude, but having a dad like that would have to make you that way. The pressure of always having to be perfect, and rubbing it in everyone else's faces when you were. But I knew he was trying, trying so hard not to be that guy anymore. This weekend had shown me this. There was a side to Lucas I was finally seeing- and I was excited to see more and more.

Ahhh, guys! I have 355 reads on my story and every time I check I have more and more! I want to thank you guys so much for reading my story and supporting me! If you could, please vote and comment on this story! I would love that so much!!! I love you guys!! <3