Don't You Dare Tell Anyone Mr. Stevens

Elephant In The Room

The woman has brown hair done in waves. Her eyes are big and brown and when she smiles her teeth are white. Then she looks at me and her smile turns into confusion. I swallow hard at the lump in my throat and straighten out my back. The man has such dark hair its almost black and his eyes are green. They both have lightly sun kissed skin. The man wears a suit and the woman wears black pants and a beautiful blouse with killer stilettos. I slowly rise from my chair and keeps my hands folded in front of me. I feel like I've intruded on some kind of intimate moment. I shouldn't be here. I wish I weren't here. I don't belong here. For a moment I feel like all eyes are on me staring at me practically burning away my skin.
"Hello" I croak and Riley's eyes find her.
"Hello" she replies and the I hear chaos as the table begins to move and the chairs fall to the ground as the kids rush out of them.
"Mom!Dad!" they shriek and the man and woman tear their eyes from mine. Their lips curl in smiles as their family comes together. I fight back any tears I fear coming because there will go my make up. I wish my family were like that. With so much love. They all look so...whole. Whereas I'm broken to bits inside and out. Ben slides out of his chair and I look down at him placing my hands on his shoulders. If only we were home I could make a run for it. Discretely dismiss myself from this intimate family moment and say goodbye. But I can't. We're hours from home. I'd love to run out the door right now but when Riley places a hand on my shoulder the thought disappears and I look at him. He nods once and his parents look up at me. I bite the inside of my bottom lip. I can tell by the way they look at me they don't like the look of me. Then again that's alright because I wouldn't like the sight of me either.
"I don't think they like me" I whisper and he rolls his eyes.
"They don't even know your name" he says. When I look over his parents straighten their back eye me then him.
"Mom, dad" Riley says and I can't tell if the trembling I feel is mine or Ben's. I lift my hands slightly from his shoulders and realize its mine.
"This is Tess Chance and her brother Benjamin Chance. A friend" he says and I suck in when they scan me up and down.
"It's nice to meet you" I say softly and extend my hand. His mother looks at his father then walks over to me. Finally she smiles and takes my hand in both of hers.
"pleasure to meet you sweetheart" she said and her voice reminded me of sweet honey. I let out deep breath of relief and my knees finally stop shaking. Her husband comes up to her and they seem united as one. I like that. He smiles and shakes my hand making me feel at ease.
"Welcome" he says. Welcome! I feel a lot better. But I still keep a straight back.
"This is my brother" I say remembering Ben's there. "Benjamin"
She bends down with a smile and takes his hand.
"Its very nice to meet you Benjamin" she says and he smiles at her.
"You too. But please I dread being called Benjamin its an awful name" he says and looks at her straightening his back. "Call me Ben"
She and her husband laugh. Her husband shakes Ben's hand and they look at me.
"I'm Lola Grey and this is my husband Adam Grey" she says. I laugh a little.
There's a moment of silence. "Um, I'm sorry just to show up here. I didn't mean to intrude on such an important moment..." I say and she laughs placing a warm hand on my arm.
"Oh don't be silly!" she says and takes a seat at the table. Her husband pushes in her chair.
"You're more than welcome" Mr. Grey says and gives a warm smile. Riley has his eyes but his mother's shape. His father's eyes are beautifully colored but narrow. His mother's were large and grabbed attention.
"Did you say grace yet?" he asks and takes his seat.
Riley rolls his eyes finally taking his seat.
"No, we've had far too many distractions" he says and everyone laughs. I just smile. I don't feel its my place to laugh. This isn't my family. We say grace and the room falls silent. I keep my eyes plastered to my plate and don't bother looking up.
"So Tess dear" Mrs.Grey says and I look up. Oh, no. She cleans her face in her napkin.
"How is your academic life at the moment?" she asks and there's a hint of a smile.
"Um," I say and put my napkin down. I have never heard myself talk so soft spoken before. It feels odd. "Very well thank you" I say.
"Tess is a Principal Honor Roll student" Riley says. I turn for a moment to face him with eyes. He smiles like he's done something wrong and is proud of it. He looks at his parents who seemed delighted.
"Well isn't that wonderful?" his father says and my heart skips a beat.
"She's also an excellent writer" Riley says and I want to bang my head into the table. God, I'm going to kill him.
His mother's eyes widen "Really? I used to write too when I was your age" she says and I look at her.
"Well I'm not that good. Riley on the other hand" I say and look at him with a face that reads you're next. He presses his lips together. "Is the best in the class" I say and this time its me that smiles.
"He gets that from me" His mother says and smiles at him.
"So Tess what do your parents do?" his father asks and I feel as if I might choke. Riley seems the same way.
"My grandparents currently run the Splendorem Gemmas Empire. Its been in the family for I want to say around two hundred years most likely less. When they pass it goes to my mother and then me" I say and their eyes widen.
"I got my wedding ring from there!" Mrs.Grey says and she looks at her husband "Right sweetheart?" she asks and he nods.
"Our family has gotten their jewels there for generations. That is the most prestigious jewel dynasty in the world" he says and I softly nod.
"Yes, but I just think of it as the pain in the neck that will be mine next" I say and the room lights up with laughter even the children.
"Tell me what does Splendorem Gemmas mean? I've always wondered" Mr.Grey says.
"Well I know its Latin for Shining Jewels. My grandfather should know best though" I say. From that moment on my heart felt light and the room vibrated with mindless chatter but I didn't mind. It was nice. I guess I felt almost comfortable. Soon enough when Darla continued to complain we had desert and by then everyone was friendly happy and laughing. Finally the room falls quiet for a moment until Darla speaks.
"You look beautiful Tess" she says and I smile at her.
"So do you" I say and she smiles turning in her chair.
"Of course she looks beautiful!" Jason says as if its obvious
"Ya like hello our brother isn't stupid" Cara says and Darla sticks her tongue out.
"Maybe Darla just wanted to say it" Aaline chimes in. Cara rolls her eyes impatiently.
"Right" she and Jason say.
"Because Riley's really gonna kiss a girl that's ugly!' Jason snaps and his face instantly goes wide eyed and he slams his hand over his mouth. Cara goes pale in the face Aaline slides further in her chair and Darla stifles back a giggle. I choke on my water and slam the cup back on the table. I sit there for a moment hand over my mouth and look at everyone. Riley's fork falls from his hand and the room is silent. Ben smiles a bit under his napkin.
Cara smacks Jason hard in the back of the head and whispers something to him along the lines of you moron.
"I'm sorry!" he loudly whispers back. Riley's parents look at me. Riley bursts into laughter. Me being to shaken and terrified to speak clearly stutter "Why are you laughing?" I ask and he just continues until Darla and Ben chime in with the laughter.
"Oh come on Tess it wasn't that bad" he says.
"Riley that was so embarrassing. Your parents are right there" I whisper and he just laughs harder. Eventually Jason laughs and then Cara. Lastly Aaline can't help herself and bursts into laughter. Soon his parents do too.
"You little rat were you spying?" Riley asks and Cara faces him.
"We were all being nosy!" she says and I bite back a smile and grab my plate. "I'm going to go empty this out" I say and push my seat out. Riley gets hold of my wrist.
"Oh come on it was funny" he says. Fighting back laughter I say "That was so embarrassing!" But I don't mind it when I smile.
He follows me into the kitchen and I look at his wide smile and beet red face.
He opens up his arms "That was hilarious" he says and I smirk.
"It was not!" I say and empty out my plate. He laughs and embraces me. "You're such a kid" he says and I finally laugh.
"Let me go! Loosing... air!" I groan and he just squeezes tighter. "You have to stop being so up tight" he says and I break away from his grip. "That was awful" I say with a chuckle. HE shrugs "Oh well. What are you going to do about it"
I find my seat and the table and the Grey's all have red giggling faces. I look over at Ben who is laughing hysterically but silent.
"Alright calm down kiddo" I say. I look at everyone. I laugh and bury my face in my hands.
"This is absolutely the worst thing that has ever happened to me" I said which made them laugh harder.
"Tess sweetheart please don't be embarrassed!" Mrs.Grey says and I look at her. She giggles "I thought it was rather sweet" she says and I smile at her.
"Yes! Exactly what I thought" Mr.Grey says and I drink my water.
"So," Mr.Grey says and he looks at us. "are you two what an item yet? Boyfriend girlfriend?" he asks. The water stops in my throat and I spit it out. Riley chokes on cookie and coughs.
"What?" i say and look at Riley who's now as embarrassed as I was before.
"We're not-" I begin.
"Wait no it's just not like that" Riley stutters
"We're just, I mean-" I say and look at him.
"Well it's complicated" we both say and I look at him wide eyed and he does the same as if eh hadn't expected i'd say that too. Everyone laughs.
"Oh I see" Mrs.Grey says. Her husband laughs "Yes, complicated" he says.
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It turns out Riley's parents were only there for Thanksgiving and were hoping on the first plane to Africa at midnight. We drove home in silence. Riley's parents were wonderful. I hope I see them again. They said I was a doll. I smile at the thought. They were so kind to me. They invited me over again for Christmas Eve to which I couldn't say no because it was rude and Riley was already about to burst into laughter again. I had hurt my ankle on the way out of the house in the Hamptons so Riley drove up to my front door.
"Thanks" I say and unbuckle my seat belt. I'm about to get out when I stop and turn to face him. "Thank you. Really I meant it. I had such a wonderful time and so did Ben." I say and look to Ben who fell asleep in the back seat. "You made it special for him"
He shakes his head "No, you made it special for us" he replies and takes my hand. "I"m glad I forced you to come" he says and I laugh with the thought. "Ya me too" I reply.
He sighs "I'm still not permitted to kiss you right? Because God knows how much I'd love to right now" he says and I burst into laughter. His tone was filled with desire and anxiety.
I wrinkle my nose "Nope! You have not fully redeemed yourself!" I say.
He groans dramatically. He looks at me sideways which is how I know he's joking "Fine" he says. I lean over and kiss his cheek keeping my mouth there for a few seconds before I pull back and rest my hand on his face. I turn and open my door stepping out letting the cold air wrap around me. The lights in the house are on and I see shadows. Something is going on.
Riley takes Ben out and hands him to me.
"Are you sure you're alright?" he asks. I force a smile and nod like nothing.
"I'm fine trust me" I say. He rests his hand on my shoulder for a moment and nods. "Alright then" he says almost to himself and kisses my hair. The door opens and Marcus stands in the doorway. My jaw tightens and I push Riley behind me.
"Go home now" I say through gritted teeth and I could feel his breaths on my neck.
Marcus snarls at us. He' wasted.
"Good night" Riley whispers and I look to the side and watch from the corner of my eye as he gets into his car. I turn to face the car and he looks at me through the window. He seems unsettled.
"Please" I mouth "Go" he sucks on his cheeks and drives away. Ben wakes up and looks at me.
"Are we home?" he asks and I nod putting him down. I push Ben through the front door and Marcus scolds me.
"Who was that" he asks and I ignore him. "No one" I mutter. Before I step through the door he yanks at me arm and twists.
"Hey I'm talking to you!" he says and I rip his arm from my grip and run up the stairs. Ben locks his door and I lock mine. Why couldn't the night end nicely?