Chapter 7

Ophelia

As the bell rings, I make my way out of the room and then the school. I don’t want to be in her path, so I beeline for my car. I decide to call Maggie and see if she wants to hang out. I don’t start work until tomorrow, so I need a distraction for tonight.

“My darling Ophelia, I was hoping you would call and give me all the details of the first day!” She giggles, and I can tell she is very happy to have gotten my call. I laugh, and I feel like I finally found someone that I can trust.

“Well, are you free for dinner?” I am praying that she doesn’t have any plans.

“I’m free. Meet me in the town square.” As we hang up, I see Katherine come storming out of the school, and I know that she is looking for me. She wants to make me pay for what happened in that class, and I know that she will be looking for anything she can use against me. As I begin to pull off, I see Cole and Mason walk out of the school looking as if they are looking for someone. As soon as they see me, I hear Mason yelling my name. I don’t look back and make my way out of the parking lot. I don’t know what is going on, but there has to be a reason this school is so weird. I have a feeling it has to do with all the attractive guys. I think it’s best if I stay away from them.

Once I get to the square, I see Maggie. We make our way to a pizza restaurant for dinner, and I couldn’t be happier. Of course, she has to hear all about my day, and she sits there listening to my every word. I think I have become her soap opera.

“Tell me the truth. What is going on at that school? Not a single girl talked to me, and the guys were on me like white on rice. That’s not normal for me.” She looks at me, and I can tell she is trying to figure it out for herself.

“I know that you are more beautiful than you know. I also think that because you’re different from most of the girls there. You caught their attention. Did you notice how all the girls there look the same? They are all just like your sister. This town is made of wealthier families who treat their children like they are the second coming. All kids tend to have a superiority complex. The girls didn’t talk to you because they saw the reaction of the boys. The boys saw a shiny new toy, and they all want to be the first to play with it. “I scoff at what she says. “I’ll tell you this, when I went there, everyone was sleeping around with everyone. If you’re still a virgin, then the target on you will be even bigger.”

“Well, I think that I unintentionally made my life worse when I told Pearce and Dominic that I was.” I sit back in my seat and sigh.

This is not how I expected my day to go at all. I am now a target just because I don’t sleep around. Most people would think that teenagers are smart enough to understand that being a virgin is something that should be respected. Here it's as if they want to take it like it is some sort of prize you win at the fair.

“Just remember it is up to you who you trust and who you don’t. You can't let anyone make those choices for you. Let them prove themselves. I know my brother can be a disgusting ass, but I don’t think he would intentionally hurt you. Don’t let Dominic and Pearce fool you, they're all friends. They all have a new toy to fight over.” She smiles, and I know that she is trying to help. I think that I need to stick to the plan of not having anything to do with them.

"I think it is best if I keep my relationship with them strictly friendly. I don't want to be the girl that everyone is waiting to get into the sack. Guys, for the most part, have ignored me, so this is a little unsettling."

"Give people a chance to prove themselves. Having friends is something that everyone needs. As much as we like to depend on ourselves, we still need others there for us. No matter what happens Ophelia, I will always be here for you. You have been the best friend that I have dreamed of having." She pats my shoulder as she says this.

"You've only known me for a few days. Are you sure you want to give me that much importance?" I ask this with a bit of fear.

As much as I like to think that I am fine on my own, I know that I'm not. Deep down I have the same need that everyone else has. The need to be loved is not something that just goes away. We may get hurt and feel like we don't need it, but love is something we crave.

"Ophelia my love, there are times in life when you just know. I just know that you are the friend that I have always longed for. You may not see it now, but you will. Give it time, and it will slap you in the face as it did me." She laughs and smiles.

The rest of the night flies by, and once I get home, I get myself settled. I grab a book and unwind for a while. Reading is my happy place, and right now there is nowhere I would rather be. I am getting ready to turn in when my door flies open, and there stands my family. I can already tell that Katherine has filled my parents full of things that are not true by the looks that they are throwing my way.

“How dare you insult your sister in such a way at school? It wasn’t enough to insult her singing in front of the whole class, you then had to go after the guy she likes. You have one week to prove that you are not going to do anything against her. And if you don’t then you are on your own.” My mother screams.

“What do you mean by own my own?” I look at them not understanding what she means.

“We will kick you out of the house. You’re eighteen and we no longer have to keep providing for you.” She yells.

"Dad, I don't understand what is happening. I never said anything about her singing. In fact, the teacher told her she did well. I'm not after that guy either. He talked to me, and that is it. I'm not interested in having a boyfriend. Please don't do this! She's lying." I feel tears stinging my eyes just waiting to fall.

"You heard your mother, Ophelia. We are not going to tolerate this type of behavior toward your sister." My father says this, but there is no conviction in his voice.

Over the years it has seemed that my mom and sister are the ring leaders of all the problems in this family. Dad goes along with whatever my mother says. It feels like he only does this to keep her happy. What happened just now was not something that he wanted, it was to make my mother happy once again.

My parents look at me once again, and I nod in understanding. There is nothing that I can say or do at this point to make this any better. They have made up their mind before they ever set foot in this apartment.

“Don’t mess with me! He will be mine, and the school will follow my every word. You will never be more popular than me. Learn your place!” She walks out the door slamming it in my face.

How did what happened at school turn into this? I knew she would be after Cole. But what made her think I had anything to do with it. Unless she saw his constant staring there is nothing that happened that indicated that I was even remotely interested in him. I just want to finish school and move on with my life.

I finally go to bed, and I know that tomorrow is going to bring a new round of problems, and I think that I may have to adjust what my plans are going to be. I may end up leaving home before I thought. I know that I have plenty of money to get me through. My fears of my parents coming for all that I have worked hard for are being brought to the front of my mind. I can’t let them ruin everything I have worked so hard for. I have to stick to the plan and make changes along the way. I will get out of here.