Chapter 9

"I can't believe you left your own party," Dr. Thompsen stated Sunday at lunch. It was a tradition they had suddenly developed when she was in his class and under his tutelage. It wasn't frowned upon and they liked it so much they did it when something interesting happened.

Tophyr looked at him and laughed. The professor of journalism was one of Tophyr's secret confidantes. He didn't say anything the girl told him and wouldn't even if he was tortured.

At the moment he was wolfing down some pasta he had made the night before. Tall and good looking, Tophyr wondered sometimes why he didn't have a girlfriend. Then he would say something in class and she would instantly know why he didn't. He was way too much into his job to have a personal life. She asked him sometimes and he would reply the same way: I don't have time. She would make a face at him and then they'd go right on their way.

His referral to her party was humorous. She had left with Johnny Hayes had been utter fun. They had rode to a club across town and partied into the early morning. Stopping by Starbucks on their way to the bowling alley, they got a large cookie to share. Tophyr had won the glow bowl and then a game of air hockey. To end the night, they had watched the sun rise in Central Park. She had gotten home just after eight and went straight to bed.

When she woke up a little after noon, her mother was waiting with a mouthful of distaste. She kept going on and on about how it was rude to her guests to leave a party in her honor. Tophyr couldn't hold her tongue then. She let her have it. She let her know that she hadn't wanted a party in the first place, that she would have been content to just go out with some friends. Lucille had told her she needed to get out there more than she did. Tophyr had told her to get out and leave her alone. After an hour of arguing, Lucille had finally backed off and left her daughter alone.

After an awkward lunch and a long afternoon, Tophyr went to see Duke and Emma. They were all praises for her audacity to leave her own party. Percy showed up shortly after she got there and he started laughing. He was so happy she had finally decided to stand up to their mother. Not many did. Finally the four went out to Eclipse and ordered some drinks.

"So is your mom speaking to you?" he asked after a few silent moments.

"Nope and I don't think she will for a few more days. When she gets mad, she stays mad. I'm used to it. She used to get mad at my dad and wouldn't talk to him for days on end," she replied.

Dr. Thompsen shook his head as he paid for the check. "You and your mother will butt heads from now on."

She looked at him then. "What do you mean?"

"You've found your wings. Now your mother will try to force you to go one way while you want to go another. It's just going to be harder." He nodded when she blew out a frustrated sigh. "I know. I'll see you tomorrow, Tophyr."

Tophyr watched him get in a cab and drive away. He was right, like he normally was. Now that she could argue with her mother and not feel guilty for it, it was going to be harder to get along with everyone. Percy and Lily were going to be easy; the others, not so much.

She turned and started the walk back to her house. This was going to be an interesting time period for her. She had always been the good daughter because she had no interest in doing anything other than reading and writing. There had been no need for any arguing. Now that she knew what she liked and what she wanted to do and she wasn't going to let anyone stop her.

"Hey, Tophyr."

She stopped and closed her eyes, sighing heavily. This was the last thing she needed. She turned anyway. "What do you want, Derek?"

"I saw you leave the party the other night," he replied as he stepped beside her.

"So did everyone else. That's nothing new."

"Why?"

That question caught her off guard. "Why?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I didn't want it in the first place. I only invited two friends. My mom invited the rest. Our birthday parties are always the social event of the month. Unfortunately, we have to go through another one next month."

"Whose birthday is next month?"

She started walking again, not even caring that he was keeping stride with her. "Britani's. Mom always plans the parties even if we say no. I finally got tired of it and left with Johnny."

"Johnny Hayes?" She nodded. "How do you know the Hayeses?"

"Johnny and Percy have been friends since I can remember. We always got in trouble. In school it was always the fab four. The four were Percy, Johnny, Duke, and me."

"Sounds like a tight knit group."

"We are and we always will be. We saw each other through the best of times and the worst of times."

"Wish I had a close friend like that?"

She looked up at him as they walked. This was the most they had talked on a personal level since they had met. She tried so many times to brush him aside but he was persistent. He just kept coming back for more. That was admirable but she wondered if he ever got a hint. Then again, not many women would push him aside. He was a good-looking man and had really good morals.

"Who was that?"

"That was Dr. Thompsen. We meet for lunch every Sunday."

"Isn't that against the rules?"

"I'm not his student."

"And that makes a lot of sense." She cast him an annoyed look he obviously read. "Sorry. I was just wondering."

"I know you were."

"I have an idea."

"If the words 'why don't we go out' come out of your mouth, I'll punch you."

He looked taken aback. "I didn't think you were the violent type."

"I'm not but I don't want to be asked out."

"Why not? You're a gorgeous girl. Any guy would be lucky to have you."

"And you would be extremely jealous if he did."

"I'll back off if that happens."

Tophyr whirled on him. "Do you know why I won't go out with you?" Derek's eyebrows went up in question. "Your entire family is blind to the fact that your brother is marrying a gold digger."

Derek's face fell. "You don't even know Caroline."

"Yes I do. She dated Alex for a little bit in high school. She only wanted to go out with him because he was a hockey player and he was rich. He could get her anything she wanted. When he caught on to that and refused to buy her anything else, she broke up with him only to go out with another celebutante. I know her better than you or your brother do."

He noticed her eyes were on fire as she spoke. This girl was telling the truth. From what her brother had told him a few days ago, she couldn't lie. It was a virtue she upheld. She didn't like to lie to people and didn't like to be lied to. Knowing that, he knew she was telling the truth. Why would she lie about something like that, especially when it concerned her brother?

"What would you like me to do?" he asked.

In that split instant she went from angry at him to shocked. Her mouth fell open as she stared at him. "What?'

"If we're going to stop this wedding the span of two weeks, we have to have a plan. I figured you and your brothers could help."

"Alex would love to get his hands on Caroline. How old is your brother?"

"Day is twenty-six."

"Okay. Caroline is twenty-four…" She started thinking really hard at that point. "All right. I got an idea but to make it work we have to get Percy and Alex on board. Come on."

Derek was surprised when she took his hand and led him to her house.