Chapter 3 The House Party
MILLER’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.
Abigail raced down the stairs and almost fell flat on her face in anger. "Hell no, dad! I want to go to the party. I am old enough to attend, why are you doing this to me?" She grumbled like someone about to wail loudly.
Noah crossed his legs as he balanced on the couch. "Even if you would go, there is a need for you to be under guidance. If anything goes wrong I won't be able to forgive myself."
"But dad—“
"That's enough, Abby.” Emma chipped in giving her daughter a curt look. "You should listen to your dad."
Stomping her feet stubbornly on the hard floor, tears laced Abigail's eyes. "Please, daddy."
Emma looked towards her husband pleading silently. "Please, just trust her to handle herself. She has always been careful."
Glancing at her with a hint of irritation, Noah sucked in a loud breath. "I will let you if Darby goes with you."
"What?!” Both mother and daughter chorused.
"Why would you want to do that?" Emma inquired looking displeased.
"Of what use will Darby be if she can't provide security for my daughter." Noah drawled on the last word. "All she has to do is ensure my daughter returns home safe. I don't care about whatever happens to her in the process." Noah emphasized.
There was a brief silence before Abigail jumped in excitement. "It's not like her presence will be significant anyways. She should come with me then."
"You can get prepared. I will order a cab for you both." He said.
Running towards Darby's room, Abigail banged violently on the door and when no response came she barged in causing Darby to fall off her bed in shock.
Abigail did a tsk tsk sound in disgust. “You are so clumsy, I can't believe you are about a year plus older. How exactly does dad think someone like you will be able to look after me?"
Darby looked perplexed. "What are you talking about?"
"Dad says you will monitor me at the party I am going to. I need you to be downstairs in the next twenty minutes and don't you dare try to dress better than I will." She scoffed. "What am I even saying? You don't even have the right clothes to wear and no one will get attracted to you." She hissed, walking out of the room.
Everything still felt confusing to Darby, she had been observing her afternoon siesta before her sister dropped in and could only understand little of what she just said. Her first stop was the bathroom to wash her face. Darby inhaled deeply as she stared at her ruffled hair in the mirror. She finally picked the pieces of Abigail's words. Why would they want her to be Abigail's chaperone at a party where she can clearly take care of herself? It's no doubt that her sister in her usual tricky manner was pulling a fast one on her to get her into trouble. Abigail has been like that since they were little, it was almost like she derives joy in seeing Darby get punished. Their parents hate had been naturally transferred to her no doubt.
Resting her back on the bed, Darby hoped the sleep would return. She had plans to study hard for the coming finals and her plan includes reading all through the night. If she does well in her exams, it would enable her a chance at college through scholarships. Her parents obviously have no intention of seeing her through college so she has made a decision to work her way through by doing part time jobs cause with college she can be free from them and never have to return.
Her door yanked open again, this time it was her mother. "Why are you still on the bed?"
Darby turned her head slowly to look at her. "What do you mean?"
Emma scoffed. “Did Abigail not inform you just now to get ready to follow her to the party?"
"I thought that was just one of her ways to get me into trouble. I don't want to go with her to any party, I have several books to study tonight."
Gritting her teeth, the older woman walked towards her with a mean look on her face. "No one cares about what you intend to do and you have no choice of opting out. As the older one, you are to ensure she comes back home safe, unscratched. That is what you will do at the party, protect her even if your life depends on it. Get dressed now and wait for her to finish. Don't make me repeat myself." She bickered before leaving Darby to herself.
Darby couldn't believe her ears. It wouldn’t be a surprise at this point if she gets hired to be Abigail's bodyguard instead. Sighing in resolve, she walked to her closet and grabbed one of the dress t-shirts her father's sister, Maureen, the only nice person in the family got her for Christmas and she paired it with a white sneakers. Darby pulled her hair up into a neat bun, sprayed herself with the perfume the same aunt got her and she stepped outside the room.
No doubt, Abigail has plans to make heads turn at the party with the skimpy dress and heels she had on. No one paid her any mind as they all fussed over their obvious princess. Darby almost didn't believe she was escorting her younger sister to a party until they got into the cab hired to take them to and fro the party. She only hoped that the party would end on time. She has never attended any of her high school parties, because no one has ever invited her.
The car drove into the suburbs and they were dropped off in one of the houses that Darby only gets to see on TV. Her mouth was agape as they walked in. Excited at the sight of her friends, Abigail turned to Darby abruptly.
"Hey you, keep your eyes closed. You will be doing yourself a favor by not getting in my way. Your only job is to get me home safely and not tell me what to drink or who to fuck with. Is that clear?" She glared.
Darby snorted. “What makes you think I am interested in whatever it is you do? You and I know you accepted for me to follow just to ensure you attend the party. So to avoid any of us getting messed up, be sure to keep to time and get ready to leave at nine sharp, please."
Her nose flared as she fumed wanting to say something hurtful to her. But her friends called for her attention again. Kissing her teeth, Abigail scoffed. "I will get you back for this." She threatened running off.
Yawning at her empty threats, Darby pocketed her hands and walked further to the entrance. She has gotten used to her sister's threats over the years to know that there is only little she can do to her. Entering into the house, it looks so different from outside. To Darby's shock every person on the basketball team, the popular seniors and even the ones that weren't so popular that she shared class with were present. It was always a shame that her high school experience has nothing exciting to it.
Kissing her teeth, she moved toward the place where the foods were placed and she grabbed a cup of juice. Luckily the host was considerate enough to put non-alcoholics in mind. She fed her belly till she couldn’t take anymore. After some time passed, she turned around to see people gathering towards a spot few feet away from where the music was playing. Curious as to what might be going on, she walked closer and stood on her toes to get a view over the sea of heads.
Her all time crush and man of her dreams was seated on a chair while two girls were grinding their waists seductively on him. He looked like he was having the best time of his life.
Chapter 4 Truth or DareHOUSE PARTY, LOS ANGELESLeo seemed to be having loads of fun. Despite the fact that he isn't the host of the party, the attention was more drawn to him. The perks of being handsome, famous and wealthy. Darby's heart clenched at the seductive sight. Getting a hold of herself, she went to find a seat. It shouldn't be a surprise seeing Leo in the state.Everyone knows he is a playboy and no one gets to him easily. Ever since Darby got to know him, the longest time Leo had spent with a particular girl was a month and she was the leader of the cheerleading team at the time. The moment his eyes caught another interest, he dumped her immediately. Most major girls fights that has occurred in the school and led to several of them getting suspended was because of Leo. Still girls still throw themselves at him shamelessly.Darby scoffed at her own pathetic self, she is just the same as those girls. Just because she lacks the courage to throw herself at him doesn't make h
Chapter 5 The BlowjobGREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, LOS ANGELES.The entire school was booming with gossip, each person had someone whispering in their ears. Darby didn't seem to care much, her head was in the clouds and all she could think about was the best night of her life. The first time she felt cherished by someone. All through the time she was in Leo's arms, he kept talking to her like they were actual lovers. He even went ahead to seek advice about his career, whether to choose basketball or focus on his father's business.Darby was too preoccupied with just listening to him that she didn't care to give him any voice of reasoning. She didn't think someone like her would have any advice to offer a person like Leo who has life bowing at his feet. Within the next two hours spent at the party, the both of them had sex two different times. She had to rush out when the time for them to leave was up and Abigail was totally wasted by the time Darby got to her. That night when they got home
Chapter 6 A cancer patientGREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, LOS ANGELES.Leo had a plastered grin on his face as he made his way to the gym. He didn't think having sex with someone so random will make his heart flutter. Since he spent the night with Darby, he found himself feeling the need to talk to her again. She had left the moment he slept off which prevented him from getting her contact. There is a different aura that she emitted when they were together and it was starting to feel like he has a known her since forever. He would love to meet with her again and probably get to spend some quality time with her and get to know her. It feels like he already met his future partner. This thought made him break into a loud chortle. Aaron met him halfway. "Is everything alright with you, man? What's with the sudden laugh?" His friend asked.Leo shook his head as he entered the gym. Everyone appeared busy getting their body in check. He walked towards the locker to change after greeting the guys.
Chapter 7 His denialFEW WEEKS LATERSGREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOLDarby stared hard at the pregnancy test kit in her hand, she didn't want to believe that a living being was growing inside of her. She had been dealing with heartbreak for about three weeks since her encounter with, Leo. Moreover, because her dreams of having him ask her out to prom or the both of them getting to talk more and get closer was all in shambles when he didn't even acknowledge her presence when they bumped into each other some days after their intimate moments.She felt like dirt. Her mother was probably right about her being jinxed and that no one wants to have anything to do with her. Not even the one who appeared to be a bit interested in her. She must have misunderstood his intentions. It would have been best if things didn't result to this. All through the final papers, Darby had a hard time concentrating as she was down with fever. Thinking it was just that, it took her some days to notice that her period
Chapter 8 The good, the bad and the uglyMILLER’S HOME, LOS ANGELES."What are you talking about, Abigail?" Noah asked as he removed his reading glasses and placed it gently on the stool next to him. "Who is pregnant?"Abigail folded her arms against her chest with a defiant look. "Darby of course. She has been sleeping around with different guys in school. It's such a shame to watch."Emma swallowed hard when Noah gave her a knowing stare. "How did you know this?"Searching her bag, Abigail presented the pregnancy test kit. "Darby couldn't hold herself back that she had to run a pregnancy test in school."Snatching it from her, Emma stared hard at the result and her hands shook as she held it. "How dare that wench? How could she do this to me!" She screamed.The door opened and a depressed looking Darby walked in. She looked shocked seeing everyone seated at the same time. "Good evening, mom and dad."Noah glared at her. “What is this that I hear about you being pregnant?" He querie
Chapter 9 The Huge StepMILLER’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.Darby kept turning all through the night till the next morning making her body ache. She couldn't sleep a wink as her mind was plagued with different thoughts. Her discussion with Abigail the previous night made her realize that things might have worked out between herself and Leo if her stepsister didn't get so spiteful and spread rumors about her. At the same time, she has learnt a hard lesson that being loved has to come from within. She has to be her own cheer leader.Would Leo have turned his back against her if he knew the truth? He couldn't even try to figure out the truth and be sure of what he heard about her. Just like her mother treating her as a regretful mistake and not bothering to know her as her biological daughter. It shows how ridiculous the human is.Sitting up, she checked the clock by her bed stand, it was past eight already. She must have slept off in the early hours of the morning. Getting off the bed, she sear
Chapter 10 Zac the saviorFIVE YEARS LATERDARBY’S APARTMENT, SAN FRANCISCO"Easy there, Sinclair. I don't want you having a bruised face!" Darby called out at her four years old son.His nanny, Isabella laughed softly. "He is such an hard worker, so full of life." She noted as the little boy settled to arrange his Legos after jumping off the couch.Smiling to herself, Darby kept arranging the stuffs into the carton. She hates packing so much, but has no other choice but to do it. It has been a long time coming and she has to move on to make a better life for herself and Sinclair.Five years ago, she had left Los Angeles with her few weeks pregnancy to save the life of her innocent child. She had been worried that her decision would flop at first, especially when she faced so much inconvenience during the first three months of her arrival in San Francisco. Darby doubted if she was capable of loving the child she carried. But her doubts were out of the window the first time she met her
Chapter 11 About to wedLEO’S HOME, LOS ANGELESAdjusting his tie properly, Leo straightened his collar and suit. Satisfied with his look in the mirror, he grabbed his office bag and left the room. Stepping into the living room, he sniffed the air. "Wow! The house feels like a chicken restaurant. What are you both up to?" He inquired, looking towards his fiancee, Chloe and the chef."Hey, baby." Chloe cooed drying her wet hands on a napkin, before walking towards him. "I was hoping you would have breakfast before leaving." She muttered kissing him.Rubbing at her back with his free hand, he smiled weakly. "I have something important to attend to at work. I will get something on my way out."She looked a bit disappointed, but managed to hold up a smile. "Alright. How about I send you the food later on?"He shook his head in disapproval. “That would be too much of a hassle. Just put it in the fridge or something. I would eat when I return.""Okay. I will be going out with my godmother