4: POOL PARTY

AUGUST 27, 2005

One year ago, I lost my grandmother. I lost my heart and my desire to live. If it wasn't for my Penpal, Badboy 2.0, then I would have taken my life already. We both promised to do whatever it takes to get admission to Harvard University.

It was the last Saturday of summer. I was starting high school on Monday, and I was so excited. Blair and her daughter Jenna came to live with us after Grandma's funeral. My mother met some rich man a few months ago, and he had been taking her all over the world on his private jet. Bianca and I barely spoke over the past year. I just kept to myself and stayed out of her way.

Sinister's beatings got worst after Grandma died. I was admitted twice to the hospital after I passed out from one of his mighty blows to my head. The doctors and nurses did not buy the story of me falling down the stairs, but Sinister let his money answer all their questions. Of course, he paid them off. I was treated and released on both occasions.

Lately, though, I found his beatings were lessened. I could only remember getting beaten once, since the start of the month, and that was for smiling at a black server at a restaurant we dined at. I was in pain for weeks.

“Pebbles, are you coming to Chris's pool party tonight?” Jenna asked. I figured she was only mocking me. She knew very well that I was not allowed to go anywhere without the devil's permission. Sinister used to hide me in the second-floor closet, but now everyone knew about Sinister Hemington's black granddaughter, and he hated me even more for that. One maid he fired a few months ago let that minor fact slip. She turned up dead a few days later. The news announced that she died from a drug overdose.

“You know I can't go, Jenna.”

“Don't worry, I asked uncle Sinister, and he said it's alright.”

“Really?”

“Yes, now get ready. We start high school on Monday. This would be a great way to meet some cool kids.”

“Yeah, OK.”

“And maybe I could introduce you to Chris, "Jenna giggled, and I reddened. “I know you have a thing for him. We have been talking a lot over the phone lately.”

Chris was two years older than Jenna and me. He was 16 and a star athlete. I would run into him now and again, at places like functions and the park, but we never exchanged formalities. I got dressed in the only bathing suit I had. After Grandma's death, Sinister took all my nice clothes and jewelry that Grandma gave me. Lord knows what he did to them. He didn't want me dressing like a rich bitch he said. I went to Jenna's room. It looked the same as it did when it was mine.

“Wow!” I exclaimed. “That's what you are wearing?” Her bikini top barely covered her breasts, and her swimsuit bottom was a pink thong. She pulled on a cute jeans shorts.

“Yes, you like?” I nodded my head in awe. I watched as she buckled her pink wedge heels and let her dirty blond hair fall in tendrils over her shoulders. “Let's bounce," she let out as I followed her to the car. Maxwell opened the door and we entered then he drove us to Chris's home.

The mansion was over the top and very modern. Not my taste at all. It was too exposed. It was made of glass, unlike the one I lived in. I could see the teens dancing and gyrating on each other from out in the driveway. Maxwell opened the door for us. “I will be back for the two of you in 3 hours.”

“OK, Maxwell, and thank you," I replied.

“Whatever, "Jenna flashed her hair and rolled her eyes.

Jenna rang the doorbell. The door swung open and there stood before us, Christopher Anthony Sawyer. His brown eyes burnt into my soul. I was worried that he could hear my heart banging inside my rib cage. “Hey, cutie," Jenna wrapped her arms around his milky white neck.

“Hey, Jenna, I'm glad you made it,” he kissed her on her cheeks. He still had his eyes on me, and I was fiddling with my fingers. “And who is this?”

“Oh, this is my cousin, Pebbles." She grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to Chris. “Pebbles, this is Chris.”

Chris took my palm and shook it, and I swore I felt his thumb caressing the back of my hand. “It's nice to meet you, Pebbles. But you two are not really cousins - are you?”

“Yes, we are Chris. Her father was a negro and our moms are first cousins.” Jenna could be so insensitive sometimes.

“Oh, I see. Come in," he gestured.

As soon as I stepped through the door, dozens of eyes landed on me. Shit! I was the only black person there. Jenna grabbed my arm and pulled me to a darker corner of the room. Chris followed behind us. “This is where the cool kids are, "Chris chuckled, and then he introduced me to his friends. They were all amused when they found out that I was in blood relation with Jenna, all except for the red-hair girl, Evie. She was the nicest person there. Her adoptive parents were an African American couple. She asked me for my number, but I told her I forgot my phone at home and I did not recall the number. How embarrassing would it have been if I told her I did not own a cell phone? She hugged me, and then she went to make out with the heavily pierced guy, Ryan.

Daphne, the quiet girl, was tucked close to Darius' side. Darius was a big guy; masculine and ripped. He almost intimidated me, but then he opened his mouth and spoke. His voice reminded me of a squeaking mouse.

Larry was the clown of the group, tall and lanky, but I could tell that he had a thing for my cousin. But Jenna was flirting with Chris, who kept staring at me the entire night. He brushed off Jenna and walked up to me. “Hey everybody, you all can go out to the pool," he announced. Sweaty, horny teens galloped in the direction of the pool.

“Are you coming?” Jenna asked me. Her tone was off. She sounded like she was angry or something. She took up her phone and sent a text to someone.

“You go ahead, Jenna. Pebbles and I will be out in a minute.”

“OK," she smiled at Chris, then she growled at me. What the hell just happened? I watched as she slipped out of her shorts and threw them in Chris's face. “Don't keep me waiting too long, boo,” she wiggled her ass seductively as she walked through the sliding door.

“She is too loose." Chris shook his head. “She is crazy if she thinks that sort of thing turns me on.”

I felt bad for my cousin. I did not like to hear her being talked about like that, but since it was his house, I let him know nicely. “Watch how you talk about my cousin.”

“Sorry. But it's the truth. So, do you have a boyfriend?” He asked, checking his phone every two seconds.

“No, how about you?”

“No, I don't have a boyfriend,” he joked.

“No, silly, that's not what I meant.”

“I knew what you meant, and no, I am not seeing anyone.”

“Good," I said out loud.

“Good?” He smirked. “So you're happy I'm single.”

“No- that's not what – I just –” I did not know what to say. I felt my cheeks getting hot and my throat got dry.

“I am glad I'm single too - so I am free to do this," he closed the distance between us, and he captured my lips with his. “So sweet," he whispered against my lips. My stomach churned and my heart fluttered.

I stepped closer to him so that our bodies touched. I moaned out as our kiss intensified. Furthermore, I opened my eyes and pulled away. I needed to catch my breath. Both of us were panting heavily. I looked over his shoulder and I saw Jenna watching us through the glass. She was fuming. I could feel the heat from all the way where I stood. I backed away from Chris. She rolled her eyes and used her phone to call someone. Maybe she liked Chris. “Are you and Jenna a thing?" I kept my eyes on her through the glass. She was smirking.

“I promise. We are just friends."

“But does she know that?"

“What's wrong?” He asked and followed my gaze to my cousin. “Oh, I see. Let's go to my bedroom. It's way more private than out here.” Before I could protest, he pulled me up the stairs and into his bedroom.” Now where were we?” he smashed his lips against mine. The force sent me tumbling backwards, and I landed on the bed.

“Wait, Chris—let's take it slow," I said in-between kisses. He froze, and then he got up from on top of me.

“OK, then. I am sorry, I just got carried away. You are just so beautiful," he lay beside me and trailed kisses over the side of my face. “Can I at least get a picture of you?”

“OK, why not.” I got up off the bed and I posed for him. He snapped a few with his blackberry pearl.

“Now, take off your bathing suit!”

I was stunned. I could not believe he just said that. “Chris, are you crazy?”

“Look, Pebbles, I won't touch you. I just want to capture your natural beauty. Please, I beg you. If you're going to be my girlfriend, then -”

“Girlfriend?” I cut him off. Was Christopher Sawyer asking me to be his girlfriend?

“Yes, Pebbles. I want you to be my girlfriend.” I jumped into his arms, and we kissed once more. I was so happy. “So, is that a yes?”

“Yes, Chris. I will be your girlfriend.” This was the first good thing to happen to me since Grandma died.

“OK. Now give your boyfriend what he wants. I want to see you naked.” With trembling fingers, I removed my pants, and then I slid my bathing suit down to my ankles. My body was on full display. I watched him gulp and his pupils dilated. “Fuck, Pebbles. You are fucking beautiful," he declared, and I lowered my head. I caught the tent in his shorts, and I blushed even harder. He snapped a couple of pictures, and then he sat on the bed.

“So what now? Should I get dressed?”

He stared at me. His brown eyes looked dark and evil. “Yes, you should," he replied coldly. I watched as his fingers ran over the buttons of his phone. Who the hell was he texting?

“What's wrong?” I quickly got dressed. He did not answer me.

“Pebbles, are you in there? Open the fucking door!”

What the fuck was the devil doing here?

Chris got up and opened the door. “I'm sorry," he whispered as he left me alone to confront the devil.

Grandpa Sinister walked inside. He scrutinized my swimsuit, and then he spat in my face. “So, you think you can go slutting around while you have my last name? Hmm? Who told you could leave the house?”

“Jenna—said that you -”

“Uncle Sinister, it surprised me when I saw her walking through the door dressed like a slut.” Jenna stepped from behind the wall of the hallway. How dare she lie like that? She was dressed in a sundress. Her pink thong was nowhere in sight.

“Jenna, you wicked girl.”

My grandfather slapped me across the face. Jenna smirked. Her eyes glowed as she watched grandpa beat me. “Your cousin is a lady. Unlike you, you're a slut just like that mother of yours.” He folded his fist and punched me in the gut. I hugged my stomach. Water fell from my eyes as I tried to catch the air that my lungs now craved.

I heard Jenna's wicked laughter. “ I will meet you downstairs, Uncle.”

“Please—Jenna, don't leave me with—him," I begged. She walked over to me and whispered in my ear while Sinister took his belt off.

“You shouldn't have kissed him.” And with that, she left me with the devil.

The loud music that was blaring downstairs drowned my screams. He wrapped the end of the belt around his hand, and he whipped me with the iron buckle. I hollered for grandma, I shouted for my father, I even yelled for my mother, but no one came to save me. I was left to wallow in a pool of my own blood. It was raw and red. I hated the crimson liquid. I closed my eyes and hoped that I would never see it again. The sight of it rose a fear in me I never knew was possible, and that's how my hemophobia began.

Scared and broken, I lay still on the floor. The room spun as I fought to stay conscious. “Maxwell, get your ass upstairs now," Sinister bellowed over the phone.

Seconds later, Maxwell came rushing upstairs. He hurried to my side. “What happened to Miss Pebbles.”

“Just take her to the car," Sinister grunted.

Maxwell took off his jacket and wrapped it around my bloody body. He lifted me bridal style and walked me to the automobile. Jenna was sitting in the back seat. She had her earphones plugged in. She didn't even glimpse my way as Maxwell sat me on the seat. Sinister warned Maxwell of the consequences if he spoke of the events he witnessed tonight. Maxwell drove us back to the Hemington mansion with Sinister in the passenger's seat.

I wound down the window of the car. The cool air helped to keep me awake as it caressed my bruised face. The mansion came into sight, and then the car stopped. Maxwell helped me to my room. “What happened to you, Miss Pebbles?”

I wanted to tell him, but I would risk his life. “Nothing, just let it go.”

Maxwell hovered at my door for a couple more minutes, and then he wished me good night. I took a quick shower and dressed my busted lip, and then I slipped into my PJs. I grabbed a painkiller for my pain. My headache was still blazing, and I did not want to fall asleep. If I did, I risked slipping into a coma. I pulled my laptop from under the bed. Grandma got it for my birthday two years ago. I kept it hidden, just in case. I logged onto my penpal account, hoping that Badboy2.0 was online. I was in luck. He messaged me as soon as I went live.

We talked until my headache subsided. I wished him goodnight and then I sat up in bed dreaming of the day I'd meet him.

************

The next morning, the whole mansion was in chaos. I went downstairs and saw everybody crying.

“Blair, what happened?” I questioned my cousin.

“It's- it's Bianca - she died in a plane crash last night.”

My brain turned to mush as I let the news sink in.