Chapter 3

I stare out the windows of this cafeteria, another day in this luck luster of a school. High School, the best and worst time of my life so far. Another three months, and I will graduate. I wish my stepfather could have sent me to some other private school, but my mother said no. She did not want to rely on his money. Which in a sense is ludicrous since she does anyways to keep the bills on her business paid for. Honestly, in so many ways, she can be such a hypocrite. I would love to escape this mundane school yet if I did, I would miss my close friend Barbara. There are many moments which I feel like my brain is not getting any work out in this place.

I have been referred to as a bright student, I have been offered the honor society several times. I will never accept it no matter how many times they praise me. I understand being a part of the club is supposed to be a wonderful experience. It will never been on my horizon. Why? The other club members are uptight twats. Those kids love to parade around as if they own the school, and everyone else is useless nobodies. Selfish, self-centered, spoiled rotten brats. The only person who I like in that club is Barbara, she is humble like me, and just uses the club to better her chances at college acceptance. I do not think she is aware of how she is perceived though. How much they talk behind her back, and spew horrible insults about her. It was her mother’s influence that got her accepted in the club. The others know this and take opportunities to quietly humiliate her. I know how some of these “high society” children see me. My mother has no known status except for dating my stepfather, Hunter Eldridge. He is a well-known billionaire. According to story, the Eldridge family originated from London, and Hunter inherited his business from his grandfather after whom he was named. The family has been an established name in book sales since the 1800’s through their family-owned store “Eldridge Books”. Hunter was nominated once as “World’s most eligible bachelor.” He always has the media and paparazzi following him in London. I am thankful no one has yet to follow him here to Liverpool. Sometimes I am amazed that no one has discovered him here, and no one has discovered his relationship with my family. I am very thankful, just surprised. I do not like the attention, and I do not want to be the center focus of the media. I struggle enough dealing with the idiots I attend school with constantly.

It makes me burn with rage when I hear their snotty comments. My mother has no idea how much it fucking hurts to be called a “bastard” child when I know that I am not one.

I wish she would open up to me a lot more. to my knowledge I have no other living family besides her. So, I have become content being Hunters stepdaughter. He is the father I love. These thoughts occupy my mind as I wait for the bell. I am currently in third period Chemistry class. I stare at the clock, trying to will in my mind to strike eleven o’clock so I can exit this class and make my way to lunch to see Barbara. The longer I stare at it while tapping my toe, the more it seems to go slower. I look around the room and go back to looking at the clock when I see Archy Blythe giving me a flirtatious smile. I do not want to give him any ideas that I would have any interest in him. I know his intent. The boy used to ignore me constantly, which I did not mind cause I have heard of his reputation. He loves girls but, he is not the type to commit to anyone. He prefers “women of the night” which is not me. He would give me dirty looks like I was in a slum on the street. That is until slipped it out from gossipy people that Hunter was my stepfather, now he keeps giving me frolicky looks. It makes me want to whack him in the head with my books and run away. The moment the bell finally rings, I quickly head towards the door before he can try to reach me. I walk down the hallway, and smile at some other people I know. I suddenly begin to sense a presence following me yet, I do not see anyone out of the ordinary. I decided to ignore it and continue walking towards the smell of food in the cafeteria.

“Molly, hey!”

“Hey Patrick, how are you?”

“Doing well, where are you headed?”

“Oh, just to lunch to eat with Barbara.”

“Sweet, tell her I said hello.”

“Sure, I can do that.”

“Hey, I wanted to ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Are you free this Saturday?”

“Oh, um, I do not know yet, can I get back with you?”

“Oh, okay”

“Is there are reason you asked?”

“Yeah, never mind, forget I mentioned it.”

“Patrick, you can tell me we are friends.”

“Friends, right, well I was hoping we could see a movie or something” he said in a hopeful but low tone. I sounded like my comment offended him.

“I will let you know, okay?”

“Sure” he said as he walked away looking dejected.

Suddenly, I felt horrible, I realized that he was trying to ask me out on a date, and I was not recognizing it. I reached the cafeteria. I wait in line to request my food.