“Uh, yeah, pretty much. I only had a couple beers. Why can’t I remember?”
“Cush, do you remember why you were in your room? You always lock your room during parties.”
“No, I don’t. Why did I go up there? Was it because you told me you were stopping by? Were we going to have a very intimate goodbye kiss?”
I take a deep breath.
Exhale.
And close my eyes.
I can’t look at him while I say it. “Cush, when I walked into your room, Mandy was giving you head.”
“WHAT? What are you talking about?”
“I guess she wanted to win the bet really badly.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“I wish I was.”
“I’d never do that. Mandy? Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“What did you do?”
“I was pretty pissed. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t even left town, and you were already cheating on me. Vanessa was the one that suggested I come tell you goodbye. She knew what was happening and wanted me to find out. She wanted to hurt me. So I yelled, Surprise! I wanted you to know you got caught, and I wanted Mandy to know I knew.”
Cush leans back against my headboard. “Oh, my God.”
“There’s more. A lot more.”
“Okay,” he says tentatively.
“I was so mad that I punched her in the face, and I’m pretty sure I broke her nose. I made a big scene and Vanessa helped me throw her and Alicia out of the party.”
“You’re joking, right? If all that would’ve happened, I wouldn’t be here. You’d be through with me.”
“What I did to Vanessa and RiAnne, the party we threw. How I purposely embarrassed her. It was mean of me. And last night, I told Vanessa to destroy Mandy. I’ve become just as big of a bitch as she is. Cush, Mandy drugged you. That’s why you can’t remember. She wanted to break us up.”
Cush looks pissed. “What the fuck?”
“Sadly, there’s more. You were pretty messed up last night. I was scared, I was going to take you to the hospital, but James had me bring you here and got our doctor to come check on you. The doctor had to talk to your dad before he treated you, and your dad freaked out. He called your mom. They fought. And, basically, they think it’s all my fault, so you’re grounded for the entire summer and you have to go live with your dad. He’s picking you up tonight.”
I can’t even describe the look on Cush’s face.
I’m pretty sure it’s hate.
He says, “Wow. This just keeps getting better and better. This kind of shit ever happen to Sander?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m breaking up with you. I can’t handle this. I asked you if shit like this ever happen to Sander? You ruin his life too?”
What. The. Hell.
He’s breaking up with me? I ruined his life?
Well, fuck him.
“No, Cush, nothing like this ever happened to Sander. But then again, he didn’t have the man whore reputation you do. I’ll get someone to drive you home. Bye, Cush. You have a great summer.”
I walk out of my room, slam my door shut, and get James to take the asshole home.
Monday, June 20th
The waves miss you.
9pm
I finally left for France the day after Cush broke up with me.
I did nothing but sleep for the first three days I was here. I think I was just emotionally exhausted. Kym was in Paris on business, so she came here on a sort of working vacation. Her main task for the trip was to organize and catalog the swag closet. The swag closet is basically a bedroom set up with shelves and rolling racks full of all the stuff that designers send Mom and Tommy in hopes that they will wear it and be photographed in it. A lot of what we organized was from the Cannes Film Festival. Either things sent before it or stuff from the swag bags they got at all the events and parties. She told me she was excited I was there to help her. I was excited to help because mostly I just got to try on clothes, while she took photos of the outfits.
We drank wine every night and watched eighties romance movies.
After she left, I spent the next few days alone, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed being all by myself.
Not that I’m completely alone at the house. We have a housekeeper, cook, and groundskeeper that live on site. I just mean it was nice doing whatever I wanted to do.
I laid in the hammock out back and read a couple books. I watched whatever movies I wanted. I drove through the countryside one day and stopped to shop in any little store that caught my eye.
Really, it’s been therapeutic.
And I’ve started making some decisions about my life.
I’ve decided I’m going to do my own thing. I’ll still sit with Vanessa and RiAnne at our table, but that doesn’t mean I have to hang out with them after school. I’m going to stay out of their drama. I’m going to join all the extracurricular activities I’ve always wanted to do but didn’t because Vanessa thought they were lame. I’m also going to take some acting classes, get an agent, and, if Vincent’s script is done, try out for that role.