I’ve also decided that I need to talk to Brooklyn.
So, when I get back home, I’m going to put on my big girl panties and tell him that there are no hard feelings and that I hope we can be friends again.
Because I miss our friendship, and I miss surfing with him.
I just plain miss him.
I miss Damian too. The turd.
I sent him a text over a week ago and told him I was here. I asked if he had any time to hang out, or if he was doing a concert anywhere close by.
I was getting ready for bed last night when he texted me and said he and the band were coming to hang out with me.
He ended up coming here tonight alone, and I’m really glad it’s just the two of us. We’ve been sitting in the library, drinking wine, and nibbling on cheese and bread. He’s been filling me in on all the drama with his band, all the amazing fans he’s met, how it feels when a huge crowd starts screaming your name, and about the first time he got a pair of panties thrown at him.
We’re on our second bottle of wine when he decides to bring up Brooklyn.
“So, Keats, what’s up with you and Brook? He won’t talk about it, which means he’s pissed.”
“Why would he be pissed?” I immediately feel defensive. “He’s the one who acted like he liked me then went to Hermosa without me and hooked up with some random girls.”
“Do you know that’s what he did?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, do you know that for a fact?”
“I . . . uh, well no. But he said they met some really chill people, and they were hanging out with them again. We both know what that means.”
Damian closes his eyes and shakes his head at me. “The chill people were a couple of professional surfers. They think he’s good enough for the tour.”
“Oh.” I think about Cush. How I was mad at Brooklyn when I decided to sleep with him. What a mess my life has become since.
Especially since I saw the Facebook video.
Vanessa texted, emailed, and Facebook messaged me the link this morning.
To make sure I saw it.
To make sure everyone saw it.
After I watched it, all my great plans for next year went flying out the window. I don’t even want to go back home.
“I think I’m gonna drop out of school.”
“Why would you do that? I thought you loved school.”
“I was wrong. I gotta get out of there. I think I’m a mean girl. Like I’m becoming plastic or something.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re just being overdramatic.”
“I’m not being overdramatic, and I can prove it.” I grab my laptop. “Watch this.”
I pull up the video in which Vanessa does exactly what I told her to do.
She destroys Mandy’s life.
The video shows Vanessa outside Mandy’s house. You see her ring the doorbell, and Mandy’s father answer the door. Then you get a quick view of Mandy and her parents. For the rest of the video, you can only see their torsos, the coffee table between them, and hear what they’re saying.
Vanessa starts right off. “I told you I was coming here today regarding a school charity, but I’m afraid I misinformed you. I have something much more important to discuss. Your daughter’s future.”
“Her future?” Mandy’s mom asks.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m going to start by showing you a few photos to give you some background. Will that be alright?”
“Sure,” Mandy’s father says, although he doesn’t sound particularly sure.
Vanessa sets a photo on the coffee table between them. It’s one of the photos RiAnne’s mom took of Cush and me when we arrived at the Monte Carlo party.
You see Vanessa’s long, red nail point to the photo.
“This is a popular couple at our school, Brandon Cushman and Keatyn Douglas. In case you didn’t know, Keatyn’s the daughter of Abby Johnston.”
Mandy’s mom says, “The Abby Johnston?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Vanessa’s hand then slides a prom photo of Sander and me onto the table.
“For the last year and a half, Miss Douglas dated Sander Goodwin. They were our school’s golden couple. They had a great relationship, but broke up after prom. They are still extremely close and while their breakup shocked most of the school, those of us closest to the couple know that their relationship was more about friendship than real passion. You may not have heard, but Sander has since been cast to play Danny in the upcoming Grease remake and is currently on location.”
She places the photo of Cush and me back on top.
“Brandon and Miss Douglas have been close friends for some time. And Brandon, while he had the reputation of being a bit of a ladies man, never had a serious girlfriend because he has secretly crushed on Miss Douglas. Soon after the breakup, he confessed his love, and they began a whirlwind courtship. It’s easy to see they’re beautiful together.”