Chapter Seventeen-"Well that's how I roll"

~Dedicated to misjudged mean girls~

Chapter Seventeen-"Well that's how I roll"

Ever since I started high school, I knew about the trip to Paris, France that every senior was allowed to go on and since I lived with my single mother who worked her butt off to support us both, I’ve been saving up for the trip since I was thirteen. So now, to learn that I was being given permission by my mother to go to Venice was a surprise on its own. I mean, yeah I was ecstatic, don’t get me wrong. Venice was probably the one place I wanted to visit and so maybe it had a little to do with Italian boys and oh-so-heavenly cheesy pizza that melted in your mouth, but to say that I was surprised to learn that I was going to Venice would have been an understatement.

It happened when I was in my room, packing for Paris when my mother entered my room. Ever since she had been dating Jeff, she was smiling more and seemed a whole lot happier than I could remember her being. Her dark hair was pulled back from her face and she wore simple jeans and a white blouse that made her skin glow. She always said I got my looks from her, but I suspected she just said that so that I wouldn’t ask her anything about my father. My ‘father’ was a big no-no subject at our house and a part of me didn’t blame my mother. She fell in love, got pregnant and then my father took off for the wind.

So when my mother told me that she had something really important to talk to me about, I asked her the most logical thing that came to mind.

“Oh my God, Mum, are you pregnant!?”

My mother’s eyes widened in shock before she composed herself with a slight laugh and sitting down at the base of my bed.

She replied, “No Viv, I am not pregnant; although that would be a whole lot easier to explain to you than this.”

I instantly frowned, “Mum, is something wrong?”

“Well, no sweetie, it’s just that,” my mother began, biting her lip nervously before she continued, “it’s about your father.”

‘Father’, that one word made my body freeze in silence. I swear that I could hear my heartbeat and mum’s breathing accelerating to speeds that weren’t exactly healthy for either of us. Never in my entire life, except for that awkward stage when mum explained to me where babies came from, did my mother ever bring up my father. It was like a taboo subject, something we just accepted and moved on with our lives. I never brought it up; well I didn’t know how to without sounding awkward and my mother didn’t really care to explain about my father, so we just pretended that everything was okay.

And now… Now she was bringing up the one thing that I didn’t know how to respond to. I mean, all this time I was trying to get popular and here I had this huge issue in my life that I bet Jessica didn’t have to face ever and I actually thought I had a chance of changing my life? What if my mother was going to tell me that I was supposed to meet my father? Or maybe she was going to tell me that he was dead or that Jeff was really my father and I didn’t know!? All the while my mind was going through different scenarios; I hadn’t noticed that my mother had pulled out a white envelope with my name on it until the last minute.

“What’s that?” I asked, my eyebrows rising in curiosity.

My mother smiled reassuringly, “It’s from your father Viv.”

I frowned slightly before replying, “But…he…a letter for…me?”

My mother nodded, “I know, he hasn’t exactly made an appearance and I haven’t been the best of mothers since I didn’t speak about him, but please honey, give him a chance?”

I looked up at my mother’s pleading eyes and let out a sigh. Well if my mother wanted me to try, the least I could do was attempt to. I mean, all her life she’s had to look after me with no help from her parents or my father and for the first time that she did find happiness, my father had to enter the picture and ruin what little joy she had. So I had to try for her, right?

“Okay,” I answered.

My mother smiled, smoothed down my blonde hair and replied, “I’m sure it will make you happy.”

I raised an eyebrow, “Meaning?”

My mother stood up and smiled, heading out my bedroom door, “You’ll see Viv, if you need anything, call me?”

As soon as my mother was out of the door, my eyes fell onto the white envelope with a frown. My nerves were speeding like I had just run a marathon and lost. It felt like I was about to open Pandora’s Box and unleash a catastrophe. Everything depended solely on the fact that if I opened this envelope, then I probably was going to finally have contact with my non-existent father in almost eighteen years. With a deep breath, I fumbled with the envelope and opened it.

I glanced inside the envelope and pulled out a folded page. Mustering up all my courage, I opened the page and began to read:

Dear Vivienne

It must be strange, but how would I say this to you if I could see you right now? I am your father. I know, your mother’s probably told you on how not to trust me and that I would run away from you but if you’re reading this right now, then you must know that even your mother thinks that I’m not that bad of an influence to you.

You see, ever since I learnt about your birth, the only thing I could think about was ‘What will I do?’ I admit, it was a cowardly thing to run from your mother and then to find out that her parents disowned her after learning she was pregnant, well I felt like a right a**. You see, after I learnt that your mother had been disowned, I tried finding her, but it took me about two years until her family finally told me anything about her whereabouts and by then, you were already born.

I always wondered what it would have been if I could have married your mother and raised you as my own child like I should have done, but then something amazing happened. It was fate I suppose or maybe it was destiny that I met your mother again, a year ago. I was so scared, I didn’t know whether I should have spoken to her or not but for once I decided to do the right thing.

The right thing Vivienne was to meet you on your eighteenth birthday.

I understand, after all these years of never speaking to me or knowing where I lived, you would not want to meet me, but your mother told me about something that is very important to you and I would love to help in every way possible.

In the envelope is a cheque to pay for your Venice trip and there’s a little extra, for spending. Please accept this as part of my apology for being absent in your life for all this time. Vivienne, you must know how much I hate myself for not sticking around when I had the chance, to meet my own daughter when she grew up and went through her life with no one to protect her. I am deeply sorry…

Your father

Edward Williams

I felt tears stinging at my eyes as I reached into the envelope with shaking fingers. Sure enough there was a cheque in there, written for the exact amount for the Venice trip with more than enough spending money for both the Paris and Venice trip combined. I swallowed a lump and placed everything back into the envelope and began to make my way to the kitchen where my mother was, stirring a pot in concentration. I licked my dry lips and spoke finally.

“Mum,” I called.

My mother stilled before she turned to face me with a sad smile, “You read the letter?”

I nodded slightly before replying, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

My mother sighed before speaking, “I didn’t think you were ready sweetie, especially not with what you were going through at school.”

I frowned. Even my mother thought I was bad at high school? Gees Viv, guess like you’re finally managed to scrape the title of ‘loser’.

“But he said he met you last year,” I replied, “why didn’t either of you say anything?”

My mother walked towards me and placed her arm around my shoulder, “Oh sweetie, please don’t be mad. Your father wasn’t ready to meet you and I didn’t want to ruin anything and rush him or you into things. He wants to meet you honey, just give him some time.”

I found my lips curving into a small smile as I stared up at my mother, “Thanks mum.”

“Any time Viv,” my mother answered with a smile of her own before adding, “And he does want to meet you before your birthday.”

I frowned, but felt my breathing quicken in excitement, “Really?”

“Yes, as soon as you get back from your trip,” my mother explained, “and please Viv, you’ve got to be understanding. He’s had a life other than us too. He’s got a wife and a daughter your age.”

I licked my lips and forced away the tears with a smile before I replied, “That sounds great.”

My eyes were wide in excitement as I stood in front of the three red buses that were going to be taking our French class and Social Studies class to the airport. Juliet was standing next to me with a large grin on her face and I couldn’t help but notice the sneaky glances she was giving Chris when he wasn’t looking. Juliet had dressed to impress in her perfect white sundress and brown knee length boots. Her red hair braided neatly and her bangs fell classily over her right eyebrow.

She caught me looking and spoke, “Viv, can you believe it? Us, together away in two different countries for two weeks!”

Juliet’s excitement was contagious and I found myself joining in her enthusiasm.

“I know right?” I exclaimed, “Not only do we get to see the Eiffel Tower but the Leaning Tower of Pisa, how cool!”

Juliet rolled her eyes in amusement, “More like French kissing and Italian boys.”

I stuck my tongue out at her before laughing, “Are you sure Chris would appreciate that?”

Juliet began to blush and I had to laugh at her. It was foreign to see Juliet blushing, especially over a boy. All my life, I had been the blushing, embarrassing friend who smiled with spinach still stuck in her teeth and wore a bra that was too big for her while Juliet became the pretty redhead that had the body boys loved and the confidence to take down Jessica with one insult. So to see her blushing over Chris, well it was definitely amusing.

“C-Chris,” she stuttered, “I-I d-don’t know what y-you’re t-talking about?”

I grinned, “Of course you don’t.”

Juliet crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at me, “Oh really? And what about you, Miss, I’m-dating-Dave-but-kissing-Sean-because-I-really-like-him?”

It was my turn to blush as I spluttered, “I do not!”

“You do not what?” a voice from behind interrupted.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. I felt my cheeks reddening even more when my eyes connected with Sean’s hazel ones. I took in his appearance. He was wearing dark jeans and a plain white t-shirt that showed off his Greek God muscles and a leather jacket which gave the whole meaning of bad boy an entirely hotter definition. Licking my lips nervously, I glanced back at Juliet who seemed to realise that I was about to say something stupid and spoke up.

“Hey Sean!” Juliet greeted with a wide smile, “Been ages since we’ve seen each other.”

“Yeah, but then again you have been choosing spending time with Chris over me,” Sean replied with a smirk.

I couldn’t help but smirk at Juliet as well when Sean brought up Chris, causing a new shade of blush to creep up her cheeks. With a huff she replied, “You know what? I’m going to go and sit with Libby if you two continue to gossip.”

I laughed slightly, “Oh come on Jules; we’re just joking with you.”

Juliet rolled her eyes but there was a faint smile against her lips, “Yeah of course you were. Now if you excuse me, I am going to save us a seat before Jessica and her boobs steal the good spots.”

I watched as my best friend marched to the bus where our bags were packed neatly into before entering it with a wide smile. I laughed under my breath and turned to face Sean, who I realised was staring at me intently. I licked my lips nervously, suddenly feeling self-conscious. I smoothed down my loose blonde waves and glanced down at my pink pencil skirt that Juliet convinced me to use and white long sleeved laced shirt.

“So,” Sean began, “you heard about Matt?”

I looked up at Sean and shook my head.

“Well apparently,” Sean continued, swinging an arm around my shoulder and guiding me towards the bus, “he got suspended from the trip for pitching up drunk to school.”

I raised an eyebrow before asking, “Seriously?”

Sean nodded, “Yup, that creep won’t be bothering you anymore.”

I turned to glance up at Sean and smiled, “Thanks about beating him up for me.”

Sean shrugged, “Well that's how I roll.”

I began to laugh but it was interrupted by a familiar voice. Turning around, I spotted Dave walking towards me with a large grin. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around my waist before picking me up, off of my feet and placing a large kiss against my lips. I laughed slightly, pulling away slightly from the fact of Sean watching just behind us and the fact that everyone else, mainly girls, who were staring wide eyed and whispering like the gossipers that they were.

“Dave,” I finally greeted with a small smile.

Dave mirrored my smile and replied, “How’s my favourite girl?”

“Absolutely excited,” I replied.

“Great,” Dave answered with another one of his melting smiles, “come on, we’ve got to get seats before the good spots disappear.”

“Oh Jules already-”

But before I could finish, Dave was already pulling me into the bus and towards the two small seats by the window. I spotted Juliet who gave me a questioning glance, before her gaze fell onto Dave. She winked at me with a sly smirk before calling over at Chris who was already making his way towards her. I couldn’t help the silly smile that crept onto my lips. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. As soon as I sat down next to Dave, I noticed Sean walking into the bus. His eyes narrowed when they fell onto the intertwined fingers of mine and Dave’s, but he suddenly glanced at me and grinned, mouthing ‘Go get Davey’, before walking to the back of the bus where a few of the guys from French class sat.

For a moment, I didn’t know whether to be sad that Sean didn’t exactly seem to be disappointed that I was with Dave or to be happy that for once I was sticking to one guy.

The airport was buzzing with life when we finally arrived in Paris. Mrs Flavia had finally taken charge with a large smile and a lot of clapping to get our attention. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun and she wore plain black pants and an oversized orange turtleneck, which in my opinion looked cool, but then again, I suppose that was the old Vivienne talking. I mean after all, I still felt a bit self-conscious about me wearing super short skirts or bikinis for that matter.

“Alright class,” Mrs Flavia called, gaining our attention before continuing, “we have finally arrived in Paris and I am glad to say that we are only an hour’s drive away from our hotel.”

A few people cheered and I turned to Juliet who was smiling broadly.

“Now to keep chaos to a bare minimum,” Mrs Flavia spoke in her thick French accent, “we have compiled a list that separates you with your roommates for the hotel.”

“Oh great,” Juliet whispered to me, “I feel bad for the poor girls who get stuck with Jessica and those boobs of hers-”

“The first room will be Vivienne Lanter, Jessica Hubert and Juliet Summer,” Mrs Flavia called out.

“Oh golly gosh great,” Juliet groaned.

I couldn’t believe it, but Jessica Hubert wasn’t the mean witch with huge boobs that I always thought her to be. Okay, I take that back. Jessica definitely had huge boobs; I mean nobody had boobs that big without getting a boob job done. We were in our shared hotel room, which I had to admit was off the hook. The place was large and decorated in bright gold colours and had three double beds with chocolates on our pillows. There was a large balcony which allowed us to get the view of the street below and of course the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Juliet had already raced into the bathroom, claiming that she needed to wash her hair and set it for tomorrow which left me with Jessica to unpack. Jessica chose the bed closest to the balcony and because Juliet claimed that she might go all serial killer on Jessica during the night, she took the bed furthest from Jessica’s and that left me with the bed in between my best friend and arch enemy. Not really a bad thing, I mean, at least I had Juliet with me and not one of Jessica’s cronies.

I picked up my large suitcase and placed it onto my bed and began unpacking my clothes while Jessica did the same. While she was pulling out clothes which mainly consisted of things that revealed a lot of skin, I noticed that she pulled out a small picture frame and placed it on the small end table next to her bed. I strained my eyes and realised that I was staring a brunette haired woman, wearing a long pale dress and a crown along with a sash that read ‘Prom Queen’.

“Who’s that?” I asked suddenly.

Jessica froze before glancing at the picture, “Oh…that’s my mother.”

I smiled slightly, “She’s really pretty; did she win Prom Queen?”

Jessica turned to me and raised an eyebrow before a smirk took hold of her lips, “Gee, I wonder what gave that away?”

My jaw dropped slightly, but Jessica laughed and continued, “Relax Vivienne. I’m just joking.”

“Oh,” I replied, before asking, “but you’re never nice.”

Jessica shrugged, “Look, I know, I’m probably the meanest person at school to you but we’re not in school now and anyway what I’m trying to say to you is well…I’m sorry.”

I frowned, “You’re sorry?”

“Yeah, very sorry,” Jessica continued to apologise, “I know this whole Prom Queen thing I’ve been accusing you of stealing seems slightly crazy,” she laughed but it came out strained, “but my mother was Prom Queen and,” she swallowed, “and it would be nice if I was too, you know, to remember her better.”

“I’m sure your mother wouldn’t mind if you don’t want to be the Prom Queen,” I reassured Jessica.

“You don’t get it Vivienne,” Jessica finally replied, “my mother’s dead.”

A/N Hey you amazing people! How I've miseed my Geeklings! I know, two whole weeks since I last uploaded but I was sick for a week and then when I got back to school, I had tests like you couldn't believe it! Okay, so what did you think of the chapter? I know you guys keep telling me to say that it wasn't boring, but I mean this chapter didn't have much...mainly because if I did write a special surprise for you into it, it would be too long so remember, look out for next week's chapter! Remember to vote, comment and spread the word about BP!

PS: Check out 'A Modern Faerie Tale' which I am co-writing with my close friend, Teneal (@Jezzebel) if you like fantasy stories!

xoxo

Mona-Mae