Char (7 page)

Why does the topic of abortion always go back to this?

“Less than one percent of women who get abortions are actually raped. And since I haven’t been in that situation, it isn’t my place to judge. But no matter what way a girl looks at it, the baby is always half hers. Even if she doesn’t want the baby, there are so many people willing to adopt. To me, abortion just isn’t an option.”

“What if she gives away the baby and it has a bad life?”

“At least the child has life.”

“I get what you’re saying,” he says. “I’ve never been big on killing babies either. But this topic is
way
to deep
for my current drunken state of mind. I must say I love a woman with strong opinions. I bet you take charge in other areas too. Maybe someday you’d like to show me.”

I roll my eyes. “Seriously, I’m not sleeping with you. You’re too…
New York
for my taste.”

“New York?”

I nod. “We’re going to a high school party, and you’re wearing a suit and tie. You’re very uptight. It’s like you’re trying to
impress
people at this party… Like they’re business associates and not your high school peers.”

He shrugs. “What can I say? I like to look my best. Besides, they could be future business associates… And you’re one to talk. You’re California in every way. Long blonde hair. Tan. Incredibly sexy. But totally cool and laid back. Girls here are going to
hate
you.”

“Hate is such a strong word.”

“Either way it’s true. And you know it.”

I hate that he’s right. Which is why I didn’t have any girl friends in California. Besides Kim. But Kim doesn’t care about superficial stuff. Which is why
I like her.

“I guess it’s good that we are going to be friends then,” I say.

“I’d like to be more than friends.” He runs his hand up my thigh, and I quickly slap it away.

“I’m not having sex with you. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you and I become friends,” I tell him sternly. “And I need friends.”

“The way I see it is you need me a lot more than I need you. What will I get out of our friendship?”

This makes me laugh. “You’re taking me to a party tonight. Which means you’re stupid and thought I would sleep with you, or
you are taking me because I am Charlotte York. And I get that you’re the shit here. But with me as your friend, you’d pretty much rule your senior year. I’m offering you friendship. I just want to finish the year, piss off my dad as much as possible, and get back to California. We can be friends. Or I can find somebody else to be my friend. Doesn’t matter to me, either way.”

“Fine.” He clenches his jaw.

What an asshole.

But he’s an asshole that is going to help me. And beggars can’t be choosers.

9pm

Party

I was right. Christian is
a good friend to have. If I’m going to survive my year here, I really have to play my cards right. And Christian is the Ace.

When we walk in the party, and all heads turn in our direction. As we make our way through the crowd, it parts for us. I feel like I’m in a movie, and I have just joined
the in crowd.

“Christian!”

Christian flinches. We both turn towards the voice.

The guy sitting on top of the wall divider looks a little like Christian. He has the same dark blue eyes, but his hair is sandy blonde. I’m thinking maybe
they’re brothers, and he’s definitely the hotter brother. Like seriously. He’s HOT.

“Who is your hot friend?” He opens his mouth, and he’s suddenly less appealing. Him talking about me like I’m not here pisses me off, but I don’t say anything. Not yet anyway.

“Charlotte York.” He turns to me. “Char, this is my older brother, Tristan.”

Tristan jumps down, and walks over to inspect me. Seriously, he walks around me like I’m a car or something. I’m about to say something when he opens his mouth. “You look just like…”

I cut him off. “Don’t you even say Candice York.”

“I was actually going to say the other one. Chloe.”

I smile. Okay, so maybe he and I
are
going to be friends. Any points he lost in the beginning have now been restored.

“She’s got more of an angelic look than you, but you’re hotter.” He turns to Christian. “You can leave now.”

Christian starts to protest, but then just turns away.

Seriously? Maybe I had this all wrong. Christian may have power, but Tristan is definitely the king around here.

“Now that you mention it, I can see where people think you look like Candice. You have a nice body. Do you look as good as your sister does naked?” he asks.

I want to punch him. But I don’t. Two can play this game. “Guess that is something you will never find out.”

He laughs. “I like you.”

“Well that’s too bad,” I say. “Because I don’t like you.”

“But you will.”

“Doubtful.”

He ignores my comment. “So what are you doing here with my little brother?”

“I’m pretty much here to piss off my dad.” And why did I just tell him that? So I quickly add, “That or I actually like him.”

“I’m going with the piss your dad off theory. You’re too pretty for Christian,” he says. “But you and I, we’d be good together. I bet if you and I dated, it would
really
piss off you daddy.”

“Yeah right. My dad would be thrilled if I dated somebody from New York.”

“I’m older,” he says.

“So what? I’ve dated lots of older guys before.” I’m so lying. But he
doesn’t need to know that. I am not going to let him effect me.

“You’re a really bad liar.”

Crap. “I don’t need your help pissing him off. Really, I just want to survive this year. And then I want to be on the first plane out of New York City. I definitely prefer California.”

I turn to walk away, but he jumps in front of me.

“Don’t go, please. I am sorry I pissed you off. But I
definitely
want to get to know you.”

“You and your brother really don’t know the meaning of the word no, do you?”

He shrugs sheepishly. “What can I say? We are very used to getting what we want. And you
are what I want.”

“I hate to break it to you, but I’m not yours to take.”

“I’ll introduce you to people,” he says. “You came here with my brother, which means you know exactly what you’re doing. But if you think Christian is powerful, you’re mistaken. I have all the connections.”

Yep. I so called it. “Why is that?” I ask.

“I’m the oldest. I’m taking over my father’s company after college. Christian is nothing more than second in command.”

“Right. So let’s say for a minute I actually believe you… What makes you think I
need
connections?”

“You said it yourself. You just want to make it through the year. Maybe in California you didn’t have to try, but things are different here. If you want to survive high school with your sanity intact, you’re definitely going to need me.”

“I don’t give a shit about being popular.”

“I know. But you do
care what people think about you… and you don’t want enemies.”

He’s right. I wish he wasn’t. Despite how much I want to not care, I do. “Fine,” I say. “Introduce me to people, but try not to make people hate me before school even starts.”

“Before I introduce you to people, I want to get to know you.”

I roll my eyes. “I will just introduce myself to people.”

“Just tell me five things about you.”

“Okay,” I say. I can do five things. “I’m Charlotte York.” I hold up one finger. “I’ll be eighteen on September twenty second.” I hold up two fingers. “I surf.” Three fingers. “I’m here because I was caught smoking weed.” Four. “And I hate New York City.” Five.

“Lame. But I’ll take it.” He grabs my hand. “And by the time I’m done with you, you won’t hate New York. In fact, when school is over I bet you won’t leave.”

This makes me laugh. “And you think I’ll want to stay for you?”

“Definitely.”

“Even if I was interested in you… which I’m not… but
if
I was, you definitely don’t look like the type of guy who likes to be tied down.”

He laughs. And it’s a sexy laugh. “Oh, I am definitely okay with being
tied down
. Especially by you.”

“Ugh. So not what I meant!”

“I know.”

Tristan drags me through the crowd. Everybody parts for him, just like they did for Christian, and I’m thinking it’s not a coincidence. I make a memo to research Becker Industries, because these boys have more power than they know what to do with. Which would explain their cocky attitudes. Of course, they will soon find out I’m not like every other girl here. I’m not going to fall into bed with them at their beck and call.

The first group Tristan takes me to is a group of girls. They’re all standing around in a circle. Like maybe they’re too good to associate with anybody else. But when they see Tristan they smile and part just a little.

“Hey, Tristan,” a brunette girl greets him a little too eagerly.

“Sofia,” he says to her. “Everybody this is Charlotte York. She’s new here, and she needs friends. She’ll be attending East Wood this year.”

“York? Like Candice York?” The girl he called Sofia looks at me like I’m a piece of gum stuck to her designer shoe.

“I didn’t say Candice York,” he says. “I said
Charlotte
York.”

“I am Candi’s little sister,” I tell them.

“I heard she was posing for
Playboy
,” another girl pipes in.

Ugh. Seriously. Everywhere I go, people are going to know me. And they’re definitely going to know my slutty sister.

“Charlotte is
my
girl,” he tells them all. “So you
will
be nice to her.”

All the girls in the circle quickly shut up. They smile at me, but I can tell it’s forced. I should be offended that Tristan called me his girl, but I have a feeling he just did me a huge favor.

Everybody introduces their self to me.

Sofia goes first. “Sofia Clifton. My mom is Jenny Clifton of Jenny Designs.” I know Jenny Designs. They’re a pretty big company. Candice did some modeling for them before she got super famous.

“My sister worked with your mom before,” I say.

She snorts. “My mom gave her a break, and once she hit the big time she just dumped my mom.”

“Her contract ran out. And my sister has better things to do than model for Jenny Designs. It’s not like you even do high end stuff. My sister obviously has bigger dreams than to work for a mass design clothing company.”

She looks mad. And I think
maybe
I shouldn’t have said that. I’m going to make enemies before I even start school. But the other part of me doesn’t care. I need to stand up for myself. Show them that I can’t be ran over. But either way, it doesn’t matter. The words are already out of my mouth, and I am not going to take them back.

Before Sofia can respond, a blonde girl next to her speaks up. “I’m Anna Lowry.”

“Serenity Goodwin,” another blonde girl says. “It’s nice to meet you, Charlotte. I’m a huge fan of Chloe.”

A redhead beside her elbows her in the ribs. “I’m Molly Robinson.”

The last brunette girl introduces herself. “I am Violet Landers. I’m a fan of Chloe as well. I love
Drama Queen
. It’s like the only show I watch. I can’t wait for the new season to start next week.”

Sofia glares are her.

“It is nice to meet you all,” I say.

Tristan grabs my hand again, and all of the girls openly stare at our contact. “All of you better be nice to my girl.” He pulls me away from them. Once we are a safe distance away, I stop him.

“Oh my God. Those girls are evil.”

He smiles. “Oh, I know. But they are going to hate you either way. At least now they won’t mess with you. Just stay away from them as often as possible.”

“I planned on it.”

“Let’s get out of here.”

“I thought you were introducing me to people?”

“Everybody already knows you,” he says. “And this party is boring.”

“I’m not going to have sex with you,” I remind him.

“Oh, I know,” he says. “I’m thinking we can go back to my place, maybe order some take-out, and watch TV.”

“I have a better idea. You can come back to my house. Where my dad is.”

“Okay. Lead the way.”

11pm

Worst. Idea. Ever.

We walk into my dad’s penthouse just after eleven. I’m surprised to see that he’s still up. But I’m glad. The point of bringing Tristan back here was to show that I can’t be controlled.

“Hey, Dad,” I say. “This is my new friend, Tristan Becker.”

“I know Tristan. What happened to Christian?” he asks.

I shrug. “I don’t know. But Tristan and I were going to order take out and chill in my room.”

“Alright,” Dad says.

What? No protests at all. He’s not going to say anything about me taking a boy to my room?

“You know Tristan is older than me.” Please. Yell at me. Something. That way I actually feel like I’m being rebellious.

“I know,” he says. “He’s about to start his sophomore year at Columbia. Maybe he can tell you about the campus.”

Ugh. Seriously? Who’s idea was it for Tristan to come here? Oh right. Mine.

Worst. Idea. Ever.

I grab Tristan’s arm and pull him up the stairs after me. He doesn’t fight or protest. He just comes with me. The second we are in my room I shut the door and push him.

“You knew my dad liked you.”

He laughs. Hard. “Yes. Sorry.”

“You totally played me.” I am angry.

“So what. You were using me.”

He so has a point. And I officially hate myself. When did I get so obsessed with hurting my father that I started hurting other people to get to him? “I’m sorry about that. And I know you probably don’t care, but I like you. You’re pretty cool.”

“Thanks, Char. You and I are going to be good friends.”

In a way, Tristan reminds me of Aaron. And we are
definitely
going to be good friends.

He begins to look through my room, and I sit back on my bed. Maybe I shouldn’t let him look through my stuff, but really I don’t care. I have nothing to hide. He pulls out a black, lacy thong out of my underwear drawer.

“I want to see you in this. And only this.”