Dismissed (19 page)

‘So as you leave the classroom for the last time in a few weeks, I hope you all feel well equipped for what the future holds, and set out with optimism, dedication, and most of all, perseverance.’

Lizzie looked around. She couldn’t believe that all of these people would soon be let loose in the real world.

She wondered how someone like Taylor would cope. Would she find a rich husband and settle for the life of a Stepford wife? Or would she have some sort of realisation resulting in a desire to make it on her own?

Lizzie hoped it would be the latter. Taylor was self-absorbed and materialistic, but one day she might come good.

Mr Jenkins finished his speech and invited everyone onto the dance floor. Nick raised an eyebrow at Lizzie as if to ask whether she wanted to join him.

She shrugged. ‘Sure.’

The song
Happy
by Pharrell Williams came on, and everyone started bopping away.

Lizzie suspected that nearly all of her fellow classmates had consumed at least some alcohol before coming to the formal, because they now threw themselves a little too energetically into the end portion of the evening.

Nick and Lizzie found themselves welcomed into a circle of people all dancing together. The boys took it in turns to breakdance in the middle, and Lizzie even contributed with a bit of beatboxing when
Thrift Shop
came on.

When the song finished, everyone cheered for her, just as they had back on the first day of school. It seemed as though her fellow classmates were feeling quite forgiving tonight. She glanced across the floor and saw Taylor looking at her, smiling sadly. She beckoned Lizzie over to the corner of the room near the now empty roulette table.

‘Hey,’ she said sheepishly.

‘Hi,’ Lizzie replied, still feeling upset by her friend’s betrayal.

‘I need to apologise.’

‘Okaaay…’

‘I wasn’t very nice to you.’

‘Well, you did kind of ruin my birthday,’ Lizzie agreed.

‘Yeah, I know. That was pretty low.’

‘And Gabe broke up with me because of that photo. Which you took and then spread around knowing full well what it looked like. Not to mention it was because of you that I was even at Brandon and Jason’s in the first place.’

‘Yeah. I don’t blame you for hating me.’ She looked down at the floor and brushed away a couple of tears.

‘What do you want me to say? I don’t actually hate you, but I’m not sure we can be friends again. You didn’t even give me a chance to explain about the pregnancy thing either.’

‘I know. I talked to Jason the other day and he said he’d seen you. Brandon told him about that day when he snatched your phone during our phone conversation.’

‘It’s true. So are you still in touch with Jason?’

‘No. Well, not really. He’s quite persistent though.’

‘I can’t believe he wants to have kids.’

‘I know! But I’m just not ready for that level of commitment.’

‘Yeah, I’m not surprised. I wouldn’t be either.’

Taylor noticed Nick going back to his table for a glass of water.

‘Sorry about seating you there too.’

‘That’s alright. It’s actually been a really good night.’

‘I did the seating chart when I was still mad at you, and by the time I really thought about it and realised how horrible I’d been, it was too late to change it.’

‘It doesn’t matter. I really didn’t mind.’

‘Hey, I heard that CC is Zoe. Can you believe it?’

‘I can’t believe she’s here with Gabe tonight, to be honest. I didn’t think he was really into her.’

‘I think he’s confused. He mostly asked her because his parents hassled him about it, but I think there’s a part of him that actually does like her. Plus he needed a date at short notice.’ She looked at Nick. ‘But it seems as though you bounced back OK. I now kind of see what you mean about redheads.’

Lizzie laughed. ‘Riiight…’

‘He’s a bit cute, don’t you think?’ she asked.

Lizzie couldn’t decide whether Taylor was just sucking up or not.

‘He’s a good guy,’ she agreed.

‘Do you two have plans after this?’

‘Not really. Nick is driving, so I guess I’ll go wherever he wants to go.’

‘Want to come to the after-party at Gabe’s house?’

‘Do you think that’s a good idea?’

‘Sure. I think he misses you. He wouldn’t mind you coming.’

‘I don’t know. He felt pretty betrayed after he found out about…’

‘Lizzie, can I ask you something?’

‘Maybe.’

‘How do you feel about Brandon?’

Lizzie didn’t say anything.

Taylor fixed her with a beady stare.

‘Come on Lizzie. It’s me you’re talking to.’

Lizzie blushed.

Taylor grinned. ‘I knew it!’

‘So what? It’s not like it means anything.’

‘Of course it does.’

‘No. Everything is weird because of what happened.’

‘But none of that will matter in a few weeks.’

‘It’s too late. Forget about it.’

‘It’s never too late.’

‘I think you’ve done enough where Brandon is concerned,’ Lizzie said gently.

‘Fair point. But you should listen to Sam Jenkins’ advice. Only do stuff you’re passionate about.’

‘I don’t think he meant I should be doing the English teacher.’

‘Well, no, but you know what I mean.’

‘I’m surprised you were even listening to his speech.’

‘I’m good at multi-tasking. Speaking of which, I need to go and sort out a few things before this after-party. See you there?’

‘I’ll think about it,’ Lizzie said noncommittally.

Nick came over and looked at Lizzie questioningly.

‘Everything OK here?’

‘Yeah. Taylor invited us to the after-party if you’re up for it.’

‘I was kind of already invited,’ he admitted. ‘But I wasn’t going to go unless you were going.’

‘Do you want to go?’

‘I think so.’

‘Cool. Let’s do it then.’

A cover of
Wicked Game
came on and everyone started to slow dance.

Lizzie could see that Nick was indecisive about whether to ask her onto the floor again.

‘Shall we?’ she offered.

‘Yes!’ he said, relieved.

They walked back over, and Nick awkwardly put his arms around her. She pulled him in closer and readjusted his hands so they were more comfortably positioned.

‘So are there any ladies you have your eye on?’ she asked him teasingly.

‘Uh, I don’t know. Maybe.’

‘Ooh. Who?’

‘I don’t want to say.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because there’s no way she would like me back, and I don’t want to make a fool of myself.’

‘If she’s nice, she’ll give you a chance.’

‘See, if I didn’t know you already had stuff going on with Gabe and…’ he trailed off.

‘Brandon?’ she finished for him.

‘Well, I wasn’t really sure what was going on there. I try not to listen to rumours, but I didn’t even consider you as a possibility because I didn’t know...’

‘Nick, I think you’re really awesome, and I’m sorry I’m not in the right head space to give you what you want. But I assume you’re talking about someone else right now?’

‘It doesn’t matter. I think maybe tonight I’m best avoiding all girls.’

‘You can’t do that! Especially at the after-party. It will be the perfect opportunity to chat up a little hottie.’

‘I’ll just wait and see what happens.’

Lizzie glanced around, trying to guess who Nick might like. But then she saw Gabe dancing with Zoe. Zoe was facing the other way, and Gabe met Lizzie’s gaze, holding the connection for a few seconds. She couldn’t read his expression, but it seemed like it might be a combination of longing and sadness.

She gave him a small, regretful smile and went back to dancing with her date.

The song ended, and the lights went up. Everyone started trickling out.

‘Wanna go party?’ Lizzie asked Nick.

‘Yeah. I think we should go party,’ he confirmed.

CHAPTER 23

Gabe had a circular driveway, and it quickly filled up with cars and taxis dropping kids off for the after-party.

Lizzie had tied the Hermes scarf back on her head for the ride over, but was still mindful of giving it back at the end of the night. She tucked it into her purse and reminded herself not to forget about it.

The house looked even cooler than usual. Gabe, or at least the girls, had filled up the backyard with dozens of candles. Even the pool contained a few handfuls of floating tea-lights that Lizzie watched gently drifting over the surface of the water.

Fairy lights were strung from the trees, and incense smoke wafted through the yard, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere.

Gabe had programmed in quite a varied selection of classic rock, pop and alternative tunes. The current song was
Uptown Funk
by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.

Lizzie slowly made her way through the growing crowds of people, feeling strange at being back at Gabe’s, but not as his girlfriend.

‘I’m just going to go to the bathroom,’ Nick said, and disappeared. Lizzie stood alone, wondering if she’d made a mistake in coming here.

‘Hey Dizzy,’ a soft voice whispered in her ear.

She turned. Gabe was standing right behind her.

‘Hey. Taylor said you wouldn’t mind if I was here, but I suppose I should have checked with you first,’ she said in a rush.

He smiled. ‘Of course I don’t mind having you here. I don’t hate you.’

Lizzie smiled sadly.

‘I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you.’

‘It’s OK. I kind of understand where you were coming from. You were just trying to protect me, in a way. A bit like how I didn’t want to tell you about Zoe.’

‘Yeah, so what’s happening there?’

‘Oh, um…’ he looked a bit shamefaced.

‘Do you like her?’

‘I kind of do. I mean, I don’t think it was right how she pretended to be your friend to get to me. Which didn’t work, by the way. But she can be quite sweet when she’s not being totally possessive.’

‘Did you ever wonder why she was being so possessive after you spent that first night together?’

He looked at her blankly, and then realisation dawned.

‘Oh.’

‘Yeah.’

‘Well, it’s still early days. And hanging out with her gets Mum and Dad off my back.’

‘Do they still want you to study overseas next year?’

He looked at the ground. ‘Uh, yeah. But I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and I’ve decided it might not be such a bad thing after all. Zoe’s parents want to send her over there too, so at least I’ll know someone.’

‘Wow. So it could end up being serious between you two?’

‘I don’t know. We’re still young. I don’t want to settle down yet.’

‘Well, I hope it works out for you both,’ she said genuinely.

‘Thanks Lizzie.’ He ruffled her hair.

‘Hey, watch it. This hairdo was expensive.’

‘You look really pretty tonight.’

‘Thanks.’ She opened her purse. ‘Oh, before I forget, I think you should have these back.’ She took out the diamond earrings and held them out.

‘No. Please keep them. They were a gift. Sell them if you want, or do whatever you like, but they’re yours.’

She closed her hand back around them. ‘That’s very generous.’ She was quiet for a second, contemplating whether to ask the next question. ‘Look, I’m not sure if I want to know the answer to this, but did you talk with Zoe on my birthday after you couldn’t get in touch with me?’

He frowned. ‘Only for a couple of minutes. She phoned me to ask if I was going to some brunch our parents had planned on the Sunday, but obviously I didn’t go because I wanted to see you.’

Lizzie, nodded, satisfied. She now just felt a bit sorry for Zoe.

A smashing sound caught Gabe’s attention.

‘I better go and investigate,’ he said, rolling his eyes.

‘Have a good night. And I hope next year goes well.’

‘Thank you.’

Lizzie found herself alone again. And then she realised
she
had to use the bathroom now. She hoped Nick was done. But when she reached the door, there was a huge line-up. She wondered if it was her date in there, or someone else causing the congestion. She knew Gabe’s parents had an ensuite in their bedroom though, so she headed for that instead.

She started in surprise when she saw a woman lounging on the bed in the main bedroom. She was watching a talk show on a big flat-screen on the wall.

‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ Lizzie said hurriedly, and went to close the door again.

‘No, it’s OK. Can I help you, love?’

‘I didn’t know anyone was in here. I was just going to quickly use the bathroom.’

‘Go ahead. Don’t mind me.’

‘It’s alright. I’ll just wait with everyone else.’ She turned to leave.

The woman squinted at her.

‘Are you Lizzie?’

Lizzie spun around in surprise.

‘Yes. How did you know?’

‘So this is the famous Lizzie White. It’s a shame we’re only just meeting now. Here, let me get a good look at you.’ She sat up and beckoned her over.

Lizzie self-consciously did as she was asked.

‘You have beautiful hair. And eyes. Gabe was silly for letting you go so easily. I heard a lot about you.’

Lizzie gaped. ‘But he said you wanted him to end up with Zoe.’

‘He what?’ she laughed in disbelief. ‘I would never meddle in his private life…’ Then a look of recognition crossed her face.

‘Ah. You must be thinking of Gabe’s mum.

Lizzie stared at her, confused.

‘Um, aren’t you her?’

‘No, I’m his Aunt Gayle.’

‘Oh right. Gabe has actually mentioned you a couple of times. So what are you…’

‘Doing here? Gabe begged his parents to go out for the evening, but they wouldn’t agree unless another adult stayed behind. So he called his aunt.’

Lizzie smiled. ‘Well, it’s lovely to meet you finally.’

‘Gabe is my favourite little nephew. I like to think I add some normality to his life. That ridiculous brother of mine and his wife have no idea how to raise children to be responsible adults. They treat them like toddlers who require constant parenting. That’s no way to teach them how to be independent.’

‘I agree,’ Lizzie said, smiling.

‘I can’t believe Gabe ditched you for her,’ she said, tilting her head at the door. ‘From what I’ve seen and heard so far, I’m not impressed at all.’

‘That’s sweet of you to say, but Zoe’s not that bad.’

‘I heard you can cook, beatbox and kiss pretty well.’

‘Gabe said I could
kiss
well?’ Lizzie asked, her face warming up.

‘Haha, actually no. But I can tell. You have gorgeous lips.’

Lizzie’s face heated up even more.

‘Don’t worry,’ she continued. ‘You’ll find your guy.’

Lizzie looked away awkwardly.

‘Ah. Maybe you’ve already found him?’ she asked astutely.

‘Sort of. Not really.’

‘What’s his name?’

‘Brandon,’ she whispered.

She nodded knowingly.

‘The teacher.’

‘Gabe told you about him too?’

‘Only when I asked. I knew there had to be some reason you two broke up. I told him he was being silly when all you were guilty of was being in the wrong place at the wrong time.’

‘Yes, well. That’s true.’

‘But I take it something’s changed since then?’

She sighed. ‘Yeah, it doesn’t matter though.’

‘You should go talk to Brandon and see how he feels.’

‘I can’t.’

Gayle picked up an iPad sitting on the bedside cabinet and started typing something.

‘What are you doing?’ Lizzie asked.

‘Oh, this is perfect,’ she said, smiling at the screen.

‘What?’

Gayle held up the iPad, which was open to the TimeOut website’s gig page. ‘Orion’s Head is playing a show tonight.’

‘Let me guess. Gabe told you he was in a band as well.’

‘Yep.’ She looked at the screen again and studied the picture of Brandon and the guys. ‘Honey, you have excellent taste. I’m half tempted to sneak out and see them myself. And I would too if I wasn’t so worried about facing the wrath of Barbara and Colin Reiser.’ She looked back up at Lizzie. ‘I think you should get your little butt over there right now. I’ll live vicariously through you.’

‘But I came here with someone,’ she protested weakly.

‘I’m sure he’ll understand. Go ask him.’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Sweetie, you might not get a better opportunity. And from what I understand, he’s no longer your school teacher, so what’s the problem?’

‘There might be rules about that kind of thing even if he’s at another school,’ she pointed out. ‘Anyway, I don’t even know if he likes me.’

‘I bet you do. You’re just scared of making the first move.’

Lizzie hesitated. ‘But…’

‘No buts. Just do it. What’s the worst that could happen?’

‘I get to the gig and I hear him tell the audience about this stupid girl who stalked him at his school?’

‘He wouldn’t do that.’

‘Sting did. What about that song
Don’t Stand So Close To Me
?’

‘Ha! You weren’t even born when that song came out, which makes me like you even more. But I read somewhere that Sting wasn’t talking about someone who actually existed.’

Lizzie sighed. ‘OK. I guess I could always go overseas if it doesn’t work out. My dad has even promised me flights.’

‘There you go. But I doubt you’ll need to resort to such extreme measures.’

Lizzie nodded, now a bit more confident.

‘Alright. I’m going to do it.’

‘Good. You go girl!’

Lizzie walked determinedly out and went in search of Nick to tell him she was leaving. She decided that she wouldn’t go if he looked even a tiny bit disappointed. But then maybe she could just go for half an hour and come straight back. That would give her enough time to see Brandon, tell him how she felt, and then run away.

She saw that the line-up for the bathroom was still the same as before.

‘Is someone sick?’ she asked the girl at the front of the queue.

‘I don’t know, but if they don’t come out soon, I’m going in the pool,’ she said, her legs crossed over each other.

Lizzie pulled a face. ‘That’s gross. Look, there’s a bathroom in the ensuite, and actually, I think there’s one in the laundry too, so go use one of those.’

The girl smiled gratefully and hurried off. A few people behind her heard what Lizzie had said and split off to use the other bathrooms as well.

Lizzie knocked on the door. ‘Is everything OK in there?’

There was a muffled sound, followed by a ‘fuck off!’

‘Taylor? Is that you?’ Lizzie yelled.

It was quiet for a minute, and then she heard whispered cursing.

‘What are you doing in there?’ she persisted.

Taylor pulled the door open an inch and peered out.

‘What do you want?’

‘Are you alright?’

‘Yep. Fine.’

‘Are you sick?’

‘Nope.’

Then Lizzie realised Taylor’s cheeks were flushed and her lips were swollen.

‘Are you in there with someone?’ she demanded.

‘What makes you say that?’ she asked innocently.

Lizzie pushed the door open before Taylor could react.

‘Nick!’

Nick smiled. ‘It turns out you were right, Lizzie.’

‘About what?’ Lizzie’s head was spinning.

‘About just telling her how I felt.’

Lizzie looked from Taylor to Nick and back again.

‘This is crazy. Alright, well that makes it easier for me. Nick, I have to go. Are you going to be fine if I don’t get back until late? Or possibly at all?’

‘I think I’ll manage,’ he said, grinning.

‘You kids,’ she said, shaking her head. Then she whispered in Taylor’s ear. ‘Please be good to him. He’s a really nice guy. Don’t mess him around.’

‘I won’t,’ she promised. ‘But oh my God Lizzie, this guy makes Jason look like…’

‘Stop! I don’t want to know!’

She laughed. ‘OK.’

Then Lizzie remembered something, and grabbed the scarf out of her bag. ‘I have a present for you, Taylor. It’s Hermes.’

Taylor shrieked. ‘Oh my God! Where did you get this?’

‘Ask Nick. I think it came directly from Paris.’