The House of Grey- Volume 2 (17 page)

Kylie’s bottom lip dropped even further before starting to curl.  “You have the face of a corpse? Why would that stop you from calling Cyann? You talk to Taris quite a bit, don’t you?

“
It’s different with Taris. I—”

“
I don’t see any difference.” She shook her mantle of blonde hair. “It’s never seemed to bother you before.”

It’s never bothered me before?
thought Monson.
As if I had a choice
. He answered wryly. “This isn’t about me, Kylie. It’s about Cyann.”

Monson gave her a baffled look. Her face changed as a genuine smile crept upon it.  Remembering that first day of school, he noted to himself that he had been right. She
was
prettier without the sneer.

“
You’re a lot more innocent than I thought, Grey. You may actually be pure of heart; maybe one of the few there is left.” She cocked her head back. “What a completely cheesy idea.”

“
I’m not sure I’m following you, Kylie.”

“
Never mind,” she replied. “I can just see why he’s friends with you, that’s all.”

Before Monson could say anything, she started down the hall, stopping after about five feet.

“
No
one, Grey.”

She gave Monson a serious look.

“
No one can see that number but you. Not Arthur…and not Case—Cassius.”

Kylie turned to go and Monson stepped back to shut his door when she called out to him.

“
Oh, Grey…one more thing.”

Monson popped his head out to see her.

“
Yeah Kylie?”

“
Don’t ever talk to me again.”

She left as Monson’s jaw dropped.

Gathering himself, he closed his door. He turned to speak to Artorius and was startled to find Casey right behind him.

“
Whoa, Casey.” Monson took a step back. “Give me a little space.”

“
What’d she give you?” His voice sounded a bit angry.

Monson gave him a malicious grin. He raised his arms and put them behind his head.  “A love letter. Ahh…being popular is so tough.”

“
Grey, don’t make me hit you again.”

Monson chuckled slightly. “All right, all right, no need to get violent.”

Monson quickly relayed the subtle details of the conversation with Kylie that the other two had missed.

The blood drained quickly from Casey’s face as Monson held up the paper.

“
Holy crap!” Casey whistled and ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe she did that.”

“
I know, right?” agreed Monson. “Weird. What a strange way to thank someone.”

“
Do what she says, Grey,” said Casey abruptly. “Do it now.”

Monson’s face reflected his confusion. “Do what Casey? What are you talking about?”

Casey rolled his eyes, obviously annoyed by what Monson did not understand. He suddenly turned and walked towards Monson’s room. Seconds later he came back with Monson’s phone in hand.

“
Casey, what are you doing with my phone?”

Casey clicked furiously for several seconds and then tossed Monson’s phone to him. “Here,” he said.  “Put Cyann’s number in.”

Monson did so, too bewildered to argue. He typed in the numbers on the pad and saved the contact. As he finished, Casey gestured to him to throw the phone back.

“
I’m putting a lock on your phone.” He started clicking again. “From now on when you want to use it, you’ll have to put in this code.”

He showed Monson a six-digit code.

“
That way no one else can get into your phone. You need to let people know that it’s coded. As a matter of fact, it might not be a bad idea to just leave it up here if you aren’t positive that you’ll need it.”

“
Hold on, Case,” said Monson “you aren’t making any sense. Why would I leave my phone here and why does it need a code?”

Casey gave Monson a flabbergasted look. “You know Grey, for someone who is so smart, you can be a real idiot sometimes.”

“
What’d I say?”

 
Artorius cut in. “Now, now, Casey. That’s a bit harsh. Allow me.”  

Artorius turned his attention towards Monson.

“
Grey, where do we go to school?”

“
Coren University, but what does that have to do with anything?”

Artorius put up a hand as if to say, Wait. He continued.

“
And what is the one thing that most of the students at Coren have in common?”

Monson’s scratched his head in confusion. “Adolescence?”

Artorius laughed. “No, Grey—money! Most of the students here are really wealthy.”

Monson thought on this. “Yeah…I’m still not getting your point.”

“
I’m getting there,” said Artorius.  “OK, so most of the students have money, right?”

“
Yes….”

“
So what conclusion can we draw from that little piece of information?”

Monson had no idea. “That…they can buy a lot of stuff.”

“
Precisely!” Artorius beamed. “People with money aren’t used to being denied access to something that they really want.”

“
I still don’t get it,” said Monson. “Are you trying to tell me that I have something that people really want?”

“
Yes,” said Artorius, “that is exactly what I’m telling you.”

Chapter 23- Confrontation

“
Come on—you don’t think this is just a little bit weird?”

The three boys were in gym class a couple of days after Kylie’s surprise visit and her unsolicited gift. Casey, Artorius and Monson were planning on sparring with the kendo club in the hopes of teaching Monson the proper technique for fending off more than one opponent. Artorius was setting things up while Casey and Monson watched. Both of them were having problems paying attention.

Casey was reclined on his elbows as Monson played with his kendo armor. Casey cracked his neck. “If I say yes, will you promise to stop talking about it?”

“
Why aren’t you more interested in this?” asked Monson as he heaved his
bokken
absentmindedly. “Kylie. She’s playing some sort of angle. She has to be.”

Casey sighed, exasperated. “For starters, Grey, nothing Kylie does gives me pause. She’s just that way. Two, even if she is playing some angle, I don’t care enough to engage.”

“
You sure are pissy today. Do you need a hug?”

“
From you? I think I’ll pass.”

“
Your loss. I give great hugs.”

“
I’ll take your word for it.”

Monson and Casey looked up as a group of older boys, most of whom Monson had rarely seen, let alone spoken to, approached them.  

The tallest boy, a rough-looking fellow who Monson knew to be the captain of the basketball team, leaned down, all six feet four inches of him.  “Monson Grey, right?”

Monson looked to Casey then back to the boy. “Grey? Nope, sorry—never heard of him.”

The tall boy was not amused.

“
Yeah, you’re funny. Anyway, listen: How about you and I work out a deal here. I’ll give you five hundred dollars for Cyann’s phone number.”

Others behind the boy interrupted.

“
I’ll give you a thousand!”

“
Two thousand!”

“
Five thousand dollars!”

Monson looked at the gathered crowd, speechless. How did they know?

“
Sorry fellas, I don’t know what you’re—”

“
Cut the crap, Grey,” said another boy farther back who was pushing his way forward. It was Martin, the governor’s son, the boy that Kylie had Jedi-mind-tricked. “Your involvement with Cyann is old news. We know you’ve got the information. So why don’t you hand it over?”

“
Listen guys, don’t make me repeat myself. I don’t know what you’re talking about. But if did, I’d tell you that Cyann’s phone number is not for sale. I would happily give it to all of you if I could. But she obviously doesn’t want it handed out. End of story.”

The boys started to protest loudly, employing everything from insults to whining. Casey slapped Monson in the back. “You know, Grey, there might be something to your Kylie-playing-at-some-angle discussion.”

Monson rolled his eyes as more boys headed their way.

*****

 “
I don’t know how many times I’m going to have to tell you this. This is not open to argument. The answer is no.”

Muttering broke out as the group of five or six boys dispersed and dejectedly went back to their various gym activities. Many venomous looks were directed at Monson; he returned them with enthusiasm.

He let out a deep sigh. They were gone…finally. It had been the same thing over and over again for the past several days, ever since the student body had found out that he was in possession of Cyann’s number. People—boys mainly, but even some girls—constantly dogged him, trying to get him to reveal the coveted information. He had known that Cyann was in demand, but this was just silly. What made it worse was that he did not even know how this came to everyone’s attention. Kylie was the most obvious answer, but why would she say anything? The whole affair just irked him.

“
You handled that well.”

 
Casey sat down next to Monson. Monson gave him a sour look.

“
I’m glad you’re enjoying this.”

 
Casey gave him a smirky smile, the one he wore when he was trying to be clever.  “Come on, you always said you wanted to be popular.”

Monson continued to glare at him. “This is ridiculous! I can’t believe the uproar. Why is everyone acting like this?”

“
You should know the answer to that.”

Monson was skeptical. “Sorry, I refuse to accept that as the only reason. I just don’t understand how it’s possible that NO ONE has Cyann’s number.”

Casey’s tone was sympathetic. “I know, right? It’s been all over the blogs. I don’t think you understand what Kylie got you into, Grey. Gossip Guy’s blog is blowing up. You’re the first guy since Cyann’s launch into celebrity-dom to have any sort of connection with her. Cyann’s stock is very high right now and unfortunately you’re caught in the crossfire of pointless jockeying for position.”

“
Launch?”

 
Casey smiled. “Grey, your social naiveté is so sweet it almost makes me want to vomit.”

“
Is that a compliment or insult?”

“
I think it was kinda both.”

“
I want you to be comforted by the fact that you don’t sound crazy at all.”

“
Har, har, har, Grey. Listen, it’s like this. Cyann. Every guy wants her. Every girl wants to be her. You are the only man in existence with her number and a direct link to the elusive little vixen herself. Of course you’re going to get some flack! It just comes with the territory.”

“
That’s about the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. And it doesn’t make any sense. Don’t get me wrong. Cyann is smokin’ and all. I get that, but what about Taris? I have Taris’ phone number and nobody gives two shakes. Wasn’t she supposed to be the stuff?”

Casey laughed. “Oh Grey, you are so innocent and yet you always ask just the right questions.”

“
As enigmatic as ever, Casey.” Monson leaned back. “So are you going to answer my question?”

“
Dude, we’ve gone over this. There’s really not much to it.” Casey, mimicking Monson’s movements, reclined slightly. “Taris is extremely popular, has been for a while now. When she goes on tour and stuff, she’s huge. You should see it. It’s crazy!  Fans, paparazzi, groupies—the works. And it’s not like people aren’t just as star struck here, but she’s known. People understand
why
she’s so untouchable, and she’s had her share of…how do you call them…love affairs.   It’s different in Cyann’s case.”

Casey gave Monson a serious look. “Did you know that Cyann’s dad is the biggest landowner in the country?”

 
Monson looked shocked.  “I had no idea.”

“
Yeah. He owns like half the world or something.”

Monson gave him skeptical look. “You’re exaggerating just a bit.”

“
Yeah,” Casey conceded. “But
only
a bit.”

Monson’s eyebrow shot up.

Casey continued. “OK, how about this one: Cyann’s adopted.”

“
What?” Monson’s eyes got so wide he thought they might fall out. “No way.”

“
Way,” said Casey. “Totally way.”

“
Whoa….” Monson was at a loss for words. She and Indigo looked so much alike. “Crazy.”

“
I know,” agreed Casey. “The stuff you pick up when you do a bit of digging.”

Monson furrowed his brow. “That’s all fascinating but it still doesn’t explain—”

“
Hold your impatient horses, I’m getting there.”

Monson fell silent as Casey continued.

“
Cyann has supermodel looks, amazing grades, top-notch fighting abilities which, incidentally, no one can explain.  The girl can even act. Add all that to the fact that she was also
adopted
by one of the richest men in the world, a man whose business reputation alone puts people on edge, and we have ourselves a situation that has transitioned from reality into the fantastical. Mr. Harrison…dude…he’s cutthroat like no one you’ve ever seen. And yet, he absolutely fawns over his adopted daughter.
Fawns
, Grey, like a preschooler with a puppy.  When she came on the public scene everyone—and I mean EVERYONE—wanted a piece. From movies to music, Cyann could have had her pick. Now all this was quite new for our Ms. Harrison, who had only been in her new family for a couple of years.  She could have run with it. You don’t understand, Grey, she could have been big,
huge
! But she ignored them all, instead coming to this school at the request of her father and thus disappearing from the limelight. The entertainment industry moved on as it tends to do, but this whole Diamond/Cyann potential love affair has really brought her back into the spotlight.”