Juilliard or Else Page 14

  "God, Gabs. You do something inside me that makes me want to be a better person. You're pure. That's why I gotta go and do this: sever ties, pretty much. That's the only way I can explain it right now. I really like kissing you, though."

  And he kissed me again before I could even ask him what he meant. This was more of a good-bye kiss, soft and sweet. I didn't want to let him go, but he pulled away and walked out of my building, leaving me breathless as always. It was already too late; I was falling for him so fast. I was in trouble. That night I did get a text from him saying, "Goodnight, baby girl".

  Ballet class on Thursday went a little smoother. I think Madame Ava didn't want to call on me at all during our run through and practices for the Swan Lake auditions that were coming up in October. She explained to us again that she expected all of us to try out for the part of Odette/Odile no matter what. Even if we felt like we wouldn't get the part, she wanted us all to be there. I watched every girl in my class as a competition, which wasn't right. We were all here to support each other, but I was determined to get this part. Jasmine moved across the wood floor with grace as always. She was untouchable to everyone.

  Class was over without Madame Ava yelling at me. Jasmine continued her stupid glares at me whenever it was my turn. I was waiting for Jade and Rachel outside when Jon came up to me. His blond hair was spikey, sticking straight up, and his brown eyes were warm. He had a great smile as well, with nice, perfectly straight teeth.

  "Hey Abigail."

  "Hi Jon." I smiled.

  "I just saw you standing here and was wondering if you needed a ride or… anything?" He laughed nervously, shoving his hands deep in his pockets as he shifted from foot to foot. Before I could even answer him, Jasmine was at his side, linking her arm through his.

  Of course Jasmine did her signature glare towards me with her own devil brown eyes. "Jon, we need to go," she said, smiling up at him and he smiled down to her. They were a couple? I didn't know that.

  "See ya, Abigail." Jasmine pulled Jon away, but she stopped to look at me one more time. "Tell Tucker I said hey, though."

  My stomach dropped. Tucker knew her? My chest started to hurt as I let the words sink in. I wanted to punch something. I was confused. I hated having that feeling where everything hurts from seeing or hearing something you weren't expecting, like a brick sitting in your stomach. My breaths picked up and I didn't even hear Jade's voice as she was saying my name to get my attention. I watched Jon open the passenger door for Little Miss Snob who knew Tucker. I really wanted to pull on her tight bun to rip it out of her perfectly shaped head.

  Jade pulled on my arm so I faced her, but it was too late. The same thing that always happened when Carol frustrated me couldn't be stopped. The ache in my stomach turned over again and I felt my throat open up. I barely had anytime to launch my body over the cement wall Tucker sat on just yesterday, and I heaved up my stomach acid.

  "Oh damn it," Jade grunted out. "Gabs, get up before Rachel see you like this and she flips a lid."

  I was dizzy and nauseous, which made me sicker, but I managed to straighten out my body while Jade wiped my mouth off with the hem of my black sweatshirt, then shoved a piece of gum in my mouth. I chewed the mint stick mixed with my nasty stomach acid in my mouth and tried my best to swallow back my gross saliva.

  "Who was the devil bitch you were talking to?"

  Taking deep breaths, I replied, "Jasmine. She's in my class and she's Miss Little Goody Perfect Ballet Shoe Girl. I got offered a ride by a guy in our class and she came up, made him leave, and then told me to tell Tucker freaking hi!" I yelled at Jade, not caring about anyone around us and my rant. My arms were flinging around like a mad person. The one person who I just didn't get along with knew Tucker.

  When Rachel caught up with us, we walked home. I was silent the entire way; Jade threw me looks over Rachel's shoulders, but I kept my eyes in front. I was quiet when I made chicken and peppers for dinner. I was quiet when we ate dinner; I even went out to the balcony to smoke by myself. Again, I never pegged myself as a smoker before, but right now, it calmed me down and helped clear my head. Rachel and Jade kept their distance from me; I was grateful. I needed the space for a little bit. I flicked my last bit of cigarette over the railing and went to my bathroom to shower. I heard the chime of my phone, but my body didn't react all excited to the noise, hoping it would be Tucker. I turned the water on all the way hot and let it beat down on my head. When I finished my shower, I brushed my teeth and climbed into my bed.

  I laid in the darkness for a little bit, staring at my ceiling in my own little world. My phone lit up my room, showing the shadows on the walls. Reaching over to grab my phone, it was connected to the charger.

  2 new messages from Tucker

  I opened them; I didn't have to reply back to him, but I wanted to know what he said.

  Tucker: Hey baby girl ;)

  Tucker: Just wanted to say hey, but you must be asleep. Night, baby girl.

  I swallowed a huge, dry lump in my throat. It took everything I had not to text back. Instead, I locked my phone and set my alarm then snuggled deep into my comforter, feeling very lost and confused.

  Class the next day was good and I made it to the fifth spot in the line. With Madame Ava's help, I was able to perform the triple pirouette without any more problems. I did it every time with excellence. Every time I was upfront in class, I could always hear Jasmine do something to humiliate me: coughing, clearing her throat. I knew she was just trying to distract me in some way. Jon didn't talk to me during or after class; I didn't really care, though. If he was with Jasmine, then he was lost.

  Madame Ava gave us the dates of the auditions for Swan Lake. Eight A.M. sharp and we were not to be late. If we were late, then that was it; we didn't get to audition. I put all the information in my phone calendar as a reminder.

  Rachel, Jade, and I went out to lunch after class. Brad and Tucker were gone; Jett wouldn't give me any information about him when he met us there. I asked him once and he just said, "He'll be back. He always comes back," whatever that meant. I wanted to ask more questions, but every time I opened my mouth, Jade would either start talking or kick me under the table.

  Jett invited us back to his tattoo shop along with Jade, but I just wanted to go home. Rachel hailed a cab and it took us back to the apartment.

  "Isn't tomorrow your dinner with your dad?"

  I nodded, "Yep, it sure is."

  "Nervous at all?" Rachel asked, popping her gum and smacking it together.

  "Nah, this is an annual thing he does at the end of the year." Undoing my tight bun and running my fingers through my hair felt nice. Rachel and I curled up on the couch together in our jammies and watched another one of the girlie movies she loved. Turns out, Rachel was a huge Johnny Depp fan; she looked up to him as an actor.

  "He can play any part, even if it's creepy weird or serious acting. That man knows how to act."

  I just shook my head whenever she brought that up. Jade came home late, but I was in bed, staring at the ceiling. Still nothing from Tucker, but that was okay. My brain was still confused on how Jasmine even knew I was with Tucker. Well, I wasn't with him. I just really liked him. But still, "Tell Tucker I say hey," ran through my thoughts. I had to ask him about it. Thinking about my approach made my eyes get heavy and then they slowly shut.

  I did so many twists and turns in the shared bathroom, taking in so many angles of the gown I bought with Rachel. I had Rachel help me with my hair earlier; she did a beautiful job with the loose curls, then pinned it up on one side with the rest falling down on the other. She also helped me with my makeup, but didn't go too crazy like the night we went to the club. She used soft browns and a hint of gold and the gold matched the clutch purse she let me borrow.

  I think I'm good and ready to go. Walking out into our living room, I spotted Jade out on the balcony on her cell phone; it was a really good chance that she was talking to Jett. Those two, I swear, were like peas and carrots;
they were just perfect for each other. I knocked on the glass window and she turned; I waved bye and she gave me the bird.

  A black limo was right outside the apartment building when I came out. Michael held open my door and helped me with my gown so it wouldn't get caught in the door. I rearranged my dress and sat on the leather seat next to my dad, and when I looked up, I spotted a person who I hadn't met or seen before sitting next to Carol.

  "Abigail," Carol said next to the man, "this is Alexander Blair, and he'll be joining us at our table tonight."

  I didn't even greet him before I turned and leaned into my dad to give him a side hug.

  He kissed my cheek "How are you, angel?" I loved when my dad used my nickname. It always brought me some comfort, especially when Carol was hovering around me.

  "Good. How are you daddy?"

  "Fine. Miss you around the house." I playfully smacked his leg.

  "No, you don't. I'm sure you're happy to get me outta there, so I don't play all that classical music," I snickered.

  "It was quite enjoyable at moments."

  "Yeah, sure, Dad."

  The rest of the limo ride was a bit awkward, mainly because I didn't know Alex Blair. There were times when I caught him looking at me; I looked over at him and he would turn his head to look away. And when I looked at Carol, she smirked then patted his knee, which was weird. We pulled up to the hotel where my dad usually held his firm dinners. My dad got out of the limo first and held out his hand to help me, lacing my arm through his to have him lead us into the grand hotel.

  We were the last to arrive, mostly because my dad was the guest of honor. Since my dad was the head of the company, we had to sit at the front of the room at a long table facing everyone. The hotel dining room was gorgeous as always, decorated in white and gold colors, with dim lights and tall candlesticks on each of the fifty tables, which were full of his employees and their spouses.

  They all stood up and applauded us as we made our way to the front. My dad had to stop to shake some hands of his closest friends; everyone loved my dad. Carol loved the attention. I turned back and watched her smile and give a little pageant wave. Alex met my gaze and smiled. I turned back around as we made our way up the little steps and to our seats. My dad sat right in front with Carol to his left and me on the other side of Carol. Alex sat on the other side of me.

  "Hello Abigail," he greeted me as he sat down. He voice was strong and his blue eyes shined when he smiled.

  "Hey." Carol cleared her throat and I sighed. "Hello, Alex." I smiled back, and then turned to face the front as my dad stood up to the microphone at the end of our table. He gave my shoulder a little squeeze as he passed behind me.

  "Evening, ladies and gentlemen," my dad addressed the crowd. He talked about the goals they set at the beginning of the year and how they achieved them. More applause echoed through the dining room. He went on about some profits and raises for everyone soon to come for the Christmas season. They all clapped some more, then his voice got serious when he brought up Alex's name.

  "Alex Blair is new to our group and so far, he has won every case handed to him." More applauses. "Alex, come on up here," my dad announced and started clapping with the crowd.

  My dad waved him over, but before he stood up, he turned and kissed my cheek. I was shell-shocked. He barely knew me and he kissed me? Ick…yes, he was very good looking, but that was just weird. My dad introduced Alex to everyone. Being only twenty-five and having graduated from Harvard Law a year ahead of his class, he was now the youngest Criminal Justice lawyer at the firm. He was making his way to the top very fast. He wasn't a bad looking guy; he was at least six foot two with short brown hair and intense blue eyes, and his black suit clung to his body. My dad clapped him on the shoulder and with the next announcement, my dad made the room explode.

  "Alex and I are taking on a very big case. The Grayson case, as many of you know, has been a huge struggle. The couple cannot keep their stories straight, so the divorce attorneys had to get us involved. So, after a great deal of thought between my lovely wife and I, if Alex helps me win this case, he will become partner in the firm."

  The dining room exploded into more cheers and applauses. After all these years, not once had my dad even considered having a partner in his firm. He usually just had Carol by his side. Alex looked back over to me and winked, causing my face to heat up in front of the room full of people watching us. I lowered my head and tucked a piece of loose hair behind my ear.

  "Alex likes you, Abigail," Carol whispered in my ear. "He actually told me he would like to take you out to get to know you."

  That was when it hit me: Carol was going to try everything she could to get me to go out with Alex. He was just giving me the time because my dad would make him partner if he did. I groaned. Of course that's what was happening. I rubbed my head in annoyance to Carol. I didn't think my dad would do something like this to me; he probably would flip if Carol did this on her own.

  They were done with their short speeches and dinner was served. The food was delicious. Almost everyone came up to Alex or my dad to congratulate them and wished them the best on the Grayson case. I've heard my dad in his office, yelling at people to get their asses moving on this case, but they couldn't do anything because of the arrogant couple they were dealing with.

  A slow orchestra sounded through the speakers when Alex stood up from the table and held out his hand to me.

  "Abigail, may I have this dance?" His blue eyes bore into mine in a very charming way, which suited him with perfection.

  "Umm…" Carol bumped into my shoulder, trying to casually turn to my dad in the process. "Sure." I brushed at the wrinkles that weren't really there on my long purple gown.

  Alex led me onto the dance floor as his right hand was placed on my lower back. We danced in silence, not speaking at all. Yep, this certainly looked like he really wanted to get to know me, as Carol explained. Every time we turned and I saw my dad and Carol, she had her hand on her chest, like a proud mother, seeing her daughter dancing with something that wasn't even there. When we turned again and I faced the back of the room with the double doors wide open, by surprise, I saw Tucker leaning up against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest. I immediately wanted to run to him. Alex turned me faster and faster as the beat picked up, but every time I was turned, I searched only for Tucker.

  The kisses we had shared made me quiver at my knees, and I wanted to feel his lips against mine. I hadn't seen him or talked with him. I missed him. I knew that sounded weird because I hardly knew him, but something deep down inside me made me feel like that. I smiled every time we made eye contact, his body still leaning on the door frame. Once the song was over, my dad came up to cut in.

  I hurriedly said, "I need to use the restroom first, Daddy," not letting him answer me as I made my way towards the front doors. Tucker saw me heading his way and back out around the corner. I came out, looking down the hallway and yelped when a hand came out to pull me into a darkened spot.

  "Can I just tell you how gorgeous you look in that dress?" Excitement ran through my veins and made my heart pound until it felt like it was going to burst right out of my chest. Tucker was dressed in black pants, a white shirt, with his black leather jacket. His long hair was slicked all the way back and I wanted to run my fingers through it. He dropped his head down and rested his forehead to mine, our noses barely touching.

  "You can," I whispered. He chuckled. His hot breath hit my face and I looked into his sparkling blue eyes. Tucker's eyes always sparkled when I stared at him. When he looked at me, I was the only one that mattered to him.

  His fingertips brushed my cheek. "Gabs, you're gorgeous," he said, and then he tenderly kissed my lips. It was soft and slow, and his hands locked behind my lower back as the kiss deepened. I felt his tongue at the seam of my lips and I gladly opened. His tongue was smooth and soft against the roof of my mouth.

  Man, he could kiss.

  His hands roamed up and d
own my sides, the silk of my dress felt hot against my skin, sending chills up and down my spine. I groaned in his mouth as he deepened the kiss even more.

  I could let him kiss me all day long. Hearing some people suddenly talking, which sounded like my dad, I pulled away, our lips making that smacking sound, and I stepped back from him. He looked at me with an irritated look when I did that.

  "What?"

  He raked his hands through his hair. "Why did you do that?"

  "Do what?" I bit my bottom lip. I knew he was upset that I pulled away, which was stupid of me to do.

  He took a step to me. "Let's get outta here."

  "Tucker, I can't," I said, shaking my head.

  His eyes were the saddest I'd seen. "Yes, you can."

  Still shaking my head, I said, "No, this is for my dad. I can't just leave right in the middle of the party. How did you find me anyway?"

  The thought suddenly entered my mind on how he found me.

  "Okay, the line of contacts. Jade talked to Jett, who told me once I got back, and I came straight here. Just lie. Don't you want to come and hang out at Jett's house? Rachel and Jade are there already; they even have a change of clothes for you."

  I knew I shouldn't leave my dad here, but I wanted to be with Tucker. I missed him. "I'll be right back." Before I left our darkened corner, Tucker pulled me back into his arms and gave me a hard kiss. My body fell into his as I kissed him back just as hard and when we separated, we were both out of breath.

  Wow.

  My legs could hardly carry me as I made my way back into the dining room. My dad, Carol and Alex were back at the table, having their desserts. I walked up behind my dad and put a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. I leaned down to talk into his ear, hoping he would be the only one to hear me. If Carol found out I wanted to leave, she wouldn't let me.