On My Way To Mr. Right

Chapter 5

James disappeared in the little crowd of people and I decided to look for Hailey upstairs. Clara was still not back from that drink so I might as well take the opportunity to snoop around. Hailey might still be in her room. The Harpers moved back in town to a different house, so this was all new and unfamiliar to me. I did have the chance to be there once when my parents invited me over for Thanksgiving last year. But I hadn’t explored much of the house. For all I know, I might catch someone in a towel. I just hope that I don't see anything happening.

When I got upstairs, I saw three doors to the right and four to the left. Since I've always preferred being right, I prepared to open the first door on the right. After building up courage, I knocked and when nobody answered, I opened it.

Thankfully, the room was empty, so I moved on to the next one which I found out was a bathroom.

Last room.

What surprise could it have for me inside? I opened it without a fuss, since the other rooms were empty. It's still early anyways, no one could be doing dirty. I instantly opened it only to find Clara sitting on some guy. I didn't even have to look properly to know what they were doing or going to do. I slammed the door shut and rubbed my eyes as if they had been infected by what I saw. That was not a good sight to look at.

Before I could walk away, the door opened once again, revealing a fully dressed Clara with bluish-red cheeks. She couldn’t even look at me in the eyes.

"She’s not here, Lottie. Adrian lied to you about Hailey." She grunted. I turned around and glared. The glare wasn't for Clara, but I couldn't stop my anger. This isn't what I planned for the night to go.

“How do you know?”

“Um, I asked him,” She motions to the door behind her and I drowned in my delayed realization. She was the same Clara that Rossalyn mentioned. She was Adie’s new fling. I was utterly embarrassed having to find myself in this awkward situation. I was so blindsided, and I couldn’t even blame it on Clara. She didn’t have anything to do with this but I was so stupid for not piecing it together sooner. I calmed myself a little before walking downstairs, blood boiling, not even giving her a second glance before leaving.

I could be writing my last ten pages for Spanish class right now.

Adrian’s friends were dancing in the middle of the floor with girls grinding in front of them. When my eyes landed on Matthew who was enjoying himself, my eyes filled with flames. Those sneaky bastards

I went home that night, furious with Adrian and his friends. But even more angry with myself.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

“I’m going home, I’m sorry, James,” I told him before leaving. I had found him amidst the crowd with a girl whispering too close to his lips, not his ears.

James, as focused and preoccupied as he was with Lila, I assume, ran after me to the front lawn.

“What’s wrong? Did Adrian try something on you?” He asks, grabbing me by the arm, preventing me from leaving.

I felt near to tears. I felt so ashamed and somewhat humiliated yet I was the one who put myself in that situation.

“No, this entire thing was just so stupid. Charles was right. I was foolish to even think of coming here tonight.”

“Charlotte, tell me what’s wrong.”

“Um, so, um,” I stuttered to explain to him. It was stark obvious and I couldn’t even see it. “You know Clara, our friend whom we brought over here?” He nods. “He’s the same Clara that’s dating Adrian.”

I expected him to jump in a rage. Or rush back to punch Adrian’s smug face. I thought he would be as wild and shocked as I was. But no. He was calm and he looked at me confused.

“Did you not know?” He asks.

“What? Did you know? You all knew all along?”

“What do you mean? Rossalyn mentioned this the night we went over to your place.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t know it was the same Clara,” I argued back, further realizing my ignorance.

“The only reason she mentioned Clara to you without any context, background, or introduction at all is that we already knew Clara. We all thought you got that. I was even surprised when you said you invited her over with us to the party.”

I was left dumbfounded. How did I not see that?

Still, I was unreasonable and stubborn. I don’t bother to reply to him and take the car and leave in my rage. It was my brother’s car. James shouted after me and tried to stop me, but I was determined to get out of this hellhole.

The next day was more of a mess as I had slept with my party clothes on. I went to class and the day went on like normal. Normal so far, since I haven’t seen or heard from any of my friends. Today was a Saturday and the only reason I had to go to school was to make up for the lost study sessions I missed over the summer. I had planned on advancing my subjects by Junior year to aid me in my dream college, so here I was putting effort into my weekends.

While everyone was hungover and in their beds by this time, I was in Calculus, drilling my head for answers.

I packed my things, and got ready to leave when Mr. Rhodes, from Calculus, spoke again, but not to me. This time he was looking at Damien White who had a grim look on his face.

"You could've done great, Mr. White. Showing up today, I thought you'd finally take this class seriously. You signed up for this, you said you wanted this. But I guess you're still a disappointment in the family, huh." He said and left the room. That was harsh. I glanced at Damien for a second and saw that he didn't even care. If he did, well, he sure does know how to hide it.

The party at Adrian's house did not go very well for me. It did for James and Clara, so I believe. The thought of Adrian kissing Clara and tricking me into coming over infuriated me. I was flustered. He had left me expecting Hailey that night, someone who I found out just this morning, was at a hotel in Richmond with her mom. I looked like a complete i***t opening doors looking for someone who wasn't even there!

By now, it was already lunchtime and I had headed to the cafeteria with Bea in tow.

"I heard from James that the party sucked for you," She said and it made me sigh.

"It was bad enough already. Do I have to relive it by telling you?"

She chuckled and went silent. That's what I like about Bea. She always understands my need for silence at times, even when, most times, she can't shut up.

"How'd your Friday afternoon go?" I asked.

"Wet. Dad took me on a fishing trip. I was wearing my most expensive pair of shoes and he didn't bother telling me we were going fishing!"

I chuckled. "He said fishing, not swimming. Why were you all wet?"

"I'm clumsy like that, Lottie. Besides, I didn't know that I wasn't supposed to stand on the edge of the boat."

"So, you fell?" I laughed at her tragedy. At least I wasn't the only one who suffered through the weekend.

"Face first." She sighed. "I'm never stepping foot on another boat ever again."

"Hey, have you heard from Ross?" Charles said as we approached our usual table. “She mentioned she still has that editorial page to finish. I thought she’d catch a ride with either one of you on the way here. But I haven’t caught a glimpse of her here.”

"Must be running a little late. You know how it is with Mrs. Reagan," I suggested.

Rossalyn’s mother, Carrie Reagan, always had trouble with her time and schedule. Ross was always left to deal with the conflict, either with her clients or her boyfriends.

“Yes, but anyway, any of you taking up Trigonometry with Mr. Vinny? James called me this morning about a math problem. He will probably need a lot of help to pass his class this year, he muttered.

"Well, I wouldn't know. I haven't had classes with that witch." I snickered as I walked to get food with my friends walking behind me.

"That's a bit mean. She's nice to me," Charles protested.

I rolled my eyes. Of course, he'd be nice to you. You're a genius. What kind of teacher wouldn't you like?

"That's because you're acting his class, smart head." I groaned. Math wasn’t my strongest forte. I was good enough to pass, but not good enough to ace it.

But if Charles was acting in every class, James was the complete opposite. He's holding on a thin line to failing and the only thing passing him in his classes is the extra credit he gets for dancing and playing sports at interschool events like the tournament weeks ago. He's a good dancer who plays basketball regularly, and he's glad the teachers appreciate it. Because if they didn't, he'd be a freshman repeating his classes over and over again.