Chapter Seven: The Uninvited
With graduation ruined and my senior year behind me, there was little else for me to do other than prepare for my transition to college life. My parents still felt I was too weak from the prom incident to go anywhere alone, so they insisted accompanying me on campus to find the location of my classes as well as picking up my books. At times, though, I idly wondered if they were simply fearful that Dustin would pop out of the bushes to finish me off.
I hadn't heard from Dustin since I was in the hospital and that was four days ago. Per Cori's suggestion, I told him to leave me alone or I'd report him to the cops for violating the no-contact order my parents and I filed against him.
Filing the charges hurt me to my core. If someone would've come to me all those years ago and said my friendship with Dustin would be over because he tried to take advantage of me, I would have laughed them to scorn.
The ultimatum Dustin gave all those days ago still rang through my brain and there was no doubt in me about what "secret" he referred to...but how? What could have possibly given us away? And what proof did he have?
If I were in his situation and had such leverage, I would waste no time in showing my hand to help produce the outcome I needed to see. Dustin's moves were sneaky and silent, leaving no indication of his true motive, and that's what led me try and talk my parents out of pursuing legal action against him.
Of course, my parents weren't trying to hear anything of it.
"Don't you think we should just drop it, Mom?" I asked, not looking up from my bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. "I mean, he's lost everything from what I heard. No scholarships and his admission to school was revoked, his job fired him. His friends bailed on him after the text records were released. His life is ruined."
"Dani," my dad interjected before my mom could answer. "I know your heart is in the right place, you don't want to see your old friend suffer but, we do," he shrugged. "We could have lost you and by his hand."
"Okay, but did I die though?"
"Danica!"
"Mom," I sighed. "He's not going to be able to live this down. Ever. What does this help?"
"It is the principle," my mother huffed in staccato. "No one should be above the law."
"This will also reflect badly upon his parents who had nothing to do with this. Their practice is under fire."
"Which is unfortunate," my dad sighed, "but this is what happens in these circumstances. He needs to understand the severity of bad decisions."
"Not just bad decisions, those choices he made could have cost you your life. No, we will be seeing this through to the end and we will not be settling for any amount of money they offer."
"But Mom—"
"End of discussion. Look, we have something we want to talk to you about, Danica." My mom took a breath before continuing. "While you were in the hospital, you missed graduation."
"I know," I sighed.
"We realize how big of a milestone that is for a teenage girl and we're livid you had to miss it so...we decided to host a party in your honor."
"A...what?"
"Everyone else's graduation parties are done so there's no reason you shouldn't be able to have yours without interference. Everything is set up for this Saturday."
"I...well..."
"We booked a photographer, have catering organized. Cori helped me find decorations, and, oh, I just know you'll be so excited once you see everything come together," my mother gushed, our earlier conversation seemingly forgotten.
"Cori?"
"This was her idea, really," my dad chuckled. "Quite determined, that girl."
I laughed, "That's definitely Cori."
"The guest list is set and all your friends will be here. Your grandparents are even going to come up from Florida. That teacher of yours will be here."
I dropped my spoon. "Teacher?"
"Yes, Ryan Lewis," my mother sighed, "keep up, Danica. If he hadn't acted so quickly on your behalf at the prom, we don't know what would have become of you. He will always be welcome in our home."
I almost said it then and there. I was going to tell them how happy I was to hear those words because Ryan was in my life and I loved him but I knew the timing wasn't right. They would definitely have to know, but not so soon after graduation. We would be forced to wait until my sophomore or junior year of college, at least.
"Danica, did you hear me?"
I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry, I must have missed it."
My mom shook her head. "How your mind wanders. I said I have a salon appointment set up for you, Cori, and Erin. Hair, makeup, nails, all of that."
My mom's chin lifted as her chest poked out some.
"Erin?"
"She was constantly visiting you in the hospital and was very concerned. Cursed Dustin's name every chance she got. Cori said you two have been forming quite the friendship with this Erin so I thought—"
"Mom, that's awesome. I can't even begin to thank you guys enough." I hugged them both as my mom continued explaining all the events she planned.
"The girls are going to be staying the night tomorrow and Saturday morning are your appointments. Just relax and enjoy it all, okay?"
"I'll definitely try."
"Now, we have to talk about your outfit."
"Mom, I still have my graduation dress that I never got to wear."
"Yes, but it doesn't match the party's theme, so you girls are going shopping tomorrow. Your father and I will be treating so please, get exactly what you want."
"Lunch is on us, as well. And if you want to grab some of those mocha-choka whipped shits from Starbucks, that's fine."
I laughed as my mom gasped, playfully slapping my dad on his arm.
"Hey, I know how it goes with you women. You shop, sip beverages, and gossip."
***
Naturally, I knew Cori's game, and she was quite skilled at playing it. After talking to my parents about the party, I promptly texted her to say "thank you" for manufacturing a reason for me to be out of the house, which gave me the excuse to be sitting on Ryan's couch first thing Friday morning.
We'd stayed in contact every day since I woke up from the prom incident, but nothing could replace the face to face contact we both craved.
At that point, I would have rather been tucked into his chest with his arms wrapped tightly around me, but I knew that type of contact would be a distraction from the conversation we needed to have about the state of our relationship.
"How are you feeling?" Ryan asked for the two-millionth time.
"Back to normal. Human. You?"
"Relieved. I was worried about you. So many people were."
"So I've heard."
"Has he...has Dustin tried contacting you?"
"Actually, yeah." I sighed before launching into the details of Dustin's threat and what I did about it. I saw Ryan tense, but he didn't let my hands go or look away from me.
"I can't see any fuel he would have other than you calling me by my first name while you were falling down."
"I—what?" My grip on his hands tightened.
"Yeah, but I'm curious as to why that would send him off. He was aware of our interactions before your parents sent you to California. He's always known we were close. My real question is, what does he benefit from having the lawsuit dropped?"
"I honestly don't know," I shrugged. "Are you worried?"
Ryan rubbed his face with both hands before answering. "I'm not sure how to feel at this point, to be honest. If he had proof, he would have provided it."
"That's what Cori said," I nodded. "I feel like he's just desperately grabbing at straws now. Trying to save what bit of his life he can. I feel—"
"Don't you dare say you feel bad for that little motherfucker."
"Ryan!"
"No, Dani. He deserves everything that happened to him and then some. What he did was vile, at best."
"I just...can't imagine what he must be feeling. To have lost everything at such a young age," I shook my head. "But I'm not sure I want to let my guard down. He may not have proof, but if he hasn't stopped to consider his actions, he's bound to cook up some other plot." I turned to face Ryan now. "I know I'm graduated and of age, but until this thing with Dustin ends, I think we're gonna have to be very careful about our interactions. Even though he doesn't have proof of our relationship and we definitely weren't involved before I turned eighteen, this could still reflect badly on you and I don't want that."
Ryan looked into my eyes, seeming to search for something. "You've matured."
"What?" I cocked my head to the side.
"You don't think the same as before. I was geared up to have a discussion about how we couldn't be as public as we would've hoped and I was ready to hear you disagree, quite vehemently, with me." He took one of my hands into his. "This is what I meant when I said I wanted us to grow together. I'm so relieved you came to this conclusion on your own. It lets me know you are looking at this relationship as more than a reaction to feelings we share, but you're thinking about the long term. I agree, although reluctantly, that we have to be diligent in keeping our relationship as secret as possible." He delicately placed one of his hands on the back of my neck. "But that doesn't mean I won't be at that party tomorrow."
I smiled.
"I think it's good your parents are comfortable with inviting me over. I wouldn't go as far as to say we're in the clear, but it's a start."
"Definitely a start," I nodded. "So...does this mean...we're together, together? Like you're my boyfriend?"
"That's such a trivial title for how much I want to be to you; but, yes," he said before leaning and pressing his lips to mine.
Finally!
My entire being thrummed with satisfaction to hear that Ryan was mine and that he accepted me as his.
He was right though, the term "boyfriend" did seem trivial when placed in context of how much I loved and appreciated him. What I felt in my soul seemed to stretch itself into an eternity symbol, an irreversible mark, a timestamp of when forever officially started.
I couldn't help myself. I leaned forward to deepen the kiss. Ryan accepted me, placing his hands on either side of my neck, cradling me as if I were a porcelain doll; fragile, delicate, and priceless.
Our lips performed an elaborate dance, one where we were in perfect tandem. It was an intoxicating experience where I had no clue which direction was up or down, left or right. I just knew I needed him in that moment.
I laced my fingers into Ryan's hair as his hands traveled down my body, stopping at my waist. He pulled me closer and his hardness dug into my belly, causing me to gasp.
