I decided to finally go back to school. Everything seemed the same aside from the fact that I'd become the girl who lost her father and was no longer the pretty girl in grade eleven B. Whether it was fortunate for me or not, I was yet to decide. At this point in my life, the last thing I wanted was attention.
I was sleeping through another lunch break one sunny afternoon when the sunray I'd been basking in was cut off. I opened my eyes and saw a palm blocking the sun from reaching my face.
"Move." Was the only word I said before closing my eyes again. I wasn't in the mood to play or be friendly with anyone. Heck, I didn't care who it was. Whether it was a teacher or the principal, I didn't give one hoot. All I wanted was to be left alone.
"I didn't think you were the mean type, Sophie."
My eyes shot open. I knew that voice.
At once I raised my head. Standing before me was a gorgeous, perfectly sculpted Tyler with the most beautiful smile.
"Uhmm, Ty—uhm, what, why are you here?"
He didn't stop smiling.
"Happy birthday Sophie."
I was confused. Happy, very happy, but very confused. How did he know it was my birthday today? How come he was here?
Tyler has been the great love of my life.
Ever since the first day of high school when I laid my eyes on him, I'd had a massive crush on him. I could never muster the courage to talk to him though. And he'd never really spoken to me except the usual 'hi' and 'hey' greeting. We'd been lab partners once, but he never showed any interest in me. And now… now he was here, and I was panicking.
For crying out loud what is happening?
"You know it's my birthday today?"
He simply smiled. He brought his other hand from behind his back. I hadn't even noticed it had been there since the beginning of our conversation.
Tyler handed me a a box. "It's yours."
My hands must have moved on their own because I was honestly too confused to react.
I looked at the present that was neatly wrapped in a purple wrapper, my favorite color, then I looked up at him.
"I hope you like the gift." He rubbed the back of his head, an embarrassed look on his face.
Did he not know?
The mere fact that he'd remembered my birthday was a gift in itself. Whatever was in here was icing on the cake. I wouldn't care if it turned out to be a spoon or chopsticks. I would love it like it was a Ferrari.
Then it hit me. What if this was a pity gift?
I raised my head from the gift and looked at him.
Did Tyler pity me because I was an orphan now? Was this what this was about?
"Uhm… no thanks." I handed the gift back to him. "I don't want it."
He looked genuinely surprised.
"Why?" He asked.
"You shouldn't give other girls gifts when you have a girlfriend." I said, feeling it was a better excuse than saying I hate that you pity me.
"You're lying." His face contorted into a frown. "What's the real reason why you're giving it back?"
"I'm not lying." I argued. "I just think it's wrong. The last thing I need right now is Sharon coming after me. My high school days are almost over. I'd rather leave in peace."
"You're still lying."
"Excuse me?" Now I was frowning.
"Whenever you lie, you do this thing with your eyes where you like, you look up then down very fast."
I was shocked. And it obviously showed.
"How do you know that?"
Tyler chuckled lightly. His face was turning into a light shade of red. His hand found the back of his head again and he scratched. "I just do."
"What do you mean you just—"
"Because I've been watching you Sophie." He interrupted me. I was once again taken by surprise. "I've told you my truth, now it's your turn. Why won't you take my gift? I put a lot of thought into it."
I contemplated defending my lies, but when I looked into his eager brown eyes, I was compelled to tell the truth.
"I don't want your pity present."
Tyler's eyes softened. "You think I pity you? You think this is what this present is?"
Wasn't it? Before now, I'd had other birthdays. And not one of them did it occur to him to give me a gift. And after my father dies, just like that, he's giving me a birthday gift. It wasn't that hard to figure out.
"I—"
Before I could say anymore, the classroom began to flood with students. I quickly dragged my hands and hid the present Tyler had given me.
He furrowed. So I shook my head at him and begged him to go. People were beginning to stare at us. I knew it was only a matter of seconds before news got to Sharon that her boyfriend had come to see me.
I had meant it when I said I didn't want to be the talk of the school. Not even Tyler was worth the trouble at this point. We had barely six months left before we entered the final year of high school. My mission was to stay as far away from trouble as I can.
"Really?" He mumbled.
"I'm sorry." My eyes said before they looked down.
When I raised them again, Tyler was gone.
Like I'd anticipated, Sharon had come to warn me, making a scene as she did. And for the rest of the semester, I'd avoided Tyler like he was the plague.
***
The Christmas break came and I'd spent my Christmas with uncle Nathan and his children. Aaron was two years older than Andrew and I. He was a college boy. And Andrew, unfortunately, was the black sheep of the house. The one always causing problems for uncle Nathan.
He'd dropped out of school when he was sixteen, his excuse; that he was on sabbatical to find himself.
It was sad because that was one of Andrew's many lies. While I looked up to Aaron and admired him, I never really liked Andrew all that much. But this Christmas, I was forced to get to know him. And that's where it all went wrong.
I knew Andrew was many things. But I never imagined he'd easily manipulate me. But then again, I was at my lowest, and I was still grieving. I could have done anything to stop feeling so lonely and in pain.
And so I did everything.
Dad had left a will. Everything he owned was mine. And since there was no clause stopping me from accessing all of that money—almost hundred thousand dollars in total, college fund included—I began to spend it.
At first, it was just a few dollars for new clothes. I thought, maybe, just maybe they could fill the void in my heart. But then I began to squander. Buying unnecessary things for both Andrew and myself.
In less than a few weeks, Andrew and I began to bond. He introduced me to his friends and at some point, I began to envy their lifestyle.
No school. No restraint. Just freedom to do as they pleased. I couldn't stop school though, that was out of the question. Plus, it would bring unnecessary attention from uncle Nath towards me. But at least, I was living the life.
Andrew and I visited hotels like they were our second home, spending on food, and living lavishly. Enjoying room service and the freedom that had begun to poison my mind.
I was losing focus. I hadn't realized it then. Andrew was like the little devil on my shoulder whispering all the wrong things to me.
The only thing that mattered to me was the fact that I'd stopped feeling depressed. That I wasn't sulking anymore.
But I have to say. I was lucky. Andrew didn't do drugs. Maybe because his father was a cop. He almost never drank too. Only a few times. That didn't make him good either. Andrew was learning how to hack. How to be a con artist.
He finally opened up to me and told me why he was really hanging out with his so called friends. They'd made money, and he wanted to make money too. He kept telling me how I didn't need school to be successful. He sold me the idea so smoothly that I had become invested in it too.
"So how much are we talking about?" I asked him one evening when we'd gone out.
"It's a small amount. Just twenty thousand dollars."
"What! That's a lot Andrew."
"You have the money. Your old man left more than that for you, didn't he? Besides, as soon as I start making money, I'll pay it back."
"That's my college fund."
"C'mon Sophie, you've seen them. They're rich. They don't need their parents or anybody. Don't you want that lifestyle? Don't you want to be rich?"
I wanted to be rich. I wanted to stop going to school. Sharon had made school life a nightmare for me. I didn't have any friends anymore. I didn't even want any friends. I was too afraid of losing somebody to have anyone in my life. I didn't think I could take it if someone left me again.
"Okay. I'll lend you the money."