Page 48 of Finding Kyler
All eyes fix on me as James sits back down. Keven is still in the bathroom, but it’s not as if I need his permission, or any of their permissions, and I’m even wondering why I’ve decided to tell them like this. But I can’t backtrack now.
I sit up straighter in my chair, clasping my hands in my lap. “I’ve made a decision. One I hope you will respect.” Ignoring the boys, I focus my gaze on Alex and James. “I won’t be attending Old Colonial. I’ve enrolled myself in Wellesley Memorial High School.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Why on earth did you do that?” Alex looks genuinely confused. She turns to James, and he gives her a one-shouldered shrug.
“There are a few reasons,” I start to explain, crossing my legs at the ankles. “I know I’ll feel more comfortable in that environment, for starters. They have the best swim team, and I want to train with the best. And I won’t be in my cousins’ shadow there. I need to stand on my own two feet, and it’s become clear that that would be almost impossible in Old Colonial.”
“I don’t understand, Faye.” Alex presses into the table as she leans forward in her seat. “My family has attended Old Colonial for generations. It’s tradition, and unheard of for any of the family to attend the public school.”
“With the greatest respect, Alex, I’m not your family. That’s not my legacy to uphold.”
Kaden and Kyler share an indecipherable look, as Alex visibly pales. I weave my hands through my hair, starting to feel a little anxious. “I don’t wish to upset you or insult you. And I’m very grateful for all you are doing for me, but I have to do this for myself. My parents always encouraged me to forge my own path in life, and I had a plan, a goal before they…” I stop, unable to say it. A panicky, fluttery sensation floods my chest, but I keep it at bay, drawing a brave breath. “I’ve always known what I wanted to do with my life, but everything has changed now, and I’m trying very hard to adjust my plans accordingly.” Alex’s lips are set in a grim line, and I can tell she doesn’t understand. I look at my uncle, and there’s little understanding in his eyes either. “This is important to me. I’d really appreciate your support, but I’m doing this with or without your approval.”
“Which one of you put her up to this?” James glares at his sons.
My face contorts. “Why would you think your sons have anything to do with this?”
“Because this is the exact type of emotional blackmail they are so fond of,” James snaps.
I look down at my lap. “I’m not trying to blackmail anyone. I just want to be happy.”
“And you think you’ll be happy at Memorial?” Keanu sounds incredulous.
“Yes. I do.”
“If this is because of the Addison thing, I told you—” Kalvin is cut off by a razor-sharp look from Kyler.
“What Addison thing?” Kaden asks, looking directly between Kyler, Kalvin, and me.
“It’s nothing to do with that.” I glare at Kalvin. Kyler looks skeptical, and my blood starts to boil. “I could give two shits about your ex!” I hiss at him, anger rearing its ugly head. My eyes roam around the table. “This is nothing to do with anyone but me. I prefer to attend the public school instead of the private one. That’s all. I wanted to show you the courtesy of explaining my decision, and now I have.” I fling my napkin on the table and rise. “If you’ll excuse me.”
I try to keep my temper in check as I stride across the room. I doubt Alex would be quick to forgive if I made a scene in front of the hoity-toity crowd. I race down the back stairs and push out through the emergency exit into a dimly lit back alley.
Day has turned to night while we were eating, and I lean back against the wall and gaze at the empty skyline. I inhale and exhale in a slow, deliberate fashion, drawing huge chunks of air into my lungs. The action helps calm my frayed nerves.
I stare at the blank canvas in the sky imagining a myriad of sparkling stars. When I was little, Mum used to say that the stars were God’s angels looking down on us, keeping a careful watch over the earth. Dad always laughed—he loved to refute her. He’d point out the various constellations and give me these big, elaborate scientific explanations for how we came to be.
They were an odd match in some ways. Mum always remained true to her Catholic upbringing, while Dad was a self-professed atheist, preferring to believe in the big bang theory rather than the existence of a deity.
I liked how open they were on the topic with me, even from a young age.
I’m not sure whatIbelieve in anymore.
Ifthere is a God, why did he do this to me? Why take away the two people I loved most in the world? Why send me here, to a place where money and reputation appear to take priority over love and happiness?My aunt and uncle aren’t bad people, but they’ve lost sense of what’s truly important.
Raised voices echo from the far end of the alleyway, and I look cautiously at the three shadowy figures arguing in a corner. One of the guys has his back to me, but the other two are facing frontward. Sporting lethal expressions on their faces, they are staring the other guy down. I don’t know if it’s working on him, but I’m intimidated as hell. Both wield biceps to rival The Rock and are covered in multi-layers of tattoos. Power and danger lingers around their persona like some paranormal shade.
They are giving me major heebie-jeebies.
“You know who I am. Give me a few more days, and I’ll sort it.” My entire body tingles in awareness as I recognize the voice.
“You better, Kennedy, or there’ll be hell to pay,” a gruff voice warns.
Goose bumps the size of golf balls sprout on my arms.
“Here,” one of the thugs says.
