Page 7 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
Taking every ounce of strength I have not to collapse into a blubbering mess, I’m finally ready to leave my bedroom at five minutes past seven o’clock. Not a great first impression to be late to dinner with your estranged aunt. But as the grief counsellor kept preaching, I can only do my best.
Three
Thediningroomiseasy to find on the first floor. Just follow the sound of clinking silverware in the mostly empty house.
Miranda sits at the head of a twelve-seater table, looking elegant in a silk blouse, and picking delicately at a plate of glazed salmon and charred asparagus. She looks up when I enter, and her face breaks into the same practiced smile as earlier.
“Alice! There you are, darling. Come, sit.” She gestures to the chair on her right. “I’m so glad you could join us.”
I press a hand into my feeble stomach as I gingerly make my way over to my assigned seat.
A woman in a black uniform sets a plate in front of me without making eye contact.
Whoa. Miranda has actual staff?
“Thank you, Mrs. Gallagher,” Miranda says, sitting tall with perfect posture.
“You’re welcome, ma’am,” Mrs. Gallagher says, disappearing into the kitchen through two swing doors.
In front of me, the salmon looks perfectly prepared, but my stomach twists at the sight of it.
“I hope you were able to rest,” Miranda says, dabbing her napkin at the corner of her mouth. “I know today has been overwhelming for you.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Stupendous. I want you to feel at home here, Alice. I know it’s different from what you’re used to, but we’ll figure it out together, won’t we?” She takes a sip of wine from a crystal glass. “I’ve arranged for you to start at Ashworth Academy on Monday. It’s an excellent school. I think you’ll thrive there.”
I nod, not sure what else to do.
“The school has an excellent reputation,” she continues. “Many students go on to Ivy League universities. I pulled some strings to get your transcripts sent over quickly.” Her eyes gleam. “Your teachers had nothing but wonderful things to say about you, Alice. Straight A’s, advanced placement courses, academic honors. They even said you were on track to graduate early. That’s so impressive when you’re only in your junior year.”
“Thank you. But I actually stopped focusing on the accelerated path. I wasn’t ready to leave home a year early.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, trying not to dwell on my indestructible bond with my parents.
“You are such a bright girl. Your parents must have been so proud.”
The lump bulges and adds a squeak to my voice. “They were.”
“Of course, they were.” The sympathy dripping from Miranda’s voice doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “And I’m sure they’d want you to continue excelling. Education is so important, don’t you think?”
Before I can respond, Ryder walks into the dining room, looking down at his phone. He’s changed into a fresh black shirt, and has slightly damp hair like he recently showered.
“Ryder!” Miranda’s whole demeanor shifts with warmer animation. “How was practice, darling?”
“Fine,” he says, glancing up. His eyes land on me, and something flickers across his face. Disappointment? Resignation? “Oh.”
Miranda hums a laugh. “Alice, dear. You’re in Ryder’s usual seat.”
“Oh.” It comes out much too loudly, and I hastily stand.
Ryder waves it off and steps to the other side of Miranda. “I’ll take the other side.”
Flustered, I shove the chunky dining chair backward. “No, no, it’s fine. I’ll move.”
The thick Persian rug below makes pushing the chair back difficult. I shimmy out of the space, catching my foot on a chair leg. I pitch forward and then stumble away from the chair. Hopping to gain my balance, I trip on the edge of the rug and windmill my arms to stop from falling. Deep in the throes of mortification, I glimpse a side table and reach for it. My hand misses the mark, instead swiping a crystal vase filled with white roses.
The vase goes flying, water and flowers exploding across the hardwood floor with a crash that echoes throughout the room. I land on my hands and knees in the middle of the wet mess, and surrounded by broken crystal.
