Hidden in Plain Sight

Chapter Four. Country Club Royality.

After the orientation, they led us on a tour of the Country Club, showing us the employee locker room, showers, and mess hall. The mess hall is where they held the meet and greet. As I picked up a soda and a sandwich from the buffet table and tried to find a seat, I felt a hand take my elbow. It was Miles. He said, "There you are newbie! I was looking for you and I lost you in the crowd at orientation." I was so caught by surprise that I didn't stop him. As he guided me to the table for the elite and popular people, I kept thinking, is this truly happening? Was he taking me to the popular table?

As we walked up to the table, I was so impressed with how everyone reacted to him. It was like he was a king being addressed by his court. It was like they were honored to have him in their presence. The welcome of high fives from the guys and hugs from the girls confirmed their actions.

Surprisingly, the boys were intrigued by the peasant he brought to their Kingdom. The first to introduce themselves were Miles's best friends, Andre Fernandez and Thomas Sullivan. This trio were the hottest boys at school. The girls would trip over themselves to be noticed by them. Yet here I am standing in front of them and I can't think of one thing to say to stand out from the crowd besides hello.

The girls at the table couldn't even bother to say hello at first. They were so intrigued by Miles, that they barely noticed me. I was nothing of importance. Just a background for their King. But time would turn that so quickly!! Isn't that a kicker!!

But Andre and Thomas went out of their way to make me feel welcome. They wanted to know everything about me. I kept thinking, did these two really want to know me?!?

While Miles was greeting his court, Andre pulled a chair for me and asked me to sit down. With the smoothest voice and the sweetest disposition, he started asking me questions, "Well, well, aren't we a cutie pie? Please spill the tea and tell me how I haven't met you before. Are you new to town? Miles, where did you find this little hottie?" He said this with such intrigue and curiosity.

Andre Fernandez has always been that jock that excelled at everything he touched. He was 5"11, with cat-green eyes and jet-black hair. He was of Cuban descent and was bilingual. He was tall, sexy, smart, charming, and an amazing smooth talker. He could charm anyone into anything he wanted. He even had the teachers and moms in check.

His father owned the largest and most successful law practice in town and his mother owned the Independence Bakeshop. Andre did acquire his father's people skills. Andre knew how to work a room in his favor and was quite the charmer with the women.

But his biggest hidden secret was his bisexuality. He loved being with women, but something about men piqued his curiosity. He hides this side of himself because of his father's position in the community. As our friendship grew, he confided in me his secret. He often told me, "How would I know I am straight unless I experiment?"

Before Miles could answer Andre's question. Thomas jumps into the conversation, "Seriously Andres, how can you not remember this raving beauty?!? But then again, it's the quiet ones that are the wildest! What juicy details can you share about yourself?" Thomas was very straightforward when he wanted to know something. He didn't hint around when he wanted answers. He was extremely transparent and didn't hold back anything. Being raised by a single direct mom made him who he is today.

Thomas Sulivan is on the swim team with Miles and is extremely popular. These two have been best friends and inseparable since Thomas moved to Independence in third grade. Thomas is 6'2" with blonde hair and hazel eyes. Which makes it hard to go unnoticed, but his outgoing personality and athletic abilities make him stand out.

His mother was a divorced mom who needed a change and moved to Independence to start over. She is one of the top Real Estate Brokers in town and takes pride in establishing her place among the town's elite, even though she is a divorcee and has quite a shady past. What people don't know is she is a former stripper who worked hard and saved her pennies to escape that life.

Andre and Thomas didn't realize that I was overwhelmed by their questions, but Tiffany Devane did and stepped in and snapped at them, "Knock it off before you scare her off!! Don't let these two knuckleheads scare you. They will trip over each other to get your attention. They are attention whores."

I was so grateful she was able to get me away from the Wonder Twins. As welcoming as they were and how intrigued they were by me, I was so self-conscious. Any other girl would be soaking in the attention of the hottest boys at school, but here I was feeling so awkward and dumb.

As I sat there so relieved that Tiff rescued me, I just kept thinking, why do I feel this about myself? Why do I analyze everything? Why can't I just be in the moment?" I hate that my thoughts consume me with such negative thoughts.