The Lily's Splendor

Chapter 11

“Good morning Jacques.” I greeted him the next morning. As usual, Jacques was whipping up something in a bowl.

“Good morning bright eyes. Why are you up so early?” Jacques asked as he set a tall mug of coffee on the counter.

“Thanks. And I don’t know why I am up this early.” It was just transitioning to dawn. Jacques paused his cooking to study me before his eyes fell on my bare neck.

“You didn’t sleep with your necklace, did you?” he asked.

“No. I had put it on my nightstand. Since I had taken a nap yesterday, it took me a while to fall asleep so I decided to practice in keeping my . . . my . . .”

“Beauty?” Jacques put in gently.

“Yes. I don’t want to depend on that necklace which, by the way, isn’t always helpful.”

“Of course not. A Water Lily’s magic is very powerful. I’m surprised you’re doing so well in taking all of this in. Are you doing okay?” Jacques raised his brow as his eyes studied me closely.

“Surprisingly, I’m doing fine. I’m just glad that I’m not crazy.” I smiled.

“Would you like some fruit?” Jacques set the bowl he had been holding down on the opposite counter.

“Yes please.” I sat down on the stool as I sipped from my mug.

“I noticed you’re wearing your bathing suit. Going to the beach?” Jacques asked as he busied himself with chopping fruit until he filled a small bowl which he set in front of me.

“Yeah . . . just . . . I don’t know. Now that I know who I am, I want to be near the water even more. It’s hard to explain.” I admitted frustratingly.

“It’s okay. I understand what you mean.” Jacques smiled. I picked up the fork and began to polish off my fruit.

“Don’t stay out too long. Remember, you still haven’t even unpacked,” Jacques chided.

“I know. I guess I have put it off long enough.” I handed him my empty bowl and mug before shouldering my small beach bag.

“Be careful!” Jacques called out from the kitchen as I walked away.

“I will!”

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

Setting my bag to the side, I took my shoes off before walking to the edge of the cliff. Without my charm, I could feel the water and its creatures calling to me. I wanted to see Henry. I wanted to apologize for not having kept to our meeting. Peering down into the water, I was about to dive in when I noticed a gray fin before it disappeared, replaced by a dolphin’s head.

Mystical one . . . his familiar voice spoke into my head.

“Amiel!” I grinned.

You came to see Henry. Do not trouble yourself. He isn’t here.

“How did you know?”

Henry knew that you would come back and search for him so he asked me to stand by and let you know that he isn’t here.

“Oh.” I cast my eyes away as hurt seared through my heart. “Do you know where he is?” I cleared my throat when my voice cracked.

I’m afraid not. Forgive me Mystical one.

“It’s alright.” I said, blinking rapidly when tears began to gather.

“Well, thank you Amiel. I better get going.” I smiled at him before turning away and gathering my stuff. Only then did I let the tears fall.

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

Henry crouched on the tree branch as his arm held on to the trunk. He had been walking from the cottage to the cliff to take a quick swim when he had heard footsteps approaching. Henry had quickly leaped and climbed the nearest tree until he was high enough to not be seen. When he had noticed that it was Kyra, his lips had whispered her name.

Disgusted with himself, Henry had shaken his head. No doubt she had used her magic to make him feel this way. But then Henry would remember how sincere she had acted in not knowing who she was. And she did have that charm. His mind always argued back and forth about this.

Henry had watched and listened while Kyra talked to Amiel. When Kyra had turned around after Amiel had relayed his message, Henry’s heart had lurched when he saw tears fall down her delicate face. He had been tempted to jump down from that tree in that instant and beg for her forgiveness for hurting her. Instead, Henry fought hard to remain where he was until Kyra had disappeared from sight.

“Psst!”

Henry nearly fell over until Maddox’s face appeared from below.

“Deciding to move in with the squirrels?” Maddox grinned. Henry leaped down until he was facing his brother.

“It’s better than having you as a room-mate,” Henry retorted.

“Okay, so what were you really doing up there?”

“Was on my way to the water when I heard footsteps approaching. Climbed the tree and waited for the coast to be clear.” Henry shrugged.

“Was that all? Your face says that there’s more to that story.” Maddox folded his arms across his chest.

“You’re always seeing things.” Henry stuffed his hands in his pockets.

“You’re right. Like I just saw that hot chic walking away.” Maddox smirked but quickly ducked when Henry swung, his fist aimed for his cheek.

“Didn’t you ever learn about respect?” Henry swung his arm again but Maddox easily blocked.

“Boys!” Lillian’s voice scolded them as she rounded the corner and came to stand in front of them with her hands on her hips.

“He started it.” Maddox pointed to Henry.

“Whatever. I’m out.” Henry turned away from his siblings and headed to the beach.

“You know he has been acting strange lately.” Maddox said to his sister who nodded.

“I’m worried about him. Perhaps it’s because of Damita.” Lillian wondered out loud.

“Who knows, though it does seem to happen when that girl is around.”

“That girl? Why did you stop calling her ‘hot chic’?” Lilly challenged.

“I was just testing my little brother. And it worked. He obviously knows the girl and has a soft spot for her.” Maddox smiled.

“Are you sure? He has never liked anyone. Even the popular girls at school,” Lillian added.

“I’m sure. But I think there is a way to be positive.”

“How?”

“Well, if my guess is right, that girl just moved here and is no doubt enrolled in our school.”

“How do you know that?” Lilly asked, dumbfounded.

“Because, at the modeling shoot that we saw her at, that was one of many Derketo studios. She will go to a high-class school.”

“You know she also did look like Ms. Derketo, who was standing right next to her. I think they are related,” Lilly added.

“Can’t wait for school to start.” Maddox rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

“Don’t you dare tease him,” Lillian warned.

“Don’t worry, I won’t.” Maddox promised, before slinging his arm around his sister and walking back to their cottage.

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

Throwing my bag to the side, I went to my closet and traded my swimsuit for a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Placing my hands on my hips, I stared at my three suitcases.

“Let’s do this,” I said firmly. Leaning down, I unzipped the first bag and found my photo frames and knick-knacks that I had collected over the years. Sitting criss- cross, I picked up the first frame, running my fingers over the glass. The photo had been taken when I had turned four. I was trying to frost cupcakes in Jacques’s kitchen with my mother standing behind me, holding the icing bag with my small hands tucked inside. I smiled as I remembered Jacques’s nervous figure hovering over me as I made a mess in his kitchen.

Holding onto the frame, I picked up the others and got up to place them on the built-in shelves and dresser. Just as I was placing the last one, a knock sounded on my door.

“Come in.” I called out. Jacques walked in holding a silver tray.

“I didn’t forget my promise. Made my famous triple chocolate cake.” Jacques smiled as he walked over to the chaise lounge, setting the tray on the high table.

“Thank you.” I said as I picked up the glass of milk and took a long drink.

“Your mother was beautiful.” Jacques murmured as he gazed at the photographs.

“Aren’t we all?” I retorted. Jacques snorted.

“I’ll leave you to your unpacking. Oh and I wanted to let you know that the photos from your photo-shoot arrived. I put them in her office so there’s no need for you to be on the look-out.”

“Okay.”

Jacques walked out of the room. I picked up the fork and took a quick bite of the rich chocolate before setting it down and getting back to work. To distract myself from bursting into tears with each picture that I unpacked, I took out my I-pod, stuffed the ear-plugs in and cranked up Marie Digby.

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

Running a tired hand over my face, I sat up and stared at the rising sun. Today was my first day at Nantucket Private School. Pushing the covers aside, I got out of bed and went to the bathroom. I studied my face in the mirror. As usual, nothing was amiss. Even with my slightly rumpled pajamas and “bed hair”, I couldn’t spot a single flaw. Now that I think of it, I have never even had a pimple.

Hearing my door open and then close, I finished up brushing my teeth and stepped out to find a steaming hot mug of coffee on my dresser. Turning my I-pod on from its stereo connection, I picked up my mug and went to my closet while singing to Kelly Clarkson’s song, Stronger.

Fifteen minutes later, I was coming down the stairs to the kitchen with my Derketo leather book-bag. Though I was very confident in myself, I still made sure that I was wearing my necklace. I didn’t care that it was a charm. The fact that my mother gave it to me made me want to keep it as close to my heart as possible.

“Morning.” Jacques said brightly as I handed him back my now empty mug.

“Can I have my usual fruit bowl with toast?” I asked as I hung my bag over the stool before sitting down. My grandmother breezed in, coming to stand by my side.

“How are you doing this morning? You aren’t nervous are you?” she asked, placing a white-gloved hand on my shoulder.

“No. I’m fine.” I lied. I felt sick to my stomach with nerves. She rubbed my back comfortingly before setting a magazine down in front of me. My eyes widened when I realized that my picture had made the cover.

“When do these go out?” I asked a little panicky. I didn’t want to walk into school with everyone thinking I was some hot-shot model with airs.

“Okay.” I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Isn’t she stunning, Jacques? I knew she was made for the dress, or for that matter, the dress was made for her.”

Jacques admired the magazine cover.

“So, would you like Mathew to be your ride to school or would you prefer driving yourself?” My grandmother finally tore her attention from the magazine to me.

“Drive myself?” I nearly sputtered my coffee out. Quickly setting the mug on the counter, I gazed at my grandmother with surprise when she pulled out a set of keys from her pockets.

“Silly me. I completely forgot to show you your other new homecoming gift.”

“You have given me enough!”

“Oh poo!” she waved a hand at me. I sighed as I shook my head, letting it fall into my hands.

“Fine.” I sighed in defeat.“Thank you for my gift.” I tried for a smile. I’d rather drive myself to school than show up in a limo. No thanks did I want to draw any more attention to myself.

“You’re welcome dear. Here you are. I had Mathew park it right out front. Well, I must be off. I have an appointment with Dimitri. Have a wonderful day at school. If anything happens, don’t hesitate to call me” she said, giving me a stern look before looping her purse over her shoulder and breezing out of the kitchen in her beautiful, navy blue pencil suit.

“Guess I better get going.” I said with dread.

“You’ll do fine.” Jacques said warmly as he took my dishes away.

“I hope so.”

“Oh and here, don’t forget to take your lunch and snacks.” Jacques handed me a bottled water along with a small leather bag that matched my book-bag.

“Thanks.” I said, accepting his offerings before jogging to the front where a shiny, new Eclipse sat parked on the driveway.

“Great, I definitely won’t draw any attention with this car.” I muttered as I unlocked the driver’s seat, placing my stuff on the passenger seat before shutting the door and sticking the key in the ignition.

“You just gotta love the smell of a new car though.” I said with a smile as I pressed the gas pedal and moved forward.

Ten minutes later, I arrived in the school parking lot. Cautiously entering, I looked for a spot in the back where it wasn’t as crowded and packed. I gulped when many students lingering by their cars stopped to stare into the (thankfully) tinted windows, trying to peer inside and get a peek at the driver. I sped on, quickly pulling into a spot just as another black Lexus pulled into the spot next to me.

Turning off the ignition, I sat there in the quiet.

This is it. I can do this. After taking a few deep breaths, I picked up my bag, putting my bottled water in there before shouldering it and carrying the small hand bag that held my lunch and snacks. At the same time, the other driver of the Lexus came out.

His laughing green eyes spotted me and his face broke into a wide grin. I smiled hesitantly. He looked to be taller than me, with startling golden red hair cut in a close crop with bangs swept over to the side.

“Mornin’.” he said as he came up to me. His voice dripped with a heavy Irish accent.

“Good morning.”

“You look like a lost lamb. Must be new like me.” his fingers played with the leather strap of his bag that I soon recognized as a Derketo.

The guy had money.

“Yes.” I said.

“Mind if I accompany you to the admissions office?” he asked with a warm smile that I couldn’t help but return.

“Would you?”

“My pleasure. And the name’s Reeve.”

“Kyra.” I shook his steady hand.

We began to head over to the main building but I nearly tripped over my two feet.

“Hey, is everything okay?” Reeve peered down at my face. My eyes had grown wide when I had spotted Henry leaning against a black SUV along with those same two people plus a few other girls who were practically drooling and vying for his attention along with the other guy. His eyes though, had been watching me before I had found him. I tried for a hesitant smile but he looked away, his head motion feeling like a knife slashing down my heart.

“Sorry. Brain freeze.” I added and continued walking, forcing myself to ignore my heart’s pain.

“Ah. Hate those.” Reeve put in, not sounding convinced, but I was thankful that he let it go and decided to accept my phony answer. Making our way through the parking lot, my fingers tightened on my shoulder strap as everyone we passed stared and murmured to each other. We walked by a small circle of girls who narrowed their gazes at me but softened when they looked at Reeve. I sighed. I already knew this would happen. It happened in my previous school. I would be alone. No girl would ever come near me, automatically judging me as the stuck-up pretty girl with her nose in the air.

I noticed Reeve was silent as he walked with me to the Admissions office. Probably already regretting his choice in befriending me. My lower lip began to tremble but I bit down on it, hard. I will not cry. I can do this.

“Don’t pay any attention to them.” Reeve placed a hand on my shoulder. I smiled at him as surprise filled me. He actually cared. It warmed my heart.

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~

“Okay, here is your schedule and locker combination. You must bring back your schedule here once all of your teachers have signed it. Welcome to Nantucket and please tell your grandmother that her summer designs were fantastic!” the secretary gushed. I smiled and nodded, noticing that Reeve was almost done with the other secretary who was taking care of him.

“Ready?” Reeve asked when he finished.

“Yeah.”

“So can I walk you to your locker?” he asked, already following me.

“Sure, but I wouldn’t want to make you late for class and don’t you have to get to your locker?”

“I’ll be fine.” he waved it off. We walked to one of the ancient buildings, following the map I had swiped from the office.

“Here it is.” I said as I came up to a long grey locker.

“Aye, so is mine,” Reeve said as he came up to the locker on my right.

“What?” I gave him an odd look, but he was already working on his combination before popping the metal door open and putting most of his stuff in it.

“Coincidence huh?” Reeve grinned at me after shutting his locker closed and spinning the lock.

“I guess,” I said as I placed my small handbag inside before closing my locker.

“So what classes did you get?” Reeve asked.

“Oh, here.” I handed him my schedule just as someone came and stopped in front of the locker to my left. It was Henry. What are the odds? His head was bent as he worked on the lock, his hair gracefully falling over his eyes, making my fingers itch to touch those locks of silk and see if they were as soft as they looked. I watched as he got a few books out before quickly shutting it.

“Henry.” I placed my hand on his arm. He stopped and slowly turned around to look at me with blank eyes.

“I have been wanting to apologize for not being able to meet you that day.” I began, but my voice faltered when he said nothing as his eyes stayed the same, emotionless, uncaring.

“There you are!” a tall girl with long, blonde hair came up beside Henry, grasping onto his other arm. Her light blue eyes looked me over with scrutiny.

“Come on! We’re all waiting for you.” she pulled his arm until he finally looked at her and smiled before walking away.

“What a jerk-hole,” Reeve said. I saw Henry’s back stiffen. He must have heard but he kept on walking.

“I thought I knew him.” Anger bubbled in me, especially when my voice cracked.

“Hey, forget about him. He isn’t worth your tears, lass.” he said caringly. I smiled.

“You know you talk as if you walked out of a Swiss time clock.”

Reeve smiled good-naturedly.

“I’m not poking fun. I’m just saying that I like it.” I admitted as we walked.

“Thank you. And by the way, you and I have the same classes.”

“We do?”

“Aye.”

“O-kay.” That was another coincidence. Odd. The first bell rang.

“Shall we pop off to Homeroom?” Reeve asked with a grin. I tried for a smile but I knew it was useless, especially when my heart now revealed a deep crevice.