My Life Exposed

The start of a friendship

Over the next couple of days, I ignore Jace and Jade and spend my time hanging with Candace and Brandi and focusing on my school work. In the morning before school, I walk downstairs and my father stops me to tell me that we have an event tomorrow night for his campaign. "I would love for you to be by my side. This could be your coming out party; the whole world will know that you are now a part of this family. I couldn't be prouder of you." I gave him a quick hug and told him that I would be delighted to be there for him. When I get to school, I find Candace and Brandi and tell them about the party. "I'd love if you both could be there!" They were so excited and said yes at once. "The party starts at 7:00 and I will make sure both of your names are on the list," I tell them. As I'm sitting in AP French I hear over the intercom, "Mila Anderson, please report to the headmistress' office." I gather my books and head to the office to see what's going on. As I'm waiting, I hear my phone go off. It's from Jade - "Payback's a bitch." The headmistress calls my name and I snap back to reality. "Mila, there's been something that's been brought to my attention. There's word that you've been bullying Jade and her friends." "That is completely insane. I would never bully anyone! She is the one that's been after me since I've gotten here." She gives me a knowing look and says, "I figured that was the case, but I had to speak with you about it anyway. I know how Jade can be and I heard what she did to you on your first day. I'll have to call your parents about this matter because we have a zero tolerance on bullying at this school. It needs to end at once." She calls Jade into the office and calls our parents to the school but it is Tracy that shows up. This is just great; Tracy is going to try and make everything my fault. "So what exactly is all of this about?" The headmistress explains to Tracy, "Jade has filed a complaint that Mila is bulling her, but given Jade's past I am finding this hard to believe. Also, Jade has been stirring trouble again to humiliate her sister-" "I'm sorry but stepsister, not sister," Tracy interrupts. "-stepsister, yes. Now, Mrs. Henderson, I am willing to look past this and only suspend Jade for one week. We must have her promise that she will no longer cause any problems for the rest of the year. I will also not mention this to Yale if she can keep her self under control." Tracy and Jade agree to the terms and walk out of the office and leave me behind. The headmistress apologizes and tells me to go back to class. When I walk out of the office, I overhear Tracy yelling at Jade. "You cannot mess up like this again! If you want to bring Mila down, you will have to be smarter about it. I will help you, Jade!" I seriously cannot believe this. They are still trying to hurt me. I know they want to cut me out of my dad's life. I can't let them do this to me. When lunch time comes around, I search for the one person I know that I can trust with this. I find Jace and tell him everything that happened. He says it's time I go to my dad about it, but I just don't think he will believe me. A big mission to get rid of me will sound ridiculous; I will have to have proof. Jace grabs my hand and says "I will do anything to help you. I refuse to let Jade take away your future. It's just not right." I finish up the rest of my classes for the day with no more drama and walk outside to see Jace waiting for me. He runs up, takes my hands and says "I am kidnapping you for the rest of the afternoon for some much-needed fun." I smile and ask "Are you sure that's a good idea? Jade has made it pretty clear that you should stay away from me." "I don't care about what Jade thinks, Mila. I'll be fine and I'm not going to let Jade do anything to hurt you." I decide to trust him and hop into his car. "Where are we going?" I ask him. "It's a surprise." "I don't like surprises!" Jace gives me a sideways smile and says, "You'll love this one." We drive for a while until we reach our destination. "A fair!" I squeal. I hear the music from where we are. "This is exactly what I needed after the day I had," I tell him. We walk around, play some games and ride some rides. I'm actually having the time of my life; just laughing and being consumed by the fresh air and the food. Jace takes my hand and guides me to the ferris wheel. We climb into an open cart and buckle in. He puts his hand gently on my cheek and says, "Mila, I can't tell you how happy I am that you came into my life. I don't even think about anyone else from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed. I wanted to bring you here so we can talk." "Okay, talk away." "I know that things are weird and complicated and the last thing I want is to complicate things even more. As much as I want to be with you, I think that we should be friends right now." "I think that's a great plan and I completely agree with you." I'm glad we're on the same page. I really like Jace, but now just isn't the right time. We exit the ferris wheel and begin to head back home. When we pull up to my house, he gets out with me and gives me a long goodbye hug and we shake hands and say "friends". I'm greeted by my dad when I walk into the house, which is a nice change. He tells me he has a surprise for me and takes me upstairs to my new bedroom. "It's finished!" I exclaim. I've upgraded to a king size bed and actual bedroom furniture. There's a huge window looking out back and my own bathroom. "I can't believe it; it's perfect." I hug him and thank him a million times. He hugs me back and says, "You deserve nothing less." I go in to take a shower in my new bathroom and it feels so amazing. I put on PJs and climb into bed just as Jade walks into my room and asked me if I had fun on my date with Jace. I look at her and say "Yes, I had a fun time with my FRIEND. That's all we are is friends." "And that's all you'll ever be if I have anything to do with it." She smiles and walks out of my room. I wake up the next morning and get ready for school. I head downstairs to grab my breakfast and head out the door, trying my best to avoid Tracy and Jade. Jace is waiting outside. "What are you doing here?" I ask him. "Well, friends give each other rides to school, don't they?" I laugh and wave goodbye to Micheal so that he knows I won't be needing a ride today. As much as I try to get what Jade said last night out of my head, it just keeps coming back. Should I say something or keep it to myself? I go ahead and keep it to myself for now. I try to distract my mind and ask Jace about the party tonight. "Are you as excited as I am?" "I cannot wait for the party." he says. We walk into school and I could hear people whispering about us. I just ignore them. Let them say whatever they want; I don't care anymore. Classes fly by so fast and before I know it, it's lunch time. I make my way over to Brandi and Candace and as usual Jace joins us. We talk again about the party and Jace says, "So, you'll need a friend-date for the party tonight." I look at him and say, "Okay, but just as friends." "Just as friends." he says again. Candace and Brandi both just look at us and say, "Yes, just as friends, right..", and everyone laughs. School is finally over and I text Jace and tell him that I am going straight home to get ready and I will see him tonight. When I get home, I can hear my father yelling at Tracy. "If you don't start treating her better, I will have to consider leaving. She is my daughter and I'm not going to let you come between us." It felt so good to have my father take my side and finally stand up to Tracy. I walk in and say, "Hey, I'm home." Tracy asks me how my day at school was. "It was good, thank you. I'm going to get ready for the party tonight and I want to make sure I look perfect, so please excuse me." "If you need any help just let me know." Tracy says. Wow, she really is going to agree to my father's terms. Of course she would never want him to leave her since he pays for everything while she sits at home; although, I'm sure that if he left her, she would get half of what he owns. She would have to get a job and work to make more money and I just can't see Tracy doing that. My father's relationship is the last thing I want on my mind right now. I'm so excited for how perfect tonight will be.