Chapter 29
    “A little too honest"

    There was going to be this big party in school. There was going to be food, drink, a little fair during the day. In the evening there was going to be play by the students, the a dance until the festivities are over.

    Terry who had arrived in school in January, was not part of any of these things, although he wished he had a small part in the school play… He had heard when he first came to school that Lady Candice Grandchester was playing the main female part of the play. He thought it was because she was popular, that’s why she got the part.

    He was sitting on his hill reading a book, when Candy showed up.

    - Hey

    - Hey

    She went to sit by his side.

    - How are you today?

    - Fine, she said, you?

    - I’m fine… thinking about my science project

    - Oh yeah, the teachers want all the classes to see everybody’s work, so we’re going to be in the auditorium …

    - The whole school is going to see our work?

    - What? You did yours on ants or something?

    - Ants are very hard working animals and very strong too…

    - I know they can carry up to 20 times their body weight… but seriously, how big is that?

    - It’s very big for an ant…

    - Yeah…

    - You’ve read Gulliver’s Travels right?

    - Who hasn’t?

    - Aside from the fun story about him being a giant in a little world…

    - We realize how difficult it would be to communicate in a world were everything is different, the language, the size…

    - I knew you were a smarty pants. You’ve got beauty and brains!

    - Thanks for the compliments, she said smiling at him

    - I heard you’re in the school play…

    - It’s a musical… Grease…

    - Cool… we did that in third grade…

    - Let me guess, you were Danny Zuko…?

    - By popular demand, that’s all…

    - You didn’t want to do it?

    - Not really…

    - Why did you do it?

    - This girl convinced me to do it…

    - A girl… of course!

    - It’s not what you think… she was playing Sandy and this other boy was going to be Danny if I didn’t take the role, and she couldn’t stand the other dude… she begged me to be Danny for her

    - In third grade, I guess the kissing scenes were banned…

    - Of course! Said Terry laughing, thank God, or I wouldn’t have been Danny if my life depended on it!

    - You were afraid to kiss girls?

    - In third grade? What do you think?

    - Funny how boys hate lip locking at first…

    - You guys like it from the beginning

    - We’re a little bit more romantic, even as little girls…

    - When did you have your first kiss and with whom?

    - I don’t kiss and tell, Sapphire Eyes…

    - How many guys have you slept with…?

    - What is this? The third degree?

    - I thought we started something the other night…

    - Yes, but not marriage! You want me to take an HIV test too?

    - I’m sorry if I upset you, said Terry, I was just curious…I don’t care about your past…

    - Listen Terry… we’re going to get to know each other, and I’ll tell you all you need to know about me… all in due time… Don’t listen to gossip. I’m just a teen age girl, a little crazy sometimes…

    - So you’re not dating anybody right now? What about prince Euro trash?

    - There you go again! What is it with you?

    - Euh… you were kissing him on the night we met…?

    - And now I’m kissing you! That should tell you something!

    - That you like making out with the opposite sex…?

    - That means, that I like boys… I’m straight…Terry despite what you heard about me, you still wanted me…let’s try to make this thing work…

    - All right, said Terry smiling…but I expect answers one day…

    - You’ll get your answers, she said, or not! She said smiling

    The bell rang. Recess was over. They looked at each other and kiss lightly on the lips.

    - I’ll see you later? He said

    - Ok…

    They stood up and followed the other students…

    The auditorium was full of students. It was science project time. The teachers had selected only the best of the best. So it was very interesting to watch. One work, was on birds, the boy in question was very patient and he managed to film the birds doing different things, searching for food, building its nest, feeding its offspring’s… Another one found a raccoon…Terry found some stray cats and he managed to do his project on them. Allyson did hers on flowers, and it was magnificent…But the best one was by Patrick… It was original:

    - This project is about animals and their habits… I decided to do mine on a very familiar animal: the human being… some of you might object, that we’re not animals… I say we are, we’re just smarter and we can express ourselves

    The project continued showing monkeys, then showing teens doing more or less the same gestures…

    Terry’s heart jumped when he saw the images. What was Patrick thinking?
    The project was on Terry and Candy, how they were meeting, arguing But it didn’t show their faces…Patrick was a pro; he was able to manipulate the images and made his subject do what he wanted… He didn’t put any names, but everybody knew who the couple was! Terry was not very happy with his friend.

    - O’Brien? What the hell was that? He said

    - My science project…

    - You did your science project on me?

    - Terry, you’re my best friend. Before you came along, I was a loner, the nerd in his corner. You didn’t care and befriended me and I finally felt good here, because of you… this is my way to thank you

    Terry looked at his friend and shook his head.

    - Well…

    Candy arrived, Jones was also there.

    - Lady Candy, said Patrick

    - That was a very nice work, said Candy

    - Thank you…

    - It was nice to honour your friend by making him the star with me in the process…

    - I should’ve told him about it… I apologise for invading your privacy…

    - You managed to conceal our faces… beside I’m used to being in the spotlight…and I wish I had a friend who liked me enough to make me the star of their little science project…

    Terry looked at Candy. She was very popular but she was also very lonely, no friends, she was always alone in school, that’s why she’d rather go out with her spoiled brats friends even on school nights and get drunk, because she’s bored… Then he looked at Patrick.

    - Next time just let me know, ok Patrick? Thanks for what you said. I’m glad to have you as a friend.

    - Thanks Terry, said Patrick smiling

    Terry left with Candy.

    - That was nice what you said to Patrick, said Terry

    - And I meant it too! Isn’t it amazing?

    - Be careful Lady Candy, you’re starting to have a halo…

    - You’re right; I should go do something bad to prevent that…

    - Do you know how cute you are? He whispered in her ear

    - You want to show me? She said

    - We have our next class in 5 minutes…

    - That’s plenty of time for you to show me…

    She took his hand, and they almost ran in the hallway, they turned a corner, then Candy opened a door. It was the eraser closet.

    - Candy! What if we get caught?

    - That’s what's making this so fun! She said smiling

    - You’re crazy, you know that?

    - Yes, I know baby, she said taking his lips

    They started making out and Terry realized that Candy was right, the rush, the thought of getting caught doing something forbidden, made the kiss taste amazingly better than usual, and it was usually awesome. Candy who had the bottom of the shirt tied in a knot, her belly showing and she had a belly button ring, only made Terry’s excitement bigger. He put his hand on her belly going up to her breast and he managed to bypass the shirt and her bra and he was pinching her nipple. She wanted to touch him too, but they had to be in class in a few minutes… She didn’t want Terry to be embarrassed…So she only touched his chest, caressing it gently. Then like they had a clock in their heads, they stopped breathless, looking at each other.

    - How many minutes we have left? Asked Terry

    - Two, said Candy looking at her watch

    - We better get going, he said smiling and arranging his shirt, before we’re late…

    They got out of the closet and continued their way like nothing happened. Ashley saw them and she was heartbroken. Damn that Lady is a tramp Candice Grandchester! What she wouldn’t give to make out with Terry in a closet!

    Terry had trouble concentrating on his courses that day, Candy kept coming back to his mind. The good thing was, that the rest of the day was mostly about working on the May Festival activities.

    Later after school, Patrick was in Terry’s room.

    - Sorry again buddy…

    - Forget about it…

    - I have secret, he said and since you’re such a good to me, I’m going to tell you about it later, or show you…

    - You don’t have to, Patrick, said Terry

    - No, I want to…

    - Fine, said Terry smiling

    Patrick went out of the room to look for his little secret. He went in the woods and he saw some girls talking loud…

    Candy was walking in the woods and she wanted to go to the stables, but she had to go to her room to change first. She met Ashley who was with some of her friends.

    - Well if it isn’t Lady is a tramp Candy!

    Ashley’s friends were stunned. They were afraid of Lady Candy. Candy stopped and turned around.

    - I beg your pardon, are you talking to me? She asked Candy

    - What? You thought I was going to be afraid of you or something?

    - Where is this coming from…? Wait! I get it! Terry! Right?

    - You’re not his type… he doesn’t go out with girls like you!

    - Girls like me? You mean a girl from the British upper class who goes out with princes…?

    - A girl who spreads her legs every chance she gets…Antonia was a saint compare to you!

    - Oh… did you tell him that? I bet you did… when was that, after you told him that you were available to be with him?

    Ashley’s face became bright as red.

    - I’m right, am I? Continued Candy, talk about dancing on your cousin’s grave!

    - How dare you? You don’t know anything about me! Or my cousin!

    - Well I know one thing. You need to get laid corncob! But find yourself another sucker! Terrence is with me!

    - You never go out with boys from school, you have to get your princes and dukes, why Terry?

    - Euh… I like him? And he likes me…

    - You are so smug…it’s not going to last, you’re not his type. You’re so insecure you have to drag him in the eraser closet to make out with him… you’re not his type!

    - Apparently neither are you, or you’d be with him now, instead of me, right? I admire your courage corncob, you’ve got guts! And I’m getting soft…must be Terrence’s influence on me! Get used to seeing us together… The eraser closet got you in that state? I should’ve known! It was magnificent by the way… Get a life, corncob, leave mine and Terry’s alone! Thanks for the entertainment! That was so much fun! Resenting me for the boyfriend you never had! Too funny!

    Candy walked away, laughing. Patrick had followed the whole scene, he taped it on his cell phone to show Terry…

    **********


    Terry was in his room, sending an email to Billie, to invite her to the May Festival and another one to Georgina and his adoptive mother, when he heard noise in the hallway of the dorm. It was the reverend mother, yelling at someone. Terry finished sending the emails and he got out of his room to see what was going on. There were a lot of students. Patrick was in the middle of them, very upset. The reverend mother was yelling at him.

    - Get rid of the monster at once Mr. O’Brien!

    - But reverend mother, its my companion … I’ve had it since it was a baby, it won’t survive on its own…

    - I said get rid of that monster!

    - Please reverend mother, let me find a new home for him, or get him to a pet store or something

    - The school’s rules are clear, no wild animals! Said the reverend mother

    Terry approached Patrick.

    - What is it, Patrick?

    - It’s my iguana, Einstein… I wanted to show him to you… but Neil squealed on me

    - Of course, said Terry looking at Neil with mean eyes

    Neil had a mocking smile. Terry turned to the reverend mother…

    - Please reverend mother, can’t you just make an exception for one day? We’ll find a new home for him tomorrow….

    - No wild animals, no exception! Get rid of the monsters!

    - But reverend mother, said Terry

    - Silence! And obey me! Throw the monster in the wood…

    Terry was very upset at Neil for telling on his friend. The reverend mother was not helping by being pigheaded. "Compromise" was not in her vocabulary.

    - It’s not going to survive on its own! Did you hear that? Said Terry

    - Mr. Andrew, you’re being insubordinate! That monster is leaving the school premises…

    Terry looked at her, he thought about his mommy Maria, even though she was firm, when she needed to, she was one of the kindest people on earth. This reverend mother was nothing like Sister Maria.

    - You don’t care you’re hurting Patrick by getting rid of his little friend, you call yourself a nun? You’re the monster! Said Terry

    There was a gasp. The reverend mother was furious.

    - What did you just call me? She asked Terry

    - I said you were the monster… for wanting to throw a poor animal to a certain death; it’s a living being…

    Patrick had the iguana in his arms and his mouth was open.

    - Terry, apologise, he whispered, it’s ok, I’ll get rid of Einstein …

    - Mr. Andrew, I’m waiting, said the reverend mother

    Terry remained silent.

    - Mr. Andrew?

    - I was taught to always tell the truth, said Terry, and what you want to do to Einstein is monstrous…You’re a nun, working for God but you’ve got no love whatsoever for your kind and less of all for animals…

    - Is that what you call an apology?

    - No, that wasn’t one… I…

    - I will not accept your apology!

    - I was not going to apologise to you… I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for getting angry, but I meant what I said. You’re a monster. I was raised by a nun and I know how loving and understanding a nun is suppose to be…

    - Well, I think a little time in the detention room is going to make you think about respecting me…, said the reverend mother

    - Respect is something that’s earned…, continued Terry

    - Terry, would you shut your mouth! Said Patrick

    - That’s enough! Said the reverend mother, you’re both going to the detention room… Mr. O’Brien will stay until tomorrow and Mr. Andrew, will not be assisting to the May Festival…

    The reverend left . Terry and Patrick went to the detention room. They had separate rooms, of course. Einstein was in a cage and Sister Margaret was holding it.

    - Sister Margaret, said Terry, please give Einstein to me. I’ll find him a good home, I promise…

    - Terrence, what you did…, started Sister Margaret

    - I was disrespectful to the reverend mother, but she got on my nerve…

    - Well you told the truth, what was in your heart and I can’t blame you for telling the truth, my son…

    - You understand that Einstein should be saved, right? Out there on his own, he might not survive, he might get killed by some scare people or worst…

    - How are you going to save him, he can’t stay here in the school…

    - I think it’s better if you don’t know, sister, said Terry smiling…

    - All right, said Sister Margaret, take him. I’ll bring you food and some for Einstein too…

    - Thank you so much Sister Margaret, you’re giving nuns a good name…

    - Unlike the reverend mother?

    - She gives nun a bad name… I was raised by a nun and there are ways to be firm but kind too… Sorry, there goes my mouth again

    - Don’t ever apologise for telling the truth Terrence, said Sister Margaret, there should be more people like you… I’ll be back with your food later

    - Thanks sister, said Terry

    There was a bed in the room, the sheets were clean and the blanket too. Terry went to sit there. He had no books to read, his cell phone was of course in his room so no way to contact Candy to tell her what happened.
    He was going to miss the May Festival, that was not good, because he invited Billie…and his adoptive mother as a formality, since she’s in absentia.

    **********


    Candy went back to her room and she called Terry on his cell phone, but she got his voice mail only. So she went to his room and it was empty. She saw the pictures on his desk, girls. One of them was probably Antonia Where the hell was he? She went to look for Sister Margaret. She found her in her office.

    - Miss Grandchester? What can I do for you?

    - I’m looking for Terrence Andrew…

    - You are…

    - Yes… Do you know where he is?

    - My my my, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you like him…

    - Sister Margaret…

    - He’s the flavour of the month?

    - You do know that I’ve never had a boyfriend in this school?

    - Thank God for that! But looks like you’ve broken your own rule…

    - I… just like him a lot. That’s never happened to me before…

    - So all this time you’ve been living the crazy life you didn’t even love your partners?

    - What are you insinuating, Sister Margaret, that I’ve had sex without being in love?

    - Miss Grandchester!

    - I’m sorry, I just want to know where Terry is… and I promise I won’t have sex with him, she added with a mocking smile

    - Miss Grandchester! You’re incorrigible! You shouldn’t be having premarital sex!

    - There are a lot of things we shouldn’t be doing sister, and we do them anyway…

    - Miss Grandchester, I’m just telling you this for your own good…

    - I know sister, said Candy with a little voice

    - Mr. Andrew is in the detention room….

    - Why?

    - I’ll let him tell you himself… because you are going to see him right?

    - What are you saying sister? That’s forbidden! I’m going to my room and wait until his punishment is over…

    - Right…

    - But I might go out for a walk outside to get some fresh air… Maybe he’ll be at the window and I can catch a glimpse of him… do you know which window I should look at?

    - If you want to look to see if Mr. Andrew is standing at the window, you should look at the window on the right side of the tree…

    - Thank you Sister Margaret…

    Sister Margaret knew Candy was going to go see Terry. She didn’t mind. Terrence Andrew was a good boy and Candice Grandchester needed a good boy. For once, she was going out with the right guy. Rumour had it, that she had stopped smoking and drinking… Terrence White Andrew was definitely what she needed, because she was spinning out of control.

    **********


    Candy went back to Terry’s room to get his cell phone. That way she will be able to send him a text message or call him. She went to her room to change. She put on sweat pants with a top , she went outside and she walked to back of the building, where the detention rooms were. She saw the tree, and started climbing. She got to the window and she knocked.

    Terry was with the iguana, talking to him. He heard a sound at the window. He put Einstein on his shoulder and he walked to the window…

    - Candy!

    - Hey baby, she said coming in…

    She looked at the iguana.

    - That’s your new companion? An iguana?

    - Yep! He said, this is Einstein

    - Hello Einstein! She said smiling

    - What about me, that’s the hello you’re giving me?

    Candy smiled and kissed him on the lips.

    - There, you big baby…

    He pulled her and kissed her passionately for a while, with Einstein still on his shoulder.

    - Thanks for coming baby, he said

    - I didn’t know where you were, I kept calling your phone and getting your voice mail. I brought it with me by the way…

    - What?

    - I went to your room…

    - You thought I was with someone else?

    - You Mr. Goody two shoes? Not! But what I want to know is what you’re doing in detention…

    - Well I kind of called the reverend mother a monster….

    Candy looked at him with big eyes.

    - You what????!!!!

    - Well Patrick wanted to show me Einstein, and that coward Neil Reagan squealed on him… so the reverend mother told him to throw him out… no savage animals, she called Einstein a monster

    - And you told her she was the monster?! Oh my God!

    - Patrick told me to apologise…

    - Oh oh, you’re not really good at apologising…

    - I had no intention of apologising…to that monster!

    They walked to the bed and they sat down.

    - Terry… oh my God!

    - She gives nuns a bad name!

    - You mean nuns are not supposed to be that mean? Said Candy ironically

    - I had two mothers, growing up …

    - Two mothers? Well it’s a free world, you turn out fine, liking girls…

    - What?

    Terry looked at her. And then…

    - Oh…no, one of them was a nun…

    - A lesbian nun? That’s a blasphemous oxymoron!

    Terry burst out laughing.

    - You’re so funny! He said, my mothers were two women at the head of an orphanage. They raised me and my little brothers and sisters. Mr. Reagan, Eliza and Neil’s father took me in as a foster son, to keep his son company and to give me a chance to go to a private school… to make a long story short, it didn’t work out with the Reagans and I ended up being Maximilliana Andrew’s adoptive son…

    - You’re very lucky, she said smiling

    - I’m not noble, I’m a commoner… you’ve got royal blood

    - The last time I checked, my blood was red, like everybody’s…

    - That’s why I was avoiding you…

    - I’m just a girl, Terry and I like you. Nothing else is important

    Terry smiled.

    - Well now I can’t go to the May Festival, as a punishment for calling the reverend mother a monster!

    - Great! What am I going to do without you? It’s not going to be fun…

    - What did you do the other years?

    - I invited my Euro trash prince and his friends…

    - You can still invite them…

    - No, I don’t want them this year…

    - I’m sorry… I guess I should’ve kept my big mouth shut

    - Oh gee you think? Your honesty doesn’t help either. You’d be a very bad diplomat!

    - Thank God I don’t want to be a diplomat…

    Terry put Einstein in his cage and took Candy in his arms.

    - Thanks for coming to see me, Lady Candice…

    - You’re very welcome Master Andrew…

    They made out for a while, then they stayed in each other’s arms talking for hours. They fell asleep and Candy woke up in the middle of the night and she went back to her room, on cloud nine. She had never felt like that before. It was better than smoking, better than drinking … it was delightful, it was delicious…it was love.

    Chapter 30