Mother of Darkwaters: Book one of the Vessel series (37 page)

   She can understand if he feels hurt because she didn't call him for a couple of days. But if this is an act of jealousy, he can kiss her goodbye. Tamara doesn't have time for baby games. She's not going to waste her life with someone who is unable to trust her. Granted, she
did
cheat on him – technically speaking. But Jason doesn't know about it. No one does. So there's no reason for him to be jealous.

   Mr. Tolbert finishes roll call. The man glances over as the late student shuts the door, but doesn't say anything. Mandie chooses to sit in the same chair as last time. Front row desk at the far left of the classroom. Cater-corner to her right rear side, Jennifer and Rebecca sit next to each other in the last two rows. Mandie feels it's too soon to sit with her new friends. It's an honor which needs to be by invitation only.

   This group is tight nit. They stick together and have each other's backs. They don't hurt each other over gossip or with rival jealousies. They are not self-serving. Not even Rebecca. At least when it comes to her friends that is. Anybody else is fair game. Mandie learned this the hard way. But she, also, learned that this group has very good qualities about them. They are friends. The kind of friends that last over a lifetime.

   “Can anyone tell me why the gods and goddesses seem to be harsh when they are assumed to be punishing someone,” Mr. Tolbert questions his Greek Mythology class.

His brown eyes scan over the room of raised hands.

   “Yes, Mr. Paciniack,” the teacher makes his choice.

   Whenever the boy begins speaking, his tone sounds faked to Mandie; although, she knows it isn't. She concludes he just has that
I'm a rich person who is better than all poor people
sound. It makes her want to laugh, but she holds back the urge out of respect.

   “Thank you, Mr. Tolbert,” the boy begins his speech as though the teacher is the hired help.

   “The gods. The goddesses. They were better than the people they ruled. They were far more intellectual and far more superior.”

   “In my opinion, Mr. Tolbert,” the boy speaks as though his parents placed him here to learn about the lesser commoners, “The gods and goddesses did those people a favor. They demonstrated the importance of ranking and how to separate the strong from the weak. Because of their justice – and mind you it was not harsh – the ruled then became the mighty.”

   The boy's tone peaks for his finale, “Without distinct separation of the social classes, the world would be thrown into chaos and would self-destruct. The weak need the strong to rule over them. The punishments as you so eloquently put it, Mr. Tolbert, are part of the requisite needs of the lower class.”

   Jennifer nods towards the front left corner of the classroom. Rebecca glances over and observes Mandie fighting with the case of the giggles. The more she fights, the greater her struggle. It's quite apparent she fights every time Eric Paciniack speaks a new sentence.

   Rebecca grins. Jennifer joins her. By the time Eric speaks the teacher's name for the second time, Mandie has her face buried into her arms. Her shoulders are shaking violently. Rebecca notices Mandie's mouth is latched onto her bruised right arm. She is biting herself to help maintain. Rebecca and Jennifer both begin giggling. For them, however, the sight of Mandie is the cause for their laughter.

   “For the simpletons,” the boy continues, “who are unable to learn the complexities...”

   “S-s-s,” Mandie hisses, “S-s-stop.”

   Eric glances over, but Mr. Tolbert shakes his head to inform the boy that he should ignore her.

   “As I was saying,” Eric informs Mandie that she is rudely interrupting, “Mr. Tolbert.”

   “Ah-ha-ha,” Mandie releases her bridled laughter, “P-please s-s-stop it.”

   The girl raises her head and looks towards the back of the classroom. Behind Eric, Rebecca and Jennifer are wiping water from their eyes.

   “Ms. EvéMari,” the teacher intervenes, “Would you like to take some time to gather your thoughts?”

   Mandie nods while grabbing her backpack. She walks in front of the classroom towards the door with her giggles.

   “Thank you, Mr. Tolbert,” the boy conveys his gratitude.

   “Ha-ha-ha,” Mandie drops her backpack and wraps her right arm around her tightening belly. The pain from her wounds causes her to bend over. She pats at the air with her left hand.

   “S-s-shh,” Mandie begs.

   “You cannot shush me,” Eric objects.

   “Ha-ha-ha,” Mandie laughs as she forces herself to stand upright. She looks at the teacher, “M-m-mister ha-ha-ha.”

   Jennifer and Rebecca let loose and laugh out loud. The rest of the class joins in. Even the teacher grins. Eric, however, doesn't find any of this funny. He decides to take control of the situation once and for all.

   “If Ms. EvéMari is finished,” Eric speaks.

   “You ha-ha-ha” Mandie points at the boy before placing her finger against her sore lips, “must be vewy quiet.”

   The class erupts into more laughter. Mandie grabs her backpack and laughs all the way to the door. She turns the door handle and exits into the hallway. As the door closes, she leans her back against the wall to the right side of the entrance. Mandie lets out a full unbridled laugh.

   “Has anyone seen Mandie?”, Tamara asks the other three S.V.C. members sitting at their normal lunch spot within the cafeteria. Jennifer and Rebecca exchange grins.

   “Not since Greek Mythology,” Rebecca informs.

   “What's so funny?”

   “Mandie,” Jennifer answers, “Mr. Tolbert let her leave because she couldn't stop laughing.”

   “Why was she laughing?”, Caroline questions.

   “I think it was because of how Eric Paciniack talks,” Jennifer explains her take on the matter.

   Tamara grins.

   “Can we talk?”, Jason interrupts as he walks up with Marcus to the cheerleader's table.

   “Here?”, Tamara's tone implies that the lunchroom is unacceptable.

   “No,” Jason catches on, “Outside.”

   “Be back,” Tamara tells her friends. She stands up and follows her boyfriend out of the busy school cafeteria. Marcus decides to grab a burger from the lunch line.

   Jason doesn't say a word through the school's hallway. Tamara obliges him by remaining silent. She follows him out of the school, across the street, and into the student’s parking lot. He stops by Tamara's vette, spins around, and grabs Tamara by the waist. He pulls her close and nears her lips. Tamara rests both of her arms over his shoulders while his tongue separates her lips. He pulls back after a short time and searches her brown eyes.

   “Hi,” Jason quietly greets.

   “Hi, yourself,” Tamara smiles.

   “Retreat, huh?”, Jason sends a mixed signal.

   “No,” Tamara tells the truth, “I had to take care of something for Rebecca.”

   “No you didn't,” Jason glances over to a rusty brown truck which is now parked in one of the center rows.

   “You mad?”, Tamara keeps her gentle tone.

   Jason looks back at his girlfriend.

   “No, Tam. I'm not mad,” the boy explains, “I'm just tired of all of this high school junk. Ball is the
only
thing this place has to offer.”

   Tamara shoves Jason back, “And that's how you feel about me?”

   “No. I love you,” Jason reveals, “I just don't love your dark side, Tamara.”

   “My dark side? You didn't seem to have a problem with
any
side whenever you climbed on top of me.”

   Tamara waves her left arm outward, “Now, all of a sudden there's a problem.”

   The cheerleader brings her arm down and rests her hand on her hip, “Thanks a lot.”

   “It's not like that, Tam,” Jason remains calm.

   “What's it like, Jason?”, Tamara snaps back, “Cause it sure sounds like it.”

   “We're on two different paths,” Jason begins.

   “Seriously? Are you seriously going to give me a letdown speech?”, Tamara's agitation rises, “Don't bother. I'm outta here.”

   “Wait, Tam,” Jason grabs the girl's left arm as she turns to leave, “I know you see it, too. Don't deny it.”

   Tamara stops and turns back to face Jason, “Are you breaking up with me?”

   “No,” Jason answers, “I'd rather you change, Tam. I can't handle the stupid stuff anymore. I have my future to think about. And so do you.”

   “I
have
been thinking about my future, Jason. But changing who I am wasn't part of it.”

   “Not who you are, Tam. The things you do,” the boy corrects.

   “The things I do
is
who I am,” Tamara clarifies.

   “You saying you won't change?”

   “No, Jason,” Tamara decides to come clean about where she's been, “I'm saying I've met someone who loves me for who I am. They love me unconditionally, Jason. And they want
all
of me.”

   “So you've been cheating on me,” Jason raises his voice in anger.

   “If you're asking me if I've climbed onto another guy,” Tamara increases her volume level to match Jason's tone, “Then you can go to hell, Jason Deveraux.”

   “Tell me what I'm supposed to think after hearing that,” Jason lowers his tone slightly, “You said you found someone else. Geezus, Tam. Cut me a little slack here.”

   “I'm not a slut, Jason,” Tamara scolds, “And you of all people should know that.”

  “Then explain it to me, Tam. Because I don't get it.”

   “Let me spell it out for you,” Tamara slows her racing tongue, “I have not been with another guy other than you since we've been together.”

   The girl glares, “Love is not the same as sex. Only a stupid boy would ever think like that.”

   “First off, I know they're not the same,” Jason glares back, “And secondly, don't call me a stupid boy. I'm not the one who insinuated I was cheating. You did.”

   “If you can't handle me, Jason,” Tamara ignores him, “I know someone who can. Someone who wants me for who I am and not just the parts which fit happily into their twisted ideas of who they think I should be.”

   “Who? David Snow?”

   “No, you ass,” Tamara's tone sharpens, “It's not David Snow. But if it was, you would no longer have any say in the matter.”

   “Tam, hold on,” Jason calls out as Tamara turns and walks towards the street. She stops, turns around, and glares.

   “We're done,” Tamara announces, “Don't call me. Don't speak to me. And just stay the hell away from me.”

   “Come on, Tam. Don't be like this.”

   “Me?” Tamara counters, “You did this, Jason Deveraux.”

   “Look. I'm sorry. I really don't want to break up. I love you.”

   “Love? You have no idea what that is. You love your perfect idea of me, Jason. But you don't love me. And I won't be with someone who doesn't love me back.”

   Tamara throws her arms above her head as she turns around to cross the street.

   “Gawd! I've been such an idiot!”

   “Has anyone told her that she’s been committed to the date already?”

   Jennifer shakes her head while looking at Rebecca.

   “She’s gonna freak out,” Caroline says, “Especially since it’s not necessary anymore.”

   “I’m not telling her,” Caroline finishes.

   “I’ve got it like always,” Jennifer complains. 

   “Have you mentioned the other thing?”, Rebecca questions.

   “Nope,” Jennifer givers her answer.

   “You want me to do it?”, Rebecca directs her question towards Tamara's bff, Jennifer.  

   “Be my guest. I already know she's not linked.”

   “I know that, too, Jenny. But we need to find out why. Something doesn't feel right about it. I feel drained all the time.”

   “You, too?”, Caroline chimes in, “I thought it was my Valium doing it.”

   “What'd your mom say?”, Rebecca asks for more details.

   “She's going to talk to the head quack about it,” Caroline answers while watching Mandie approach from Rebecca's right side.

   “Rebecca?”, Mandie politely asks for the captain's approval to speak. Rebecca turns her head and smiles.

   “There's Miss Laughs-A-Lot,” Rebecca greets while nodding to a spot beside Jennifer, “Have a sit.”

   “Thanks,” Mandie verbalizes her gratitude before sitting across the table from Rebecca.

   “What's up?”

   “Remember when you told me to run any new plans by you?”

   “Yeah,” Rebecca lifts both her brows questioningly.

   “Do you know who Amy Lee is?”

   “No freakin’ way,” Jennifer blurts out of turn, “Like
Evanescence
Amy Lee?”

   Mandie grins.

Chapter 8

   The Red Key

   “You've come a long way in a very short time,” Martha praises while looking at the bling hanging from her granddaughter's neck. In addition to the keys belonging to Julianna's mother's diary and the white door, the girl wears the family emblem made of black onyx, and her latest acquisition – a black diamond.

   Julianna looks down and cups the black diamond reverently.

   “You're the only one to ever earn the right to wear it,” Martha speaks while watching her granddaughter marvel after the stone's beauty.

   “I'm sure someone's tried it on before,” Julianna doubts her gram's claim.

   “Not to my knowledge, dear,” Martha counters, “It's a gift for the one who could touch the black sea and survive. Most of our family has never tried to touch the water for fear of the consequences. Those that did try died.”

   Martha glances up to her granddaughter's green eyes. Julianna releases the stone to dangle against her chest and smiles.

   “How did you know where to find it?”, Martha questions, “I never told you where it was hidden.”

   “I had a dream about Lilith,” Julianna explains, “She told me it was a gift from her and told me how to get it. Sorry if I...”

   “No child,” Martha interrupts, “Don't be sorry. It
is
a gift from Lilith.”