Tale of Life (Essence Series #2) (11 page)

Uncle Scott clapped him on the shoulder. “This is exactly what your aunt and I wanted.”

Breccan remained silent, sitting at the other end of the table with a stoic expression.

Calloway grabbed another letter and tore open the paper. Now that he had been accepted into an outstanding university his confidence had sky-rocketed. It was another acceptance letter from a local college, one that he didn’t have much interest in attending, but the notification and the scholarship money made his family ecstatic.

“This is just too good to be true!” Aunt Grace yelled.

There was one letter left, the one from Fresno University, and it weighed heavier than the other notices even though it was exactly the same size. Calloway stared at the envelope for a moment, wishing that it enclosed his acceptance, not his rejection. He ripped off the paper and pulled out the letter. The anxiety left his body when his eyes skimmed to the bottom—
he had been accepted with a full ride.

“This is the best day!” Aunt Grace said.
“Just the best!”

Calloway stared at the letter—it was a dream come true. It was the university that he wanted to attend the most and it had come to pass—he was attending in the fall. He could apply to join the White Wing and fight the Hara-Kirs; it was exactly what he wanted.

“This deserves ice cream and cake!” Aunt Grace said. She tossed every dessert they had in the house on the table and handed out plates. “Eat whatever you want!”

Calloway smiled at his aunt—she was happier than he was. Uncle Scott was smiling while he ate his food, genuinely elated that his nephew was accepted into college. Breccan was the only one that looked indifferent, like he was trying to choose between a red shirt and a blue shirt—it didn’t really matter. Calloway ate his dessert with his family and talked about which college he should attend.

“He has to go the Dartmouth,” Aunt Grace said. “It’s the best school on the East coast.”

“But he’ll be so far away from us,” Uncle Scott said. “What if he needs our assistance?”

“He’ll be fine,” she said. She turned to Calloway. “How did this happen, Calloway? Your grades are average.”

Calloway shrugged. “I did well on my exam.”

“How well?” Uncle Scott asked with a voice full of interest.

Calloway shrugged again. “I got nearly a perfect score.”

Aunt Grace clapped again. “You are just like your father—so gifted. He was always so humble about it.”

“That’s great, Calloway,” Uncle Scott said. “It really is.”

After they finished their dessert, Aunt Grace put everything away. There were cartons of melting ice cream that no one touched, and forgotten pies and cookies. They could only eat so much, leaving most of the items untouched. “I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight,” she shrieked.

“Nor am I,” Uncle Scott said. “That was too much excitement for one day.” He grabbed Calloway and hugged him tightly. “I’m very proud to have you as another son.” He clapped him on the shoulder then walked up the stairs to his bedroom.

Breccan disappeared from the room and ran up the flight of stairs, not saying a word to Calloway. He didn’t even congratulate him. Calloway grabbed his acceptance notes and took them to his bedroom, sitting on the bed as he stared at each one for a long moment. It was obvious which university he should choose—the one on the East coast—but Calloway knew he was destined for Fresno University. It was his greatest dream to go an Ivy League school but that wasn’t in his future. If only had had a normal life he could choose another path, but that would never happen—he was where he was meant to be.

The Vow

When Calloway walked into the library during lunch period, Beatrice was already sitting with his friends. He felt his heart palpitate at the sight, fearing that his friends were ridiculing and insulting her directly to her face, which would chase her away. But then pragmatism settled on his shoulders when he realized his friends would never do that to him, despite how much they disliked her, and he felt his body return to calm. Besides, if Beatrice couldn’t put up with it she would have left a long time ago.

Calloway kissed Beatrice on the cheek when he reached the table. “How are you?” he asked.

“Good,” she said. “How are you?”

He nodded. “Good.” He hadn’t told anyone else about his acceptance and he knew now was the time. Easton was reading a textbook and she didn’t look up at his approach.

“I need to talk to you,” he said.

“Hmm?” she said without looking up. Whenever Beatrice was present, Easton ignored both her and Calloway as much as possible. It was frustrating that his friends couldn’t accept his girlfriend, even though Calloway had been dating her for a while, and it irritated him that they continued to hold a grudge. Beatrice had proven her commitment and sincerity—what more did they want? He wanted Easton to end this dismissive attitude but he knew it was the lesser of two evils. If she wasn’t quiet, then she would insult Beatrice at every opportunity.

“I was accepted at Fresno University,” he said, sitting in his chair with a smile on his face, which stretched from ear to ear.

Easton finally looked up. “You did?” she said excitedly. She rose from her chair and hugged Calloway. “I’m so happy for you,” she said while she held him tightly. “I knew you would get in, Calloway. There was never a doubt in my mind.”

He held her for a moment. “Thank you,” he said.

When he broke their embrace, he turned to Beatrice, expecting a hug, but he just met her furious gaze, which was popping with growing embers. When he realized what he did, he felt stupid for making such an amateur mistake. He should have told Easton in private, away from Beatrice and her unfounded jealousy.

Easton caught Beatrice’s look of hatred. “Oh, get over it,” she snarled.

Beatrice glared at her, her face turning red, and then grabbed her bag from the table, ready to storm out, but Calloway grabbed her arm and steadied her.

“Please don’t go,” he said. “She didn’t mean that.”

“I think it’s pretty clear that she did!” Beatrice snapped. “Your friends always insult me but you never intervene, Calloway. I’ve put up with it for months and I’m growing tired of this game.” She yanked her arm and Calloway released his hold, not wanting to touch her against her will.

Calloway understood her frustration. She was perfectly right for feeling that way. His friends treated her poorly and Calloway was aware of that. Despite his best efforts to stop their insults and jabs, they still unleashed them whenever they wished. “You’re right,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

“Goodbye, Calloway.” Beatrice walked away from him, leaving him standing alongside his friends. He didn’t want to lose Beatrice and the sight of her departure stung his heart painfully. After a moment, he ran after her and stopped her before she left the building and ended their relationship permanently.

“Please don’t go,” he said, his voice dripping with remorse and sorrow. He inserted himself in front of the door, blocking her exit without touching her. Hawk used to grab her arm and yank her away aggressively, but Calloway refused to do anything that would remind her of that jerk. “I’m sorry, okay? Please, Beatrice.”

“No,” she said. “I’m sick of it. It’s her or me, Calloway. Take your pick.”

Calloway stared at her. “
What
?”

“It’s Easton or me. You can have one or the other—
choose
.”

“Please don’t do that to me,” he
begged, his voice almost hysterical. “I care about you very much and I don’t want to lose you. Let me talk to them again. I can get them to stop—please.”

“So, you choose
her
? That’s your decision?”

Calloway sighed. “I can’t do that, Beatrice, and you know that.” Calloway stepped closer to her but she stepped back. “And I don’t have feelings for Easton—just you.”

Beatrice glared at him. “Get out of the way, Calloway.”

Their relationship was volatile and destructive, with their arguments always escalating into vicious fights, and they couldn’t reason with each other—
ever
. The only time they seemed to be in agreement was when Calloway was kissing her or touching her in some way—that was their only common ground—their physical connection. Calloway launched his last weapon, his final attempt to keep Beatrice on this side of the door. He kissed her gently.

Initially, she was unresponsive to his kiss, but his lips seemed to make her melt and she returned his embrace with loving caresses. Calloway grabbed her face and deepened his kiss, making her realize how much he cared for her and how sorry he was. She seemed to accept his apology through her equal touch. When their moment was becoming too intense, his lips were on fire, he pulled away and checked the library, making sure Nancy was absent, which she was.

“Stay with me,” he whispered.

Beatrice placed her forehead against his. “Okay.”

He kissed her again. “I’ll talk to them. I promise.”

“You better.” She smiled.

Calloway sighed in relief—his ploy worked. He took her by the hand and led her back to the table, where his friends were whispering to one another. Easton rolled her eyes when she saw Calloway approach—with Beatrice.

Calloway helped Beatrice into her seat then turned his gaze on Easton. He stared at her for a long moment, silently communicating with her, and waited for her to agree to his silent request. She sighed, clearly irritated by Calloway’s choice to keep her around, and nodded slightly.

“Thank you,” Calloway said.

Beatrice didn’t look at Easton. “Are we going shopping today?”

Calloway was dreading this trip for months and now it had arrived, much to his displeasure. Beatrice expected him to buy a new suit and tie, and he wondered what else she would force him to purchase—new shoes and matching underwear?

“Of course,” he said. He turned to Easton. “Can you drive us?”

Easton took a deep breath before she spoke. “Yes,” she said. “I have to get a dress anyway.”

Breccan looked at her, his face contorted in surprise. “So, you are coming with me?”

“No,” she said. “I’m going alone.”

“Don’t be annoying,” he said. “Just go with me.”

“Go with someone else,” she spat.

“But I want to go with you,” Breccan said.

Easton finally looked at him, her face set in a scowl. “You
want
to go with me?”

“I’ve been saying that the whole time!” Breccan said. “So, will you?”

Easton sighed. “I suppose.”

“Phew,” Breccan said. “I really didn’t want to go without a date.”

Easton glared at him again.

Calloway sighed. “So close.”

“So, you are only asking me so you don’t have to go alone?” Easton snapped. “I’m just a last resort?” Easton grabbed her belongings and stormed from the building just as the lunch bell rang. Breccan watched her go with a look of frustration, irritated that his attempt had backfired miserably.

When the school day was over, they assembled at Easton’s car in the parking lot. Easton blatantly ignored Breccan, not even looking at him, and drove to the mall across town. Breccan kept glancing at her from the front seat but Easton’s eyes were focused on the road, oblivious to Breccan sitting next to her. In the back seat, Calloway caressed Beatrice’s hand, and her knee was touching his slightly, making his heart race. She was wearing pink shorts and a white t-shirt, welcoming the warmth of the spring season, and he never thought she looked more beautiful, but then again, he thought that every time he looked at her.

When they arrived at the shopping center, they climbed out of the car and walked into the entrance, moving through the aisles of different shops. Calloway stopped when saw an ordinary department store, one that looked reasonably priced, and he pulled Beatrice toward it.

“This looks like a nice place.”

She made a disgusted face. “No,” she said nastily. “We aren’t going there.”

“What’s wrong with it?” he asked incredulously. “They sell
clothes
. What more do you want?”

“We aren’t going there,” she repeated. She tugged on Calloway’s arm and pulled him away, dragging him from the store. Calloway watched it disappear with a saddened expression. Easton glared at Calloway for a long moment but kept her silence like she agreed to. Calloway knew how angry she was that Beatrice was being so superficial. He felt the same way.

Beatrice pulled them into a classy store that was completely covered in pristine glass, and the only items they sold were suits,
very expensive suits
. There were no customers inside even though the mall was packed on this afternoon. The single worker in the store was wearing a designer suit that looked as expensive as Aunt Grace’s and Uncle Scott’s home. Calloway felt his throat go dry.

“How about this one?”
Beatrice asked, holding it up for Calloway to see. She felt the fabric under her fingertips and ran her hand down the jacket. It was a dark navy blue and lacked even a single wrinkle.

Calloway stared at the material and nodded. “It looks nice.”