WEEKS HAD PASSED since I saw my father and just like the cliché saying, time really did heal all wounds. Sure I was still pretty heartbroken about the whole ordeal but I was only focused on looking toward the future. We were nearing the beginning of spring, and summer would soon follow meaning only a few more months until I graduated and was out of here.
The beginning of spring also meant college application time. Stone Creek was a backward ass town that made us apply for colleges at the end of winter instead of the beginning like normal schools. Our school board argued we'd be making more informed decisions if we were able to complete three quarters of the school year before we applied, as opposed to half. I didn't really see the logic considering I was set on the same three schools I had my eyes on since freshman year.
Penbrooke, Cortland and North State had some of the best social work programs and I was perfectly fine with attending any of the three. The perks of Penbrooke was that Niko was there though which also counteracted as a downside, Cortland was the furthest of the three meaning fewer visits home, and North State had the highest acceptance cutoff meaning I wouldn't be surrounded by idiots. All three schools were far enough that I'd only be coming back to Stone Creek on the occasional weekend which I was more than okay with.
I was currently at the library with James to work on our biology assignment. It was coming along fairly nicely — I noticed we had become a lot more productive after we started dating — and we were nearing completion.
"Have you looked into any schools?" I asked as I formatted the brochure on my laptop.
James shook his head. "I don't think college is the path for me."
I couldn't help but snort at that, prompting him to roll his eyes. "You're the smartest person I know, why wouldn't you be interested in college?"
He didn't look up from the textbook he was reading. "Affordability for starters."
"I forgot about that."
James was a genius who was guaranteed admission wherever he applied and it wasn't fair that tuition cost was the factor hindering him from continuing his education. He deserved to go to the best damn school in the country, but despite the money factor it didn't make sense for him to not even apply.
"There's a ton of scholarships and loans you can apply for." I turned my laptop to him, showing a series of different bursaries I found from a quick online search.
He chuckled lightly. "I'd have to get all of them to cover the next four years."
"You should at least apply," I urged.
James closed his book. "I'm sorry, Dani, but no." He leaned over and kissed my cheek before packing his stuff and leaving.
~*~
"How much longer?" the impatient boy beside me groaned. "My stomach will start eating itself if we don't get food."
I smacked his arm without sparing him a glance. "Be patient, we're almost there."
When I pulled into the familiar parking lot James let out a sigh. "What are we doing here?"
"I," I pulled into an empty spot, "am going to show you why you should apply." As we got out of the car, Niko stood in the parking lot, clad from head to toe in Penbrooke merchandise.
"Welcome to Penbrooke University, kids!" he beamed in an exuberantly cheery tour guide voice. "My name's Nikolas Germaine Parker and I will be your tour guide on this lovely afternoon."
I rolled my eyes at his antics. "I said convince James to apply here, not convince him to drop out of school."
Niko shoved me and grinned at James. "Ready for your tour?"
James forced a smile, clearly not wanting to offend Niko. He already pissed off one Parker brother in the past and I doubted he wanted to do it again. "Sure, why not?"
"Great!" Niko took two Penbrooke baseball caps out of his pocket, plopping the blue one on James' head and the grey on mine.
I frowned at Niko. "I want the blue."
"This tour's not for you, shut up."
I gawked at my brother while James stuck his tongue out at me. "Yeah, shut up," he teased, making me flip him off.
This didn't go unnoticed by Niko who smacked the bill of my hat. "No bitchy Dani today." He stood between us to ensure we didn't fight again as he began the grand tour.
~*~
What was supposed to be a one or two-hour trip turned into a whole five hours. James acted nonchalant and aloof the entire tour, but his whole distant demeanour deteriorated when Niko showed us the six-storey library at this campus. Seeing the massive building made James a goner and he disappeared to check out the infinite book selection. Meanwhile, I found one of three cafés in the library and was currently on my second strawberry smoothie when Niko found me.
"What are you doing by yourself?" he asked as he plopped down on a chair beside me.
I narrowed my eyes as he grabbed my beverage and took a big gulp. "Please, do help yourself." He raised his eyebrows expectantly, waiting for my answer. "I have no interest in books."
"Well, your boyfriend's like a kid in a candy shop." He paused. "I really like James."
I smiled. "I'm glad."
"He's a bright guy who has a lot to offer. He'd fit in perfectly here, tell him to apply."
I snatched my drink back from him. "Careful, Niko, it almost sounds like you have a crush on him."
"Convince him to come here and we'll see," he joked with a wink before taking back my smoothie. Before I could protest he chugged the rest of its contents, leaving me with an empty cup.
"I hate you."
He feigned a gasp. "Is that any way to talk to your favourite brother?"
I shook my head. "I'd never talk to Alex like that." Niko rolled his eyes but laughed, and I joined in too. When I tell you I would swap Brenton any day if that meant Niko was still living at home with us. Not much longer after we were sitting around did James return. He tried to maintain his composure but it was impossible for him to hide the massive grin on his face. "Had fun?" I asked though we all knew the answer to that.
"This library is incredible," he exclaimed. "I met some guys who were telling me about the robotics lab here, it's state-of-the-art!"
"Your boyfriend's a nerd," Niko muttered out of the corner of his mouth.
I didn't even bother to correct him about the technicalities of our relationship because I was just so happy that James had a good time. Ignoring Niko, I looked at James. "So?"
"I think I might apply to Penbrooke."
I jumped out of my seat and wrapped my arms around his torso. "That's amazing, you're going to love it here!"
"Yeah," Niko piped in. "Plus if you start here in the fall I don't have to room with Marty anymore."
~*~
The week following our visit to Penbrooke University, I helped James research more colleges to help him narrow down his selection. I was over the moon that he wanted to apply I didn't even care which school it was. As a little treat, I took James to Holden's family diner for a bite. Ever since the Holden situation I had been avoiding that place like the plague so I was beyond ecstatic to finally get to enjoy their food again. A small part of me was still hoping to get my food comped even though I kind of broke the heart of the owner's son... We were seated at a booth in the middle of the café, stuffing our faces with all the unhealthy goodness this place offered.
I took a swig of my coke before speaking. "Any programs that captured your interest?"
James swallowed the remainder of his chilli cheese fries and nodded. "I'm torn between bioethics, medicine, and public policy."
I made a face at his selections which made James chuckle. "Any fun programs that captured your interest?"
He threw a fry at me but luckily I caught it in my mouth. James raised his eyebrows. "Bet you can't do that again."
"Try me." He tossed another fry which I caught again. I picked up a fry and chucked it at him, but James missed terribly and it flew past him, hitting a woman in the back of her head. We pretended to be deep in conversation when she turned around so she wouldn't suspect us. As soon as she resumed back to her food we both stifled laughs. "Have you applied yet?" I asked once we calmed down.
He swished his milkshake around in the glass. "Is there even a point to apply if I can't afford to attend?"
"Have you thought about getting a part-time job?" I offered.
James waved it off. "There's no point. Even if I worked full-time hours until school started in the fall I still wouldn't have enough."
"But it's a start," I insisted. "Our town has a ton of scholarships and bursaries for lower-income students, so that plus the money you make from a part-time job could be enough."
"I don't have time to search for a job when I could be spending that time studying."
Man, this guy was just full of excuses. Since he wouldn't take things into his own hands I decided to do it for him. I abruptly stood up, earning a confused look from James but I ignored him and walked to the front counter.
"Dani!" Martha beamed. "Do you need something?"
"Are any of the Rollins around?" I asked.
"What can I do for you, Dani?" Mr. Rollins' voice boomed from behind me.
I turned around, giving him my best customer service award-winning smile. "I was wondering if you were hiring."
"If we hired you we'd lose all business," Holden sassily called out as he appeared from behind his dad.
"I'm talking to the important Rollins man," I sneered.
Mr. Rollins laughed boisterously at us. "You two can't go one conversation without some kind of a fight."
"What do you mean, Dad? We're best buds." Holden slung his arm over my shoulder to which I replied with an elbow jab to his rib.
Mr. Rollins shook his head before focusing his attention on me. "I am looking for a couple more servers for evening shifts actually."
"I have just the person for you, sir!" I then proceeded to give my pitch for why this place needed James Hastings.
After a few minutes, I returned to a very skeptical James. "Where'd you go?"
I handed him an apron, a wide smile on my face. "Congratulations, you're officially the newest server at this joint!"
~*~
James wasn't the most pleased that I got him a job without checking in with him first, but after I forced him to go to his first few shifts things started to look up. He definitely stopped complaining by the time his third paycheque rolled in. I helped out as much as I could, by driving James to school so he wouldn't have to pay for gas, buying his lunches, and offering to go grocery shopping with him. Right before it was our turn in line I'd ask him to grab something random and by the time he returned, his groceries would already be paid for. I just really wanted him to be able to go to school in the fall and I wanted him to save the money he had been making from work.
"I've been working here for weeks, you really don't have to drop me off and pick me up every shift," James said with a frown as he got into my car.
I shrugged. "I like the drive."
"My ass," he scoffed as he buckled his seatbelt. We continued driving until James broke the silence. "I've been calculating how much I need for my fall semester deposit."
"And?" I prompted.
He had a small smile on his face. "At this rate I should be able to give in the deposit by the end of next month."
I squeezed his hand. "I'm so proud of you. Have you applied anywhere yet?"
"Not yet, but I know I'm set on Penbrooke."
Niko was going to love that. "What are your backups?"
"Don't have any," he said. "I'm set on Penbrooke."
"Are you sure you want to do that?" While I had no doubt that James could get accepted into Penbrooke — I mean Niko got in, how hard could it be? — I didn't think it was the brightest idea for him to put all of his eggs in one basket and only apply to one school.
"Is someone doubting me?" he teased.
"Yeah, yeah, we get it you're a genius," I said with a wave of my hand. James captured my hand in midair and laced his fingers with mine as he flashed me his heartwarming smile.
~*~
After dropping James to at work I began my drive home. I wasn't lying when I told him I enjoyed the drive, it was calming to be alone with my thoughts and reflect. My tranquil state dissolved when I spotted a familiar car on my parking spot, the culprit leaning against the aforementioned car. I parked on the side of the road and stormed out, ready to give this bitch a piece of my mind.
Monica didn't look the least bit surprised when she saw me. "Daniella."
"Why the hell are you here?" I demanded.
"That's no way to talk to your brother's girlfriend."
"Ex-girlfriend," I corrected.
Her eyes narrowed at me. "It's all thanks to you that Niko broke up with me. You ruined my life, Daniella and I'm going to make sure you pay!"
Whenever I called Monica crazy, I used it more as a loose expression but after seeing her try to claw my eyes out I realized she truly was crazy. She waved her acrylic nails in my face, her ring finger managing to scrape the side of my cheek. I let out a yelp before slapping her across the face. Monica gasped and yanked on my hair, making me emit another shriek. She pulled on my ponytail, making it feel like the hairs were being ripped out of my scalp. I shoved her away, but the whack ass bitch jumped on my back as she continued pulling my hair. I jutted my head up, letting both of us fall down on the grass. I landed on Monica with a thud before hopping to my feet. I didn't get too far when she grabbed my ankle and I fell down on my stomach. I rolled on my back but she jumped on top of me throwing her rat claws in my face. I swerved my head from side to side and I grabbed her wrists to prevent her from scratching my eyes out.
"You..." Scratch. "Bitch!" Scratch. "You took my Niko away from me!" Scratch.
"You did that to yourself," I spat, somehow managing to dodge all of her attacks. I extended my fist and punched the side of her head. Monica fell over which gave me a temporary escape. I got to my feet and ran to the front door. I fumbled through my pockets for the key before unlocking the front door. Just as I stepped inside she was hot on my trail. "Brent!" I shrieked, hoping my twin was nearby.
"Hey I thought I was your favourite," Niko said with a frown as he stepped into view. It was perfect timing because just as he came his lunatic ex jumped on my back yet again. Niko sprinted to my side and pushed Monica off of me while inspecting the visible cuts on my face. "What the hell is going on?"
"Your bitch jumped me!" I shouted, glaring at Monica who innocently batted her eyelashes.
"I just came to talk to you, and Daniella came out of nowhere and hit me, babe."
My blood began to boil. How dare she attack me on my own goddamn driveway and then try to pin it on me? I had no problem breaking Holden's nose, and that was someone I actually liked! Monica, however, I didn't mind putting in critical condition.
"You stupid bitch!" I threw myself at her but much to my dismay, Niko intervened and held onto my waist to prevent me from launching any hits at her. I tried to escape from his hold but Niko was far bigger and stronger so I eventually gave up.
"You have to leave," he ordered Monica while still holding onto me as I squirmed in his arms.
She pouted at him, making me want to gag. "What about us?"
"I'm calling the cops, you crazy motherfu—"
Niko clamped my mouth shut with his hand before I could finish. "Basically what my sister said," he said with an eye roll.
Monica glowered at me. "You're picking her over me?"
Niko swallowed hard, unable to look her in the eyes. "Family first."
"You're unbelievable." Monica stormed out but not before I flipped her off.
"Can you let go of me now?" I demanded.
"Depends," Niko scrutinized the scratches on my face, courtesy of that rabid bitch, "will you go all batshit crazy again?"
"No," I huffed.
"Okay." He let go of me while still inspecting my injuries. "Let's disinfect that."
"Lord knows where her hands have been," I grumbled, earning the stink eye from my brother.