Chapter 13

As of then, not one rich, trust fund snob had seen me smile.

Obviously though, Celia never fell in that group.

It amused me to think-- possibly-- everyone else decided I didn't know how.

Because Megan relayed at lunch that day, it was the most prominent rumor spreading around that week.

And still, Jared frowned a bit. "Liar."

At that point a car pulled up.

"Meh I tried," I decided. "Don't worry, I hate it here, but I hate my Dad's smug wife more."

I made sure my Dad couldn't suspect that last part.

The two of us filed into his Camary.

Fred was already in the backseat, cheerfully waving at us both. Until he tried to signal me for another 'How to treat a boy of "class"' lecture.

Then what did that make him?

"Um hi, I'm Jared," he said.

"I know who you are," Dad said in a clipped voice, eyes searing onto him from the mirror, "now let me have a word--"

"Nope," I said turning around to Jared-- white and petrified in his seat.

"I am very scared."

And it was a whole show to get Clarisse in the car.

"I bet Mom could've given you a better one," she chuckled once inside and shutting the door with a demure click, "I mean when there was no pretense left. Sure it's great, all her cars are, but this for her new husband?"

"Sweetie the most expensive is hardly always the best," Dad replied. "Besides Harley's always wanted a pink convertible, right?"

"When I was seven!" I trilled, finding Jared and Fred both laughing.

"But I mean," Fred then complained right to Clarisse, "I only try to help these two kids."

"Oh so true, poor thing is clearly whipped."

"No gossip. And play at least a few games. Be a good experience for all you kids to break the ice," Dad said, emphasizing the title.

"Yes Father."

"Sir."

"Dad."

Soon after we made it to the place, while Clarisse and Fred went on who knows what tangent about a bike, girls, and boys (?) dunno how that last one got in there-- Jared talked my ear off about all the old fashioned games we were sure to try.

"I just mean, if arcades are anything like those 80s buddy comedies and coming-of-age, okay I see that look," he said, and replied, "my Dad also got a guy to get me catalogues to look at to see what game trucks I want for my birthday next month-- by the way five weeks, save the date-- but anyway there were tons of options. Just. Tons."

And he gestured that with his hands.

"Thank you, thank you so much by the way, for setting this up. It's gonna be awesome I promise you."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," I teased. But seriously, I was also not the type for gaudy flashing lights and all. That. Noise. That chaotic, not even well lit place of noise and bodies and crazy little kids on a sugar rush.

I only joined a couple dudes that looked cute on a first date to the arcade. And when Wendy and Aria needed to take their little brothers who would cling to us girls' legs like koala bears for games.

"Not even Dance-Dance? Girls like dance, right?"

"Girls who--" I bit my lip. Girls who like to sweat, so no. Absolutely gross!

"Not all girls," I replied instead. "But whatever okay. I'll play if you're really so lonely Your Grace."

"Stoooop," Jared whined once I pulled out the title.

And I could see my Dad flit his eyes to us all bunched in the backseat. Somehow using that Dad intuition to focus on the two smallest things in the car.

I sighed. Every time. Every. Single. Time.

And I didn't even want a pair of new boots or imitation silver jewelry with cool rock band charms out of this boy.

Who could get me real silver!

But, put that thought: Right. Out. Of my mind.

Dad completely stalled the car on purpose while he parked on the vast pavement field the large arcade and pizza parlor was located on.

I drew the line on that greasy, carb load.

Clarisse and Fred filed out on one side and I opened the other door to let me and Jared out on the other.

Only for Dad to strangely point Jared toward the door Clarisse and Fred just closed.

"Join Clarisse and Fred," Dad pointed.

"Uhh yeah, yeah. Okay sir," he replied, in a heap to do as he'd been told. "See you."

"Uhhh yeah," and then I turned for my Dad, "what--"

"I know honey, just a moment and then I won't keep you," he said. I settled myself back down. With just us he let a measure of concern show.

"What is it?" I wondered now vaguely on edge.

"Tinker Bell," Dad sighed. And oh gosh, Dad hadn't pulled that clincher since my worst shop-a-holic tantrums. "Look Harley I really just want to apologize. I am so sorry for everything before. About that boy and not listening to you because I didn't and that's a failure on my part. "If in any way harms you, tell me. I will believe you and as for your mother," I cringed still hearing him address her that way, but whatever, "if she does say anything, I am going to make clear to her that reputation, status-- they may be nice but they cannot and will not matter more than you under our roof."

That was nice to hear. I could be sure now Dad was on my side. Just as he always was.

Only... we were three to two and not even Mr. Prince always gets what he wanted.

Obviously.

Not when he smiled so wide at just about anything and everything.

Soooo, sure, I maybe didn't know what to do with all that now. Knowing what I knew.

Nobody could hear that.

"Sure," I decided on, and gave my Dad a kiss. I genuinely would have forgotten to had he not kept me up. Which was not acceptable.

"Be safe Tinker Bell."

"Obviously," I called slamming the door closed behind me and ran to catch Jared waiting for me just out the door.

Ugg, and our tag-alongs spying against the glass.

Jared turned to me. "I am still scared. Why won't they stop looking?"