The Promise - Mahlatse Mokone (the false prince series .TXT) 📗

“Don’t sweat it, we’ll make up for lost time.” He said, “You won’t be able to drive, I can take you home if you like…” He suggested

“I’ll do that.” JT said appearing on the doorway, I sighed inwardly when Brandon stood up “See you tomorrow.” He said before JT stepped aside for him and he walked out. JT replaced him on the chair

“Tess told me about you, you look better.” He said and I nodded “I ‘am.” I said and he paused eyeing me long enough for me to shift uncomfortably.

“What’s going on here Katie? What did I just interrupt?” he asked tersely and I rolled my eyes, overprotective brother mode again, here we go.

“Nothing. He’s just my art project partner, that’s it.” I said “So no, nothing’s going on here.” I added with exasperation and he paused then nodded.

“You’re a smart girl, I don’t need to tell you why you should keep him at arm’s length.” He said sparing the flower in my hand a look, “He’s a cool guy but he’s quite the ladies man. Be careful.” He added and I nodded stiffly.

Of course I knew that, I’ve seen him with Rhiannon a couple of times, but even I knew she was not the only one. JT didn’t say anything I didn’t already know deep down inside, so why did I cringe inwardly when he confirmed it?

“I’m done here, can we go home?” I asked, suddenly feeling deflated and he nodded standing up.

“Can you walk?” he asked when I eased onto the floor, I nodded and he helped me slowly walk out of the room. I threw the flower into the trash next to the exit.

I was sprawled on my bed with my books when my door opened; Mom stepped in “Dinner’s ready sweetie.” She said with a smile. I nodded “Thanks Mom.” I said “…Mom?” I asked before she could walk out and she paused eyeing me.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” I asked and she closed the door “Of course.” She said then sat on the edge of my bed, next to me. “What’s on your mind?” she asked. Things between us were better I guess, we were spending more and more time together. If there was any distance between us, I wasn’t going to be the one to cause it.

“Boys.” I said and her brows shot up “I need advise.” I added and she chuckled

“I appreciate you’re brutal honesty sweetie.” She said and I chuckled too, knowing I could’ve found another way to say it, but I honestly couldn’t think of one. “There was no better way for it to be put Mom.” I said and she nodded knowingly. Her green gaze was intent on my face

“And by boys you mean that one you were working on the project with?” she asked and I nodded. Brandon and I hardly found time to work on it so we decided to meet on the weekend. He came over to work on it and he got to meet Mom and he almost left without meeting Dad but he knocked off at work earlier than usual. I twitched nervously when they shook hands, but Dad was very cordial towards him, much to my relief. I made a mental note to do something for him to thank him.

“Yeah, Brandon.” I said and she nodded remembering “Ah yes.” She said then a slight smile tugged on the corners of her lips as she eyed me again “You like him, don’t you? I saw the way you were looking at him,” she said and I blushed, was I that transparent? I nodded.

“I do. A lot.” I said sheepishly and she chuckled “Well don’t go mentioning that to your father.” She said and I rolled my eyes “I’m not crazy Mom, I can’t even tell JT.” I said. Her eyes narrowed

“He seems to like you too, what’s the problem?” She asked; he likes me? He likes every girl in school, that’s the problem. “He’s all wrong for me.” I said meekly.

“Ah, the bad boy appeal.” She said nodding; I looked at her “You sound like you know what I’m talking about.” I said and she smiled gently “I do.”

“Was Dad like that?” I asked, finding it hard to imagine him being that way.

She chuckled “Your father was much worse.” She said sweeping my hair out of my face sobering up “Sweetie with some guys its just all an act, a façade. There’s always something underneath all of it, you just have to look past the mask.” She said “But with others it’s just who they are, those ones you can’t change. Instead you end up changing yourself just to be with them.” She added. “So which category does this Brandon fit in? If he’s bad just for the sake of it, run fast and don’t look back.” She said with a hint of humor in her voice but her gaze was serious, almost worried. She surely didn’t give me the advice I was expecting.

“Oh come on Mom, aren’t you going to forbid me to see him or something like that?” I asked, maybe if she did I’d actually listen. I didn’t want to deal with this; I didn’t want to deal with the mystery that was Brandon Carter. But I couldn’t completely forget him either.

She smiled “I’ll save that part for your father.” She said and I chuckled “I know very well how this works sweetie, if I do that, I’ll only be pushing you towards him.” She added standing up “I trust you Katie, you have a good head on your shoulders, we raised you that way. You’ll make the right decision for you.” She said and I smiled at her “Thanks Mom.” I said and she leaned down to kiss my forehead “I love you.” She said softly and I nodded “Love you too.” I said and she walked away opening my door “You coming?” she asked tilting her head towards me “I’ll be down in a minute.” I said and she walked out closing it behind her, I slumped onto my pillow. That’s the thing; I was scared of making the wrong decision.

CHAPTER 6

The hallways of St. Josephs were buzzing with excitement with the girls’ choice dance being only a week and a half away. Girls have been all over the place asking their boyfriends, friends, even acquaintances to the dance when I wasn’t even sure I was going.

The only thing on my mind was that the weekend was finally here, I met Tess in the parking lot before we headed inside. We walked arm in arm

“Did you here about Christy’s party? Everyone’s talking about it” She said and my brows furrowed “Who is she again?” I asked,

She rolled her eyes “She’s that preppy senior, I think.” she said and I nodded when it rang a bell now. “Are we even invited?” I teased and she chuckled.

“My friend, you are Katelyn Gilbert, you’re always invited to parties. You just never show up.” She said and I laughed at her over exaggeration, I was not, well not all the time.

“And if you decide to go, I get to tag along. Come on Katie, it’ll be fun.” She added when we reached our lockers.

I opened mine “I don’t know Tess, I doubt my parents will let me go.” I said, almost sure of it, I grabbed my physics book and closed it. Tess’ brows furrowed, “Just use the ‘but I never go anywhere’ card, I don’t think they’ll say no to that. Tell them you’re going with me, that’ll put them at ease.” She said and I thought about it for a second, I didn’t go to parties because I didn’t enjoy them that much. Tess gave me her famous puppy dog eyes and I chuckled

“Okay! Geez, I’ll try, but I’m not promising anything.” I said and she squealed hugging me quickly then closed her locker.

“I promise it’s going to be fun, we’ll make sure of it.” She said and the bell rang, we started walking to class when I heard someone call me from behind. I turned to find James walking towards me. James was my science class partner, he was an awesome guy, funny, a little nerdy but I liked him, as a friend. But he has recently made it clear that he wanted us to be more. We were never going to happen because I just didn’t feel that way about him. On the other hand I didn’t want to hurt him or possibly lose a good friend. Our relationship was easy at first but now it gets uncomfortable in some instances.

If I could will myself into liking him, I really would, but as great as he was he just wasn’t Brandon. I flinched at that thought; he was certainly better for my health than Mr. blonde and delicious, as Tess called him.

Tess gave me a knowing look then chuckled “I’ll see you in class.” She said starting to walk away. “What? Don’t leave me alone with him!” I whispered harshly after her but she kept walking. I’ll get her later, I promised myself.

James caught up to me “Hey.” He said with a smile that I returned “Hi.” I replied; he ran his hand through his brown curly locks nervously “Uh so I don’t know if you heard about the upcoming dance.” He said and I nodded “Yeah I did, but isn’t it a girls’ choice?” I asked, starting to panic that he might want to ask me.

“Oh yeah, but I waited anxiously for you to ask me so I thought I should do instead.” He said sheepishly “So, you want go?” he asked.

My gaze shifted uncomfortably only for it to lock with Brandon’s, who was leaning against the wall of the passageway, was he scowling at us?

“Katelyn?” James’ voice came through and I snapped out of it “I…uh…I’m not even sure I’m going James, I don’t want to have to bail on you at the last minute.” I said hoping he’d leave it at that.

“Well at leased keep me on stand by in case you do decide to go.” He said and I looked back to where Brandon was standing in time to see him get dragged away by Rhiannon with her arm firmly around his, he was laughing at whatever she was saying to him. I looked down, “Sure.” I said and we walked in the opposite direction towards our class.

I got downstairs to find Mom and Dad on the couch watching TV and having a glass of wine; Mom lay across the sofa as he massaged her feet. This was their typical Friday night these days and they seemed to love it more and more. They used to attend a lot of junkets, gala events and parties in the past, but now they only step out in public when they really have to. We’d sometimes tag along with them, but the press wasn’t as interested in the kids. I’ll admit though, it was nice being labeled the princess of the Gilbert dynasty; it made me feel a little significant. Their conversation stopped when I stood before them “I have a favor to ask.” I said nervously and they both looked up at me questioningly.

“A girl from school named Christy is hosting a party at her house in Malibu, can I go?” I asked and they both stared at me silently

Dad gave me a reluctant look, before he could say no I babbled, “Please Daddy, Tess is coming with me, I already promised her.” I said trying to guilt them; I also decided to play the card she suggested.

Dad eyed me “Please.” I tried one last time, giving him my patented sad look I knew he couldn’t resist.

“I want you back here by 11pm.” He said “Deal.” I quickly said “Will your brother be there?” he asked and I sighed, I knew he’d feel a lot better knowing JT would be there to watch over me. “Yes JT will be there, and if