19The three boys were walking out of the locker room after finishing their Outdoor Activities class "I…hate…running…cross…country," said Mark taking a deep breath after each word, "why…do…you…two…insist…on…running…as…fast…as…you…can?" He stopped to look at Anthony and Charlie who were only slightly out of breath. They started laughing at Mark.
"You ran fast when we were chasing Lizze." Charlie said.
Mark considered this for a moment and then replied, "Well we were following a hot red head, not a professor." He was starting to catch his breath. Once again Charlie started laughing this time it was Mark who joined him not Anthony. By the time they had stopped laughing they were outside the Medieval History classroom. They walked in and all three of them looked for Elizabeth. When they didn't see her they took there normal seats but saved an extra one for her. As the bell rang Anthony looked over at his friends.
"Wonder where she is? You think she got lost?"
"I don't know" said Mark.
"Misters Murray and Graham the bell signals you to be quiet not to talk. Minus five marks each," said Professor Brake.
"Sorry Professor," they both mumbled.
"Looks like Miss Reynolds is late. Was she at the other classes?" asked Professor Brake, all the boys nodded. "Hmm, well we will start class and maybe she will turn up."
Professor Brake turned his back to the classroom and started writing on the chalkboard. The three boys huddled together and started talking about where they thought Lizze was. About fifteen minutes in to class there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." said Professor Brake. Annie pushed open the door and when Anthony saw her he smiled. She gave him a quick grin back before walking towards the professor and whispering so no one else could here her. "I'm here to inform you that Miss Reynolds will not be in class today. And I was also sent to tell Mister Graham about Miss Reynolds so he can inform the rest of her teachers. May I speak to him in the hall, sir?"
"Yes, Mister Graham, please step out in to the hall with her," he directed a hand towards Annie.
"Yes, sir," Anthony got up and Charlie and Mark gave him confused looks. "Later," he whispered. Then he headed into the hall. When the door shut behind him he looked at Annie, "What? Where's Lizze?"
"That is what I'm here to tell you. Lizze is hauled up in her room crying because of an argument her and her father got in. He said some things he shouldn't have and she is really upset so she isn't coming to any of her classes. I need you to tell the other Professors that she won't be coming to class. And I know it's risky but can you came up there tonight. I think she needs someone to talk to and I can't."
"No problem I have detention there tonight so I'm sure I can get up to see her."
"I've got to go." Annie said hurriedly. She turned to leave and Anthony grabbed her arm and gave her a hug.
"It's going to be okay Annie. Lizze is just a bit emotional."
"Thanks." Annie pulled away and walked away wondering what the hell that was about. And Anthony walked back into the classroom. When he sat down the two guys looked at him expectantly he just said, "Later, at lunch," and started listening to the professor. Anthony tried to pay attention to his teacher as intently as he could but his mind just kept wondering what happened between Lizze and his Uncle. He knew Lizze could be a bit emotional, and his uncle could be a bit of a jerk, and those two put together worried him. Anthony didn't pay attention the rest of the class period instead he worried about Lizze. When the bell rang Mark nudged Anthony in the arm. Anthony stood and walked with them to the lunch room.
They were sitting when Mark and Charlie looked at him expectantly.
"What?" Anthony said taking a bite out of his sandwich.
They looked at Anthony in disbelief, "You wanna tell us why you seem to have the only two girls in this whole place pulling you out of class and paying attention to you." said Mark sardonically.
"Oh, you are talking about Annie. She is one of the maids at the heads mansion. She was just telling me that Lizze wasn't going to be in class."
"Do you really think we are that stupid? She said more than that."
"Can you both just trust me on this. Don't show to much interest in Lizze right now. I will explain everything to you tonight. I promise just trust me. Okay?"
They both looked at Anthony skeptically and finally Charlie said, "ya sure," and Mark nodded in agreement.
The three boys went throughout the rest of lunch in silence, Anthony was wondering how best to tell his mates that he was related to the headmaster. The two other boys were wondering what the hell was going on. They went to classes not talking much. Anthony informed the professors that Lizze was not going to be in class that day. By the time class was over and dinner had come around Charlie and Mark could no longer hold their tongues.
"Anthony, dude, you have to give us some clue what is going on here, we are going crazy, we haven't said anything all day, but come on you have to give us something," Mark said exasperated. Charlie didn't say anything but was nodding his head in agreement. Anthony sighed and nodded his head in agreement. "I know I need to tell you what is going on. I don't want to tell you when other people can overhear. I have to go to detention tonight after dinner. Meet me at the pond at 9 and I will explain everything."
"Fine," said Mark begrudgingly.
The rest of dinner was silent. When they got done eating they headed towards the exit.
"Pond at 9" Anthony reminded Mark and Charlie as he turned towards the exit. He slowly walked towards the head's mansion. I can't believe I'm going to tell Charlie and Mark that my mum is the head's sister and that I'm related to Elizabeth. He knocked twice on the door before Grayson opened it.
"I see you got yourself another detention."
"Nasty habit. Luckily, its with you. Do you know how Lizze is? Oh, and is Annie okay, she seemed pretty upset when I talked to her earlier."
"Let's head back to the kitchen and then we can talk. Your going to be helping us with the dishes tonight."
"Sounds good."
On their way to the kitchen they walked by the headmaster's study, the door was closed but Anthony could hear loud voices coming from the inside.
"Sounds like someone is really pissed off at the head" Anthony said snidely. Grayson gave him a "don't even think about it" look. "Fine. I will do what I am supposed to. I will behave and do my detention like a good boy."
Grayson gave him a weary smile as they kept going on their way.
As soon as they got in the kitchen Anthony looked around for Annie, when he didn't see her he looked at Grayson and asked, "you going to answer my questions?"
"Yes. I haven't seen your cousin all day. My niece is not as upset as she was earlier today. I sent her up to go check on Mis… I mean Elizabeth. I told Annie to bring her down her if she felt like it to talk to you."
"Annie is your niece?" Anthony sheepishly replied.
"Yes, she is."
"Huh, okay." There was an awkward silence that was broken by Annie rushing in to the kitchen. With out even acknowledging that Anthony was there, she frantically said to her uncle, "Lizze isn't in her room. I don't know where she is."
Grayson was looking worried when the kitchen door crashed open and Lizze walked in. She looked straight at Anthony and said "I'm going to your house. I need some clothes but I have to leave this house right now. I will be where you met me," and before Anthony could even reply she walked out of the servants door.
The three of them looked at each other trying to figure out was going on. Anthony was about to speak but once again the kitchen door slammed open and the headmaster walked in. He said "Anthony, my office," turned around and walked out.
Anthony turned to Annie and said "Go up to Lizze's room and pack her some stuff in a bag with enough clothes for a few days. Bring it back down here. If I don't come back then bring it to the pond at nine. Grayson knows where I'm talking about," and he turned and left the kitchen.
Lizze finally stopped crying and came to her senses. She needed to get out of here and get her thoughts together. She calmly walked over to her phone picked it up and dialed a number that she hadn't dialed in almost eleven years, she still remembered it though, it was the number of her aunt. It rang twice before her aunt picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hi Aunt Adelaide. Its Lizze."
"Lizze, sweetie. How are you?"
"I'm okay. Umm….I was calling to see if I could come stay with you for a few days?"
"Is it okay with your Father?"
"Yep," Lizze lied without faltering.
"Sure, I guess its fine. I would love to have you and see you. Should I come pick you up?"
"No. I'll go into town and get a cab. I don't want to be a hinder."
"Okay. I will see you later tonight. I can't wait to see you Lizze."
"I can't wait to see you either Aunt Adelaide."
Well guess I need to go tell my dad that I'm leaving now. She grabbed her purse so she would have the letter in case her father needed persuasion and her I.D. and cash in case things didn't go so well with her father.
Calmly she walked down the stairs and then knocked on her fathers study door. George answered it.
"I'm sorry Miss Charleston, but your father is busy. I will have him come to your room later tonight," George started to close the door, but Lizze stopped him.
"No offense, but I'm going in to talk to my father. I don't care if he is busy or not. He is going to make time for me right now," she pushed passed him and walked to her fathers desk where he was talking on the phone.
"I'm sorry can you please hold for a minute," John said and muted the phone, "Elizabeth this is not a good time. Come back later,"
"This can't wait. I need to talk to you now."
"It can wait an hour. I will come up to your room once I have finished this conversation."
"I won't be in my room in an hour. I am leaving," and she turned on her heel and started to leave. That got his attention
"George leave. Elizabeth wait," he then picked the phone back up said, "I have to call you back in a few minutes sorry," he hung the phone up and then rounded on Lizze, "What do you mean you are leaving?"
"I'm going to Aunt Adelaide's house."
"No your not. You are staying here, you are not going to be a burden on my sister."
"You are ridiculous. Maybe you just aren't used to having a child, but you need to realize that I am not just a servant you can order around."
"You are my daughter and you are living in my house so you will live under MY rules."
"Your rules are IMPOSSIBLE to live under. I can't talk to anyone. If I get close to a maid you get mad at her. If I get close to a professor they have to tell you. If I get close to a male student the professor has to report it to you. I can not just sit in my room and day dream all day. I don't know what you expect me to do."
"What…how did you...who told you…"
"Who told me that you were spying on me? No one. I found this," she grabbed the letter out of her purse and slammed it on the desk in front of her father, "in one of the professor's drawers when I was getting notes out of it. That's how I know that you don't want me here, my mom doesn't want me in Texas, and you have me under lock and key. So I am leaving your prison to go figure out if I want to stay here or go back to Texas, or maybe I will just runaway since neither of my parents really want me at their house. I thought I would be doing you a favor by getting out of your way." By the end of this Lizze was yelling at her father.
"Aren't you being just a little melodramatic?"
"NO. I'm not. I'll be back in a few days and I'll let you know if I plan on staying here for the summer or not," and before her father could retort she walked out of the room and straight to the kitchen.
She expected to find Annie and Grayson there but she wasn't expecting Anthony to be there. Seeing he was there she looked directly at him and said "I'm going to your house. I need some clothes but I have to leave this house right now. I will be where you met me," and before Anthony could even reply she walked out of the servants door. She started walking but soon broke out into a run as she headed to the pond. When she got there she sat at the bank, took her shoes off, put her feet in the water and tired to calm down.
Anthony walked solemnly towards his uncles office, he realized now that it had been Lizze in there yelling. This is not going to be good. He pushed open the door and looked in at his uncle, he was standing behind his desk red with fury. If this were a cartoon he would have steam coming out of his ears, Anthony thought to himself and had to hold back the temptation to laugh.
"What do you want," and, feeling that it might be a time to placate and not be a smart ass, added "headmaster."
"Sit." Anthony sat down and his uncle followed suit. His uncle took a deep calming breath and said, "You and Elizabeth have gotten close?"
"Well, we were always close, we aren't as close as we where before her mum left, but I think with time…" he trailed off.
"So, she confides in you?"
"A bit, yeah, why?"
"I want to know why Elizabeth left?"
"What?"
"Why did my daughter decide to get up and leave this house, without my permission?"
"Uh...really? You don't know why she left?"
"No. Please enlighten me."
"You mean to tell me that Lizze walked in her, told you she was leaving and walked out, with no explanation?"
"Yes."
"Thats bullshit and you know it. Lizze gave you a reason. I pretty sure it had something to do with the letter that is sitting out on your desk."
"That still doesn't explain why she left. I want a good solid reason."
"Maybe you should have asked her when she was here, I'm sure if you would actually talk to your daughter like she is your daughter and not some one you can just tell what to do, she would give you some answers."
"Well, as it is, I'm asking you why she left. So enlighten me."
"If I had to take a wild guess it would probably have to do with the fact that in the past two days that Lizze has been here, she has ended up crying because of something you said or did. Or possibly because you are treating her like a prisoner saying that she can't talk to any of the guys. Even me. I'm her own cousin for gods sake. Or it could be that you won't even let her be friends with the one girl here that is her age. Pick any of those three that you would like, any of them would be good enough reasons to want to get away from here and you."
The headmaster curled his fists and then took calming breaths, he knew it would not do any good to yell at Anthony.
"You are to go home and bring back Elizabeth here. I want her back by tomorrow afternoon." the headmaster said curtly.
"What about my morning classes?"
"I will excuse you from them."
"What if Lizze won't come back with me?"
"What do you mean what if she won't come back?"
"I mean what if she is still mad at you and refuses to come back?"
"She will come back. You are going to bring her back. Do what ever you have to. If you have to throw her over your shoulder bringing her back kicking and screaming do it. Or else."
"Or else what?" Anthony retorted back, getting fed up with his uncle, "Are you going to expel me? My mum would sure love that. Not to mention grandfather, he has already pinned me as being your replacement. I'm sure you expelling the last of the Charleston line would make grandfather so happy."
The headmaster lost his temper and stood up from his chair, "I could make your life hell here. What if I told all of your little friends that you were related to the headmaster. That you were already pinned to be the next headmaster. How do you think they would treat you then? You go home and bring your cousin back here immediately. I want her home first thing tomorrow morning!"
Anthony stood up so violently that the chair he was sitting in fell over, "FINE." He then stuck out his hand.
"What?" the headmaster said harshly.
"You cannot be expecting me to pay for a cab to go get your daughter."
The headmaster glared at him and Anthony glared right back until the headmaster pulled out his wallet and tossed a few notes at Anthony. "Go!"
Anthony turned on his heel and walked out, not even bothering to pick up the knocked over chair.
He moved into the kitchen. He looked around and saw Grayson delegating different jobs to the other servants. Grayson saw him and and put up a finger, signaling that he would just be a minute. When he finished talking he walked over to Anthony.
"Has Annie left with Lizze's stuff?"
"Yes, she left a few minutes ago. If you hurry you can probably catch up with her." Grayson said. Anthony was sure there was some slyness in the last sentence, he wondered if Grayson was trying to allude to the fact that he realized Anthony liked his niece or if he was trying to allude to the fact that he approved.
"Thanks," Anthony replied and walked out the servants door.
He looked down at his watch and saw that it was 8:45, shit Mark and Charlie are going to be at the lake too. This is just great. He looked out towards the woods and saw a figure just about to enter them, he figured it was Annie and jogged towards her. When he was in shouting distance he called her name, she turned, saw him, put down the bag she was carrying and waited for him.
"Hi, Anthony." Annie said sheepishly.
"Hi, Annie, thanks for doing this for me and Lizze. I can take it from here if you want me to. I'm just going to give it to Lizze and then head to my house with her. I don't want to get you in trouble for leaving the mansion."
"It probably is better if you take it and I head back. Tell Lizze I say hi and give her a hug from me."
"Will do." He gave her a hug and added, "Everything will be okay Annie."
She smiled at him then stood on her tip toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Before he could say anything she turned and ran back towards the mansion.
He stood there dumbfounded until he heard his name being called out from behind him. He turned to see Mark and Charlie walking towards him.
Charlie looked at Anthony confused, "Was that Lizze? I thought you said you weren't in to her?"
"I'm not. And no that was not Lizze. It was a servant from the mansion."
"You could have Lizze, the heads daughter in a second, and you are crushing on a servant?" Mark asked with an air of superiority.
"I don't want to get into this with you right now. I need to get to the pond. If you want an explanation come with me," he grabbed the bag that Annie had set down and headed into the woods toward the pond. Mark and Anthony followed suit. It was a very quite walk, only the occasional hooting of an owl broke the silence. Finally they reached the pond.
Lizze turned when she heard the crunching of leaves behind her. She saw Anthony as she expected but was taken aback when she saw Charlie and Mark.
She looked at Anthony and asked, "Why the hell are they here?" Just as Mark and Charlie asked, "What is she doing here?"
Anthony looked between them and Lizze, he let out a sigh, "Uhh…well here's the thing, Lizze is more than just a friend…she's my…." he was cut off by Mark saying, "Ha. I knew you were interested in her."
Lizze started laughing when she heard this, "is that what they have been thinking this whole time because you were to stubborn to tell them the truth?"
"Ya, sorta." Anthony said, he was still worried about telling them about her.
"Are you two related?" Charlie asked quizzically.
"Are you crazy Charlie? That means he would have to be related to the head," he then turned on Anthony, "Your not related to the head are you?"
"I kinda am. He's my uncle. Lizze and I are cousins."
Mark looked dumbfounded, while Charlie just nodded. When Mark looked over at Charlie to see how if Charlie was as shocked as he was, Mark was even more shocked to see that it all seemed to make sense to Charlie. "You understand all of these Charlie?"
"Well, ya. I mean, Anthony always has to go to the heads mansion for one thing or another, Lizze connected right away with him and they talked like they knew each other. You didn't pick any of this up?"
"Nope."
"Sorry I didn't tell you guys any of this earlier, but I didn't want to start school being related to the head and by the time I was going to tell people, well I didn't want to know what their reactions were going to be. So…yeah."
Without saying anything Mark turned and walked back into the woods. Charlie looked in between Anthony and the place where Mark had been.
"Don't worry about him. I'll go talk to him. See you in the common room later?"
"Can't sorry. I have to go home. Long story." Anthony shot a glance at Lizze.
"That's fine. See you later," Charlie replied and then followed after Mark.
Anthony let out a long gasp of air and then sat down. Lizze walked to him and sat next to him.
"You okay Anthony?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Your dad told me to go home, get you and bring you back tomorrow morning. No chance that I could convince you to save me all that trouble and just go back to the mansion?"
"No way in hell am I going back there. Not for a bit any way. I'm sorry I don't mean to cause trouble for you, but right now I can't even be in the same house as that man. He is so frustrating, he treats me like I'm two. I'm sixteen, I deserve a little bit of trust and freedom. He is ridiculous."
"Okay. Fine. Lets go head into town. We can probably still get a cab out. I've got your suitcase." Anthony stood up and then helped Lizze to her feet.
"I'm sorry," Lizze said softly.
"For what?"
"I come here, and cause all of this drama for you. Mark is upset at you and my dad is sending you on errands and I'm just sorry for everything."
Anthony stopped and turned Lizze so she was facing him, "You don't have anything to apologize for. It is not your fault that I never told my friends that the head was my uncle, and it isn't your fault that your dad is being a jerk. Okay?"
"Yeah, I guess. Lets just go."
They walked silently out of the woods and towards the entrance to the school. When they got there Lizze looked at the locked gate and then turned towards Anthony, "How are we supposed to get out?"
"Jump it." Anthony said simply. He put down Lizze's suitcase, then clasped his hands to create a foot hold for Lizze. She stepped on it, grabbed on to the top of the gate and pulled her self up so she was sitting on top of it. She looked back at Anthony a little worried, "Just jump you'll be fine." Lizze jumped down and landed lightly on her feet.
"I'm going to toss your bag over," Anthony tossed the bag across and heard it thud on the other side. He then climbed up the gate and jumped over.
"This isn't the first time you've left the school at night is it?" Lizze asked as they started walking towards the town.
"Nope, definitely not, especially since Mark is one of my best mates."
"Why does it not surprise me that ya'll would leave school."
Anthony just laughed and smiled at her. They walked a little way in silence until Lizze broke it by saying, "So you still going to deny liking Annie?"
"What?"
"Come on Anthony, it is a little obvious that you like her,"
"I already told you. She is a nice girl but I don't like her."
That a shame because I'm pretty sure she likes you."
"Really?" Anthony said excitedly, realizing what he had done he cleared his throat and said, "oh that's interesting."
"Seriously Anthony? You are really going to keep denying this?"
"Yes. I am." Anthony said smiling. Lizze began to laugh, "You are so stubborn."
"Yep."
A few minutes later they were in the little town next to the school. Anthony walked towards the inn and Lizze followed. He held the door open for Lizze and followed in behind her, he then walked over to the main desk where an lady in her mid-sixties was sitting.
"Hello, Mrs. Travers. Can I borrow the phone to call a taxi?"
"Sure Anthony. Who is that girl with you?" Mrs. Travers said as she placed the phone on the top of the desk so Anthony could use it.
"Its Elizabeth, my cousin, do you remember her?"
"Oh, yes I do. My she has grown, she was so young when her mother took her to Texas."
"Yes ma'am she was," he pulled out a card from his wallet and the number on it, "Hi I would like a taxi please. I'm at the Travers inn. Thank you," he hung up and gave the phone back to Mrs. Travers, "Do you mind if Elizabeth and I wait here for the taxi?"
"That is perfectly fine. It was good seeing you again Anthony, tell your mother I say hi."
"Will do," he turned and walked back to Lizze who was still standing by the door. "The taxi will be here in about ten minutes."
"Okay." They sat in down on the couch that was by the door. Ten minutes later a car pulled up in front of the inn. They both stood up, Anthony grabbed Lizze's bag and looked over towards Mrs. Travers, "Bye, Mrs. Travers." She waved goodbye to him. The two of them walked outside where a man was waiting he already had the trunk open and grabbed the suitcase out of Anthony's hand and put it in the back. While the driver was doing this Anthony opened the door, Lizze slid in and Anthony followed.
The driver got in the car and turned to look at Anthony and Lizze, "I'm going to assume that you want to go home, yes?"
"Yeah, George, that would be great. Sorry about calling you so late, but it was an emergency."
"Don't worry about it Anthony, Mrs. Travers would have my neck if I didn't help you out." He turned around, started the car and began driving.
"I have a question for you," Lizze said looking curiously at Anthony.
"And I have an answer, unless it is about Annie and then my answer is no comment."
"Its not about Annie, I was just wondering if you knew everyone around here?"
"Maybe I do, maybe I don't," Anthony smiled, Lizze gave him an annoyed look, "I don't know everyone, but I know quite a few of the people here in town. I told you I sneak out a lot. Mrs. Travers will usually let me stay at the inn for pretty cheap, and George here is always good for a ride home."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you need to stay at the inn and why do you need George to drive you home?"
"Oh. Well, about that, uh, I guess I should tell you about that. I used to go home quite a bit because Bethan was sick, she's better now, so I don't go home as often anymore."
"Bethan?"
"I forgot you and your mom left right before my mom got pregnant. Yeah, Bethan is my little sister, she just turned six."
"Oh. Wow. So, she is okay now?"
"Yeah she is fine, it was a little scary for a bit, but she is better now."
"So that's why they all know you."
"Yep."
"Hmm." Lizze mumbled and then didn't say anything, she seemed deep in thought. They rode the rest of the way in silence and thirty minutes later they were slowing to a stop in front of a brick house.
"We're here Lizze," Anthony said brightly opening the door and sliding out. Lizze followed him. George had also gotten out and went to the back and grabbed Lizze's bag from the trunk. Anthony walked to the back of the car and got the suitcase from George. He then took the money that his uncle had given him and gave it to George, it was way more than what the fair had been but Anthony said, "Keep the change, thanks again for driving us out so late."
"Anthony, this is too much." George said trying to give some back.
"Don't worry its not mine, its his." Anthony had a smile on his face when he said it and a grin began to dance around on George's face as he got back in the taxi and left.
"Ready to go in Lizze?"
"Uh. Yeah. Sure."
Lizze and Anthony walked in the door.