Being Me

Elona's POV

I was thinking about Tristan and Cris while I had breakfast with my dad. He was going for a two-day meeting and I would be alone. He had asked Tristan to keep an eye on me and I knew what that would entail when it came to Tristan. When Tristan asked Cris to stay behind to talk, I knew what that would be about because when she came to school this morning, she was not her usual happy self. She didn't talk much to anyone, she was just sad. I hope that it went well between the two of them.

Spooky came late to class, and it was the first day in a while that he was back, but he still had on his sunglasses. What is really up with that?

As the three of us left the classroom, and walked down the hallway. Everyone was silent. "So, how has everyone been?" I asked, breaking that silence. It was only the chattering of students around us.

"Well, there has been something that my dad kept away from me for three years and I found that...thing before he actually told me about it this morning. I had a sibling which died in that accident with my mother. They were happy about it, but we lost them both. My mother was early in her pregnancy." we came to a stop close to the administration office. "Gosh, I don't know how to feel. I want to cry, and I want to be there for my dad. I don't think that he is over that." she said as her eyes glazed over and my heart pulled.

"I'm so sorry about that," I said with sadness lacing my voice.

"Well, there is nothing that we can do about that now. It has been three years," she replied. "I think that going with you to Dakota Agency will shift my emotions to something happier," she forced a smile. "So, how about you?" she turned to Spooky who was looking past us.

"I feel a bit better. That is all I can say," he replied.

"What's up with those sunglasses? You haven't taken them off," Cris inquired.

He shrugged, "I have pink eyes," he continued to look past us, and I followed his gaze.

My heart stopped as Tristan was standing at the desk of Miss Jennings, leaning over the desk as he wrote something. She had her hand on his back as she stood next to him. The green head monster resurfaced. This is the issue with keeping our relationship a secret. No one knows about us and I can't do anything about it. This is unbelievable.

"Not her again," Cris sighed.

"She is so cringe," I replied, but I wanted to rip her from my boyfriend.

"Tell me about it." she said as she started to walk away.

When Miss Jennings sat down behind the desk, Tristan stood up straight, placed the pen on the desk, and then he reached into his pants pocket, taking his phone out, and his gaze found mine. He paused as if not expecting to see me here. His gaze shifted to Spooky, who was standing beside me and his expression changed, his brows furrowed as he looked away and answered a call.

"I can't stand that man," Spooky said as he started to walk away.

"I don't blame you," I replied as I walked in step with him. "So, how are you? I understand if you don't want to speak in front of Cris," I said. I wanted to get my mind off Tristan and what I had witnessed from Miss Jennings. I am surprised she hasn't done that to my father as yet, because he hardly comes to school.

"I'm fine. No need to worry about me," he replied.

"You can reach out to me anytime that you want, and I will try to be there. I just don't want you to think that we don't care about you," I kicked a pebble on the asphalt as we walked to the side of the school building, the sun burning into me. It was hot as hell.

"I know," is all that he said. Cris was standing under a tree next to the school building, enjoying the shade as she scrolled through the phone.

"So, you two are finally done watching that show," she stated without looking up.

"What show?" Spooky asked.

"The one where Miss Jennings is all over my father. Apparently, the staff is going for drinks tonight and my dad makes a pretty good donation to the school once a year as part of making it better since I am attending it. I wouldn't be surprised if she asked him to join them, and I love my father for the man that he is, he refuses." she said, still on her phone.

"He clearly hates me for no reason," Spooky chimed in.

Cris sighed as she finally looked up from her phone. "He does that for good reason. I think that he sees you as a threat to us. We are both young women, and he doesn't want us to be taken advantage of, be hurt or anything bad happen. He is only being a good father. It was only Elona and I for years, and he had never seen us be friends with guys and that kind of sets it off. A father being protective, and he takes Elona as his own daughter," she said.

"Yeah, right," he muttered under his breath, I heard that. Cris was oblivious. My heart stopped because I hoped that Spooky hasn't seen anything. What if he is suspicious too about the way that Tristan goes overboard with me and his reaction towards Spooky whenever we are alone together?

"Elona, are you ready to go? I can't wait to get to The Dakota Agency." She smiled, but I knew she was also putting up a strong front.

"Yeah, I will see you around," I smiled at Spooky and he nodded.

"Let's go for lunch," that voice made me upset behind me.

"No, Dad. I told you that Elona and I would be going out, so we will be home later," Cris replied, and I turned to face him. I was forcing a smile this time.

"Maybe next time, Mr Crane," I was being sarcastic.

He scowled at me, he always shows up when Spooky is around. "I would prefer that you both eat something, and maybe I can accompany you both," he looked between Cris and me.

"Dad, we will be fine. Maybe you should have a drink with Miss Jennings and let us do our things without someone looking over us. We need to be independent," she replied.

"So, that is what happened when you went to the club without my permission and look how that turned out," he hissed.

I shook my head and walked past him and Cris. I wasn't going to be late for the agency, and I wasn't going to let Tristan stop that. "Wow, Dad, you had to go there, especially after the conversation we had this morning. See you later," Cris said, and I heard her jogging towards me from behind. "Sorry about that, I hate it when he does that."

"It's okay. I am used to it by now," I responded. But I was not happy at this moment.

Today will be my day with the agency, sharing this precious moment with my best friend, and no one will take that away from me, not even Tristan. He should support me in that and not try to take my dreams away. Tears sting the back of my eyes when I think about it. I took a deep breath just accepting this as it is. He will never support my dream. He tried to stop that. I saw right through him a few moments ago, and it doesn't look pretty to me. It hurts me, not to mention the Miss Jennings scene in front of me as he allowed her to touch him. I was not going to have that get me down. We are a secret for a reason and I can't say or do anything to Miss Jennings. So, I will do me... being a model.