Ferd don’t Give Yourself Away

After dad had so kindly informed me of my impending departure I had spent the next two days in school trying to pretend like nothing had changed while avoiding Ari, Mario and Lewis at the same time.

On the other note, I had ended up spending the days with Nicole and Celeste. The two seemed to be getting along well with each other, which was totally weird.

"Did you hear what I just said?", Celeste snapped her fingers in front of my eyes bringing me out of my reverie. I had been secretly glancing at Ari since I entered the cafeteria ten minutes ago.

Turning my attention to Celeste I offered up a dazzling smile that took way too much energy.

She rolled her eyes at me, "I asked you if you've got your suit picked out for the dance on Friday?", She reiterated when she realized that I wasn't going to answer. Not that I'd heard her question the first time.

Vaguely I could remember Nicole asking me to go to the dance with her on Friday. I had almost forgotten about that, especially the part where I had said yes. With all that's been going on could anyone really blame me.

I made eye contact with Nicole, "Of course!", I answered with a little too much enthusiasm. If Jason noticed he didn't say anything but Victor snorted to my left and I stepped in his toe under to table to shut him up.

"He's very excited!", Victor said over the obvious pain and I smiled smugly at him only for him to roll his eyes.

____

I spent the day like I did with the last two. Avoiding any and all interactions with Mario, Lewis, Ari and Delilah.

At around one o'clock my name was announced over the PA system. Apparently there was a family emergency and my parents were here to pick me up. My heart just about froze in my chest.

Victor left with me, naturally and as we headed into the hall leading to the secretary's office we met up with Jason.

Both men were tensed as if on high alert which only worried me more.

Family emergency

There's only a few things that could mean.

"What the hell is going on?", Victor asked the question that has been causing my heart to beat at irrational speeds for the past five minutes.

I had to admit that I was seconds away from panicking. All I could think about was Alister finding out where I am and was on his way here.

Jason was about to answer when his phone pinged and he pulled it out and then read the message, as I watched his shoulders sag in relief I too let out a breath of relief even though I didn't know what he had found out that had taken the stiffness out of his posture.

"It's Hydel", he finally looked up at us, "she says she's with your dad they found out something important and we need to meet up with them immediately".

Okay that's bad but not as bad as I expected.

"What are we waiting for then, let's go", I urged but before I could begin to walk off towards the parking lot Jason stopped me.

"By we, I mean Victor and I", Jason looked regretful as he said the words. "There is a car outside with some of your other regular guards waiting to take you home since Victor and I have to leave. Your dad wants you to start packing".

I could barely process what he was telling me. Dad was with Hydel! How the hell did he even know I was working with her again in the first place? And if he found out something important enough to call in my two personal bodyguards then why is he keeping me out of the loop.

This wasn't about me packing he was making an excuse so I wouldn't be there.

Victor placed a hand on my shoulder obviously sensing my train of thought, "I'm sure he just wants to keep you safe Julian", he says trying to lift my spirits. But I don't need them to feel sorry for me, not now, not ever.

"It's fine", I dismiss their concern as if I'm fine when truly all I feel is betrayal by my father excluding me, "I've got to pick out a suit for Friday anyway".

I start walking, not waiting for them. As soon as they see me safely into the car I find myself on my way home.

*****

After five hours I'm finished packing. I had one of the maids help me fold my clothes and stuff to put into the suitcase since I had shamefully given up after the first ten minutes.

I hate packing.

I also had the staff pick out a suit for me it's supposed to arrive tomorrow morning so there's that.

The rest of my time was spent wondering what my dad and the others were up to.

After what feels like an eternity of waiting the sound of engines in the front yard alerts me that the others are back. Naturally, I rush over to the window in my room that has the best vantage point. Camouflaging myself in the curtains I peek outside the small spot large enough to see outside but small enough to not get discovered.

Distantly I hear my phone ping twice in the background. But I'm too focused on what's happening outside to consider even checking my messages right now.

It's almost seven o'clock so it's pretty dark out but due to security reasons the outdoor area of our house is lit up pretty brightly at nights with bright lights dad had installed. I'm glad he did so since I can see the two black escalades that just arrived quite clearly.

My two bodyguards emerge from the car at the back and then they walk towards the other car at the front. Jason opens the door for my dad and he walks out. Just when I expect him to close the door behind him someone else walks out.

Ariadne!

What is she doing with my father?

My dad shakes hands with her and then he motions to Victor who is standing a few feet away from her. Victor nods as they have a silent exchange. Dad is holding his briefcase in his other hand which he hands over to Jason. My eyes move back to Victor who's began to walk back towards the car he arrived in, he opens the door for Ari and they both enter but the car doesn't drive off immediately.

That's when I realized that Jason had disappeared after dad handed him his briefcase. I see his blonde hair mere seconds later when he re-emerges in my field of vision with a black file in his hand but he no longer has my dad's briefcase.

Jason hands the file to my dad who opens it briefly to look over its contents before he brings it to Jason who then brings it over towards the car where Victor and Ariadne are waiting. As he approaches Ari's window rolls down and delicate yet small fingers take the file and the car begins to drive off before the window is even fully up.

Once they're gone my dad and Jason begin walking towards the house and I slowly peel myself away from the window frame and crumble unto my bed.

I thought I was confused before but it's even worse now. No matter how hard I try to rationalize all that I've just seen I come up with nothing.

The feeling from earlier burrows deeper into my chest. I really have been taken out of the loop when all that is happening is about me. Just what the hell is going on?