Chapter 3 CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE

MILICENT

I am impatient, desperately counting down to Friday.

I’d called the mother who needed a nanny immediately, as soon as I got home with the telephone, because I don’t have a personal phone. She chose Friday, around three in the afternoon. Kai has her address, and he would drive me there. It’s just Tuesday, and I’m so impatient.

Mom was excited when I told her about the interview. Her guilt is always so palpable. She works as a housekeeper in a very fancy hotel. It doesn’t pay much, but it allows her to sleep in and come home early. She probably can get a better job, but someone needs to stay with the twins, take care of them. I take care of them in the morning, while she handles the evenings. We have a system that works. It’s not much, but it works for us.

I wade through the rest of the week.

Poppy’s bullying is just as intense, but nothing out of the ordinary, until Friday morning.

We have AP English, again.

“Now, I have your test results here, but before I distribute them, I’d like to talk about some students.” Ms Olive frowns at the class, obviously disappointed.

“The class did well, as expected, but some failed, also as expected. Poppy, perhaps you would like to drop the class?” She chooses her words carefully, but she’s obviously done with Poppy’s bullshit.

“What?” Poppy screeches, face flushed.

“You failed the test, again. You’ve failed four tests, you and your friends. This is an advanced class, and it’s understandable to struggle. We can just focus on regular English.” She says sternly, smiles and turns to Kai, “You were phenomenal as always, but Milly beat you, again.”

“Oh, no, I’m so surprised.” He says sarcastically, grinning.

I giggle, warmth spreading through me, “Don’t be a sore loser.”

“You did a spectacular job in the essay, Milly. Your use of satire and sensory details blew me away. I’m very proud of everyone. Now, let’s move to today’s lesson. It’s a very heavy novel, and we need to handle it with care. The Kite Runner was written by Khaled Hosseini.” She starts, and we all pay attention.

After her class, we all have gym. I prefer swimming, so I head to the large pool. 

Surprisingly, it is deserted, which should have been my first cue, but I ignore it and jump into the pool.

A second later, men on the football team join me.

Terror freezes me in place as they yank my legs, keeping me underwater.

I try to scream, but they’re stronger than me.

My lungs constrict, and I stop fighting. My whole body goes limp, and only then do they stop.

I wait until they’re out of the water to jump out of the pool. 

I cough hard, eyes red, chest aching.

They almost drowned me.

“Oh, little birdy got her wings clipped,” Poppy says as she walks in, holding on to Romeo.

My whole body is trembling with the horrid realisation. “You … you … you tried to drown me.” 

“Did I? Why would I ever touch your ugly body?” She plays dump, but her eyes are filled with victory.

I look at Romeo, expecting him to say something. She went too far this time, but he says nothing. He doesn’t even look at me, like I don’t matter, as if I am nothing but an irrelevance.

The hurt in me simmers, and all I feel is rage, thick and bitter.

I walk away, and Poppy stops me, “The next time you humiliate me in class, you’ll regret it. Now, get out of here, piggy.”

My pulse throbs hot and heavy. I dig my fingers into my palm hard. My heart races, but I try my best to calm myself and focus on my interview.

After school, Kai drives me home, where I change into blue faded jeans and a red turtleneck. My hair stays in a bun, and I wear one of my mom’s shoes. I leave a note and get back in the car. I am thrumming with excitement and dread. I need this job. I am ready to do anything for it.

Surprisingly, Kai drives to the Upper East Side. 

I try not to squirm when he drives into a gated and expensive mansion. There’s a pool, a helipad, rows of tall trees and luxurious cars parked everywhere.

“Come on,” he helps me out of the car and walks in without knocking.

“Kai!” A woman smiles and walks to us. She’s limping.

“Hi, Aunt Rose. You look lovely as ever.” Kai hugs her and kisses her cheeks.

“Do not flatter me.” She giggles and looks at me, “You must be Millicent.”

“Hi, yes, yes.” I stammer.

She takes my hand and leads me to a large kitchen. “Please sit.” She gestures at the stool and sits opposite me.

“Kai has vouched for you. I also looked you up. You’re brilliant, astonishingly so. You’re perfect for this job. I have triplets, age six. They’re a handful, two boys and a girl. I don’t have the strength I used to. I had a … a minor stroke a year ago, and it has left me sick. I can’t stand for long. My actions are limited now.” She speaks carefully and sighs.

“Do not let me bore you with me. I live with my husband and my children. The triplets keep me busy, but their brother is self-sufficient. Kai told me you have twin siblings, which means you know what to expect, but still, they will be a handful. I am willing to pay you what you need. I’ll pay you hourly, thirty dollars per hour, but I might need you to stay here, to be a live-in nanny.” She enunciates her words.

I am gobsmacked, but stumped, because a live-in nanny is more than I expected.

“What do you say, Millicent?”

“I have twin siblings, and my mom has to work. I want to be your nanny, but I’m not quite sure how to be a live-in.” I admit, cheeks flushed.

She nods, ponders for a second, and says, “How about I give you an advance? Kai says your mom housekeeps, so I pay enough to handle the expenses. I’ll be more than generous, but I really need you, Millicent. I’ve been placed on bed rest. You don’t have to cook or clean; we have people for that. You just have to take care of my babies. I’ll write you a check for two grand now, and then pay you one grand every week. I have a room for you beside the triplets’, and everything you need. What do you say?”

My mouth falls open in shock.

Before I can respond, the door opens, and someone walks in.

Two grand advance. One grand per week? Oh, my.

Suddenly, I freeze when I smell a vague, familiar cologne.

“Baby, you’re back. Come meet the nanny.” Rose smiles, looking behind me.

“Okay, mom.” He grumbles, and my heart pounds.

I turn around and see him. Romeo. The school’s star quarterback. My bully. My enemy. The boy who has made my life hell at Riverfield High.