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Chapter 17

The rest of the week was fun. I got to see New York for the first time. Lana and Maria gave us tours of the city that purposefully excluded times square because: "Just no Lia, just no," Lana had explained. We also worked on planning the party. Maria and Lana were obviously pros at party planning.

"It will be small-ish maybe 100-150 people," Maria said, pulling out her planner one evening.

Nicole and I looked at each other, and she mouthed, 'that's small?' with a look of disbelief on her face. I smiled and gave a small shrug as an answer.

On the day of the party, we decided to go to the museum while Maria's house was being set up. It had a cafe on the roof that Maria was really excited to show me. 

Maria and Lana were in full planning mode calling and making last-minute changes. Nicole was as into as they were making suggestions and keeping notes. I finished my sandwich and decided I wanted to go downstairs and look at some exhibits. I was not the best party planner, and it was kind of boring, to be honest.

"Take my sweater; it's cold in there," Lana said, going into her giant Birkin bag. She gave me a cable knit sweater with the Trinity tennis logo.

I didn't know Lana played tennis, I thought to myself while slipping it on.

"Text me when you guys want to head out," I said and made my way to the small elevator. The doors opened, and I went inside, looking at the map to see what floor I wanted to look at.

"Wait, hold the door," I heard a voice say, and I stuck my foot out to stop it from closing.

"Thank you," Said a boy around my age. He had long blond hair that he wore in a bun on his head and a handsome face.

We stood silently, waiting for the elevator to start.

"So you go to Trinity? I've never seen you," He said, breaking the silence.

"Oh," I said, startled by the student conversation. "I'm starting now in the fall," I said. "This is my friend's sweater, though; I'm not on the tennis team."

"Ah, I was wondering to myself who you were since I know most of the trinity kids. I would have certainly remembered you if we had ever met." He smiled; his eyes were piercing blue. He looked like a wolf.

"So, what's your name?" he asked. 

"Lia, well Cecilia, but everyone calls me Lia," I said, putting my hand out.

He took it, "Liam. But everyone calls me Liam." He said.

"Oh god," I groaned at the corny joke.

"I had to.." he laughed.

The doors opened, and I stepped out. 

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Liam," I said nodding at him. 

"Wait," he said, holding the door open, "are you meeting someone or just looking around?" he asked me.

"I'm just looking," I said.

"Can I join you?"

I looked at him up and down. He was pretty cute—hell, why not.

"Sure," I said.

"I used to work here. I can give you a tour," he said, smiling and gesturing for me to go first. 

"So, Lia, did you move here recently?" he asked as we walked down a long hallway.

"Yeah, my dad and I just came up here from Miami."

"That explains the tan," He said, looking me up and down.

"Ahh, no. This is all New Jersey tan; I was pretty pale when I came up here. I was kind of a homebody when I was in Miami."

"So, you live in New Jersey?" He asked.

"No, my friend does; I live in the Bronx."

"Got it. Your friend is one of the millionaire Trinity kids that make the trek from Jersey every morning," he said, giving me an amused smile. 

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"I told you I know all the Trinity kids. I used to go there, and now the school I go to is nearby so I hang out with my Trinity friends every so often. There's a coffee shop in between both schools where we like to go do our homework."

"What school do you go to?"

"McMillan, it's a magnet school, but we're right next to Trinity, so we work with them a lot. Like our sports teams all do friendly competitions with each other," He said.

I heard of McMillan. When Maria was planning her party, she mentioned that several kids from there would probably crash. Apparently, their close proximity to Trinity meant many of the students were friends or practiced in the same private sports clubs. Trinity parties were only supposed to be for Trinity students. 

McMillan kids usually resorted to crashing in order to partake in all of the Trinity fun. Maria's bash was no exception; she said by midnight, you couldn't tell who was from Trinity and who was from McMillan. She added that while they weren't invited, she would turn a blind eye when they snuck in because the guys tended to be really good-looking. I stared at Liam. She was not wrong.

"I know about it; my friend mentioned your school, that you guys have a proclivity to crashing parties you're not invited to," I said, raising an eyebrow, "by any chance, are you going to the Bennett Bash? It's tonight."

He frowned, "I'm not invited to the Bennett Bash."

"Well yeah, the invitations were only for Trinity students but my friend said that never stops a McMillan kid from joining the fun."

"I crash Trinity parties. I do not crash Bennett parties. Especially ones that take place in their house." He said matter-of-factly.

"Ohh," I said, kind of disappointed I was hoping he would come.

"I mean, I would love to hang out with you, but Robert and I are not the friendliest with each other."

"Oh," I said, not expecting that explanation.

"I mean, Robert isn't friendly with anyone. I would not take it personally," I told him.

"No, I mean, you know how I said I used to go to Trinity?"

I nodded, unsure of where he was going with his.

"Well, I was kicked out. Because of Robbie Bennett."

"What? Why?"

"We were both pretty close. We played soccer and lacrosse together since we were kids. We were both up for a position as captain of both the soccer team and the lacrosse team. I offered that he could take one and I could take the other. He refused and said we would compete for both."

"Was he better than you?"

"No. We were both pretty much on the same level. Maybe I was slightly better at lacrosse. Team captains are a big deal. Trinity hosts pretty famous sports ceremonies and invites top college scouts. The ceremonies are for the school's stakeholders, but since captains are the spokesperson for their team, they get to go. This means they have one on one conversations with the scouts. Stand out, ya know?"I nodded.

"So, what happened?"

"He made up a rumor that I was cheating. Doping. When I confronted him about it, he punched me. So, of course, I hit him back."

He shook his head and closed his eyes.

"Like an idiot, I wasn't thinking." He rubbed his face in frustration.

"The thing is I am not a golden Bennett. My family does not have millions of dollars to bribe the school with a new cafeteria and have them sweep my transgressions under the rug. So they expelled me, and Robbie became captain of both teams. I lost my scholarships, my financial aid. Luckily a family friend had a hook up at McMillan to still go to a competitive school."

"Well, that's good, I'm sure it will still count a lot for your application," I said, sympathizing. I don't know what I'd do if I lost my scholarship. 

He shook his head before continuing, "Still, my chances at an Ivy League scholarship are done." He said, clenching and unclenching his fists.

"That's the part that hurts. We grew up together. Our fathers were best friends. He knew what was at stake for me."

"I am so sorry, Liam. I knew Robbie was rude. I would never think he would be this entitled."

"Yeah, well... neither did I. Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore. Things are going well for me at McMillan. I just have to play harder than ever." He smiled.

"Hey," he added, "don't talk about this with the Bennetts. A lot of things happened between us and I just really want the drama to end already. I just don't want to start any problems with them, I don't think my future could handle another Bennett Sabotage" He said, shoving his hands into his pockets and looking at his shoes.

"I won't say anything," I promised.

He smiled,  and I smiled back.

"Let's go. I'll show you my favorite paintings," He said, putting his hand out for me to take.

"Alright," I answered, taking it.

We spent the next hour looking at paintings and talking about everything. Soon enough, I got a text from Maria that Robbie came to pick us up and meet them downstairs.

"I have to go, Liam," my friend's brother is here.

"I'll walk you to the car."

"Actually, my friend's brother is Robbie, so I don't think you really want to do that," I said, awkwardly.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were that close with the Bennetts," he said.

"I mean, I am close with Maria; I never really talk to Robbie," I said, hoping this wouldn't make him not like me. Liam was really interesting he knew so much about art, it was impressive. 

He nodded. "That makes sense; you seem too sweet to be involved with someone like him."

"Well, it was nice meeting you," I said.

"Wait, can I have your number? We can get lunch later this week or next week?"

"Sure," I answered, and he gave me his phone to add myself as a contact.

I said bye again and headed down the central stairs making my way to the elevator that would take me to the exit. I was daydreaming as I was about to get in, and I crashed into Robbie.

"Sorry," He said, steadying me with his hands on my elbows.

"I thought you were picking us up?" I asked, confused as to why he was in the museum.

"Yeah, everyone is waiting downstairs. Maria sent me to go get you, she wasn't sure if you would find the exit, and I am parked illegally."

I readjusted my bag and fixed the buckle on my left sandal, using his arm as support. As I did, I felt him fix a strand of hair that tangled in my hoop earring. Earlier in the day, him doing this would have made me blush. Now I just thought it was so strange how he was rude and then had these moments of random tenderness. Who knows what goes on in his head and thinking about it too much made my head spin.

"Hurry..." He said and trailed off. I straightened and saw him staring at something behind me. His eyes were dark, and his jaw was set.

I looked back to see Liam leaning against a wall at the far end of the corridor. The two boys looked at each other, and I felt a sudden change in energy. I grabbed Robbie's arm and shoved him into the elevator.

I pushed the button for the bottom floor, and as the doors were closing, I gave a subtle wave to Liam. He shifted his gaze and smiled at me before the doors closed.

I felt Robbie's gaze on me.

"What?"

"Do you know him?" His eyes narrowed.

"I met him today, but yes."

He crossed and uncrossed his arms. I could tell he wanted to say something.

"What, Robbie?" I asked to humor him.

"I rather you did not hang out with him," he spat.

"I rather you mind your own business," I answered.

Our eyes met, and he held my gaze. I felt my face burning up, and he looked like he was just as upset. He sighed and looked away.

"Fine, be careful then," He mumbled as the elevators were opening and quickly stepped out. I scoffed and walked after him. More like he should have been careful with you, I thought to myself.

We walked out of the museum at a hurried pace, and when Maria saw us, she yelled: "Come on, slow-pokes, we have a party we need to get ready for."

Robbie opened the back door of the car for me, and before I could say thank you, he made his way to the driver's seat, deliberately avoiding meeting my eyes. He peeled out of the parking spot and drove off.

"What happened?" Lana whispered in my ear.

"Nothing," I whispered back, shrugging. As if I could ever know what was going on with Robbie Bennett.

Authors note: If you like my story please vote, comment, and follow. It lets me know that you enjoy the direction it is going in. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Enjoy!