Page 17 of Framed

What I did know was that he hadn’t tried to reach out or come to visit since the day I got arrested. Although I was sure Suzanne, Dad’s wife, had a huge hand in that. Still, it had hurt knowing he hadn’t even tried.

That behavior was so unlike him. He had been the only solid figure in my life after my mom died in that car accident. I didn’t know much about the famous figure skater, but I knew my dad loved her dearly. From the way he talked about her on rare occasions, with so much longing and love, I was sure she’d loved him just as much, if not more. Especially since the day she died, she had been planning to quit skating.

Her own parents passed a little bit before I was born and Dad’s parents disowned him after finding out about my parents’ relationship.

It was a tale as old as time. Stereotypical even for the early 2000s. My dad was white and my mom was brown-skinned. To say I’d gotten “those” looks all my life would be the understatement of the year, but I never let that or the whispers get to me. I loved that I was a perfect combination of the two vastly different souls. My dad had always told me that if anyone asked about it, I should just tell them I was the product of true love. And I did, because there was no doubt in my mind that I wasn’t.

My dad was all I had left.

He was my best friend.

He was my home.

It was starting to feel in vain now, though. Even before my arrest, he’d been getting too busy to spend much time with me. He had his new family—my stepsister Sienna and his second wife.

“Your mama was as sweet as pumpkin pie,” the receptionist was saying. “Every year when those knucklehead hooligans came back for a new semester, she helped man down this here registration station.” The admiration that shone through her voice caught me off guard. It was a nice change of pace from the obvious avoidance of the topic I usually encountered. “Not to mention she was the best figure skater the world has ever seen. If you need anything at all you, just ask me, ya hear me?”

“Did she go here, my mother?” Since Dad didn’t speak about her often, and I was never able to find anything outside of her old skating articles, I found myself wanting to know more about her. Anything this woman could tell me would probably be news to me.

Mabel nodded. “Ages ago, when she was around your age. She was a curious little thing, and often found herself in a bit of trouble.”

Of course, she did. I had always wondered if she was where I got my curious nature from. Dad was a stickler for the rules.

“I got a feeling you’re just like her.”

“I’ve been told a time or two that I’m too much like her for my own good.”

A reminiscent smile ghosted across the older woman’s face, “She was smart as a whip. Administration had no clue what to do with her. Was causing trouble as often as she aced a test.”

I couldn’t stop the smile that touched my own lips. I tried to picture my mom running around campus causing havoc. I couldn’t picture her, but I could picture myself.

“You must be Scarlett,” an authoritative yet feminine voice said from behind Mabel. “You’re late.”

chapter seven

Scarlett

Mythroatfelthotas my wide eyes shot to the analog clock hung on the white-bricked wall. I was late. I didn’t even realizefifteen minuteshad passed.

Before I had a chance to formulate a response, the older lady chimed in. “It’s my fault, Raven. I didn’t know she was here to see ya. Just felt like a blast from the past, ya know?”

The lady, Raven, had to be at least 5’10. She towered over the both of us. Dressed in an expensive-looking black wool straight-legged pantsuit, she had the physique and face of a model.

Seriously, this lady was drop-dead gorgeous.

Even though Fortuna Royal University was a prestigious school, the lady who stood before me was way too gorgeous to be working there.

Now I was curious about exactly what kind of a favor she could possibly owe Athena. How did someone like her end up with the short stick there?

“If you’re ready, we can move this conversation to my office.” The clacking of her heels rounded the hallway before she even gave me a chance to respond.

Or catch up.

I was halfway down the long corridor when I heard Mabel’s voice again. “Don’t forget what I said, girlie. Anything you need just come find me.”

I stifled a smile.

“It’s nice to formally meet you, Scarlett. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Raven stuck her manicured hand out for me to shake. Her bone-straight blonde hair hovered over her desk as she leaned forward.

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