Page 66 of Moonstruck at Midnight
“Sure, let’s talk,” he said as we walked away from David toward a bench, looking for privacy. I bit my lower lip and looked down, trying to organize my thoughts.
“Where’s Aaron, by the way?” Caleb liked to switch shifts on me. I wanted to know why he did on this occasion.
“He had some personal matters to attend,” he informed me. “I know why you’re angry. But I can explain.”
“I’m sure you can.”
“This is about the report we sent to your father about the party, right?” he asked. I nodded. “Well, technically, Aaron was the one who drafted the report, but yeah, it needed to be done, you know that. Is that why you’re upset?”
“Not exactly. I understand you have to report everything. I expected it. But why did you have to voice your opinion to my father about Thomas? He’s now unnecessarily worried about my relationship, and he questioned me about a lot of things yesterday. Why would you put me on the spot like that?” I was hurt. That’s why you shouldn’t be friends with your bodyguards.
Caleb kept silent for a few seconds before answering. “I didn’t tell him anything I haven’t mentioned to you before. I’ve been honest with you since the beginning. When you met him in Paris, I told you I didn’t trust him. I didn’t know why then—it was mostly a feeling. But now I can start to see he has somewhat of—a temper.”
“And you don’t?” I asked rhetorically.
He snorted. “Well, I know I’m not one to talk, but I’m not the one who’s dating you. Plus, it’s different. I wouldneverhurt you like he has.” He stared at me and gave me a few seconds for me to process that.
Okay,go on. “And secondly, it’s my job to keep you safe, so I’m sorry if I don’t trust Thomas. But it’s not like I called up your father to talk about this. He started asking questions after the report, andhecalled me specifically to ask my opinion. I couldn’t lie either. I’m sorry, Red.”
I groaned and stood up. “Okay.” He was right, as always, but I wasn’t in the mood to accept it. “I’ll see you later. I’m going to grab something to eat.”
As I walked with my tray looking for a place to sit, Nolan put his hand up, gesturing to join them. He sat with Ben and another girl from class.
“I’m Heather. It’s nice to meet you,” she said with an accent. Her light brown hair was long and wavy. She had a bunch of cute freckles on her nose and wore chunky tortoise frame glasses.
“Nice to meet you too, Heather,” I replied, putting my food tray on the table. “Where are you from?”
“I’m Australian.” Ben couldn’t keep his eyes off her smiling face.
“I guess you’re stuck with us for the next three weeks, huh?” Nolan chuckled as he slid his hands into his pants pockets. “Have you taken any photography courses before?”
“I’m transferring from PCA in Paris. I just finished my first year there. But I’m new to analog photography. How about you?”
Ben, Heather, and Nolan told me they were enrolled in the Photography BFA program but signed up for the summer course for credit. Nolan had also just finished his first year at Parsons. Ben and Heather were a year ahead. I was curious to know how they liked it so far.
“It’s been great. It’s demanding. There’s always a lot of work to do. But it’s been fun so far,” Heather explained. Bendefinitelyhad a crush on her.
“I see you almost made our team,” I said to Heather, whose last name was Martin.
“I know! That would’ve been fun, right?”
We talked and got to know each other a bit better over lunch, and I genuinely liked everyone. They all seemed friendly.
We walked back to the classroom, and Mr. Beckett picked up where he left off before lunch regarding the day’s lecture. Just before the class was about to end, he explained a few more things concerning the final project.
“We will have a daily lecture and practice in class. And you will take what you learn here and apply it to your group project. You’ll be able to start brainstorming on the concept and ideas for the final presentation as soon as you wish. There will be an allotted time to go through any progress or ideas you’d like for me to review during each session.
“You will have to work after class almost every day, so make sure you make enough time for it. These three weeks will go fast, so try to keep up with the work and don’t leave everything to the last minute,” he advised. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
Mr. Beckett left, and I exchanged phone numbers with Ben and Nolan. Ben created a group chat for the three of us. There wasn’t much group work to get done though, mostly individual practice on the analog camera. We agreed to keep talking about the project the next day.
Caleb leaned on a wall nearby as he waited for me to be ready to leave. I ignored him and kept making my way out of the building. He clicked on his earpiece, probably signaling David to bring the car around. He increased his pace to walk beside me and inquired about my first day.
“Weren’t you supposed to be invisible or something?” I replied with exasperation.
“Who cares if you have a security detail,” he said, looking over his shoulder. “Your new friends are looking this way. I’m sure if they haven’t figured it out by now, they will by tomorrow.”
It had more to do with me not liking people feeling curious about me. I just wanted to blend in without attracting any unnecessary attention.
