Page 5 of Brutal Kingdom

* * *

Well, this is different.That’s the first thing I think when I enter the cafe. The BP’s table is completely empty. There’s not even a stray napkin or cup to suggest I just missed them, and no one is lingering around staring at the table as if they’re expected to show up at any minute. It’s ten in the morning, on a weekday. The time when they’re usually jonesing for a shot of java to help them get through the rest of the day. Come to think of it, the whole place is kind of dead. Are the BPs even on campus, and if so, where are they?

A part of me had hoped someone had dethroned Bella, giving her the honor of the shortest reign in school history, but the conversations I overheard in the dorm when I came back yesterday, lets me know that didn’t happen. She’s all about an audience and being seen, so that means she’d want to be somewhere with maximum exposure. She’s not here. The next likely spot is the quad, but the grassy knoll was empty when I walked through it. Maybe they’re sleeping in. I could check their favorite social app, but I’ve been on a Prospectus hiatus too, and I’m not quite ready to rejoin that social media platform just yet.

Strolling through campus, my ice coffee in hand, I find a tree and sit against it. I slip off my sandals, enjoying the warmth of the sun on my feet. I did a lot of reflective sitting on the island, and tons of walking in Italy when we went to visit Daniella. She’s waiting for an answer about how I want to proceed, too. She doesn’t have any information other than what her mother was collecting.

I smile, thinking of the way Daniella embraced mom and Summer. If nothing else, she makes us feel like we’ve known her for years. She’s pissed with all the secrecy surrounding Imogen Summers.

I asked her to hold off on talking to her family about me. In my gut, I know that I’m the Summer heir, but there’s no sense in going to war if I’m not joining that world. Summer’s inheritance is separate from mine, because she also has until her twenty-first birthday to claim it. But, if Bella establishes her claim for the inheritance over me, it will make Summer’s fight harder to win. Mom says not to let any of that affect my decision, but it’s hard not to. I love my sister too much to let her have to fight these people. It will only serve as a distraction.

It was no surprise when she announced her decision to go to the University of Tennessee. I’m happy for her, but I hate that she’s so far away. School has to be her priority, and then it’s on to the WNBA. This rich kid shit is on me to figure out. I’m the big sister. Being the test dummy for horrible choices and decisions -so she doesn’t have to- is in the job description.

Leaning my head against the tree, I work through my pros and cons list again. There’re no easy answers to any of this and I hate not having someone I can bounce ideas off of. We’ve all agreed it’s better to keep this a secret, until I decide.

My alarm rings. I stand, dusting off the back of my shorts. Time for my meeting at The Guild.

Turns out my fears were unfounded. I’m still a photographer and writer for The Guild. There’s an official welcome back to campus meeting scheduled for next week, but Mrs. Morgan wastes no time putting me to work. I’m all for work and doing my part, even so, I ask, “If we’re not running our first print for two weeks, why am I taking pictures before the rest of the staff comes back?”

“Because you have an exceptional eye, and dare I say, nobody on this staff has an eye like you do. I’ve already farmed out the articles I want to print, and I had planned to give the new kid Steve a shot at photos, but he and his daddy docked in South Beach. He won’t be back until Friday. The staff influx happens this week, and I need photos of the donor mixer, along with some candids of move-in day for the Freshman. Come on Jordanna. This is a great opportunity to get a little face time with some important people.”

“Fine. You had me at myexceptional eye.”

“You’re a lifesaver.” She pulls her purse from the drawer. “I need to dash. I’ve sent you the headlines. Get me some prints by Monday?”

“Absolutely.”

I have six days to take pictures but I’m a woman without a lot of free time on my hands, so after lunch I get a jump start on photographing the campus. I work for two hours, walking around in the heat before calling it quits. It’s three in the afternoon, and I’m looking forward to a piping hot meal. The dining hall should be deserted, which means a quicker delivery time for my order. Or at least that’s what I told myself as I was walking here. Stepping through the doors, I get my answer about where everyone is. Looks like the cafe has lost its tenure. Bella has taken over the dining hall.

I clock three of them. Bella, Frankie and Hal, dead smack in the middle of the room. Tabitha is talking to someone on the left. She flips me the bird when she sees me. I endure the glares from my favorite tormentors, then shift my eyes away, heading to the counter to order my food. I grab a quick meal, instead of waiting for a server to bring my plate, and take a seat facing their table. If they make a move, I’ll see them coming.

THREE

JORDANNA

Iregistered for my classes online and I’m glad I did. The tables are a mess with people realizing they’re short a prerequisite for a mandatory class. As a senior, we really don’t have any room to be postponing classes. The bigger your checkbook, the more accommodating the dean is. He’ll sign a waiver, letting you up your class load so you can take the prerequisites and core class concurrently. I have extra credits on my transcript, from the classes I took at Carryville that don’t align with the degree program here, so I only have three classes that I need to take this semester, and will end up with more credits than I need to graduate.

The rest of the classes I need aren’t offered until the spring. The bursar says I can get the pro-rated amount of my scholarship, but I’ll be back to paying the difference for room and board, even with Pepper’s contribution. Mom’s still recouping from paying Summer’s high school senior dues, prom dress and limo rental, and incidentals for her first semester at University of Tennessee. She got a full ride, and we all thought this would be mom’s time to splurge a little on herself instead of stressing about our tuition and fees. I’m not going to be the one to put a damper on that. I banked a lot of money last semester, so I think I’ll be okay with paying this on my own.

I lower my camera when my phone rings. “Hello.” I say, securing my phone between my shoulder and ear, looking around for my next shot.

“Jordanna.Pleasetell me you’re back on campus.”

“I am. Got back two days ago.”

“Great. You need to come meet me.”

“Meet you where?”

“At my dorm. I’ve been locked up with these people for a week already. I need normal girl talk.”

I chuckle at my friend. “Okay, Kass. I’m on assignment for the paper right now. Let me finish up here, and I’ll meet you in an hour.”

“See you then.”

I’m backing away from the registration crowd to reframe my shot when I bump into something. “My bad.” I turn, another apology on my lips, and come face to face with Davis McKay. “Mr. McKay. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“You were in the zone with that camera. It’s my fault for not backing away. I was spellbound, watching you work.”

---