Dismissed (12 page)

CHAPTER 15

Lizzie’s year was starting to get stressful. There were only four months left of school, and all the teachers were cracking down to ensure the students were working to their maximum capability. Lizzie had lost some of her enthusiasm, with things slightly strained between her and Taylor, and trying to avoid Brandon as much as possible. It was kind of hard to ignore him though when he was actually teaching her, but she’d stopped trying so hard to impress him, and instead just did the bare minimum to get through.

At least her relationship with Gabe was going well. They had now been dating for just over five months, and it looked like they were on track to last the year, if not beyond. Gabe had mentioned the possibility of going to UQ and studying Economics, with a major in International Trade and Finance. Lizzie was pretty sure she was going to stay in Brisbane too. But the only question was, to do what? And would she take a few months off first to travel?

It was another Friday afternoon, and the bell was about to go for lunch. Lizzie was sitting in the back of English class and deliberately avoiding eye contact with Brandon. Which was harder than she expected. There was just something about the man that made her want to stare. Taylor was a couple of rows in front. She didn’t really sit with her anymore. The only class where they still talked was Art, and that was only because their projects were set up next to each other and it was too much effort to move them.

Gabe was in the first row, obeying Brandon’s order to avoid Lizzie in English.

‘Has anyone looked at
Brave New World
yet?’ Brandon asked everyone.

The entire class put up their hands. They knew they’d get detention if they didn’t. Lizzie wondered how many people actually had.

‘Good. I’ve trained you well. Zoe, tell me one thing that’s the same as
1984
and one thing that’s different.’

‘Well, they both present a dystopian future society, but
1984
is really about using negativity for control, whereas
Brave New World
is about using distractions and things we like.’

‘Good. Gabriel, which did you prefer, and why?’

‘I liked
Brave New World
more. But really only because they encourage lots of sex.’

The class laughed. Brandon shook his head in mock despair.

‘Typical boy answer,’ he said wearily.

‘I preferred
1984
,’ Taylor piped up. ‘I really liked the dirty, gritty bleakness that George Orwell described.’

‘Thank you Taylor. That’s kind of an odd thing to say, but at least it shows you read the book.’

She beamed. Lizzie rolled her eyes. Taylor was back to sucking up to Brandon. Perhaps she was hoping he’d welcome her with open arms as a sister in law of sorts once she told him about her relationship with Jason.

‘Lizzie,’ he said. Lizzie jumped. Her body still reacted quite forcefully every time Brandon acknowledged her. It was such a traitor.

‘Yes?’

‘What did you think of
Brave New World
?’

‘I thought it was much more relevant to how our society is headed than
1984
. You just have to look at things like reality TV and all the useless stuff they sell on infomercials to see how easily entertained people are. I watched
Idiocracy
recently, and I seriously don’t think it’s an exaggeration of how we’re going to turn out.’

She couldn’t help it. It seemed that she couldn’t completely switch off the desire to impress the man in front of her.

He grinned. ‘Some interesting points. Now everyone, if you need any help with your assignments before handing them in, I’ll be available after school until four. You’ll find me in the Humanities staff room.’

The bell rang and everyone filed out.

Lizzie was about to go with Gabe down to their usual spot, when Brandon called out to her.

‘Lizzie?’ He beckoned her with a finger.

Lizzie wrinkled her brow. She wondered if she’d done anything wrong. Gabe looked at her, worry etched on his face.

‘I’ll be fine,’ she whispered to him. ‘I’ll catch up with you.’

He left unhappily, no doubt not wanting to leave her alone with him.

She went up to Brandon’s desk and he looked at her with those gorgeous dark eyes. Lizzie had to force herself not to get lost in them.

‘Is everything OK?’ she asked.

‘Mostly. I was really impressed by your contribution in class just now, but I was wondering how you’re handling everything else. I know life outside of school can get busy, and I’ve noticed your class work has been slipping a bit lately. I wanted to check if you needed any help.’

Lizzie reddened. ‘I’m fine. Sorry, I’ll study a bit harder from here on.’

She was mortified that in her efforts to avoid Brandon, she had somehow invited more of his attention.

‘You don’t need any clarification of the course material? I’d be happy to stay back after three and explain it to you.’

‘No, no,’ she said hurriedly. God, that was the last thing she needed – more alone time with Brandon.

He studied her for a second, seeming to carefully consider his next words.

‘Have I done something to upset you? I feel like you’ve been avoiding me in class.’

She almost laughed. Upset her? Far from it.

‘Not at all. I’ve just been distracted. You know, with work… insomnia… she rambled.

‘My music not working anymore, huh?’ he said, eyes twinkling. And then he caught himself. ‘Sorry, that wasn’t very professional of me. Look, I remember what Year Twelve was like so I’m not going to lecture you. But I do think it’s important to make as much time for your school work as possible. Especially if you’re thinking of going to uni – which I assume you are?’

She looked at the ground. ‘Yes. And I know. I promise I’ll make more of an effort.’

He smiled. ‘Your latest assignments have still been of a high standard, but your earlier stuff was even better. Let me see some more of that, and you could be on track to get a VHA at the end of the year.’

‘Really? That would be really cool. Thanks Mr Thomas.’

She made eye contact with him again, and her heart started hammering. He was almost painfully good looking. And so nice. Damn it.

Her body suddenly went all jittery and she worried Brandon would notice and understand immediately what was going on.

But if he did, he didn’t mention it.

‘Alright, off you go. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

She gave him a small smile and ran off. Phew. That was close. She’d have to act as normally as possible in class from now on. But it seemed impossible. She didn’t know how to behave around Brandon. He was making her crazy.

She was so distracted by her thoughts that she almost rammed straight into the back of Taylor, who had stopped dead in her tracks in front of her. She was looking at something on her phone.

‘Is everything OK?’ Lizzie asked. Her first thought was that Jason had finally ditched her.

‘Shit. No. Everything is very far from OK.’

Taylor started walking quickly towards the bathroom. Lizzie followed.

‘What’s wrong?’ she asked, trying to keep up.

Taylor broke into a sprint and then locked herself in a cubicle. Lizzie caught up a few seconds later.

‘Taylor? What’s going on?’

‘Fuck, fuck, fuck!’

‘What?’

Taylor opened the door, her face white as a sheet.

‘I think I might be pregnant,’ she said in a monotone.

Lizzie’s eyes widened. ‘No!’

‘I haven’t had my period for like three months.’ She held up her phone calendar to illustrate the point.

‘Oh Taylor. How could this happen?’

‘How the hell do you think it happened?’

‘But you used protection, right?’

‘Most times.’

‘
Most
times? Damn it Taylor! What were you thinking?’

‘Fuck off. I’m not in the mood to justify myself to Little Miss Perfect.’

‘I’ll pretend you didn’t say that because I know you’re freaking out right now. How can I help?’

‘You can not tell anyone for a start.’

‘Of course I won’t. Do you want me to go with you to buy a test or something?’

‘Maybe. Could you drive me now?’

‘But I don’t have the car here.’

‘We can walk back to your place and then go. Please! I wouldn’t be able to focus this afternoon anyway. And if we hurry, we might get back in time for the last lesson.’

Lizzie was torn. She didn’t want to skip out, but she knew if it was her having a pregnancy scare, she’d want to know either way as soon as possible.

‘OK. Do you think we should just tell the office we’re going…’

‘No! I don’t want to have to answer questions. Let’s just go.’

Lizzie peeked outside. There weren’t any teachers about.

‘Alright.’

They hurried out the front gate and down the path. Taylor slowed her pace once they were around the corner and out of sight.

‘Come on. We need to keep moving if we’re going to be back on time,’ Lizzie urged.

‘I don’t think I’m going to go back now.’

‘Well I’d like to.’

‘Fine. But I’m just going to go home after buying the test.’

‘Do you want me to stay with you?’

‘No. I think I need to do that part on my own.’

‘As long as you’re sure. What will you say to Jason?’

‘I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.’

‘He probably won’t be very keen on the idea of becoming a father.’

‘I’m not too fucking keen on the idea of becoming a mother! It’s my birthday next week! I can’t be a pregnant eighteen year old! My life would be over!’

‘Oh Taylor. It’s going to be OK. If it turns out you’re having a baby, I’ll help out.’

‘Wanna have it for me?’ she joked darkly. ‘You’re already good at all that mum stuff. You can cook and sew. And you’re super sensible.’

‘Sorry babe. But I could at least come to your Lamaze classes and be there for the birth.’

Taylor squeezed her hand. ‘You rock. I’m sorry I’ve been so distant lately. I guess I was worried you would judge me for going out with Jason, when I really do like him. And I think he likes me too.’

‘Well he’s stuck around for a while, so that’s got to count for something. How does your relationship work anyway?’

‘I don’t know. We see each other two or three times a week. Mostly at my place when Mum’s out, or at the Pancake Parlour.’

‘You don’t go back to his apartment?’

‘No. Brandon is always there. I still don’t want him to know.’

‘And Jason hasn’t let it slip?’

‘No. I think he now kind of likes the idea of dating one of his students without him knowing. It’s like this passive aggressive
fuck you
or something.’

The girls arrived at Lizzie’s place and jumped in the car.

‘Can we go to Chemist Warehouse?’ Taylor asked. ‘They have so many staff that they probably won’t remember me next time.’

‘We could go to the supermarket and do self-serve if you’re really worried,’ Lizzie offered.

‘Actually, that would be better. Thanks Lizzie. You are such a good friend. I know I’m not the easiest person to deal with sometimes. It’s just you always have everything so together. It’s impossible to compete with you.’

‘We shouldn’t be competing in the first place,’ Lizzie said gently.

‘I know. But you make me want to do something with my life rather than just cruise through.’

‘Why? I don’t even know what I want to do next year. At least you know you want to travel.’

‘As if I’d be able to afford it. I have no money saved, and it’s not like Mum is loaded.’

‘What about your dad?’

‘He saves all his money for his
real
family.’

‘You could blackmail him. Threaten to report him to the tax office if he doesn’t give you something.’

Taylor laughed in surprise.

‘You know, that isn’t such a bad idea. How did
you
think of something so devious?’

‘I’m not as straight as you think.’

‘You’re straight, sweetie. But that’s why I love you.’

They parked in the Indooroopilly shopping centre car park and walked down to Woolworths. Taylor grabbed a Cleo magazine on the way. She suddenly seemed quite nervous, her eyes darting left and right.

‘Relax. Someone will think you’re trying to shoplift or something.’

‘Can you do it?’ she asked. ‘I’ll wait over here near the makeup. Just get one that’s easy to use.’