Chapter 17. Arrangement

Chapter17. Arrangement

The last time I saw the Governor was on the newspaper a week ago. Dad had left it on the table next to his coffee mug, and I caught a small glimpse as I was rushing out the door for school. He didn't seem real on the printout, nor was he an immediate threat as I climbed Genesis' balcony last night. But here and now, he was every bit as scary as the monsters in my head. Maybe more because his smile was freaking me out. It was too friendly.

"Breakfast," he repeated, gesturing to the table. Laid out were two more plates, two more set of utensils, two more mugs, two more of everything.

Gene didn't glance at me as she went to the chair. Her shoulders were rigid as she pushed it back, sat on the plush seat, and kept her head forward. I took that as my cue to follow her.

"Finally." The Governor sounded relieved. "I thought you didn't want to join this old man." He chuckled as he took a piece of bread and started spreading butter. His usual suit was gone in favor of a red bathrobe, though he looked comfortable sitting at the head of the table like it was his office instead of the kitchen. "What are you two waiting for?" he said. "Eat."

My tongue felt like dried leather as I took one of the breads piled on the basket in front of me. On my left side, Genesis was doing the same.

"Got to supply that body with the energy it needs for the day," the Governor piped up. "What do I always say?"

"We work hard, then we win," Genesis mumbled.

"Damn right. We can't do that without energy." I cringed when the Governor turned to me. "How's your father lately?"

"He's okay."

"And your shop? Does it keep you afloat?"

"Dad," Genesis said.

"It's okay," I assured. "Our woodcraft store is one of the strongest in Bear Creek. My father's pieces are crafted well."

The Governor placed his butter knife down and nodded. "Good. I might recommend him to some of my friends in Houston if this keeps up."

"He'd appreciate that."

The three of us proceeded to eat. From outside, it looked like any other setup; Friend invited a friend over for breakfast. Dad of the friend asking me how life was. Except I didn't feel like it was a normal setup. The vibe was all wrong. It made me uncomfortable, especially knowing that I shouldn't be there in the first place.

Five minutes in, a staff entered the dining room and went to the Governor's side. The woman didn't stay long. She just whispered some words, received a few nods, then went on her way.

I choked on the pastrami when Brad suddenly came in. Behind him was Spencer, hair wet, clothes changed, smiling like an idiot to me. Fudge.

"Boys!" the Governor exclaimed. "Come in. Come in." He motioned to the chairs on his left which were directly in front of me and Genesis. "Sit down and have breakfast with us. The girls have been waiting."

I noticed how Genesis' fingers curled on the side of the table. The next time I blinked, she was already reaching for the soup.

"Hey, Mr. Morgan." Brad went around the table to reach his seat. More than having him here, I didn't like the fact that he talked to the Governor so casually, like they were so. . . Close.

"Hi Destiny," Spencer said.

I glared at him when he passed me. What were they doing here?

He shrugged and took a seat.

"Now that we're complete, we can finally enjoy this breakfast," The Governor stated.

"This isn't necessary," Genesis said.

"It is. Believe me." His smile widened as he took another piece of bread. "You know how I am. I want to know everything about my daughters, and as the security are telling me, you're pretty close with these three."

Genesis' face darkened. "I thought we've agreed to lighten the security before coming back to Bear Creek?"

"And I thought we agreed you wouldn't go back to your old ways."

I stared from father to daughter. What old ways?

"Anyhow," the Governor continued. "The security has told me some bothersome information. Information that can get people in trouble. Do you know what happens to teenagers who drive without proper licenses? First time is a fine, but second time is jail time." Spencer reddened when the Governor singled him out. "How good a friend are you to my daughter?"

"V-very much, sir."

"I figured as much while I was browsing your file last night. I've found some interesting things too."

The room was deathly quiet as we waited for the Governor to finish drumming his fingers on the table. Even Brad wasn't acting cute.

"I'm willing to look past this misdemeanor on several conditions."

"I'm listening, sir."

The Governor removed his glance from Spencer and turned to Genesis. "You need to be the school president."

"Wait a minute!" Gene blurted. "What does this have to do with me?!"

"You were with them that day. You have to take responsibility too. I don't want people to think that I'm protecting you because you're my daughter. Brad, isn't that what your parents would do?"

"Absolutely."

I shot him a dirty look. Is she your girlfriend or not?

"That settles it," the Governor said. "Win the school elections to earn your keep. In the meantime, I'll ask the guards to—"

"This is unfair!" Gene protested.

The Governor barely winked. "In the meantime, I'll ask your old guards to do their jobs. Until then, do everything on your part to be successful."

"Governor, sir," Spencer spoke. "I can take responsibility for my own actions. Genesis doesn't have to get involved with this. She didn't even know about my license. Honest."

"No, no." The Governor shook his head. "That's not how we do it in this household. But I do admire you for standing up for what you think is right."

"Thank you, sir, I—"

"You're a good match with Destiny."

My stomach lurched to the Mariana Trench. It was bad enough that I couldn't say a single thing about Genesis without bringing up another fault that could endanger her. Did he have to say that too?

"Spencer is my friend, Mr. Morgan."

"Better then. That's how it all starts." His twinkling eyes shifted to Spence. "Brad told me that you've been interested with Destiny for years. I haven't told this to anyone, but I consider her my daughter too. She's Genesis' best friend after all."

"Mr. Morga—"

He raised a hand to shush me and went on. "As Destiny's father figure, I consent to this relationship."

Genesis' chair screeched on the floor as she stood. "You will not do this to us!"

"Do what? I'm just telling the truth." He motioned to Spencer. "Don't you like Destiny?"

My eyes widened as I stared at him. Spencer shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I do, sir." His eyes met mine. "I do like you, Des. I've been in love with you for a long time."

The wind was knocked off my chest as I slumped on my chair. I wanted to go lower, lower, until the ground opens up and swallows me whole. What was happening here, exactly? My thoughts were a mess.

The Governor clapped his hands together and gave us all an encouraging nod. "This meeting is going great so far. Another relationship is born."

The mention of relationships roused me out of my stupor. "No offense, Mr. Morgan, but I don't think that decision is up to you."

It could have been a great parting sentence, if only it wasn't drowned out by four men going to the dining room. My protest was completely ignored because of a team of security who went to the Governor. One of them was Dindo. "Someone's calling your private line, sir. We need you in the office."

The Governor was remarkably happy as he stood. "Work is calling. I need to go." He gave us one last look before leaving. "Remember our arrangements, kids. Meeting adjourned."

Brad's blue convertible was parked outside the Governor's mansion. We didn't finish our breakfast. Nobody wanted to eat anyway.

"I'll sit at the back," Genesis declared. She was the first to get in, made some room for another passenger, and tilted her head to me. Her jaw was tight as I climbed in after her.

I barely noticed how grand the car was when we started to move. It must have been cool seeing us there, but I didn't care. A bottomless pit had swallowed me whole. How could I get out of it?

"Put some music on," Genesis said. Her tone left no room for arguments. I had a feeling that she'd punch anyone who contradicted her.

"What kind of music?" Brad asked.

"You have a brain," she snapped. "Use it."

A hip-hop song blasted from the radio. It drowned all other sounds, including my thoughts. Maybe that was what she wanted all along.

Genesis had a conflicted look on her as she glanced to me. "Do you like him?"

"Huh?"

"Spencer. Do you like him back?" She wasn't asking. She was demanding.

"He's my friend."

"Do you want to f. . ." She took a deep breath. "Do you have feelings for him other than friendship?"

My gaze flitted to the boys in front. Spencer was turned to his window, his face obscured even on the side mirror. I was thankful for it. I was thankful that we weren't sitting here side by side because I had no idea how to deal with this.

I returned to Genesis and shook my head. "I haven't thought about it. Maybe I don't."

The muscles on her jaw relaxed. "If that's the case, then you shouldn't mind what daddy said. He's always pairing people. Gaby and I are used to it."

"Did he pair you with Brad too?"

My stomach flipped as her eyes narrowed at me. She really looked like she wanted to hit someone.

"No," she admitted. "Brad and I weren't paired."

"So it was voluntary."

"Yes."

My teeth were clenched as I glanced outside the car. I've known this, but it still shook me how she could be with her. It didn't feel right. It felt like a crime and I wanted to have justice.

Genesis' hand smoothed over mine. She was trembling. "Remember about change? Remember what you said?"

"I do." The edges of my eyes were beginning to wet as I stared at her. "You made me promise."

"Yeah."

"But you broke yours too."

She swallowed and nodded. I would have touched her face if I wasn't so angry.

"Des, some things we have to do, okay?"

"Like you winning the school elections for your dad?"

"That. . . And more."

She didn't tell me what that more was. Like everything about her, I was left hanging.

Spencer and I didn't speak for most of our classes. He didn't write me notes. He didn't bother me when the teacher's lectures were getting boring. He didn't even eat any of Bertha's rolls. He just sat there, scribbling on his notebook.

At lunch, our group was scattered. Ester had a thing with her Literature Club, Genesis needed to talk to some people, Spencer disappeared without a trace, while I went to the restroom stall to have some peace of mind. Funny how the dirtiest of places could offer you the chance to clean up your thoughts sometimes.

I was eating a bagel bought from the caf when two girls entered the restroom. Their voices were too loud, and they kept exchanging gossips without much regard to who would listen.

"Spencer got into a fight."

"Spencer?"

"Gonzales, idiot. He's the only Spencer worth talking about in this town."

"Why'd he get into a fight? It doesn't seem like him."

"Right? He just went to another senior, insulted him, and threw a punch. I don't know if he'll get suspended."

"Probably not. Genesis was there when it happened. Daddy will bail her friend."

"Probably."

The two continued gossiping as they got out of the bathroom. I wrapped the bagel again, shove it in my bag, and got up from the toilet.

Spencer was alone when I found him in the nurse's office. There was a cut on his eyebrow, but other than that he was unharmed. "Are you crazy?!" I said.

Panic seized him when he saw me. "What are you doing here?"

I took the pillow from the bed and hit his head. "You're going to get Genesis in trouble again!"

He shielded his face. "I know. I'm sorry."

I threw the pillow next to him. "Why did you do it? You're not a violent guy."

He frowned and stared at his shoes. A few seconds passed before he answered. "I'm not the kind of guy you like either. I bet you like them mysterious. I bet you like them to punch people for you."

"Who even does that?"

"Genesis does." He was bitter when he lifted his head to me. "But Genesis doesn't love you. I do."

"Spence. . ."

"She has boyfriend."

"So what are you saying?"

The bed creaked as he stood. "You should have your own life too."

"I have my own life."

"Not as happy as she does." His hands were cold when he touched my face. "Genesis and Brad. . . Aren't you envious of them? Because I am. I think of us all the time."

I stepped out of his reach. "Why are you acting like this? It's not like you at all."

"I love you, Destiny. Give me a chance."

"Spence, please. . . This is making me uncomfortable."

"At least give it some thought," he pleaded. "Genesis won't always be there to hold your hand. She left us once."

"She came back."

"Not because she wanted to." He didn't make a second attempt to hold me again. He just stood still, studying me. "Can't you imagine the four of us happy? You, me, Brad, Gene, and Ester too. We'll support you with whatever you want. You don't have to climb balconies to see Genesis at night. The Governor will trust you."

The bell rang before I could have the last word. Lunch break was over.

"Think about it," he repeated. "Friends like Gene? They're only good for as long as it's convenient, but me? I'll stay here forever."

I was numb when the nurse returned to the clinic and told us to head back to class. I was numb as we passed Ester's classroom, and she waved at us with her braniac friends. Or when Genesis turned her head from her chair as Spencer and I continued on. More so as I looked out the window and saw Dindo standing outside, staring at the exact place where I was. The Governor's arrangement had started.

Destiny Jones' Playlist: