Chapter 36

Chapter 36-This was not the end

            Alyssa thumbed through the new Betsey Johnson collection at Barney's hoping that shopping would make her feel better.  Tiffany was at her new dance class in East Harlem working on some moves so she was left to shop alone.

            She sighed as she signed her signature on the $10,000 black card charge not feeling any better.  The best way to get back at her father was through his pockets and if that was what it would take then so be it.

            "Hey, you’re like the new Mrs. Van Wald right? Oh my gosh, how did you
nail him? What is your secret!" the over enthused cashier asked.  She looked to be about eighteen and was dressed in an olive green Michael Kors mini dress.
  "I am not the newest Mrs. Van Wald or whatever you want to call it.  Thank you very much," she said glaring at the brunette attentively.

            "Wow guess the gossip columns are right. You really are a truly ungrateful little bitch!" the brunette spat back smugly.

            "Wait what? What gossip columns?" Alyssa asked growing worried.

            "Oh just some dumb gossip column on blogspot. You can Google your name.  I'm sure it will come up," she said with a satisfied smile.

            "Well, I'll have you know, I am not an ungrateful bitch." She said and turned on her tan Chloe high heeled boots.

            "I see London, I see France, I see Alyssa Ray's bratty underpants.  England’s couture princess and New York's newest it girl Alyssa Ray has been spotted on various magazine covers strutting with hot eye candy Rashaad Erving.  Just when things seemed super perfect between the alleged couple havoc racked on Alyssa's Upper East Side mansion lawn.  They say the grass is much greener on the other side and apparently Ms. Ray had an intense relationship with England's billionaire heir, Jeremy Van Wald.  After being recruited to UCLA for his basketball skills his extravagantly lavished congratulation party included our little star.  And let's just say the spot light was on her all night as Van Wald made a romantic heart felt tear gauging speech about Alyssa being the love of his life.  As if that was enough the two former lovers shared a saucy tongue down on national TV.  MTV made sure they got footage of the kiss.  Too bad she couldn't kiss and tell because the whole wide world beat her to the punch once Erving found out.  Sources have revealed that not only did she ditch Jeremy after he rescued her from a very intoxicating night, but she went after Erving's who no longer wanted her. What more could a girl ask for besides being the love of Jeremy Van Wald's life
and his hero.  Is it me or is our new it girl just a selfish and ungrateful little bitch?  We all can't have what we want but why is it that those who have it all are never fully satisfied. You heard it hear first, news flash sweetie, maybe your just not it.  Love always your worst enemy," Tiffany shook her head in disbelief after reading the column to Alyssa
who was now in tears.  She shut her white ibook and looked at Alyssa who was sitting on the white beanie chair in the library.

            "I don't understand.  Who would do such a terrible thing like this? This whole thing has been blown out of proportion," Alyssa sobbed as she wiped her face with her Abercrombie and Fitch orange tee.  Her hair was in a messy bun and all her pleats from her uniform were gone.  She was having the worst two weeks of her life.

            "I'll tell you who did this.  It's so fucking obvious your worst enemy.  Come on girl you and I both know who it is," Tiffany replied crossing her arms. Her plum BCBG flats matched her plum vintage cardigan.

            "You don't think it was-"

            "No sweetie. I know it was Nicole fucking Riley! Put the pieces together who else hates you that much?" Tiffany smirked.

            "You are absolutely right! I am going to let her have it this instant!" Alyssa said as she stood up in search of Nicole Riley.

            Alyssa finally spotted Nicole outside of the school sitting on the steps with a familiar face.  Her heart plunged as she saw Rashaad holding her hand.

            "Well, if it isn't Miss Ray," Nicole smiled wickedly as she nudged Rashaad to see for him self.

            Alyssa shook her head disgustedly, "You know I am actually not surprised at your behavior.  You'd do anything to make my life worthless huh? But you, Rashaad, her? The girl you claimed was jocking you for years.  Guess she was your last resort huh?"

            Rashaad looked away from Alyssa in dismay.  He wore his Jackson uniform
and an American Eagle hat.  It was the first time she'd seen him in a week and he looked irresistible sitting there next to the bitch of all bitches.  She blinked back the tears as she waited for him to defend himself but he did nothing but stare at the concrete ground as if she was nonexistent.

            Nicole flung her fresh highlighted hair over her back.  The Tiffany pearls around her neck glowed with her new bone Dior frames. "Listen Alyssa, didn't I warn you about me?  Didn't I tell you that you would regret coming here?  Did you really think you could stand a chance?  I mean sure, I might've got busted about the whole sex scandal, but this
is New York shit happens.  But you my dear, well maybe you just don't belong here anymore.  I suggest you go back to your home where they worship you.  Because that shit just doesn't fly over here.  I mean can't you see your life in New York is over.  He wants me now and not even little old you can ever change his mind.  Oh and by the way your little plot failed because the tables have turned.  And as usual I have prevailed.  Now go home, Alyssa."

            Alyssa shook her head, "This is not the last of me.  It takes more than hypocritical lying bitches like you two to break me.  Get over your self.  This is only the beginning of what you will strive to be.  You my dear will regret this Rashaad.  And you know what don't look at me because I'm too disgusted with the person you've become.  People make mistakes and I thought you would understand that but just maybe you two are one of a kind.  My job here is done!" She turned on her brown Gap flats and left them both staring at her back.
This was not the end.

Chapter 35

Chapter 35-what else could possibly go wrong?

            "There's nothing I could do. He didn't even want to hear me out Alyssa," Tiffany sighed as she took a scoop of her Cold Stone birthday cake remix ice cream into her mouth.  The small shop located in West Village was just about empty that Sunday afternoon.

            Alyssa shook her head in frustration. It had been four days since she returned from her trip and Rashaad still felt the same.  He was fixed on ending their relationship completely.  He hadn't picked up her calls or returned any of her text messages. She even tried waiting for him outside of Jackson but all he did was grimace not even paying her any mind.  She felt like at least Tiffany could help change his mind, but not
even she could persuade him.  She sighed and finally said, "Guess this is it. We are over for real.  I really messed up this time. I'm so dreadful with out him"

            Tiffany shook her hair. The olive green Banana Republic hat covered her curly brown locks of hair, "With out him?  Sweetie, you are you regardless. Don't ever think you’re less because he's not around anymore.  Rashaad's not stupid trust me.  He knows when he has a good thing and I be damned if he lets it go so fast.  So be patient girl."

            Alyssa bit down on her cherry Lancôme glossy lips giving thought to what Tiffany was saying.   Just maybe she was right.  She smoothed out her Stella McCartney cashmere dress and shook her feet in the sand colored Uggs nervously.

            "Relax Lyssa," Tiffany smiled warmly her hazel eyes gleaming brightly with the green Hollister knit sweater, "We all make mistakes. And we are all human and we all learn our lesson.  Remember that girl."

             "You know, Mr. Van Wald called for you several times today princess," Mr. Ray said to  Alyssa as she made her way into the dining room where her mother skimmed through the Wall Street Journal sipping tea.

            Alyssa glared her brown eyes, "Well, since you and Mr. Van Wald are so buddy buddy then how about you let him know not to call me ever again."

            Mrs. Ray looked up from the newspaper startled at Alyssa's tone.  Her new Dior bracelet glistened and her new hair cut shined, "Alyssa, darling, do not take that tone with your father."

            Alyssa slammed her keys down on the glass dining table angrily, "You know exactly what he did and yet you fail to acknowledge it."

            "Do you mean what he did or what you did? Drinking underage, dancing
ridiculously while deeply intoxicated," he responded in his English accent slightly cocking head to the side meeting her glare.

            Alyssa gritted her teeth, "Oh so I got wasted big deal but I wasn't the one taking advantage of someone on national television. So please tell me who the real one to blame here is.  If you would have never practically forced me to go out there then just maybe I wouldn't have been driven to do anything like that father."

            "Listen don't you go there with me young lady. I did what was best for you by having you attend that affair.  And I thought you would receive wonderful publicity in fact you have.  Everyone recognizes you as the future Mrs. Van Wald.  And that speech was all so divine,” he finished with a curt grin.  His Gucci frames sat on the tip of his nose.

            "For the love of Jesus Don’t you get it?  I don't want anything to do with Jeremy anymore.  He is dead to me!  And for you to push us on like this is a waste of your time because it will not be successful at all.  And that speech was a big hoax! You can be fooled by his perfect illusion all you want.  But you cannot fool me any longer. Being money hungry when we are not starving is entirely ridiculous!"

            "Tone down Alyssa.  Your father knows exactly what he is doing so just bare with him!" Mrs. Ray exclaimed.

            "What do you mean bear with him? He won't even take my side.  I'm his fucking daughter! And ever since we've gotten here he has changed! He isn't the same and I don't like it one bit.  So no I won't bear with him if he simply won't bear with me!" Alyssa said and grabbed her Juicy clutch and stormed up the stairs to her room where she cried herself to sleep.
What else could possibly go wrong?

Chapter 34

    Chapter 34- How can I breathe?

            "Morning beautiful," he cooed into her ear while kissing her slightly on the forehead.

            Alyssa jumped up out of the silk blue Ralph Lauren comforter. "What the hell am I doing here?"

            Jeremy sat up revealing a six pack and a toothy grin, "What you so worried about Lyssa.  It's not what you think it is."

            "I need to go..." she began but was interrupted by an outburst of vomit.

            Jeremy carried her to the bed smoothing out her mess of hair and handed her a bucket. "You don't go anywhere. Just stay right here and relax, you had way too much to drink last night."

            Alyssa closed her eyes as images from last night flashed in her mind.  There was the countless drinks, the flattering speech, and the inevitable kiss and so much more she could not remember.  Where was her phone?  Where were Keisha and Vanessa? Why wasn't she with them instead of Jeremy? "Where's my stuff? I need to go! I can not stay here with you. This isn't right, it’s all wrong."

             Jeremy handed the blue clutch over to Alyssa, "Alyssa I know this may seem wrong to you but it seems so right to me.  Like how I already had pajamas for you to wear and how you kissed me back last night.  Don't act like you didn't want this too."
            Alyssa's head immediately throbbed with the thought of that awful kiss.  She found her blackberry and it had fourteen missed calls.  Many from Tiffany and...Rashaad. "Oh my God...Rashaad."

            Jeremy turned on the blue rimmed plasma TV and mumbled, "Rashaad my ass."
            Alyssa's heart dropped as she saw footage of her and Jeremy kissing on MTV. "What the fuck! You couldn't tell them to cut that part out!"

            Jeremy smiled wickedly, "Baby that was the best part of the night."

            Alyssa smacked Jeremy across his face disgusted at his manner, "How dare you!"

            Jeremy grabbed his face blinking several times before he said, "Let's not get physical Alyssa.  It takes two and you damn sure didn't protest.  So don't play victim here."

            "I was drunk you ass and you knew it!" Alyssa cried shaking her head as she listened to her messages.

            Jeremy shrugged absent minded, "It wasn't like I forced those drinks down your throat.  You should be happy that I helped you because your girls were smashed out of their minds.  I'm surprised they managed to get home."

            Alyssa dialed Rashaad's number worried at what he might say to her.  Maybe by some odd chance he didn't watch MTV that morning.

            "Yes," Rashaad said in a monotone.

            "Baby-" she began.

            "Don't. Just stop, I know everything.  And I'm so disappointed in you,
Alyssa.  I can't believe you would do that to me.  Do you know how stupid I feel?  My shorty on national TV kissing some stupid wanna be famous jock.  What the fuck were you thinking?  What the hell was going through your mind?  Let me guess you were drunk?  Funny since you told me you wouldn't even drink.  Another lie, huh?"

            Alyssa turned her back towards Jeremy so he wouldn't see her cry.  "I'm
so sorry Rashaad," she whispered through muffled tears.

            "Yeah you definitely are sorry.  And I'm sorry for ever believing in us.  I should've stuck to my old ways.  I put too much on the line for you and you let me down. Don't even worry about us anymore, we are done.  Case closed.  My reputation is tarnished now.  Thanks a lot shorty," he said angrily.

            "No! Please...don't do this.  It was all a mistake Rashaad.  I would
never do that to you and you know it.  It's not what you think it is.  I love you, you are the only-"

            "I'm not the only. Maybe you should have never come here.  You belong there with your famous jock and your fashion model friends.  This place here isn't for you anymore," he spat.

            Alyssa head throbbed as she began to sob uncontrollably.  It couldn't
be over.  He couldn't throw it all away.

            Jeremy hugged her, "Lyssa baby, don't cry."
            "Yeah baby, I see exactly how you get down. Have fun with that again," he yelled and hung up the phone.

            Alyssa yelled, "This is all your fault!" as she cried loudly.  But it wasn't his fault it was all her fault.  How could she sabotage something so good?  Something she fought so hard to have? Boy was she stupid.  The one thing that made her happy was gone.
How can I breathe now?

Chapter 33

Chapter 33-Or maybe I’m just in over my head

            "That's pretty intense," Vanessa said as she rocked her hips to the sound of P.Diddy's "Diddy Rock." She was tipsy from all of the cosmos she downed over the past hour.

            Alyssa sighed, "I just want to be in Rashaad's arms right now. All this bullshit is stressing me out. I just want to go home and it’s only been a few days."

            Keisha sucked her teeth and said, "Go home? Sweetie, you are home now
don't let this fool ruin everything for you."

            "Yeah, you're right," Alyssa realized as she shook Jeremy from her mind.  It was about time she had some real fun instead of complaining.  She was at a party after all just because he was here didn't mean she couldn't do her own thing.
            Vanessa smirked handing the crystal glass of blue Hypnotiq to Alyssa,"Toast?"

            Keisha and Alyssa both exclaimed, "Toast!"
            "To living life in the moment," Alyssa smiled.
            "To the good life," Keisha cooed.
            "To letting it all go and getting buck wild," Vanessa shouted almost falling off the bar stool in giggles.

            Jeremy looked in Alyssa's direction surprised to see her huddled on the dance floor with Keisha and Vanessa.  All three of the beauties were causing a riot on the dance floor.  Envious girls were forming circles ready to gossip about how bad the infamous threesome looked but in reality they really looked hot. Just about every guy on the dance floor asked them to dance after being shut down constantly.  It was a shame that the whole entire world would see each guy get turned down on TV as MTV recorded everything from a distance.  He fixed his attention back on Alyssa moving back in forth with her hands up in the air.  The Versace mini dress rode up her thighs slightly as she danced faster. His heart began to pulsate as he watched her smile happily.  He hadn't seen her glow like that in such a long time.  His heart sank as he thought of how happy she could actually be with out him.  How was he suppose let the most beautiful thing walk out of his life with out a fight? He had tried once and got shut down twice.  But three's a charm, right he thought trying to figure out his last attempt to win her back. He had to get her back or fail trying.

            It was cold as Alyssa stumbled outside for some fresh air. She was hot from all the dancing and was sweating massively.  She smiled at the starry night.  It always looked so beautiful in London at night she thought.  She was feeling really tipsy from all the Hypnotiq's and Bacardi.  She inhaled and exhaled softly letting the wind envelope her
in a cool breeze.
            "What are you doing out here!" Vanessa shouted drunkenly. "He's about to
make his biggg speech."
            "Yeah, come on lysssa," Keisha slurred dragging her back into the club.
            Alyssa squinted a few times trying to make out Jeremy on top of the huge stage. To the right MTV cameras hovered and to the left photographers snapped pictures of Jeremy smiling ready to begin his anticipated speech.
            He fingered his blue rimmed gold Jacob Jewelers watch nervously as the
podium holding the microphone was placed in front of him. "Ladies and gentlemen can I have your attention for a moment,” he began. "I just want to thank you all for taking your time out to attend my party.  You could have been any where tonight but you were here
celebrating with me and that means a lot.  Getting to where I am today is one of the greatest accomplishments I've made in my life.  And I just want to thank one special person aside from my loving parents who believed in me every step of the way.  Never in a million years did I ever think that I would be getting recruited for UCLA with a full
scholarship for next fall.  This one person was there for me when ever I thought I couldn't do it or I was simply not good enough.  She made me strive for my dreams.  She made me want to touch my future.  She was at all of my games cheering for me in the background when I made an air ball.  She was encouraging me to rebound and even when I thought I couldn't make it she told me that I can.  Because of her my biggest dream
has come true.  And I know I've messed up something pretty good but she is the love of my life.  And I want her to know that I'm sorry and I'm not afraid to admit I was wrong.  I can't stand here and lie about my feelings because quite frankly, I've never felt this way about anyone in my entire life.  She is here tonight.  I present to you my angel and my hero, Alyssa Ray. Please stand up you truly are remarkable.  I love you with all that I
have.  This one is for you girl.  Thank you for everything."
            Alyssa heart began to beat furiously as eyes turned towards her and cameras flashed instantly as she made her way up the stage.  She couldn't believe what he had just said about her.  She was so flattered that she didn't even realize he was kissing her passionately on national TV.  She kissed him back hungrily not fully understanding what was going on thanks to Vanessa and her endless toasts.
Or Maybe I’m just in over my head.

Chapter 32

Chapter 32-Maybe it was a mistake being here

            Alyssa clenched her eyes shut reciting a small prayer in her head as she made her way into the club.  Around the walls were banners of Jeremy Van Wald's adorable face. The entire club was set in blue hues to match his favorite color and his "cool" mood. The invitation said to dress in any shade of blue but to Alyssa's knowledge she had been requested to wear white with a slight hint of blue.  She bit down on her lip nervously trying to figure out why she was freaking out all of a sudden.  She wore her white Versace dress that stopped above her knee.  Her hair was straightened to perfection and all of her blue diamond Cartier jewelry glowed with her chestnut skin. The six-inch blue
Jimmy Choo's on her feet matched the blue Hermes clutch she held in her French manicure hands.  Her make up looked flawless and photographers snapped photos of her as she made her way into the club with Keisha and Vanessa behind her. "Can't believe I'm actually here," Alyssa solked slightly pouting her Estee Lauder covered lips.
            "Neither can I but I won't lie it is spectacular in here," Keisha added as she smoothed out the emerging wrinkle in her coral blue Armani mini-dress.

            "You are so right about that. They even have blue cosmopolitans,” Vanessa piped excitedly as she took one off the silver platter a waiter dressed in blue slacks carried.

            "Yeah, yeah, It's typical Jeremy," Alyssa sighed not impressed.
            "Typical eh?" the familiar voice echoed in Alyssa's right ear.
            Her heart dropped as she spun around and saw Jeremy's smiling face. He wore an all white Tuxedo with a turquoise Burberry patterned tie.  His beautiful brown eyes twinkled slightly and his chinky smile formed the familiar dimple in his right cheek.  He looked down right fine, Alyssa thought trying not to get lost in his captivating gaze. It had been a long time since she'd seen him. He had even cut off his braids and was now
sporting a head full of nice three sixty waves. "Hey,” she finally managed to say after a long time.

            "Oh that's all I get Lyssa?" he asked holding out his arms for a hug.
            Alyssa grimaced snapping back into reality and gave him a quick hug barely allowing him to touch the small of her back.

            "How about we grab something to drink and greet out guest," he said as he pushed her into the crowd of eager guests including the same people from Baldwin Academy who use to envy the young couple.

            “Our guest?” Alyssa questioned as she masked a fake smile and waved to countless faces.  In the corner of the room was MTV taping live footage of the affair for a new special featuring the infamous new upcoming athlete.
            Jeremy put his arm around her waist as he walked her over to his parents eagerly, "You don't know how special you are to me. What's mine is practically yours."

            Before Alyssa could even respond she was in front of the billion dollar Van Wald's standing with broad smiles at the site of them matching perfectly.

            "Darling what an honor it is to have you back here in London to celebrate Jeremy's most splendid accomplishment," Mrs. Van Wald boasted as she air kissed Alyssa.

            Alyssa smiled politely and responded, "Thank you for having me take
part."

            "Don't thank us. Thank your father; he is such a good man. I know how much it means for him to see the two of you back together," Mr. Van Wald added standing tall in an all white Versace suit with blue lining.

            "Back together again?" Alyssa drawled confused as she scrunched up her
face in a quizzical expression.

            Jeremy laughed nervously, "Yeah, that's enough Dad. We are just going to uhrm...hang out in young VIP."

            Alyssa turned on her heels furiously storming away. Who said they were back together? What lie was Jeremy pulling?  He was lucky she even attended the stupid party.

            "Wait Lyssa please," Jeremy called after catching up to her near the ladies room.
            "What! What do you want Jeremy?  You plot things behind my back! And now you pull this?  Is there something else I need to know?  For God's sake I'm turning sixteen not twenty one. I feel like your trying to marry me or something!" Alyssa exclaimed angrily.

             Jeremy sighed throwing his hands up in the air defeated, "Alyssa I can't lie to you.  Truth is I love you so much it hurts.  All I wanted was for you to celebrate this special day with me.  I just want us to be us again.  I just want you to love me again. I just wanted to show my parents that I wasn't worthless and that I was ready to continue the legacy with a beautiful young lady in the future.  I just want you to be that
one for me."

            Alyssa sighed, "Jeremy, it just can't be that way anymore. I have a boyfriend and no you are not him so please, stop showing me off like your trophy.  You’re the one with all the awards just focus on that and let us go.  It's just not meant to be I guess.  I don't want to hurt you, I never would, but we both know this thing ended months ago."

            Jeremy clenched his jaw not willing to accept the rejection and responded coolly, "So he's that much better then me?"
            Alyssa stared up at his light skinned face. He looked like he was on he verge of tears the same way he did the day she left for New York. "Honestly, yes."

            Jeremy punched the blue and white wallpapered wall angrily, "What do I
have to do to win you back? Tell me! Please Alyssa."

            Alyssa was so startled by his outbreak and could only manage a weak, “Nothing." She walked away shaking her head in disbelief ready to leave the party all together.
Maybe it was a mistake being here.