Read Under Ground for Free Online Page B

transgress?" he asks Melissa, his
eyes shifting to me quickly in disapproval.
    "They are disowned by their
families, Sir."
    That's exactly what would be
happen to me were I to disobey. My parents would kick me out of
their house. I would have nowhere to go. I doubt anyone would be
willing to take me in, for fear it might tarnish their
reputation.
    "Correct. And what happens to
those girls?" the teacher asks.
    "They become homeless."
    "Yes, and rightfully so," he
replies.
    I have to breathe deeply to remain
impassive. I’ve seen some of those girls before; they roam our
streets like wraiths before disappearing into oblivion, so
inconsequential that they end up fading away. I think about the boy
I saw at the football field and suddenly hope never to see him
again. He had trouble written all over that impish smile of his. I
don't need this kind of temptation in my life.
    ***
    The rest of the
month is filled with classes that
do nothing but insult my intelligence, followed by painful meetings
with the Foxes on weekends. William ignores me every single time.
Thus far, all he has proven is that I'm not worth the effort of a
mere interaction. I might as well turn into the brainless
decorative plant that he believes me to be. I just take my fate
like a pill, swallow it down, and try to digest the multiple
offenses I undergo on a daily basis, my fists discreetly clenched
in anger, my fake smile hiding my grinding teeth.
    I hope today will help change
William's attitude toward me though. A ball has been organized at
his school. This is our first official date, the first outing
involving just the two of us. William is to pick me up at my house.
I’m terrified at the thought of being alone with him. I don’t even
know what he likes. I’m afraid the conversation might run dry
really quickly. I have to seem knowledgeable and avoid any idle
small talk that would make me sound like a foolish girl. Mother has
put a lot of emphasis on all this, and she has put a lot of work in
choosing the perfect dress for me, too.
    All day long, my heart has been
pounding to the point where it might explode. Every so often, I’m
able to breathe, calm down, and think about something else. But any
time I think about the ball and the car ride to William's school,
my heart starts hammering again. Because William comes from a
higher part of the upper class, his family owns a car, which is
quite rare. Only the richest members of our society are allowed to
possess a vehicle. The rest of us must take the trains dedicated to
our different social ranks.
    The moment William comes to pick
me up arrives faster than I expected, and when the chimes ring, my
heart stops beating. Walter opens the door. William’s driver is
there waiting. My mother looks at me one last time and nods. I look
good enough that I may proceed to the car. I walk to the front door
like a condemned woman on death row. I try to breathe over and over
again. Breathe, I tell myself, the trick is to keep breathing and
not faint.
    The driver leads me to the
vehicle. I’m shocked to see it’s a limousine. Such luxury implies
that William’s family is even wealthier than I had realized. The
back door is open. The driver takes me to it, and I step inside as
graciously as possible. William is there sitting in the back seat.
He doesn’t turn his head as I get in. He’s looking outside the
window as if he can’t get far enough from me. This promises to be a
great date! I clear my throat to indicate that I’m here though for
sure he’s aware of my presence. He finally deigns to turn his head
and look at me. He sizes me up, but he doesn’t smile. He just nods
his head to greet me.
    The car starts and my heart
squeezes slightly.
    "Are you thirsty?" William asks
me.
    My throat is dry. I could
definitely use a drink.
    "We have soda, juice, or liquor,"
he adds.
    I’ve never been in a car before.
I’m surprised there’s actual alcohol in it and even more shocked
that William is allowed to drink it.