~*Mandy*~
As Vanessa stomped off, John reached his hand out and I took it. He pulled me too my feet. My head hurt, but I kept quiet. “I’m so sorry, she was out of line.” He apologized. I felt bad for him that he got stuck with Vanessa. She really was a mean girl who never got punished for anything. I was sure she could kill me and somehow she would be the innocent one.
“It’s not your fault.” I said quietly.
“I know but still…” He looked down.
“You might want to go before you get yelled at.” Jason said. John nodded.
“I’m sorry again.” He bowed quickly and ran off to find Vanessa again. Jason and I were now alone again. We had gone out to the garden to relax for a few minutes before we were forced to help prepare for Vanessa’s party, but not much relaxing was done.
“I’m sorry for the trouble S-Sir.” I apologized.
“It’ll be alright.” He said. I kept my head down, ashamed that I always seemed to anger Vanessa, and then spark a fight.
“Don’t let her bother you.” I looked up and he smiled sweetly. I blinked and then bowed, my face heating up slightly.
“Yes Sir.” I said softly.
“Come on, let’s keep walking.” He said pointing to the path.
“Yes Sir.” I repeated and followed closely behind. We walked until we got to the family graveyard on the edge of the gardens. Generations upon generations were buried here.
“What’s this?” Jason asked, stopping and walking over to a grave.
“I-I do believe that is a gravestone Sir.” I said as respectfully as I could.
“No I didn’t mean the gravestone…I meant this.” He got down and picked up a thin, chain necklace with a beautiful, ice blue crystal hanging in the middle. It was gorgeous.
“Perhaps it is Vanessa’s necklace and s-she dropped it.” I suggested. It seemed to be something Vanessa would want. It was shiny, and it was a piece of jewelry.
“No she doesn’t have something like this.” Jason stood back up. “Come here.” I did as I was told and walked over to him timidly. He walked behind me. I stiffened up a little, but didn’t move an inch. I felt something around my neck and I went to grab it and pull, but I realized Jason was putting the necklace on me. It took him a couple tries, but he got it to hook. It hung comfortably around my neck, the crystal dangling right next to my rapidly beating heart. “There, it looks good on you.” He said when he came back around and looked at me. I blushed, surprised that he had given it to me.
“T-Thank you.” I stuttered. I was flattered, and so very happy in that moment.
“You’re welcome.” He smiled, making me blush deeper. His eyes almost sparkled, and that was what made me the happiest. It was my job to protect him, and I took that seriously. But, I couldn’t really fight, so I figured I could compensate by making him as happy as I could. And something about that, made everything I went through worth it. Every smile I saw on his face made me feel like I was doing something right.
“W-We should get back Sir, we will be missed.” I said coming back down to earth.
“Alright…Oh and Mandy you can call me Jason without the sir.”
“Ok, J-Jason.” His name rolled off my tongue, and it felt nice, I wasn’t used to it though. I was always told to be as respectful as possible towards every member of the family. Even Vanessa.
“Thanks.” He said. We walked towards the mansion together. I fiddled with my hands, and picked at my cuticles. I finally spoke up softly, controlling my voice to make sure I wouldn’t stutter.
“If I may say, I don’t understand how Miss Vanessa can get away with so many things.” I said. Jason looked down.
“My parents always liked Vanessa more then me.” He said.
“But, your parents love you, they shouldn’t like one child more than another.” I spoke up.
“Sadly enough it is. Vanessa’s always been sheltered. After all, we aren’t really related. My father married her mother when we were extremely young. He adores his wife, and the little girl he got to call his daughter. They agreed to keep my mothers name instead of my father’s so that Vanessa could take her place as the head of the family. Pushing me out of the way since I am not a Vessalius biologically.” He sighed. “But, we can’t do anything about it, so there is no need to complain I guess.” I nodded but then I heard Vanessa’s voice as we got to the front part of the garden.
“Hey!” She was walking right over to where we were.
“I guess that means us. Just stay behind me.” Jason stepped in front of me. Vanessa was wearing her party dress. I would have loved to have something like that, but I knew it would never happen. I was just a servant girl for Jason, so the family only gave me what was necessary. Jason got a little more, but Vanessa was the one they splurged on.
“Wow, purple’s in here too, that’s a first.” Jason said. Vanessa claimed she didn’t like purple, yet her dress had purple beading all over it.
“Oh, Mandy, where did you get that necklace?” She asked when she poked her head around Jason and looked at me. My stomach dropped. She was eyeing something I had, and that was never a good thing. She twisted around her brother and reached for my neck.
“I gave it to her.” Jason grabbed my hand and pulled me away from Vanessa before she could gat a hold of me.
“It’s mine, and I want it.” She said angrily.
“No.” Jason said firmly.
“It’s mine now give it to me!” She yelled. I was about to take it off and give it to her just to make her stop, but Jason pulled me away from Vanessa even more.
“No it’s not Vanessa. Maybe you should stop being so greedy and learn that everything isn’t yours.” He turned and jogged away, keeping a hold of my hand as I was almost dragged behind. We slowed down and ended up going into the mansion and made our way to the ballroom. We saw there were some more decorations to get put up, so we started on that. Suddenly the mistress came in, looking displeased. Vanessa followed close behind. I knew this wasn’t going to be good.
“Mandy, Jason, I need to have a word with you.” She said as Vanessa smirked behind her.
“What did we do wrong?” Jason asked his mother as I came over and bowed.
“Well I think Mandy knows.” She said. I kept my head bowed, and waited.
“If it’s about the necklace it’s not Vanessa’s she’s lying just to get what she wants. It was mine and I gave it to Mandy, Mother please listen to me…” Jason got cut off.
“She took it from my room! I wanted to wear it today, and she stole it from me!” Vanessa pointed at me. I looked up a little and stayed silent.
“Fine whatever Mandy, just give it to Vanessa.” Jason muttered, knowing he wasn’t going to win this battle.
“That’ll teach you to take things that are mine.” Vanessa smiled at me. I took off the necklace and Vanessa snatched it from me.
“I’m very disappointed in you Mandy. We give you everything and you repay us by stealing?” The Mistress said. “You will not attend the party, you will go to your room without food for the rest of the day and you will stay there until I come and get you.”
“Yes Ma’am.” I whispered and left immediately to my room. I went in and closed my door, laid down on the bed, and cried. Vanessa was so awful, I knew she liked to make me upset just for fun. I silently hoped everything would go wrong for her, and that she suffered just like I had to everyday I was forced to see her. I heard Jason yell from in my room, since the ballroom was directly below my room.
“You’re never happy if someone has something that you don’t, aren’t you? You’re such an ungrateful little brat!” I smiled just a little, knowing that at least Jason was on my side.
