“Momma,” like someone was hurting her, then woke up. Andrea didn’t think she was screaming for her. She knew she was likely screaming for Mrs. Peterson. All she knew was that whatever was happening was not good. When she woke, Ana looked relieved, and reached up for Andrea and said, “Mom? Mom, I was so scared.” Andrea reassured her, hushed her, and held her until she fell back asleep. Ana didn’t recall the dream the next day. Andrea realized then that the beautiful seventeen-year-old girl she saw as perfection had been hurt and left scarred. Andrea promised she would hold her until the hurt went away and the scars faded. She had just found her, and she would never leave her alone again.

  Ana went to school that week and auditioned for theater on Thursday. She was chosen to read again on Friday. The show premiered sometime near the last week of school in mid-May. She hesitated even auditioning because she wanted to go back to the academy and see Jude graduate, which was the same week as the show. On Friday night, she got a call from Brittani that the parts had been posted online. Ana nervously checked the website and saw that she had, in fact, gotten the lead female role. She was happy but sad at the same time. She knew if she took the part, she definitely couldn’t leave England to go see Jude in Virginia. Brittani was very excited for Ana, and she, too, had gotten a role in the play. Ana didn't know whether to tell her mother for fear she would expect her to take the role without even considering going to see Jude. Play practice began on Saturday afternoon at two o’clock. Ana had talked to Jude but had neglected to tell him about her being chosen for the role. The graduation ceremony and the play party were the same night as the final show. Ana couldn’t tell her mom about her role yet, but if she found out, that wouldn’t be good for Ana. Ana wanted to get a feel for what her mother might say if she asked her to go back to the U.S to see Jude, but she didn’t want to divulge the truth about the play.

  Andrea was already up morning when Ana woke at eight. Ana found her drinking coffee at the kitchen table, reading something on her iPad. Ana sat down with her own cup of coffee and asked, “Is there any way I could go to Virginia to see Jude graduate?”

  Andrea looked at her and chose her words carefully. “That would depend on what the trip entailed and what your end of semester grades are.”

  “It would just be to see him graduate and then to go to the celebration afterward. I guess you could call it like a dinner then dance type thing.”

  “When is it?” Andrea asked.

  “May tenth.”

  Andrea picked up her coffee and took a sip. She would have to talk to Phillip, but she felt it shouldn't be a problem. Of course, they would need to stay a few days at least to make the distance worth it. “Have you asked your dad?”

  “No, I wanted to see what you would say.”

  “You have to ask your dad, and then we might talk about it.”

  “I could fly out on the Wednesday before the last day of school and be back on Saturday, or whenever you say you want me back home.” Ana was trying to convince her mother. “I could stay with Natilee. Her parents will be there also.”

  Andrea laughed a little. “Ana, you will not be traveling to the United States by yourself. You’re seventeen, are you crazy?”

  “Well, are you going with me?”

  “If we allow you to go, yes, I will be with you. Going alone would never fly with me, and with your dad, that idea would sink like a rock.” Andrea shook her head.

  “Well, is there a chance you would let me? I need a realistic answer.”

  “Right now, today, you need to know?” Andrea was curious why she needed a decision today. Ana looked like that wasn’t the way she wanted the conversation to go.

  “I’ll ask Dad,” Ana replied, then walked to the pantry for cereal. Ana sat down with her mom and ate. They didn't really have any plans today, but Ana knew she needed to be at the school at two o’clock if she wanted anything to do with the production. Drake was home, so she hoped she could spend some time with him doing something fun. She hasn't ridden all week and wondered if he would go with her. Ever since the Travis appearance on the road near the stables, her parents hadn't wanted her to visit the stables alone. It did get her out of working at the stables, but it limited her time there also. She had gotten a few texts from Travis, but she had ignored them. She didn't feel like it would be beneficial to keep in touch at all. She finished her breakfast and asked her mother if she could ride with Brittani to play practice.

  “When will you know who got what parts?” Andrea asked her.

  “Soon,” Ana replied.

  “I’ll take you to the theatre. I need to stop by my office anyway and catch up on some work.”

  Phillip was home for the weekend and was playing golf in the afternoon with a friend, so Ana knew she should ask him soon before her mom talked to him. He was in the garage fiddling with some parts and some tools he had on a workbench. “Hey, Dad?” Ana said.

  “Yes, dear.”

  “Am I off restriction?”

  “I think you have until next weekend.”

  “Dad, you said I was on restriction until you said so, so you can make it when you want it.” Ana smiled, thinking he had forgotten what he had said.

  “Yes, I remember, next weekend it is.”

  “Dad?”

  “Yes, Ana.”

  “You remember my friend Jude? He’s graduating in six weeks, and I was wondering if I could go? I mean, if I have supervision.” Ana stood staring at him, waiting on him to respond.

  “For how long?”

  “I was thinking maybe three or four days.”

  “Have you asked your mother?”

  “Yes, she said to ask you.”

  “Well, if you have asked her, then let us discuss it, and we will let you know.”

  “Can you discuss it soon, so I can tell him if I can come?” she asked.

  “We will talk about it before dinner,” he said, trying to be open-minded to her request. He didn't want Ana going back to the U.S., but he realized she had close friends, and this was important to her. Her mother or Diane would have to go, of course, if she was permitted to go. Ana seemed happy they were going to consider her request and accepted the timeframe. Maybe she had matured some after the Travis ordeal.

  Ana called Jude to tell him that her parents were at least considering a trip to see him graduate. After they hung up, Jude snapped a picture of himself smiling with big teeth, showing off his chest in his bathroom mirror. He had just had a haircut. She replied back with a selfie sitting outside on the covered porch. “You’re so pretty,” he replied.

  “Thanks, you’re pretty sexy with that haircut,” she answered. Then he sent a picture of himself posing shirtless, flexing his muscles, almost laughing. Ana loved seeing him on her snaps. When her notification chimed, she was automatically excited. She replied mostly with selfies and texts but tried not to get too carried away with Snapchat. Her mom dropped her off at the theatre, and Ana waved goodbye. She dreaded talking to the director and hoped she wouldn't be mad and never consider her for another role. Although, it really didn't matter because she might be at St. Catherine’s College next year if she could get all her credits from high school to transfer. When Ana walked in, the whole class started clapping. Ana thought it was a joke because she was a few minutes late, but it wasn’t. Ana was embarrassed and sat down quickly. The director, Beth, said, “They are congratulating you on your leading role,” and smiled.

  Ana smiled back and said, “Thank you,” in a meek voice. She wished she could disappear. How was she going to turn the role down after this? Ana listened as the director discussed the play practice schedule and the production dates. May 8th, 9th and 10th were the show dates, and Ana knew Jude’s graduation was May 11th. There was no way she could get there in time. Ana was present for the meeting but wasn’t mentally there. She was trying not to freak out, and her mind was spinning. Maybe she could miss the tenth and make it to his graduation, but she knew that would be wrong. She looked at the casting list in her hand. Under her name was listed an understudy, Lillie King. Ana looked at Lillie King, trying to justify what she was contemplating. At that time, it was the only solution that would allow her to please Jude, herself, her classmates, and her mother. She could just not show up for the last performance, and Lillie could take her place. It would be deceitful to conceal the details of the show dates from her mom, and there was no way in hell her mom would let her skip out on the last performance knowingly. She needed her mom to accompany her to the U.S., and there was no way she would go if she knew Ana was purposely skipping out. On the other hand, she thought maybe she could tell her mom the truth, that she would rather see Jude than be in the play. But she felt like her mom would not approve, then might not allow her to go see Jude at all. If she could keep the dates from them, she could have her parents come to the play the first or second night, then they could get on a plane the next day, and Ana could pretend she never missed it. But would it work? She needed advice, but she didn't trust her brother to keep this secret. She texted Brittani, “Hey, we have to talk.” She met Brittani after the class, explained her dilemma and her possible solution.

  “Do you think it will work? I mean, the play will be advertised, and if she sees the dates, you're screwed,” Brittani said, being honest with her friend.

  “I know, but if she stays away from the school, maybe she won't see anything, and maybe if she does, I can say the dates were changed,” Ana said on a whim.

  “Girl, you sure you want to do this?”

  “I want to be in the play, and I want to see Jude. I have a replacement Brittani, Lilly. If I tell my mom I auditioned and then turned it down because of Jude, she’ll get all disappointed and tell me I can't go. You know it’s true.”

  “Yeah, I guess you're right.”

  “What if she finds out while you're in the U.S. or when you get home?” Brittani asked.

  “I don't know. Maybe by then, it won't matter,” Ana answered.

  “What’s she going to do to ground me? Ok, I can handle that,” Ana said, making fun of her mother's effort to discipline her.

  Brittani laughed. “Well, I need to enjoy seeing you while I can, because when she finds out you lied, you might be sent off like your brother.” Brittani took Ana home. “Bye, friend, text me later.” Ana shut the door and waved. She walked into the house where nobody seemed to be home. She walked up to her room and started googling airline tickets trying to think how she would get what she wanted without her mother finding out she was being manipulated.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The Plan

  Drake had gone with his dad down to the stables. Ana wasn't home, and his dad wanted him to help check on the horses. Drake and Phillip rode home in the ATV. “Hey, son, what are you going to do this summer?” Phillip asked.

  “I don’t know. I guess I’ll be here,” Drake replied.

  “How is school?”

  “Fine, just ready for this year to be over. Hey Dad, look. Whose vehicle is that?” Drake had seen a blue truck pulled down off the road.

  “I don't know?” Phillip said as he slowed. It was Travis’s truck, and Drake recognized it once he got closer. From the road, you could see the truck, but they were unable to see much inside.

  “Dad, that looks like Travis’s truck.” Drake wished it wasn’t true.

  “Really? What the bloody hell is he doing here?” Phillip turned in the direction of the truck and started to get out of the ATV.

  “Dad, don’t get out. You don’t know. He may have a gun.”

  “Drake, don’t be stupid,” Phillip said, but he considered that Drake might be right.

  “I think he’s crazy if he’s sitting here, so he could be crazy enough to have a gun,” Drake said, sounding like he may be on to something. Phillip turned the ATV around, and they left. Drake didn't see any movement in the truck, but he had an eerie feeling that was hard to describe. “Are you going to tell Ana?” Drake asked.

  “I don’t want to scare her, but I think we should.” Phillip pulled up to the back of the house, Ana was home, and Andrea was pulling in. “Hey, babe,” Phillip said as she walked into the house.

  “Hi, what have you two been doing?” Andrea asked.

  “We just rode down to check on the horses,” Phillip replied.

  “Yeah, Mom, we saw Travis’s truck parked on that back road out of sight,” Drake said.

  Andrea looked perplexed. “Really, I wonder what he is doing down there?”

  “I don’t know, but I didn’t approach the truck, so I don’t know if he was in it,” Phillip said.

  “That is weird. Do you think he’s hunting?” Andrea asked.

  “Yeah, sure is. Hunting tail,” Drake said sarcastically.

  “Drake, we don’t need that. Ana is not involved with him anymore.” Andrea said.

  “Well, then he needs to go somewhere else. That is just weird,” Drake said.

  “I agree,” Andrea said. They walked into the house and found Ana sitting in a chair talking to someone on FaceTime.

  “Hello, Ana. Who are you talking to?” asked Phillip.

  “It's Jude, Dad. Say hello.” Phillip stepped into view, said hello, waved, and smiled.

  “Hello, Sir, nice to meet you. I mean, virtually anyhow,” Jude said, smiling. Phillip said “hello,” and waved at Jude on the screen.

  Phillip went to help Andrea with some bags she needed to be carried in. Ana finished up her call with Jude and started reading her script. “Ana, did you get the part you wanted,” Drake asked.

  “Yeah, I did,” Ana said.

  “That is great news. Great job, Ana,” said Phillip.

  Andrea walked in the door. “Did you say she got the part?” She looked very excited.

  “Yeah, I got it,” Ana said, smiling.

  “That is wonderful. We should celebrate,” Andrea said to them. Nellie joined them in the kitchen, and she and Andrea began discussing dinner plans. Andrea and Nellie started cooking while the kids and Phillip sat out on the patio.

  “Hey Dad, remember you and mom are supposed to discuss me going to Jude’s graduation,” Ana reminded him.

  “Oh yeah, that is right.” He got up to join Andrea and Nellie in the kitchen.

  “Good luck,” Drake said.

  “What do you mean by that? I’m almost an adult, so I could go on my own.” Ana looked at him like he was stupid.

  “I’m just saying there is no way. Mom is going to let you go by yourself to the U.S. to see a guy.”

  “Yeah, I know that dummy. She’s coming with me.”

  “Still, I’ll be surprised if they let you go.”

  “Well, you don’t know everything, so I hope you’re wrong,” Ana said and smirked.

  “Travis Ana, remember him? Yeah, that wasn’t too long ago, and I know they haven’t forgotten.”

  “Drake, I don’t need to be reminded, and it isn’t like you haven’t ever done anything wrong.”

  “Well, I didn’t get Dad called by some asshole he works with to tell him you're screwing some college kid.” Drake was getting frustrated with his sister.

  “Drake, why do you have to be such an ass? You know I didn’t do that.”

  “I’m just saying it's not going to happen!”

  “Shut up, Drake!” Ana said, almost shouting.

  Andrea stepped out on the patio. She had overheard them from inside, and they looked like they were both frustrated. “What is going on out here?” She was waiting for an answer. “Speak.” She looked at Ana and Drake, and they both started yelling at the same time.

  “She’s being bitchy, and I’m just trying to tell her,” Drake said angrily.

  “He’s being an ass because he thinks he knows it all,” Ana said with echoed anger.

  Andrea stepped between the two, who were now standing, facing each other. Other than the fact that Drake was a few inches taller than Ana, they could have been twins. Andrea pushed them apart. “Stop it now, both of you shut up and sit down. Keep it up, and both of you will get your mouth washed out with soap,” Andrea said, yelling over them. They both stopped. Drake was still mad, but he just stared at Ana. “Do we want to go there?” She looked at Ana, who was still focused on Drake and clearly furious.