#Willard and Semantha
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How A Girl Must Live Ch 2
Ch 2: Popular
ch 1: A place for singles, Ch 3 Opening Up ch 4: Dating Ch 5:Family Ch 6 Violence begets Violence Ch 7 Love Birds
Notes: This chapter is inspired by the Nada Surf song, Popular. In the song they quote an actual book for girls called The Teenage Guide to Popularity. It was a Manuel that came out in 1951. It became a book in 1960. The Teenage Guide to Popularity.
Thanks for reading so far paulweirdley, loomiz, ch4sing-oceans , goblincxnt , waywardtigersandwich , super-pink-a-palouza , ameliachastain, thestonerosas, rouge-coquelicot, nerdicesbro, @lizziejorgie,
Three alarm clocks ring loudly in unison at 4 in the morning. Samantha pulls her pillow over her head as the rest scatter to get beautiful for whomever will meet them at the door to escort them to breakfast. There chatter about “the one” is annoying her as she tries to sleep another hour at least.
“Wake up silly goose,” Missy grabs the pillow off her face. “You do not want to face your likely future husband without your face on.”
“My face is naturally fine,” Samantha mumbles sleepily. “I can throw on some lipstick and put my hair up in a twist.”
Her roommates flitted around tossing dresses and undergarments everywhere as they giggle and talk of possibilities. As things pile up on Samantha, she huffed loudly and throws it all on the floor getting up to go to one of two bathrooms connected to the room. She knocks.
“I’ll be a few minutes,” Flora chirped sweetly as she worked on her no makeup, makeup look.
Samantha stomped to the other side of the room grabbing a random dress from the pile hoping it might be one of hers or at least fit halfway descent. She flew into an open restroom as soon as she saw one of the girls come out. As she was pouting her lips to apply some stain a knock was heard at the door.
Her roommates cackled loudly as she straightened the dress she put on and did a little twist.
“It’s for you Samantha.” The girls’ voices rang with surprise.
Samantha made her entrance with a bored look on her face. All the girls watched her float across the room just as she had been taught. “I suppose I am ready.” She looked at her escort. It was one of the boys that was playing cards with Willard the night before.
“I’m Mr. Jonas.” The boy smiled. “It is nice to see you Miss. Samantha.”
“Thank you, Mr. Jonas.” She held his arm. “I would rather keep my late nice adventure between us if that is alright with you?”
“Of course, Miss Samantha.” He saw her to her seat for breakfast. ‘May I call on you for a walk after breakfast?”
“That would be fine, Mr. Jonas.” She smiled politely knowing she really was not allowed to say no. It was just a walk. She was planning to take one to explore the place anyway before her art class.
The boys sat down to a full plate of bacon, sausage, two pieces of buttered toast and a fruit salad with cherries, oranges, peaches, and pears. The girls could choose between bacon or sausage with dry toast and the same fruit bowl but one cherry, half, and orange, half a peach and half a pear.
“Eat slowly young ladies,” Mrs. Sally chided as she walked around the girls’ tables.
Mr. Jones walked around the boys’ tables darkly. “Chew with your mouths closed gentlemen. Never shovel your food into your mouths like a bunch of Heathens.”
“Being attractive is the most important thing there is.” Mrs. Sally lectured as they all ate. “If you want to catch the biggest fish in your pond, you must be as attractive as possible. Make sure to keep your hair spotless and clean. Wash it at least every two weeks. “
“That goes for you boys also.” Mr. Jones agreed. “Grooming is important if you want to be noticed by gentler ones who will make your house a home.”
“Here we support a one-week limit on going steady.” Mrs. Sally continued. “I think it will keep people more able to get to know more people.”
“Yes, there are many beautiful girls here.” Mr. Jones winks at the girls. Most of them giggle. “Give as many as you can a chance.”
“Complementing goes a long way boys and girls.” Mrs. Sally goes to stand in the center.
“Good point sweetheart.” Her husband joins her kissing her cheek. She blushes. “Boys if you would like to make lunch or dinner plans to have with one of the girls talk to me soon. Have a fun today. You are dismissed. I want to see Miss Samantha, Mr. Jonas, Mr. Goodland, and Mr. Stokes in my office before you go about your day.”
Samamtha’s eyes shot open with surprise as she stood.
Mr. Jonas walked over to her. “Don’t worry doll.” He whispered in her ear. “You were never there. I keep secrets.” He winked and escorted her to the office.
As everyone walked in Mr. Russel stood from a chair in the corner. He nodded expressionless. When Samantha looked his way, he looked away towards the boys.
“Mr. Goodland has brought to my attention an incident that happened last night that all of you witnessed.” Mr. Jones started. “Did you have a violent outburst against Mr. Goodland, Mr. Russel?”
Mr. Russel cleared his throat. “I don’t know why the female is here, but I did reprimand Mr. Goodland for his disrespectful statements about the gentler sex. I don’t want to scare the young lady with what Mr. Goodland said.”
“Are you kidding me?” Mr. Goodland whined. “She witnessed the whole damn thing.”
“Language Mr. Goodland.” Mr. Jones warned. “Do any of you other boys remember Miss Samantha there when she should have been in bed.”
“I just knew I wanted to get to know her better after seeing her at dinner last night.” Mr. Jonas remarked. “I’m hoping to still get that walk after this Miss. Samantha.” He nodded to her with a smile.
“Mr. Stokes?” Mr. Jones lifted an eyebrow to the young pudgy boy.
Mr. Stokes swallowed hard darting his eyes to everyone in the room. “It was just us boys and Mr. Russel learnin’ some life lessons, Sir.”
“Learning not learnin’.” Mr. Jones correct. “You are dismissed Miss Samantha. You may stick around right outside the door. I will not keep you waiting for your first date long.”
“Thank you, Mr. Jones.” Samantha curtsied before rushing out of the room. She could hear the men and boys speaking as she stood there waiting. She stayed because she was told to and because she was curious if her being there would come up again.
“I can’t believe you believe them over me.” Mr. Goodland yelled. “My Father will hear about this and he can destroy you.”
“Enough, Mr. Goodland.” Mr. Jones cut him off. “I am in charge here. Mr. Russel this is your second warning not to get too rough with guests. But please, tell me what happened that you couldn’t say in front of the girl.”
“I was discussing with the boys how important it is to treat your girl with kindness.” Mr. Russel glared at the boy. “That little fuck thinks it is perfectly fine to hit women to keep them in line. It is something he learned. It is something he should unlearn while he is here. Don’t you agree, Mr. Jones?”
“Agreed.” Mr. Jones glared at the boy also. “I don’t care what goes on in your home young man. That is between your Mother and Father. Here we treat them as the delegate flowers they are. Still, Mr. Russel, The boys bruised head shows you over did it a little. You come to me next time instead of dealing with it yourself. You hear me?”
“Yes, yes Sir.” Mr. Russel answered promptly like he was back in the military.
“Good, I think we are done here.” He smiles and pats Mr. Jonas on the back. “Have a nice date young man. Shall I expect the two of you need a dinner table to yourself?”
Mr. Jonas enthusiastically beamed. “That would be great Mr. Jones.”
Mr. Jones nodded. Mr. Goodland stormed off. Mr. Russel moseyed out next. Samantha looked up at him as he was leaving. He put his finger to his lips in a shushing gesture. She smiled and nodded.
When Mr. Johnas came out, he jetted his cricked arm out. “Let us go for that walk doll. We still have time before your art class. You can tell me about what you will be painting. I hope it is not dogs playing poker.” He chuckled.
She giggled. “I don’t think I could if I wanted to. Maybe, I will paint the lake.”
“Sounds lovely, Miss Samantha.” He escorted her outside. “I made dinner plans for us tonight.”
“That sounds lovely, Mr. Jonas.” She smiled kindly. She did not really feel any attraction towards the boy but he did stick up for her so she figured a walk and dinner was the least she could do.
“We shall walk down around the lake, so you get a full view of your subject.” He smiles as he escorts her to the shores of the small misshapen lake.
The lake is inhibited by a family of ducks paddling around. Two babies follow their Mother. She is gently quacking for them to keep up with her.
“May I ask what classes you will be taking today, Mr. Jonas.” She smiles politely hoping she did not overstep her bounds.
“I have an etiquette class.” He stops the two of them walking to look over the lake. “Just a refresher course. I will go to Columbia University in the fall to major in finance, so I am taking a finance class here also. Money is so interesting...”
As he continues to speak about his love for money Mr. Russel catches her eye. Instead of the suit that is mostly warn by all men at the resort he has a button up with on. Still in his dress pants but his sleeves are rolled up to show off his biceps as he carries tables, chairs, easels, and a few suitcases full of supplies to set up the painting area for her class.
The sun is hot. Sweat beaded up glistening off his forehead. As he wiped the perspiration, he noticed Samantha and smiled nodding kindly. An unfamiliar heat rose in her cheeks. She looked away. Mr. Jonas noticed she was suddenly flushed.
“Oh my, let me get you a drink my dear.” He ushered her back towards the main building. “I didn’t realize you were so sensitive to the sun. I have an aunt that always has a parasol when going out since she too has a sun sensitivity.”
As they are leaving the lake front, Mr. Russel hears a Lady’s voice call to him.
“Mr. Russel can you move everything a few more feet from the lake.” It is Miss Tracie with two glasses of lemonade in her hands.
“Of course, Miss Tracie.” He starts to move things.
“My word, come get a drink before you finish, Mr. Russel.” She holds out a lemonade as she sits in a chair under a shady tree. “I can’t have you falling over with dehydration.”
He takes the drink and sits across from her. “I’ve learned to be like a camel in the army, Miss Tracie.” His lips puckered as he took a sip of lemonade.
“Well, thank you for your service.” She finished her lemonade, put the empty cup down and started putting paints out.
He just nodded finishing his lemonade. He knew when he brought up being in the war most people got uncomfortable. It made him uncomfortable to think about the terror he saw there also. After moving, some tables and chairs that were too close to the lake, he politely said his farewells. “Would you like me to take the empty glasses to the kitchen?”
“That would be kind of you, Mr. Russel.” She smiled kindly. “Thank you for all your help.”
“You are welcome Miss Tracie.” The girls were being escorted to the art tables. Mr. Russel glanced at Samantha as Mr. Jonas escorted her.
“I will be fine, Mr. Jonas.” She assured him not looking in Mr. Russel’s direction this time. “I just needed some water. I feel fine. I will see you at dinner. Have an enjoyable finance class.” She said it but could not imagine getting any joy from such a class.
“Alright dear.” He went on his way.
She ignored the other girls tweeting about their first dates. Hers did not feel like a date. She wanted to be polite because he was polite, but she hoped he would talk about more than finance at dinner. She did not trust any of the girls enough to tell them her thoughts. The way her roommates were talking, especially Pamala, they had already met the loves of their lives. That is until painting class ended, and Mr. Goodland stepped up.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Goodland.” Miss Pamela said twirling her red hair flirtatiously.
He nodded with an overconfident grin but turned away, “Miss Samantha, I hope you will let me escort you to you next class. Would that be modeling with Miss Rita?”
Miss Pamela huffed loudly mumbling, “someone’s become Miss popular.”
Samantha corrected him nervously, “I will be going to the library next.”
“Shall we then?” He offered her his arm expecting her to be a good girl and not say no.
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