:A Surreptitious Relationship: Chapter Twenty-Five

507K 7.4K 3.7K
                                    

"I can't do it."

"Just go."

I shook my head, planting my feet firmly on the ground. "No, Jeremy. I can't!"

He gave me a tough shove. "Holly! You probably won't even see him until fourth period. You're fine!"

"What if he's patrolling the halls?" I complained, pressing my face against the glass doors of the school.

"Holly, it's cold out here. Go. Inside."

"I'm going home," I announced, twisting on my heel, and heading for the cement stairs that led back to the parking lot.

Jeremy quickly grabbed the back of my jacket, pulling me back in one swift motion. I lost my balance, but he quickly wrapped his arms around me, setting me straight. Instead of letting go right away, he held me tighter. "I know it's hard to control your love for me in class, but you have to."

Confused, I looked up at him, ready to shoot down his teasing, but my voice died in my throat when I realized Aaron and Lexi were staring up at us. Aaron cocked an eyebrow. "Isn't it a little dangerous to be doing this in such a public place?"

Lexi immediately sent an elbow into his side. "Shut up, Aaron! I think they're cute together!"

"Thank you," Jeremy responded with a grin.

I glanced up at him, my stomach shifting uncomfortably. Did he still have a thing for Lexi? Didn't it hurt to hear her say that? Or had he finally realized Lexi definitely wasn't meant for him? I hoped it was the latter.

"Holly," Aaron started, gaining my attention, "you haven't said anything about that secret I told you the other day, right?"

My heart skipped a beat. I had to be poised about this. Aaron couldn't know I told anyone. "No," I responded as confidently as I could.

He smiled. "Very good."

I relaxed slightly. At least he believed me. And if he believed me, that meant Chris hadn't said anything... Guilt gnawed at the back of my mind, but I forced it away. What did I have to feel guilty about? I told Chris what needed to be done. That was all.

"What secret?" Jeremy asked, breaking me out of my thoughts. I knew he was just playing along so Aaron wouldn't get suspicious.

"Nothing," Aaron sung, brushing by us. "Just a little recipe from my mom."

Lexi's expression fell and she frowned at her brother. "Mom? But-"

"Shut up," he snapped, shooting her a dirty look.

She blinked at him, looking thoroughly taken aback. Jeremy's mouth twisted into a scowl and he glared after Aaron as he went into the school building. Even I felt bad for Lexi. I sent her a half-smile. She returned it before sighing. "He really needs to go back to his anger management classes."

A Surreptitious RelationshipWhere stories live. Discover now