Secrets Between Us

Chapter 1

"Alright, students, I have some good news!" Mr. Wade said enthusiastically. Really? Good news? As if there could be anything good in this hellhole. "We are having a field trip next week. I'll hand out the forms; please get them signed by tomorrow if you want to go. The details are in the form; please read it."

A field trip? Okay, maybe I was wrong. It wasn't exactly a party invitation, but the idea of leaving this place sounded better than sitting through another mind-numbing class.

"Helena, please hand them out for me. Thank you." Great, he had to choose me. Didn't he just say "he" would hand them out? Whatever.

"Okay, Mr. Wade." I sighed, slinging my bag over my shoulder as I got up and walked over to his desk. Mr. Wade was tall, with that kind of unkempt look-his brown hair was always a little too messy, like he rolled out of bed and didn't bother to fix it. His glasses sat awkwardly on the bridge of his nose, adding to the sense that he didn't quite belong. He wasn't unattractive, but something about him made me feel... uneasy. His dark eyes were intense, too intense. They followed me as I took the papers from his hand, and for a split second, it felt like I was the only person in the room.

"Here," he said, his voice too chipper as he handed me the pile of forms. "Okay, thanks," I mumbled, eager to move on and get out of there.

"Class is dismissed," Mr. Wade announced as I handed out the last paper. "Thank God," I whispered under my breath, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease a little. The rest of the students rushed out like they couldn't escape fast enough. There was nobody left in the room-except Mr. Wade and me.

He was still watching me, his gaze unblinking, like he was studying me, or maybe waiting for something. It made the air feel thick and heavy.

I quickly packed my things, my fingers shaking just slightly, and muttered, "Bye, Mr." before hurrying toward the door. I had to get out of there.

Why was he staring at me like that? It made no sense. Whatever, now I need to find Elena. God, how annoying.

As I walked down the hallway, the usual chatter from students was absent. The silence was almost eerie, like everyone had just disappeared. My steps echoed off the lockers, the hollow sound making my chest tighten. I spotted Leo leaning against a locker at the end of the hall. Bingo.

Leo was the type you either liked or didn't. Dark hair, constantly falling in his eyes, and the kind of posture that screamed "I'm too cool for this." His gray eyes were cold, always calculating, and he wore a tight leather jacket that didn't match the vibe of the school-just a little too much, too polished for someone who supposedly didn't care. He never really gave me the time of day, but then again, I didn't care enough to change that.

"Hey Leo, by any chance, do you know where Elena is?" I asked, my voice coming out a little sharper than I meant. I could feel the fake politeness in my words. I wasn't close to him, never really tried to be, and I didn't know why Elena was so hung up on him. Maybe he had charm, but I didn't see it.

"Oh, hey, Helena. Well, yeah, I saw her; she went to the bathroom," Leo replied, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. It was stiff, forced. His gaze flickered away for a moment, like he was hiding something.

"Oh, alright, thanks," I said, but I didn't hide my own disdain. A fake smile slipped onto my face, and I made sure it was clear that I saw right through him. Whatever. I could barely hold in my laughter as I walked away.

The hallway grew even quieter, like the building itself was holding its breath. Something felt off, but I couldn't quite place it. I needed to find Elena.

I finally reached the bathroom, but something stopped me. Voices. Not just one, but two-loud, sharp voices. Elena and Briana. I knew their voices better than my own, but why were they arguing?

I froze outside, my heart picking up speed as I strained to listen.

"How could you do that!?"
Elena's voice rang out, trembling with both anger and hurt. It was unlike her-usually so calm and collected, with her long dark hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, her hazel eyes full of warmth. Today, though, her eyes were darkened with something else-rage? Betrayal? I couldn't tell, but it made me uneasy.

"I trusted you!"
Briana's voice, sharp as a blade, cut through the air. Briana had always been the more mysterious one-blonde, with sharp features that could look as cold as her words. Today, though, I could hear the bitterness in her tone, and it made me cringe.

"I hate you. I hope you fucking die!"
I felt my stomach drop. The words were harsh, bitter, like they were coming from someone else. This wasn't my sister. Was it? Her voice wavered with raw emotion, and I couldn't ignore the pain laced in every syllable.

"Out of all people, you choose my fucking-"

Before I could hear more, my phone rang, cutting through the tension like a knife. Shit. I quickly declined it, but my hands were shaking. They must've heard that. What the hell am I going to say?

Footsteps approached. My heart pounded in my chest. What was I supposed to say now? Elena would never forgive me if I admitted I was eavesdropping.

Then, her voice-sharp, cold. "Helena? What are you doing here?"

I froze, my throat tight. Elena was trying to hide the frustration, but it was clear in her eyes. She wasn't fooling anyone.

"Oh, uh... I was just looking for you. We need to go home. It's already 3 p.m.," I said quickly, trying to act normal. The lie came out too easily.

Briana stepped out from the bathroom, not saying a word. Her eyes met mine for a second-cold, calculating-before she turned away and walked off. The silence between us was thick with unspoken words.

"Oh, okay. Let's go then, just give me a minute. I need to grab my bag. Wait for me at the main gate," Elena said, her tone still frosty.

I nodded quickly, my mind racing as I walked toward the main gate. Everything felt so wrong today. Mr. Wade's weird look, Leo's fake smile, and now this-Elena and Briana. Why was everything so tense? I hate Thursdays.

As I walked to the gate, I heard Elena's voice again, a little impatient. "C'mon, let's go."

"Can I drive today?" I asked, hesitating, hoping to get her to loosen up.

"No," Elena replied, her voice flat, like she didn't even want to entertain the idea.

"Damn, rude."

"Shut up."

"Geez, okay."

What did I expect? Of course, she'd say no, especially right now. Whatever. I should check who called me earlier.

Oh, it was Mum-shit. She's going to be mad at me. Great. Wait, never mind, she left a message.

"Hey honey, I'll be home late tonight. Tell your sister too."

Great. Just great.

"Elena, Mum said she's going to be home late tonight," I said, finally getting into the passenger seat.

"Why?" Elena asked, glancing at me for a second as she started the car.

"She didn't say why."

"Oh, alright."

 Author's note: More coming soon, thanks for reading!!