10~ I Know Your Secret
Picture day was here and everyone came in their best dressed. Everything about this day made me want to vomit. It's nice that we can all get dressed up before prom but if it weren't for Saida I'd look a complete mess. Although I don't like how she assumed I'd just figure her out, I'm happy she showed. We kept up our tradition and both of us looked great.
What couldn't be explained is what happened last night. We were so...intimate that my mind couldn't fathom that it happened. It felt like a lucid dream but this was real. Saida seemed to get into it too making me think I may have a chance with her. The way she wrapped her arms around me whilst letting me hold her would have been the perfect way to confess. We were so close with our lips begging to be against one another. If it weren't for my mom things could have escalated. In Saida's case I guess my mom interrupting was a good thing.
Still, we woke up today with no talk about last night's events. She pretty much glossed over anything that happened. Instead, she was freaking out about her pictures as she stood in line with Issac and me. The three of us were in our science class when it was time to take pictures. That was one of the only classes I had with any of my friends and of course, Issac had to be there. Little did he know, we were in a battle for the same girl.
As of now, Saida was standing here freaking out as we got closer to taking our picture. I don't know why this always made her go insane. Everything had to be perfect or else we'd have an angry Saida on our hands. She was stressing for no reason though as she looked gorgeous. Her boho chic style with her long blonde strands of hair made for the perfect combination. It also helped that she was an artist because she could create beautiful make-up looks on her face. This was her wheelhouse and she excelled at it just like anything she touches.
"Are you sure this looks okay?" She asked looking down at the white flowing dress she wore.
I laughed with a roll of my eyes. "Saida, relax you look stunning as always," I remind her. "Besides, it's a stupid yearbook photo."
Her eyes grew big as she stepped closer to me. "Yeah, our last yearbook photo!" Her voice raises.
"Exactly. No one's going to care," I reiterate though I freaked out myself yesterday too. There was no room for me to talk.
She groans, turning her attention to Issac. "You understand me, right babe?" Ew, babe.
Unfortunately, babe wasn't paying attention to anything we were talking about. He was always texting on that phone of his with no quarrels about Saida's feelings. Even if she was being ridiculous, he should still be attentive to her needs. I could remember when they first started dating way back when. He was always showering her with affection. It wasn't my favorite moment to witness, but at least my friend was happy. Now it's like she barely existed in his life. The sadness seeping through her eyes made me angry.
Aggravated, I call out to him in a less-than-favorable manner. "Yo asshole, your girlfriend is talking to you," I spat.
He looked up from his phone with a frown on his face at me before changing it to a much softer expression for Saida. "Uhh, yeah you look great." He barely knew what we were talking about.
Saida sighed seemingly annoyed by him too. It sucked that this is the person she wanted to be with and he showed little care. Whoever he was always texting took his attention away and it had nothing to do with football. Though that's a baseless assumption I'm making. In any case, why he still holds the title boyfriend would never make sense to me. He was the complete opposite of that. Barely even a good friend if we're being honest.
Leave it to me to make my best friend feel like a million bucks. If Issac wasn't going to do it I'd gladly step up and take his place. This wouldn't be the first time where I had to do so. However, it gets tiring being the person's shoulder she cries on. There was so much more we could be. Sadly, I'm not the one she chose.
Despite this, I take her hands forcing her to stare back into my eyes. I wasn't going to let her sulk right before going to take her picture. What kind of best friend would do that?
"Listen to me, you look fantastic! Those killer blue eyes and that fascinating smile is all you need to take a great flick." I remind her. "You're the greatest person I know. Just be yourself and you'll be fine."
That seemed to ease her as she smiled softly at me before engulfing me in her arms. Her head rested softly against my chest while I squeezed her back tightly. There was never a moment where I didn't want to have Saida in my arms. Holding her here felt right like any other time. What made it better was that Issac had to sit there and watch me do his job. It couldn't have been easy for him but he should've bucked up.
Feeling composed, it was now Saida's turn to get her pictures done and I watched from a distance. Just as I said, she was gorgeous without even trying. The camera hadn't even flashed and I was mesmerized by her beauty. My eyes filled with longing as my body leaned against the wall. Am I crazy for wanting my best friend in such a loving, intimate way? My heart pounds in my chest just at the sight of her alone. Why couldn't she be mine already?
Amid my gazing, Issac decided he was going to finally open his mouth to speak to me. We didn't say much to each other but when we didn't it was never that pleasant. I'm just glad he waited until Saida was gone to say something. Otherwise consider myself busted.
"You always have to one-up me don't you?" He questioned stuffing his phone in his pocket.
I roll my eyes annoyed that he interrupted my thoughts. "I wouldn't have to if you just did what you should," I argue.
He scoffs. "Well Saida never seems to complain," he refutes.
"She's not going to complain to you dipshit," my arms cross. "Which you would know if you knew her but you don't."
It came out a lot harsher than intended but it was true. He knew nothing about Saida and it showed every time he'd talk to her. His ears barely listened and once again, his phone was more important than she was. My heart hurt for her every time her face would fall at the sight of Issac being an idiot. She deserved so much better and most importantly, needed to let go of the person that is Issac Hayes.
I would have loved to dig into him more but Issac has a way of doing things. His blackmailing tendencies weren't something anyone was a fan of. Of course, he's able to get away with it because of his last name which is absurd. That's just a part of the culture here in Sunbury. The only way anyone can get by.
Looking down at me, Issac got this devious glint in his eyes. "Oh, and you know her better?" He asked. "I wonder why that is?" He smirks.
I swallowed the lump in my throat not knowing what he was talking about. "Because we're friends," I say. "Do you know the meaning of that word or is it a foreign concept to you?" Despite my worries, I wasn't going to let him speak to me in any way he wanted.
His eyes rolled with a slight chuckle escaping his lips. "Summer, let's not play games," he suggested. "I know your secret."
My heart felt like it stopped when he said that. Could he possibly know that my feelings for Saida are more than just platonic? Mason would never tell him so how could he have figured it out? I try to be as discrete as possible whenever I'm around him or the others for that matter. The only people to know of my identity are Mason and Maisie. I doubt they would betray me leaving my mind to believe Issac was just that good. It probably didn't help that I'm always longingly looking at Saida either. What the fuck!
He laughed trying to end our conversation quickly as Saida was almost done taking her pictures. "No need for you to deny it either," he smirks.
"You're bullshitting me," I look at him to see if he was. He was not.
"I don't bullshit Summer and if you don't want her to find out I suggest you mind your fucking business." He steps closer to me. "You're still a nobody. Remember your place."
With that, Saida finished and it was now my turn. I tried not to show on my face that something was bothering me because we didn't need her worrying. Issac was right that I was a nobody. One wrong move and he'll tell Saida without my permission. Prom was getting closer and closer. Knowing Issac knew my secret made all of this even more complicated.