I'm Yours (Sequel to "You're mine")

Chapter 34: Covering for a friend

Talia's POV

I was looking outside the window while stirring in my cup of coffee with a spoon. I sighed deeply.

"That's a deep sigh."

I looked at the door of my classroom. "Hey."

Charlotte, Mary, and Heather sat down at my desk. "Why that deep sigh?" Charlotte asked.

I sighed again and put my cup of coffee on my desk. "It's Leah," I looked down, at my coffee. "She's acting weird."

"What do you mean?" Mary asked.

I shrugged. "She's a creature of habit," I said, gaining a nod from all of them. "She has a timetable in her head for each day, so I know what I can expect with her." I sighed.

"So what's the problem?" Charlotte asked.

I looked at them. "This entire week, she has been coming home late."

"Maybe she had classes?" Mary tried.

I shook my head. "I checked it."

"Well, what did she tell you?" Charlotte asked.

I looked down. "Apparently she's working on a project with classmates."

"Well, there you have it," Charlotte said. "So why are you upset?"

I shook my head. "I don't know," I looked at them. "It just doesn't sit right with me. It feels like she's keeping something from me."

"Talia," Heather said, gaining everyone's attention. "Do you trust her?"

I nodded.

"So why aren't you believing her?"

I opened my mouth to say something but I didn't know what to say. Heather was right, why was I doubting Leah? I do trust her.

"If she tells you she's working on a project for school, then she is working on a project for school," She leaned back, crossing her arms. "It's as easy as that."

Charlotte and Mary nodded, seemingly agreeing with Heather.

I slowly smiled at her. "You're right," I sighed. "I guess I just miss spending time with her."

"Of course," Heather said. "But soon this project will end and you've got her back for yourself."

I nodded. "Thanks, Heather."

_______________________________

Leah's POV

"So what's left to discuss?" Heather asked as she sat down on the couch. She had brought a glass of water for me and a glass of wine for herself.

I went over the checklist I had made. It may seem silly but I used checklists a lot. It was easier for me to check things off. That way, I knew I wasn't forgetting anything. "Uhm..." I went over my list. "Everything seems alright, except," I looked at her. "You mentioned a special act," I raised my eyebrows. "Should I be worried?"

She took a sip from her wine and chuckled right after. "Oh, that..." She chuckled some more. "She'll love it."

"I'd like to know more about it, please."

She looked at me, a smirk appeared on her face. "Why? It's a special act. There's no fun if I spill everything here."

"What do you mean? I'm the organizer of the party, and T's wife." I said, empathizing the word 'wife'.

"Chill, psycho," She leaned back. "It's nothing dirty or anything," She looked at me. "You'll like it too."

I kept looking at her, hoping she'd continue her explanation. However, she didn't. She just looked at me, as if she was thinking I'd let it go. "And?!"

She chuckled again. "You're unbelievable," She got up. "I'd almost believe you're worried."

I rolled my eyes at that.

She came back with a little box. She handed it to me and sat down.

I looked at the box before looking at her. "Karaoke?"

She nodded.

"Why?"

"We both know Talia loves singing, imagine how much fun this will be."

I slowly nodded. "She'll love this indeed," I looked at Heather. "Thanks," I smiled at her. "That's really thoughtful."

"Only the best for my best friend."

I nodded and put the box on the table. I took my glass of water and took a sip. 

"What is it?"

I looked at her.

"I can tell you're thinking about something," She leaned closer. "Spill it."

I sighed. "We talk and it's kind of fun but..." I looked away for a brief moment. "You did kiss my wife and almost made us get a divorce," I looked back at her. "And till now, I don't know why."

Heather's face changed. She sighed.

"And T keeps claiming you have no feelings for her but - "

"I don't," She said, interrupting me. "I have no feelings for Talia. She's my best friend, I love her to death. I don't want to lose that."

Even though I wanted to argue that, I could tell she was being sincere, and that frightened me. "Why did you do the things you did then?"

She looked down, holding her hands together. "There's not really an explanation," She paused, rubbing her hands together. "As I said before, I don't trust you," She looked at me. "I was hoping to prove my point by kissing Talia but..." She showed me a small smile. "You didn't leave her."

"Of course not," I frowned. "I love her too much, I'd never leave her."

"I know," She smiled more. "It's hard for me to say I was wrong," She said, looking at me. "So how about this karaoke gift is my apology to you?"

I looked at her sliding that karaoke game towards me. I knew she was trying to bribe me, in a way. She was trying to take the easy way out. Normally, I'd fight that but I could tell she was trying here. I smiled at her and nodded.

"Thanks." She said.

About 20 minutes later, I prepared myself to get home. As I was putting on my jacket, Heather was looking at me with a different look. I looked at her. "What's wrong?"

She came closer to me, too close for my comfort. Then she smelled me. She retreated then. "Do you have deodorant with you?"

"Uhm," I took my backpack. "Yes, why?"

"Spray it on yourself."

I frowned. "Why?"

"Well, Talia has told us today she thinks you're hiding something from her."

"What?!"

"Easy," She took the deodorant from me. She sprayed it all over me. "I was able to calm her down, you're fine." She handed the deodorant back to me.

"Thanks," I put the deodorant away. "So why did you spray me then?"

"I'm near Talia enough for her to recognize my perfume, I wouldn't want her to think you're cheating on her with me."

"Right," I showed her a small smile. "Thanks."

She nodded at me. "Safe trip home."

"Thanks."