All the Little Secrets

CHAPTER 31. HELLO

Chapter 31. Hello

Friday ends with the whole school gossiping about Cage's Prom-posal. I barely look at Liam in Chambers class as I sit with Seth. The Seniors practice their end-of-year showcase for the National Choir Competition. Only the Seniors compete for our school, an old rule that Ms. Leyva is hell-bent on changing. As she drones on and on about the talent in our Junior class, I peek at Liam. He seems completely zoned out, staring past Ms. Leyva, his eyes as vacant as the broken boy in my nightmares.

Later that night, his eyes haunt my dream.

I wake very early on Saturday morning and sneak out of the mansion to run. I run the same path as I used to, though the timing is not as great as it used to be. I know that my lack of exercise lately is one part fear of being kidnapped or hurt, and the other part, the reason why my anxiety has been so severe. I decide to play it safe and not stop for a break or to enjoy the morning sunrise. Instead, I run back to the mansion even faster than I had left.

Only my mom is awake. She starts cooking me an egg scramble and toast breakfast as I shower, then join her in the kitchen. I breathe deeply, trying to still the nervous prickles rushing through my body due to the SATs. She pours me a nice hot cup of coffee and I gulp it down, hoping for a burst of mental energy that I so desperately need.

"Are you nervous?" she asks as she picks at my breakfast with a fork.

I slide my plate closer to her so we can share.

"I think I'm ready."

"You should be, with all that studying you and Liam did."

Liam. The mention of his name sends butterflies fluttering through my stomach. I ignore her comment and shove toast in my mouth, hoping that can save me from having a conversation about him.

Cage enters the kitchen, also showered and dressed.

"I'll take you to school," he leans in and kisses me on the cheek, saying "Good morning" to my mom.

My mom smiles at him.

"It's so great that she has you, you know." She pulls Cage in for an unexpected hug. "She really needs someone like you."

"Thanks, Leanne," Cage says, surprised as much as I am.

He smiles at her as she pulls away.

"We get some news about Becca today," my mom adds as she hands the pans to Millie. "Doctors are running some tests on her. Hopefully she can be cleared to go with you next weekend."

"What's next weekend?" I ask, and both Cage and my mom turn to look at me.

"Prom."

Prom is next weekend?

I stare down at my plate as my mom talks plans with Cage, but I only hear the thumping of my heart pounding in my eardrums. I've been so busy planning to save Liam that I completely forgot how soon Prom is.

"We're going dress shopping after your test, don't forget!"

With that, my mom leaves Cage staring at me in the kitchen.

"I forgot," I shrug, throwing away the rest of my food and rinsing my plate in the sink. I place my dish in the dishwasher and turn to confront his staring eyes. "What? There are more important things going on than Prom, Cage."

"I know, I get that," he says back, then approaches me. "But if we're going to do what we have to do, at least let's have one-night worry-free before that happens."

I break our proximity as I grab my backpack and walk to the front doors.

"Can I just get through today?"