Our Safeguard

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

~Nolan~

       I didn't feel like being at school today. Not because school was going bad, but simply because I was too moody to be at school. It took a lot for me to stay focused in class but even so, I wasn't able to stay focused for too long. I just wanted to doodle or nap or even just stare at the board while I moped.

       Part of me wanted to take a mental health day since my parents always allowed us to take them, but I knew I shouldn't stay home just because I'm having a fight with my boyfriend. After all, Jerome would probably be home. Things would just still be awkward between us.

       The bell for lunch finally rang, so I didn't have to worry about staying focused in class. As I was packing up my stuff, Joel walked over to me. "Hey," he said. "I was wondering, are you and Jerome still not talking to each other?"

       "Yeah," I said. "We haven't talked to each other since our argument. Why?"

       "There's... just something I want to tell you," Joel said. "After school, though. I don't want you to be thinking about it throughout the day."

       I furrowed my eyebrows. "Is everything okay?"

       "After school," was Joel's only reply.

       Well, that definitely didn't make me feel better. Now I was just going to keep wondering what Joel was talking about. Considering he didn't give me an answer when I asked if everything was okay, it could be something bad for all I know.

       So for the rest of the school day, I still wasn't able to focus properly in class. At least I had either Orchid or Alan, or both, in the last two classes so if I was going over something and couldn't remember because I wasn't paying attention to the lesson, they could help.

       Or at least, Orchid could help me. Alan probably wouldn't be paying attention too. 

       School finally let out, but I didn't have Joel in my final period so I didn't know where he was. I went to my locker to put my stuff away and as I was doing so, Joel walked up to me. "Hey," he said.

       "Hi," I said. "So... You wanted to tell me something?"

       Joel nodded. "Let's do it outside, though?"

       I didn't know why Joel didn't want to just talk right here, but I just nodded before closing my locker. I followed him outside and to one of the benches where he sat down on it. I sat down as well.

       Joel waited for a few moments before saying, "I wanted to tell you this yesterday, but I figured it was best that I tell you and person. And like I said, I didn't want to tell you before school ended otherwise it would just be on your mind."

       "Okay..." I said slowly, still unsure what this was about.

       "So... Yesterday, my cousin dragged me to this college party," Joel said. "Basically to be the designated driver since I don't drink. Anyway, I think it was around nine, maybe ten, when I saw Jerome there."

       I furrowed my eyebrows. "Yesterday? Are you sure it was him?"

       Joel nodded. "Mhm. One hundred percent him. But that's not all. He wasn't alone. He was with another guy and they were all over each other. Like..." He sighed. "I don't want to go into detail about what I saw."

       "...What?"

       "I'm so sorry, Nolan," Joel said. "I know how much you love him."

       This guy... was extremely good at lying. It didn't even sound like he was lying at all. If he told just about anyone else, they probably would have thought he was telling the truth.