Six Secrets - Noa Olivar

7

As Jules and Noa pulled up to the Orpheum they both stared at one another, the silence was enough for them to understand what they wanted; for no one to know what they had discussed at home. They wanted this to stay between the two of them and it was going too. They got out and as Jules began to walk in, she suddenly felt Noa's fingers interlock with hers and a faint smile rose across her face. She looked over to see the short girl staring at her as they ascended into the theater. They made their way into the room and looked down into the theater until Jules saw Imogen stand up and wave both of them over. The girls went down to the fourth row and sat in the two empty spots that the others had saved for them. Jules sat down next to Mouse with Noa on the other side at the end of the row. "So has anyone seen the video, you know, out of us?" Jules whispers. "No one has seen the edited version except for Chip and I. He's screening it up to. The girls turned to see Chip through a small window, Tabby held up a thumbs sign as the lights began to dim. All the girls sat back into their seats, making sure they weren't in view of Karen or Kelly. They watched as the opening credits began to play, when the video suddenly glitched and shifted to a video of Karen. The video started off so peaceful. Jules thought it was nice, almost too nice. That was when the screen started to glitch again, and the video that all the girls had seen suddenly shifted into the big screen. It was slightly horrific, this girl was so trashed. Imagine how far the video could've gone if Imogen hadn't gone in to stop it. Jules suddenly heard footsteps and looked up behind her to see Karen rushing out and Kelly following her. A small smirk went across her face, yet she felt a knot in the bottom of her stomach. Jules was known to be a bitch and she even admits it to, but something about this didn't feel right anymore.

After the Jordan Peele screening, which Jules thought was fantabulous, the six girls made their way outside to the side of the theater where no one would see them. Everyone looked a little anxious and Jules didn't know what to do. "Do you guys think we did the right thing?" "She killed a living animal. She made me watch it. She deserved it." Mouse said. "Not to mention she said I put razor blades in her shoes. I could've been arrested. I may still be arrested." Faran cut in. "Look, we held up a mirror. Karen looked inside it, this was on her." "Yeah but if this comes back to bite us in the ass, we're all fucked. I can't go down again." Jules bursted out. "Jules, chill. This isn't going to get out. Will be fine." Noa tried to reassure her, but something about this made Jules feel off. "Whatever. Don't we have to go? You have a curfew." "Shit, you're right. Anyone else need a ride?" Faran and Mouse nodded as Imogen shook her head. "I'm gonna wait until Tabby's done here. Then her mom will come get us." "Okay. See you guys Monday?" Noa asked. The girls nodded as Mouse and Faran followed the two girls to Noa's car. Noa and Jules sat in front while Mouse and Faran sat in the back. The drive home was pretty much silent as the two girls were dropped off before it was just Jules and noa sitting in the car. Jules saw the turn that led to her home but she turned the opposite place. "Where are you going? You know where the exit is for my house." "You're not going home Jules. You're staying at my place tonight." "No, I shouldn't. I should go home. You can turn us around up here." "Jules, You're coming home with me. Your mom needs a night and I frankly don't feel safe letting you go home. I don't think you're safe and that doesn't make me feel good either. So therefore, you are having a sleepover with me. Text your mom, though we both know she won't answer and don't worry, just wear some of my clothes. Will be fine." "Love you Noa." 'I know you do." Noa smiled. The two girls drove home to Noa's apartment as Jules laid her head on the window relieved she wouldn't have to face her demon of a mother. Sometimes she just wished she could get rid of her. That she wouldn't have her around to drag her down. As much as she didnt want to lose all her family, she wished she didn't have either of them in her life. She just wanted to be alone and have full control over who she was and what her future would look like. It sounded awful, but at the end of the day, that's all Julianna wanted.