𝑴𝒆𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒄𝒆 | 𝒈𝒙𝒈

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒍𝒖𝒕.

We were just about to leave my house and go to the pool house where the party was taking place, the place was supposed to be packed by now.

"We're still keeping us a secret right?" I asked Em, I didn't like being her secret but I did understand why she was reluctant to "come out". Being with me meant being the number one subject of gossip in school, she would become the talk of the town in a split of a second.

"I'm sorry Lex" she said and I shook my head, trying my best to hide my feelings from her.

"It's okay, I get it"

Her palm rose to cup my cheek, her thumb brushing over my cheekbone "I just need to gather a little bit more courage" she explained and I nodded.

"Is the witch coming?" I tried to change the subject, if we kept talking about Em keeping me a secret I probably would've started crying. It bothered me a lot more than it should have.

"Alex!" She rebuked and I smirked "You promised to be nice" she reminded me. I wasn't too happy about Rebecca coming to my house, but if that's what Em wants I'll do it.

"I'll be nice, also I won't call her a witch to her face, just saying" I shrugged and she shook her head in disbelief.

"I told her she has to be nice too"

"Good, because if she pulls anything I will not hold back" my voice was firm, I wanted her to know that I have my limits.

"She won't"

"She better"

"Ready to go?" She smiled at me and my features softened, I nodded and let go of her hand, then walked out the front door. Emily followed behind me, I didn't know if I needed to slow down or not, not that it mattered much as I couldn't hold her hand anyway.

"Baby" she called me and I turned my head back to face her, trying my best to look like I'm not mad or hurt by this nonsense.

Logically, it made sense, I understood. Being with me was not for the weak, the gossip would never stop and all the so called conspiracy theories and rumors will just get worse.

But in some twisted fucked up way I felt like she was ashamed, of me, and that hurt. And annoyingly enough, it made me want to cry.

"What?"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, let's go inside" I insisted, I really can't have this conversation right now.

"Alex" she took my hand in hers and my body relaxed immediately, this is probably some kind of witchcraft because I'm pretty sure a person can't have an effect this strong. "What's wrong?" Her other hand cupped my cheek.

"Nothing"

"Are you mad about us staying a secret?" Bingo, Sherlock.

"I'm just not sure how to act around you, and I'm not the kind of girl who's used to not act the way she wants to" my voice was still cold and I tried to maintain the ice queen facade, if I stopped then I might actually cry and that's just humiliating.

"Then don't hold back"

"We both know that's not what you want" I forcefully grabbed the side of my neck, trying to calm my nerves.

"I just—I'm just scared and I really don't want the rumors and everything to start again. I just start to picture what they'll say and how it'll go and I don't want that" She gave me a soft smile but I could see the pain behind her eyes, and I melted immediately.

"It's not gonna happen again, I promise" I took care of that problem, and if someone dared to hurt her I will make their lives a living hell.

"You don't know that"