Late Bloomer

Chapter 12 What do you Mean, a Secret?

My new relationship with Matteo didn't last for even twenty-four hours. Because what happened the next day threw a damper on all of us. Maybe if I had anticipated how hard the blow would hit me I might have prepared for it. But it came out of nowhere.

Matteo's chalked message on the football field to me was still there the next morning and created a lot of buzz. Everyone went to gawk at it. By now the whole school knew we were dating. Tom even took a stunning picture of it to add to the yearbook as this year's 'sweetest homecoming message'. The only person who wasn't happy about it was—you guessed it—Karen. She threw an ultimatum that morning.

I was standing with Jules near our lockers when Matteo came along and put his arm around me.

"Morning, Thea," he said, pecking me on the cheek. I blushed and Jules made an 'oooh' sound.

"I'll catch up with you later, lovebirds," she said in a singsong voice and made her exit.

"Glad to see she can take a hint—you're looking especially gorgeous today," Matteo uttered in my ear. Wow, my very first compliment from my very first boyfriend!

"Thanks," I said shyly. "I meant to ask you—won't the coach be annoyed about the field?"

"You mean the homecoming message? No, I asked for her permission to do it yesterday. It will get cleaned off today anyway. Thought I'd let it last one more day—Tom's taking pictures of it." I smiled, feeling warm inside.

"Is today our first official day as a couple or something? Because to tell you the truth—I've never done this before," I said, looking unsure.

"Yes it is. And don't worry; just follow my lead," Matteo said in a velvety voice. He took my hand and twirled me around. I laughed.

"I can't wait to dance with you at—"

"MATTEO STERLING!" Karen's harsh voice interrupted us. We turned around and saw Karen marching towards us, looking outraged.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" She screeched. "Asking her to Homecoming?!"

"Karen, don't make a scene," Matteo said in a low firm voice. She utterly ignored him.

"Have you forgotten our deal?! Did you think you could do whatever you wanted and I would just sit back and do nothing?!" Deal? What was she talking about? I glanced at Matteo but he was glaring at Karen.

"Drop it, Karen!" Matteo snapped suddenly. People began to gather round to watch, murmurs humming among them.

"Don't think I won't reveal everything in front of everyone right now!" Karen continued in her tirade.

"We had a deal, Karen! If you say another word, I leave this school tomorrow!" Matteo said threateningly. Karen looked taken aback for a second.

"You can never go out with her! I'll make sure of that!" She shouted back, looking furious again. "I swear I'll tell him!"

"Matteo! What's going on? Who is she talking about?" I asked anxiously. He gave me a pained look and exhaled a long breath but didn't answer.

"He didn't tell you, did he?" Karen gave me a vociferous look. "Well that shows how phony his so-called relationship with you is! He can't even tell the truth!"

"THAT'S ENOUGH, KAREN!" A loud, powerful voice roared through the crowd. Pierce appeared, his face looking dark and dangerous. "Not another word from you or there'll be more than one secret that comes out into the open!" Whatever Pierce must have meant made Karen pale as a ghost. She suddenly turned and stomped off. Pierce glowered at everyone.