Better Kept Secret

chapter 24

"Someone just kill me now! Fuck trigonometry, I am not wasting my time on this," Claire groans while throwing her math notebook across Rachel's room.

"Calm down, it's really not that hard," Rachel replies sweetly.

"But you got the highest grade in math last semester, so you don't get my struggle." While they argue, I continue working on my English project. I'm finding it hard to concentrate though. Rachel, Claire, and I used to do study sessions together a lot more often, but then we all got busy. Well, I didn't really get that busy. Claire did with having a new boyfriend and the debate club and Rachel got busy with track after school. We used to get together in Rachel's bedroom at least twice a week and 'study' but 'studying' usually turned into gossiping.

"Elowyn, do you want to beat up Mark? Or I could get Alex to do it," Claire says, making me choke on my water. I guess we have officially moved onto the gossiping part of the study session.

"Um, I'm okay," I say while wiping the water off my chin. She gives me a knowing look and Rachel sets down the book she was writing notes in to have her full attention on me. "Maybe I'm not okay actually," I mumble. I don't want to think about it and I most definitely don't want to have to talk about... feelings. Gross. No thank you. Plus, the subject of Mark doesn't just remind me of the rumors, it reminds me of him pushing me against a tree and clawing at my body with his filthy hands too.

"Of course you're not okay. After everything he's saying you have the right to be mad," Rachel says. She picks herself out of her spinning chair to come sit beside me in her bed. She grabs my hand gently. As much as I don't want to get all sappy, I do love these girls so much.

"Mad? You have the right to be FURIOUS," Claire says hotly.

"I am furious. I guess I just don't want to talk about it. Out of sight, out of mind right?" I say with a weak chuckle while picking at the spring in my notebook.

"Well-" Claire says but is cut off by Rachel raising her hand.

"We won't push you to talk about it or answer any questions right at this second, but that doesn't mean we're done. Okay?" Rachel says.

"Yes mom," I reply with a smile coming to my face. I'm glad they care about me so much. Rachel in her sweet, motherly way and Claire who would defend and fight for me no matter what.

"So... How are you and Alex?" I ask Claire because I can't think of anything else. Truth be told, I've heard enough about Alex from the first month she was dating him when she never talked about anything else, but if it makes her happy, whatever.

"We're doing really good. Infact, he wants me to meet his parents."

"His parents?" Rachel squeaks. "Thats a big deal."

"I know. It makes me happy that he wants that for us, but I'm so nervous. Like so so nervous. You know how his family is, all rich and proper and snooty. What if I'm not up to par?"

"Claire you're perfect! You are definitely up to par!" I nod my head in an agreement and Claire giggles sheepishly. Claire really is the perfect girl to bring home to your parents. Straight As, pretty, respectful, what more could they want?

"How are things with you and David?" Claire says while wiggling her eyebrows. I kind of forgot about him to be honest, and that makes me feel bad. Rachel is always there for me, always comforting me, always asking me questions about my life and I haven't asked her one about David.

"Ohemgee!! We've been texting a lot and it hasn't moved past just being friends but I really like him, I just hope he likes me too."

"I'm so happy for you Rach. And I don't think there's any doubt that he likes you. When we were setting up for the pep rally he was looking at you like he wanted to kiss you right then and there." I'm not making that up to make her feel good, he totally was. She smashes her face into her pillow and squeals as a response.