Better Kept Secret

chapter 29

The week was a blur of happy and confusing moments. Getting used to having Ben as my boyfriend, and going out with my mom filled my time. I haven't explicitly told my friends that Ben and I are together, and I really couldn't tell you why. Maybe because I still feel like I'm not allowed to be in love with my best friend, or because I'm more reserved and talking about my relationship feels nerve racking, or maybe because I'll always have doubts in the back of my mind that this whole thing is real. I know, the way I think is annoying. I'm sick of it too. Nonetheless, I will be telling the girls today at our hangout.

I know that Rachel is definitely doing well in her love life from the way I saw her on Thursday, yesterday. Ben and I were roaming the halls, standing closer together than when we were just friends. Close proximity and little glances at each other are something that we do a lot now that we're together. The whole time I've known Ben, he's always given me these looks that burn into my skin, even though he thinks I don't know he's watching me. I used to think he was just giving me a protective glance of a big brother, but now I realize it's something more. Anyways, we were just walking together when I caught a glance of Rachel's ginger hair in an empty hallway. She was kind of behind this section of lockers, covered by shadows and I told Ben we should go say hi. When I got to her though, I realized she was in fact not alone and currently had her lips locked onto David's. They immediately broke apart, David with a smirk on his face and Rachel staring at the floor. An awkward hello and goodbye was all I said to them before running away, practically jumping up and down from the anticipation of the story Rachel would tell me.

The bus freaks me out and I'm no closer to having a license, so I walk to Rachel's today after school. When I get there Claire and Rachel are on the porch waiting for me.

"You're finally here!!" Claire says while jumping out of the patio swing to greet me. They already have lemonade and snacks set up on the glass table.

"Fancy," I say while admiring the spread and popping a grape into my mouth.

"I have barely been able to contain myself waiting for you. Rachel wouldn't give me an update on David till you got here." She sits back down, patting the seat beside her and I settle in there. "Okay start from the beginning!"

So, Rachel starts from the beginning telling us about her texting him and then realizing that his little brother is on the same soccer team as her little brother. She says they would hang out at the games and on this Wednesday night game, they kissed.

"So it's not official official but we're both definitely looking for it to be. He's just so sweet," she gushes.

"That's amazing Rach, I had a feeling this would happen sooner or later," I say.

"What about you? You have anything to update us on?" Claire says to me.

"Um, I guess I do." They both squeal and we laugh at their excitement. "Well I was on the beach with Ben a week ago and um, well we kissed, and y'know... I guess we're dating now." Rachel screams. Claire shakes my shoulders. They're both in a fit of laughter and excitement.

"I'm sure Rachel owes me money or something. Didn't we make a bet about this? I always knew you two would get together," Claire says.

"Everyone knew. There weren't enough hours in the day for Ben to give you more puppy dog eyes."

"He was practically salivating at the mouth all those times he would stare at you," Claire says though giggles. My cheeks burn bright red.

"I'm so happy," Rachel says while clapping her hands together, looking as sweet as ever. "You know what this calls for?" She gives Claire a look and they both nod their heads, but I still have no idea what they're scheming. "Triple date!" She screams.