The Secret I Will Never Tell (The Secret Series Book 1)

Chapter 12

After filling Kristi in on everything, it was time for Drama Class. I walk in halfway through our Nate conversation.

"I still can't believe he kissed you!" She says for the seventeenth billion time.

"I know. My first..and second...and third kiss?" I say unsure of how many times we've kissed.

"Wait...you've kissed Ed though." I shake my head. "You were with him and you didn't kiss at all throughout your entire two year relationship?" She says shocked.

"No..I mean we kissed each others cheek and forehead and stuff but not an actual kiss.

"He was my first actual boyfriend. I didn't know what we were supposed to do.."

"Damn, Shy. I swear that you're clueless!" She says while shaking her head.

"Okay, class. Settle down." Says Mr. Lee, our drama teacher. Once the class is quiet, Mr. Lee continues. "This trimester is going to be the play Aladdin." The while class starts chatting in excitement.

"Alright, now. I have already chosen who I want to play the main roles. Umm.." Mr. Lee grabs his clipboard. "Kristina Barnes will be the genie. Ed Boone will be the king. Claire Abernathy will be the monkey, Abu. Jafar will be played by Blake Smith. Nathan Williams will be Aladdin. And Princess Jasmine will be Shyanne Stephens. The people who don't have major parts will be townsfolk, merchants, guards and things like that. Now, let's get started. We'll be doing the scene where Miss Stephens and Mr. Williams will be on the magic carpet."

We take our scripts from Mr. Lee and go to the stage. "Let's go ahead and pretend your on the magic carpet. And action!"

Nathan coughs and then starts to sing. "A whole new world." His deep voice is so perfect. When he's singing, it's even more amazing. "Shining, shimmering, splendid." He turns and looks me in the eyes. "Tell me princess." He winks a blue eye at me. Then grabs my hand and puts it to his heart. "When did you last let your heart decide?"

"Excellent!! Now, Shyanne please do the last part of the song." Mr. Lee says while pointing to me.

I look down at the script in my hands and then back up to Nathan. I clear my throat then begin. "A whole new world. I dazzling place I never knew. But from way up here, it's crystal clear," I grab his hand. "That now I'm in a whole new world with you." His smile is worth a million words.

The room bursts into applause. Nathan and I both shift our attention to Mr. Lee who is starting to tear up.

"The chemistry there is perfect! Just like Jasmine and Aladdin!"

* * * * *

"Do you mind if I catch a ride with you and Wanda?" Nathan asks from behind me. He hops off of a nearby bench. We haven't talked since the dramatic performance exercise.

I'm in my workout clothes, from practice. A bead of sweat is slowly dripping down my forehead. I quickly wipe it away.

"Sure." We walk to the parking lot in silence then my phone buzzes. I pull it out of my pocket.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Hi sweetie. It's mom." Says my mom's perky voice.

"Hey, what's up?"

"I had to take the car from your parking lot." She replies.

"What? Why?" I stop walking and look at Nathan. 'What's wrong?' He mouths to me. I wave my hand dismissing his question.

"Well, I am currently going to see your Aunt Dee. You remember her right? She lives in..Tennessee."

"Tennessee?" I ask, shocked. "Mom, why are you going to Tennessee? We live in Oregon! That's so far away!"

"Yes, well. Be good. You'll be staying with the new neighbors, Marie and her two foster kids."

"Okay, I will. Wait..what!?" I turn around to Nathan who'd been eavesdropping the entire conversation. He's a foster kid?

He clenches his chiseled jaw. "I got to go sweet pea. I'll be back in about a month. I love you. Call me tonight!" And with that my mother hung up and I'm left with many questions.

Nathan's a foster kid? Why do I have to stay with him, in his house, when I'm right next door? And why is my mom seeing our estranged Aunt Dee, whom we haven't seen in ten years, for a month!?