The Whisper Seekers

Cheater

The next morning I find Derek waiting for me at my locker. He goes in for a kiss but I turn so he ends up kissing my cheek. I catch his confusion and he quickly tries again but this time, I put my hand up.

"Sorry, but I think I'm catching a cold or something. I don't want to get you sick." It's football season, so I know he'll avoid me like the plague if it meant possibly catching something.

"Oh...well we better not hold hands then either," he says as he stuffs his hands in his letter jacket pockets, "I stopped by your house last night and your mom said you were at a friend's." He doesn't say it like a question but I know he expects an explanation.

"Yeah... I uh, was at Liam's. We had to memorize that sonnet for English that's due today, so we had to get together." I shut my locker and see his sky blue eyes glaring at me. I start walking to Biology trying to ignore his stares.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He demands.

"I knew you'd freak out and it was for homework so there was nothing I could do," I answer truthfully but he's still pissed. I walk into the science hall and see Ian standing by the classroom door talking to three other people. Two boys I have only seen in passing and a girl that's in my French class. They are laughing at something the girl is saying and huddled close together. Could these be the other people helping Ian? I don't get a chance to investigate because Derek is still here yapping my ear off.

"Have you heard anything I just said?" He snaps and I stand there puzzled. He shakes his head and irritably goes into class. I hear Harper calling my name behind me. I turn and see her coming up the hall with Liam toting alongside her. He waves and the flutter of butterflies return. I want to run over and snatch him away from Harper, but I stand with my feet firmly planted to the floor. I wish I could kiss you right now. He smiles and slightly blushes as I wave to Harper. Derek knows I was at your house last night so best to stay away from him. Liam nods inconspicuously and we all take our seats.

My new spot is next to Ian and Derek always sits beside me regardless of his current feelings toward me. Harper and Liam still sit across the room from us. We have a pop quiz in class today, so Derek unknowingly feeds me all the answers. The quiz is over reproduction and genes and I blush thinking of last night. I feel better knowing Liam still has his virginity too so I don't have to be jealous of the girl that took it, or worry that he'd pressure me into anything. I'm only distracted for a second when I hear Ian.

I still need to get the bullets. That is going to be tricky but we need enough for three. I snap my gaze over to him and he feels me stare at him. I quickly look away when our eyes meet but I still feel his gaze on me. He finally goes back to his quiz and I want to turn to Liam to see if he heard it too. I stay focused on my quiz as I wonder how Ian can think of these things while taking a quiz?

I realize I missed Derek's answer to the last three questions so I take a peek at his paper. I'm about to jot down my answers when Mrs. Hagar calls me out.

"Ellie, I'm going to need you to hand in your paper," she tells me sternly. I sit with my mouth slightly open, looking at her confused. Using her hand she summons me to her desk and I turn in my half-finished quiz.

"You're dismissed Ellie," she says without even looking at me. Stunned, I walk over and grab my book bag, purposely avoiding Derek's wide-eyed gaze. I strut out the door humiliated and find a seat in the commons. I can't believe Mrs. Hagar caught me cheating and called me out in front of the class! I put my head in my folded arms and lie on the table trying to hide my embarrassment. It isn't long before the bell rings and students fill the vacant space. Derek finds me in a matter of seconds.

"Were you cheating?" He asks me completely baffled. I find no reason to continue lying to him so I answer, "Yep. I didn't know the answer so I looked at your paper." He throws his hands in the air being completely overdramatic.