Hate can Change

Jordans Secret

I cheered up and walked to the oak tree where I met the rest of my friends. They were so happy that I was fine again and they tried to ignore the subject that I was crying so it wouldn't hurt my feelings. However I didn't mind that I was crying before because I had to remind myself about it anyway if I wanted to tell them about what happened between me and Jordan.

"What happened?" Sarah looked at me impatiently for the newest gossip from me.
"Yeah tell us!" Jenny urged me.
"C'mon Kate! Hurry up!"Angela joined in.
"Spill the beans Kate!"Alice shouted.
"Yeah! What Alice said!" Natalie grinned.

"Okay! Okay! I'll tell you guys if you quiet down a bit!"

There was a silent pause. Their eyes bored into me. I could tell they were all thinking the same thing.

"Well" I started " Melanie ruined my artwork so Jordan is going to help me."

All their mouths dropped so low they could've touched the ground. I didn't need to ask why. I could tell, because there is a one in a million chance Jordan helps anyone. Especially a girl.

Suddenly Jenny's face turned into a cheeky grin.

"Hey, do you like Jordan?" Jenny gave me a friendly nudge and I gave her a push.

"Jen! You know I hate him! I only agreed to let him help because I need it."

Jenny winked at me. "Are you sure?"
I rolled my eyes at her and the bell for end of school rang. We all grabbed our bags and ran to the school gate. We all went separate ways to go home. Angela took the train,Jenny was driven home, Natalie took the bus and Sarah, Alice and I walked home but in different directions. However today u wasn't walking alone.

Jordan was waiting at the school gate as if he was my older brother. He waved at me but I didn't wave back. We walked back in silence and every now and then Jordan would try to start a conversation which would only last ten seconds. Soon enough we reached my house.

"Big house. Even mines not as big as that..."
This time I was actually interested.
"Really? I thought you lived in this huge mansion with like maids and everything. I mean you seem like that kind of person..."
"Well I did... Till my dad lost his job... We moved to a house for lease. Now we might have to move from there. We can't keep up with paying for the house... We might end up homeless... The only place where I'm happy is at school... Because..."

Jordan started crying. This was a first. "Your happier at school because everyone likes you and worships you?"
"Yeah... But no-one knows about my house... Please don't tell anyone..."
I agreed not to tell anyone.

I tried to cheer him up and decided to get some snacks. As we entered the kitchen, Kyle gave my kissy lips and announced "Mum! Kate has a boyfriend!" I gave him a slap in the face and he said "I'm joking! I'm joking!"

Then I saw Krystal. She was playing with her food and it was all over her hands and table. I gave her a hug and went to get some cookies. Meanwhile Jordan was talking with my brother and laughing along. He was probably better by now.

"C'mon Jordan lets get going with the painting." I took the tin of cookies into my room and Jordan followed. I took my spare canvas out and prepared the paint.

"How about we use watercolours?"
"Sure!"
I swapped the paint with watercolours and filed a tub with water. I got my paintbrushes and Jordan took one. We started with mountains and the river. The different shades of blue for the river blended making a beautiful painting. We were serious at first but then we got silly and started flicking water from the paintbrushes at each other.

At this rate we finished the painting in no time. But we also nearly ran out of time because we only had one day left and at the last minute Jordan flicked some paint on me but some landed on the painting.

"Jordan! You got it on the painting!"
I was about to rub the paint off but Jordan stopped me.
"Look! It looks like two people sitting on the mountain!"
I noticed and it actually looked good.
"Thanks Jordan. I could've made it look worse."
He smiled at me and looked at his watch. "It's time to go... Hope you go well in the competition."
"Me? No you mean us!"
Jordan looked at me. "No it's just you."

I ran to the entry slip and filled it in. "Look if you rip this up, I won't be able to enter at all."
"Okay, okay. I won't touch it. But if you win the prize is yours." Jordan said in defeat.
"Wait. What's the prize?"
"A job as a lawyer for when you grow older. My dad was one..."
"Oh..."
"Ok see you tomorrow..."
"Bye!" And with that Jordan left.

I looked at the painting. He had helped me. Now it was time to help him.