Secrets

Chapter 10

Pushing the front door open, I step out into the cool morning air and quickly make my way down to the sidewalk.

Having paid close attention to the directions Vanessa gave me when she'd brought me home Friday, I easily make my way toward Cherry Street.

Turning around the first of many corners, I stop as a sleek green car pulls up beside me.

The tinted window rolls down to reveal the messy brown, mop-like hair and wide smile of none other than Mikey.

"Hey Rose! What 'cha doin' out here all alone?" He asks, flashing me that wide smile.

But for the first time I can remember, I don't return it.

Instead, I turn my eyes back to the sidewalk before me and continue on my way to school.

"Rose, didn't you hear me?" Mikey asks, the car following me slowly, and I curse the fact that we're not onto the main streets yet.

If we were, then they wouldn't be able to follow me like this.

"Ro-"

Annoyance getting the better of me, I take off running then, the straps of my bag pulling against my shoulders and slowing me just a bit.

I'm not sure who's driving the car Mikey was in, but as I turn the next corner I just spot said man jumping out onto the sidewalk, and curse yet again.

I'm getting close to the main streets, and once I get there I could have lost them...but of course, there's no way that those two –and whoever else may be with them- are going to let me off the hook that easy.

Mikey's going to chase me.

The understanding only makes me run faster, my legs pushing harder to keep ahead of him.

Honestly, it's not that I don't like Mikey.

Because I do!

I absolutely love him!

He's always been Ryan's best friend, and he's always been the third brother that I never had.

But after yesterday...I just don't want to have anything to do with him.

With any of them!

"I'm sorry Mikey...but I just can't handle you guys anymore." I whisper, gasping in breath after breath as I weave in between the people who crowd the now bustling downtown sidewalk.

Behind me, I can hear the same people shouting out curses and the likes -probably at Mikey for pushing them out of his way- but as the school comes into view, relief wafts over me.

"I'm home free!"

"Got 'cha!"

An arm wraps around my shoulders, pulling me back against a hard and heaving chest, and though I want to struggle, though I was so close!

...I know better.

Mikey's one of the strongest guys I've ever met.

If he wants to keep me here, then he's going to.

"R-Rose. What the heck?!"

"Let me go."

"What?!"

Nodding toward the school, I push against Mikey's arm ineffectively.

"Class starts soon, now let me go."

"But-"

"Let her go Mikey."

Glancing to the left, I find Noah standing just outside his parked car, glaring at us.