I Can't Keep a Secret

Chapter 5

Chapter 5 <Maddie's Point of View>

The next couple of days fly by, and before I know it, it's the weekend.  Paige was completely ok with the whole, "I'm dating your brother" thing and her, Chloe, and I are really great friends.  In fact, Paige just joined our competition dance team and she's amazing.  As for Josh, well, we're not very close.  He always keeps eyeing Chloe, and it's got me worried.  Actually, he's coming over today.

Ding dong!

There's Josh.  I make myself look ok, walk to the door, and open it.

"Hey Maddie," Josh says, smiling.

"Hey Joshie!" I exclaim, then hug him.  He just kinda goes with it, then I lead him to my room.  We sit on my bed, and he gives me a serious look.

"Maddie, I came here to tell you something," Josh says solemnly.  "I have my heart set on another girl - someone you're close to - so...um...I'm breaking up with you."

"What?" I say, on the verge of tears.  "You can't date Chloe!"

"How'd you know it'd-"

"How would I not know, Joshua?" I interrupt him, blazing with fury.  "You've had your eye on her every single time you've been around her!  You can't date her, Josh!"

"Why?" Josh says, challenging me.

"Because she has HIV!" the words slip out before I can think about them.  I instantly regret what I've said.

"W-what?" Josh stutters, his mouth wide open.

"I wasn't supposed to tell you," I whisper, my eyes watering.  "I-I had promised not to tell anyone."

Josh's eyes bulge out of his head.  "You're right," he says, looking down at pink comforter.  "I can't date her."

Instantly I feel guilty.  I had just destroyed my friend's chance at getting a great guy plus broke her most trusting promise, and it was all because I was angry.  Tears fall and I cry into Josh's shoulder.

"It's ok, Mads," Josh coos, his hand stroking my hair.  "I promise not to tell anyone."

"You swear?" I say, sniffling.

"I swear."

I smile and hug him.  "Thanks Joshy."

"Anything Mads."

Why did I believe he would keep his promise?

----THE NEXT DAY----

Chloe and I laugh at a joke as we walk into the school.  I immediatly gasp at what I see around me.  There were posters of Chloe's face saying, "INFECTED" on them.  My hand covers my mouth and tears threaten to fall.  Slowly, I look at Chloe.  Her face is white and her mouth is wide open.  All of a sudden, her face becomes beet red and she turns to me.

"You promised not to tell!" she screams at me, gathering everyone's attention.

"I-I'm sorry," I say, a tear slipping down my cheek.  "It just slipped out."

"Who did you tell?" she yells harshly, not caring about my feelings.

"J-Josh."

"Why?"

"Because he was breaking up with me for you!  I was upset and angry and I wasn't thinking!  I'm sorry!"

"I can't believe you Maddie!  Our friendship is through!"  With that, Chloe walks away, her face still red.  Tears pour down my cheeks and people try to comfort me.  I shake them off and run towards the bathroom.  All of a sudden, a hand pulls me into the janitor's closet.  The doors shuts, the closet dark.

"I'm sorry Mads," I hear someone say.  The lights turn on and I see Josh.

"No you're not," I say, anger boiling beneath my skin.  "You promised."

"It just kinda slipped out," Josh says, repeating my words from just a few seconds earlier.

"How many people did you tell?" I hiss.

"Maybe the football team and their girlfriends," Josh says, his eyes drifting away from me.

"Josh!" I whisper-yell.  "You promised not to tell!  I knew I wouldn't be able to trust you!  You're just another-"  I'm interrupted by a soft pair of lips touching mine.  I break away quickly.

"What the hell?" I growl at Josh.  "You think that a kiss is going to make me forgive you?  I just lost my friend because you broke a promise!"

"Come on, Mads," Josh says, grabbing my hand.  "She's not worth it; I am."

"Not quite," I whisper seductively, wrapping my arms around his neck.  "You're even worse; a bitch."  I bring my foot down onto his and stomp out of the closet.  Josh calls me from down the hall, but I ignore him and continue to my classroom.

-----

End of chapter 5.

Sorry, I was gone at a tournament.  Also, sorry for the swearing, but it is PG-13.