Dirty Little Secret

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine:

After ten minutes we arrive at the restaurant. When he leads me to the table that contained all his friends, my body froze. What was I doing? These people won't like me! All I am to them is someone younger, someone that doesn’t belong.

"I don't actually want to get something to eat," I tell Elliott. "I'm just going to head back home." I start to back away from him. I look around, anywhere but him and see Erica and Owen together inside, making out. My anger sparks up as I stare at them. How long ago did I leave him? Had I kissed him? With a deep breath I storm past them and outside.

“Lani!” Elliott runs after me. His loud voice causes everyone in the surrounding area to look at us. Including Owen and Erica.

"Where are you going?" He holds my wrist, as if to make sure I won't run away from him again.

“Home.” I tell him. “Owen is here.”

He looks over his shoulder at Owen. "So what? You going to let him control where you go?" I look up at him. "You're honestly going to leave because of him being here? That's silly, Lani," he slips his fingers through mine and smiles at me. A smiles makes it way onto my face.

"But if you honestly don't want to be here, I can take you somewhere else." His thumb rubs small circles on my hand.

“You don’t have to do that Elliott.”

"If it's what you want, I'll be happy to do it."

“No, here is fine.”

"Do you want to sit with my friends or-?" He looks over his shoulder and I follow his gaze to see Erica and Owen sitting not too far from his friends.

“We can sit with them.”

"Okay," he nods and gently tugged me over to the table. I stay quiet the whole time.

When we reach his table, they all fall silent. I could practically feel their silent questions pressing down on me. They wanted to know why I was here, and with Elliott as well. Elliott sits down and motions for me to sit next to him, so I do.

"Who's the lady?" A guy opposite me asks Elliott. I stay quiet.

"This is Lani, my friend." Elliott says, looking at the boy. I stay quiet and try not to make an idiot out of myself.

Their gazes stayed glued to me, or Elliott, all silently asking whey he brought me here. I feel so out of place. Through them ordering their drinks, I kept my eyes on my hands because when I dared to look up, my eyes found Owen.. and Erica kissing. They are still kissing, the only time they stopped was when Elliott called my name.

If he can have fun with his girlfriend, why can't I with a boy that seems interested in being my friend? Why did Owen have to bring her or meet her here? Why?

It is like he knew.. I stop myself from completing the thought. Of course he didn't know where I would be. He couldn’t have known...I frown to myself and look over at him. Erica is all over him. Elliott puts his hand on my shoulder and smiles at me. "We can leave if you want?"

“No, its fine.”

"Enjoy yourself," he whispers to me. "We aren't that bad." I laugh quietly. He raises his eyebrow with a small smile and said nothing.

“What?”

"Nothing," he grins and looked over my shoulder. I follow his gaze to see Owen looking at us with a frown. I quickly look away. I dont want Owen to ruin my night more than he already has. Elliott leans back in his chair and throws his arm causally along the back of mine, a small smile thrown in my direction. I cant help the smile that makes its way onto my face. The boy opposite me, who I later find out that his name is Jake, starts a conversation with Elliott, and includes me the best he can.