It's a Secret, Boy

Chapter 9

I punched Andy in the arm and gave a loud laugh. "What, Mason here?"

"So Mason isn't here?" Connor said. "Andy, what are you talking about?"

"Yeah," Isaac agreed. "If Mason was here, he'd be with us."

"Maybe he is with us-" Andy was cut off by kick to his thigh.

"I was just joking," Andy rubbed his arm and his thigh, and winced. "Do you have steel fists?"

"Probably," Isabel said, eyeing Henry. "Hey, are you Henry Candle?"

Henry winked at her. Isabel made a gagging noise, and Henry's face fell.

"What was that?" He said, affronted.

Isabel scoffed. I hid my grin and glared at Andy.

"What?" Andy said. "I was just joking. Mason's at home."

"Really?" Connor asked.

"Why would he be home?" Isaac raised his eyebrows.

"Why wouldn't he?" Isabel cut in before I could.

"Stop getting all sassy," Logan pointed out.

"Stop being annoying," I said defensively.

"I wasn't even talking to you," Logan shot back.

"Should I kick you again? Or maybe a high kick to the head this time?" I said menacingly.

The gang looked me head to toe.

"You're going to hit Logan?" Connor asked.

"No, no," Isaac waved it off, then pointed at me. "She's going to high kick Logan."

"With that outfit?" Logan gestured to my sweater and skirt.

"You better not," Isabel threatened. "I like that outfit."

"I wouldn't mind seeing that," Henry said provocatively. He winked at me.

"Don't even think about it," I glared.

"If you rip it, I'm going make you go shopping with me and go on a double date," Isabel menaced. "Two double dates."

"Didn't you say you would do that already?" I pointed out.

"You're going on a double date?" Connor asked.

"Really?" Isaac chuckled. "Well, you're pretty."

"Can I hit him?" I asked Isabel.

"Why? He complimented you," Isabel said, examining her orange and pink nails. "You're supposed to accept it."

"I feel insulted," I muttered. I kicked Logan in the shin. "I'm leaving."

"Me too," Isabel grinned and handed me my book bag.

"Are you going to see Mason?" Andy looked at me and grinned. I flicked his forehead and followed Isabel out.

"So Andy knows?" Isabel guessed as we stepped onto the sunlit pavement. "How?"

"It was raining while we were locked outside," I sighed. "My wig slipped and I went into the shed at school. Andy came into the shed and my bind and my shirt got torn."

"How did you get out?" Isabel asked as we crossed a coffee shop. "Of that mess, I mean."

"I held the shirt over my chest, obviously," I rolled my eyes. We entered the coffee shop and stood in line. "The rest came into the shed and didn't see me until I knocked the back door of the shed over." We walked a couple steps forward. "I put my wig on and ran into the guys' locker room. I changed into new clothes, then came to you."