One of the Bullied | ✔

Chapter 45 - Malls = Disaster (even when you've got backup)

As I agreed a few days ago, Seth asked me out on a date on Saturday.

What he asked Nate the other day now makes sense. We're both still freaking out about the whole incident, but Seth claims that Nate has been behaving completely normally around the others and hasn't breathed a word to anyone.

I'm hesitant about the date because I don't know how it'll turn out. I know Seth wants to be able to go out in public with me but I don't think it's such a good idea. After all, Nate may be keeping quiet, but there's tons of others who could see us and spill the beans.

I pace around my room, trying to think of what to wear, as well as trying to clear my head. I just have the impression this isn't going to go well.

/

"Hey, Zoe." Seth smiles at me widely as I open the door. "Come on. I have a couple of things planned out." He grins. "You didn't eat, did you?"

"No..." I trail off.

"Great." He holds out his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, I smooth my top down and take it. I'm really excited for tonight, and I can't help but wonder what he's planned.

It's sort of our first date. I want it to be perfect.

He squeezes my hand, tugging me down the path to his bike, barely giving me enough time to shout a goodbye to my parents and lock the door. I climb on behind him, grinning widely as he hands me a helmet.

"Safety first." He chuckles, and I smile back.

As we drive, I realise how happy I feel. I remember the first time I drove on the back of his bike. I was not only terrified, but sore and angry too. I was livid, not only with Seth but with the others. I was livid with myself for letting him help me.

Now? After what happened with Nate, I think I might have a chance... At whatever Seth plans, I guess. I might have a chance at making up with people like Nate and Caitlyn and who knows, maybe even Luke.

I smile slightly, stopping myself. I don't want to get over-excited about what could be. I prefer to think about right now, and right now is awesome.

Both of us are silent as he drives, speeding way past the limit on residential streets, even skipping a couple of amber and red lights. Everytime he does I nudge his ribs with my elbow, and I feel him laugh.

It's nice.

Eventually, he parks in front of Somerby's, the largest mall in the area: a place I never would have dared to come mere weeks ago. I step off nervously.

"When we talked last time, I asked Nate to stay away from here." Seth explains to me as we walk in. I stay a step behind him, anxious that we'll bump into someone. My hair's down, and I'm wearing contact lenses, but I'm still recognisable.

"So, in theory, no one should be here?" I ask tensely.

"In theory." Seth says. "But I don't entirely trust Nate. I doubt he'll bring Luke and the others here, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's someone else less suspicious from school, just to check up. But I'm telling you, Zoe, he pulls something and he'll end up in a very serious situation."

Seth sighs.

"It's fine. Nothing will happen, Zoe. If we see someone we just go into a shop or something, and that's it. Anyway, I think now that Nate knows we should both relax more. People are bound to start finding out soon."