A New Love

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Have you ever been in a moment where you have no idea what to do? You just zone out and you can't hear anyone around you.

That's exactly how I feel right now.

I can't believe it. Laine normally tells me everything, why not this? I guess we haven't talked in a while but I didn't know that would stop him from talking to me about this. Just a simple text, that's all I needed, but no. That didn't happen.

I feel a harsh tug on my wrist and whip my head to the source, I see someone's hand around my tiny wrist and I follow the arm to see Chloe at the other end. She nods her head in the direction behind me and I realize I have been blocking the way for someone behind me. I quickly move, apologize, and sit next to Chloe.

I stare into the middle of the hot tub trying to hide my face from Laine. Ashley, who is sitting on the other side of me, catches on to me not being my normal self and nudges me with her elbow.

"What's wrong." She asks.

I move my head in one sharp motion to face her, my eyes wide. I realize what I'm doing and trying to cover it up I instantly act like I'm relaxing and tell her nothing is wrong.

"Stop lying." She replies. At this point everybody has stopped their own side conversations and is staring at me.

I'm going through all the possible situations in my head. If I lie, Ashley will know, If I tell the truth, what will Duke do. He could brush it off like nothing has happened, he could go and beat him up, he could do something I might be aware he could do.

I quickly make eye contact with Duke who is sitting across from me and he has the same wondering face as everybody else does. Even though the possibilities of what could happen run through my head I have to tell the truth. I stare right into Ashley's eyes so she knows I'm serious.

"Laine's here." I say blankly and her expression instantly changes to one that is a mixture of hate, anger, and confusion all in one.

"Where?" She pretty much yells. I shush her as Duke pipes up.

"Who's Laine?" Shoot. I forgot to tell him about Laine. All the girls quickly give me a glance of "you haven't told him yet" and all the guy's faces are saying "who's Laine." I put everyone to rest as I explain.

"Laine was my boyfriend in Coaldale and we haven't talked in a long time. We didn't exactly leave it on the happiest note when I moved so I don't know what he is going to do. Especially now, since I have a new boyfriend." I motion to Duke and I can pretty much see the fury in his eyes.

Chloe nudges me, "Umm, I think Laine is coming in the hot tub," she points out, and I see Laine slowly get out of the pool and head in our direction.

"Umm, okay," I move over to Duke who is conveniently in the corner and I rest my hands on his knees, "Do you want to leave or do you want to stay here and I'll face you so he doesn't see me?"

He replies quickly, "I'll hide you."

"Okay, but then you have to pretend like you don't know anything about him, he is a complete stranger."

"Okay."

I rush behind him and I don't know if this is going to work but it seems to because Laine doesn't notice as he takes his steps into the hot tub. Laine is very friendly so I know he will start talking to my friends.

"You guys seem like you know each other, do you all go to the same school or something?" Laine asks the group. Wow, it's been a long time since I have heard his voice.