Can You Keep a Secret?

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Lewis was waiting outside the college building, wishing he hadn't left his house quite that early when Jenny appeared, rolling along on a skateboard. Her eyes were faraway and she looked unhappy. There were red rings around her eyes and her eyebrows were pulled together, peaking in the centre. He hesitated to call out to her, wondering if he should interrupt her. It appeared he needn't have worried when she skated to a stop in front of him.

"Morning," she said morosely, not looking him in the eye.

"Hey," he answered brightly, wincing a little at the forcedness of his voice. "Nice board. What's the occasion?"

"I didn't want to wait at home this morning. I figured I could live with getting here a little earlier than usual. How come you're out this early?"

"Still getting used to the walk. Plus, I got up earlier than normal. Wouldn't you have been really bored, getting here before everyone else?" Lewis queried, trying not to look too curious about how red her eyes were.

"But you're here," she said, looking confused. "So it's not an issue."

"Yeah but...you know what, never mind. Do you want to go inside? It's a little chillier than usual, kind of looks like it's going to rain." When she murmured assent he led the way inside to the recreational area. There were plush chairs and lockers ringing the room and they flopped into a pair of chairs in the corner. "So, what've you got first?" he asked when they were settled and Jenny had stashed her skateboard behind a couple of chairs.

"Maths, same as you Lewis," she said, looking at him like he was insane. Which maybe he was, if he couldn't remember when his lessons were. "Did you do that homework?"

"Yeah, of course. Well, I mean, most of it. What about you? Did you get through it okay?"

"Mm," she muttered, staring down at her hands twisting in her lap. "It wasn't that bad. I just wish I'd waited to do it this weekend."

"I thought you're b-boyfriend was coming down this weekend?" He cursed himself for feeling so irritated by her boyfriend. "Did he cancel? Or didn't he stay the night?"

"Something like that." When she didn't elaborate, Lewis leaned forward and touched her arm.

"Did...something happen? I mean, none of my business and all but you kind of look like crap."

"Thanks," Jenny said sarcastically, glaring at him. When he didn't relent she sighed and leaned back in her chair. "It's...complicated. I broke up with him. Okay, maybe not so complicated."

"Oh, wow. Was he...I mean, how come?" Lewis tried to backpedal, remembering that he wasn't supposed to have overheard her that day on the phone. "Jake was always saying that you guys were so happy so I assumed..."

"You know that's not true Lewis. I know you heard what I said to him when I came over and I don't blame you. I shouldn't have been having such a personal conversation in someone else's house, I know that. But he was cheating on me and I-" She broke off, tearing up again, her voice cracking. She took a couple of deep breaths before continuing. "I'm sorry, this isn't your problem. God I just feel so stupid."

"Hey, no you're not," Lewis said, feeling both uncomfortable and elated. "Look, Aidan's a total prat if he's stupid enough to cheat on someone like you. And I don't just mean because you're too smart for him to get away with it. I mean because you're pretty, sweet, caring, you've got gorgeous eyes and you're kind of super hot. You know, from an objective point of view. If he didn't want to...to wait, that's his problem. Don't let him make this your fault, okay?"

"I..." Jenny looked at him with very wide eyes, looking shocked. Lewis smiled at her, letting his hand run down her arm to her hand and squeezing it. "Thanks Lew, I...it's been a tough weekend."