Can You Keep a Secret?

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

“I’m off mum!” Lewis called, stomping through the house to the door. “I’ll see you tonight,” he finished, pulling open the door, only to pull up short. “Oh, hey.”

“Hey,” Jake said, standing up from his seat on the wall. “I thought maybe we could walk to school together. You know, maybe catch up properly.” Jake was offering an olive branch and Lewis took it gratefully, relieved that it was no longer weird between them.

“Sounds great,” he said honestly, falling into step beside his friend. They chattered aimlessly, just like they had as kids, joking and pratting around. They were still laughing as they crossed the college threshold, Lewis pulling stupid faces and Jake trying to jab him in the sides. Lewis only faltered when he saw that Jenny hadn’t met with them that morning, Jess shrugging when he asked where she was.

When Jenny was absent from registration, Lewis spent the whole morning trying to catch a glimpse of Jenny in the future but the only thing he saw was the vision he had induced, of Jenny and he sitting in the canteen. And he wasn’t entirely sure when that would happen though, so he was frustrated. Jake was good about it, not pressing when Lewis spaced out and not demanding his attention. He appeared to have relaxed a great deal, since the unfortunate meeting when Aidan had come along and everyone had fainted.

Lewis spent lunch sitting in the canteen, watching out for Jenny to appear, but none of the brunette girls that crossed his path was her. He stood up at the end of his lunch period, feeling put out. Was she avoiding him? Why? He dropped into a seat in the recreation room, dejected but Jake came along a moment later, grumbling about his previous lesson and Lewis was forced to act cheerful.

“Okay, spill. What’s going on with you today Lewis?” Jake demanded eventually. “You’ve been acting like someone ran over your cat.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lewis replied stubbornly, avoiding looking into Jake’s eyes. “I think I’ve been charming. But maybe it’s because Jenny’s absent, the day after her dick ex-boyfriend shows up. Aren’t you a little curious?”

“Oh, that,” Jake said, leaning back in his chair and shrugging. “If she wanted us to know where she is, we would.”

“And you’re just leaving it at that? Or is this something she does often, skipping all her lessons and not letting even Jess know where she is?”

“Well, no, she doesn’t do that. But I trust her to take of herself, Lewis. Don’t you?”

“No! Come on,” he insisted when Jake scoffed. “She is super delicate, emotionally, right now and we’re supposed to be her friends. Or did big bad Aidan freak you out that much?” he added shrewdly, eyes narrowing when Jake’s face began to colour. “Oh, Jesus, you’re scared of him?”

“Aren’t you? Besides, that’s not all of it. That’s her type. All big muscles, mean scowl and bad attitude. What kind of chance do I actually stand? And I know you heard her say she wasn’t anywhere close to interested in me,” Jake added pointedly, making Lewis flush this time. “So don’t act like I should still be falling over myself to impress her.”

“I didn’t say you should! I just think that maybe we should try and find out if she’s okay. You know, like friends do? Forget it,” Lewis said, throwing his hands up in defeat. “So, do you want to go over to hers and see if she’s still alive after school?”

Jake agreed, seeming unwilling but Lewis took what he could get. They were almost out of the college grounds when Jess caught up to them, snagging Jake by the back of his hoody. Alex followed behind her, looking vaguely uncomfortable but backing her up.