Can You Keep a Secret?

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Where’s Jenny?” Jake asked, glancing hopefully around the group. But Lewis just shrugged, trying not to feel let down that he hadn’t seen Jenny all morning. “Jeez, what exactly are they doing? I’ve barely seen her since she got back and every time she’s here he’s following her around, taking up all her time! It’s so irritating!”

“Aw, come on, be nice Jake,” Jess said, not looking very convincing. Lewis snorted. “Okay, so I don’t like him. Jenny’s tolerating him so we should too!”

“Yeah, but maybe she tolerates him because she likes him,” Alex said mildly, shooting an apologetic look at Lewis and Jake. "I mean, I haven't seen her complain about it."

"She wouldn't complain, she's practically selfless," Lewis interjected, trying hard not to sound as impatient as he felt. From the looks the others were giving him, he figured he wasn't managing. "Well she is," he muttered, going back to his homework. "Look, she'll drag him over to us when he lets her. Listen, can we talk about something else?"

They were silent for a moment before dissolving into awkward chatter. The group went silent when Jenny and Adam did arrive though, Jake stopping midsentence to glare at Adam. Jenny glanced at Lewis briefly, their eyes meeting, but looked away as her face flushed slightly. Adam looked at Lewis sharply, but turned back to Jenny almost as quickly, murmuring something to her. She murmured something back but Lewis couldn’t hear them and Jenny shushed Adam before turning back to the group.

“So, have you got a free this afternoon Lewis?” Jenny queried, dropping into the seat next to him. Adam followed her begrudgingly, looking irritated. “I mean, I know you have, but are you busy for it?”

“No, I think I’m fairly free, why?” Lewis looked at her then, his heart thumping in his chest when she smiled at him.

“Well, I was thinking you could stick out the entire lesson with us, doing some revision, and then we could all go back to mine and Jess’. Unless you have to get home?” Jenny watched him expectantly, green eyes unwavering. He just nodded, breath catching in his throat. It didn’t feel like there was anyone else there with them, just Lewis and Jenny, gazing at each other.

But then Adam cleared his throat, making Lewis flush as Jenny turned away. “So they’re all coming over?” he said, pouting slightly. “I thought you’d be helping me with all this homework.” Jenny rolled her eyes and he grew surlier.

“Calm down, Adam,” Jess interrupted, smiling stiffly. “You have to share Jenny; we’ve only got the one.”

“Fine,” he muttered, shooting her a scowl. The group fell into nervous chatter again, everyone wary of saying anything to either Adam or Jenny. Adam kept up a constant chatter with Jenny, ignoring anyone who tried to talk to him but Jenny kept trying to talk to the others, dragging Lewis into conversations, or asking Jake a question about a shared subject.

When the bell finally rang for last lesson Jake and Alex both went to their PE lesson, leaving a very quiet foursome in their wake. Lewis pulled out a book, flicking through until he reached the chapter they were currently covering. He managed to immerse himself in the book, only glancing up when Jenny made noises or shifted in her seat. Adam sat with his phone out, thumbs twitching over the screen as he played a game.

So much for all that homework he has, Lewis thought humourlessly, unreasonably irritated by the boy. As if spurred on by Lewis’ thought, Jenny looked at Adam sharply, eyebrows raised pointedly. Adam pouted back at her before sighing and standing up. The bell rang moments later and Lewis started, surprised. Jess was already packed up, eager to meet Alex out of his lesson.