Staying Hidden

Potential Boyfriend?

John woke me up when we reached Grace's driveway and I sent her a text saying I was here. I thanked John and walked up to her front door. I waited a second before she opened the door and I smiled at her.

"What's up?" She asked letting me in.

"Not much," I said plopping on her couch. "You?"

"Nothin much," she sat in a chair. "So how was the barbecue?"

I sighed and told her what happened with Dan, Rydon, Truth Or Dare, etc. Recalling the events from what just happened made me feel weird because it just made it more real. That it actually happened. Grace was listening with both ears and was just as surprised as I was about Rydon caring.

"Do you think he likes you?" She asked.

I shook my head. "He hates me too much to have feelings for me."

"Do you like him?" She asked.

"No. Maybe he's nice behind closed doors, but to me and John and everyone I see, he's been horrible to," I said.

"Well, it was nice of him to step up for you," she said.

I nodded. "So what's been going on in your life?"

She shook her head. "Nothin new. Just same ole me."

I laughed. I love having her as a friend. She was my best friend. And hopefully will be for the rest of my life.

"Want something to eat?" She stood and made her way to the kitchen.

I followed and stood behind the counter.

"I can bake cookies," she suggested.

"Sure," I nodded.

I learned one of the first times I came over that Grace liked to be alone in the kitchen. As she started baking, I put on some music.

"So, we were in class today and this guy that sits a few rows over from me goes, 'Hey, can I have your number?' In the middle of a lecture so I didn't reply and he kept asking and I finally just gave him this look that was like, "Shut up before I kill you" and he was like, 'I got you, I got you," Grace laughed.

I laughed and placed my hand on my forehead. "Which kid?"

"I don't even know," she shrugged. "So where's your mom?"

"Home. The twins are at a sleepover so she wants the house to herself," I rolled my eyes.

"Well, we get to have girl night!" She said.

I nodded and laughed and put on Freaky Friday.

All weekend long we just gossiped about nothing and ate everything in her pantry. I wasn't stressed for once which was good. It was nice to be myself and not have to worry over little stuff. Monday morning, we went to school and sat in the cafeteria before school started.

Grace and one of her other friends Kelsi caught up on their weekends and so I zoned out. Kelsi was my friend but we weren't exactly tight like Grace and I were.

"Uh, hi," a guy walked up to me. "Can I sit here?"

"Sure," I nodded.

He looked at the three of us. "I'm Casen."

"I'm Grace, this is Kelsi, and that's Vanessa," Grace said.

"Are you new here?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No, I've been coming here all year. Just trying to be a bit more social."

I nodded.

"So tell me about you," he looked at me.

"Not much to me, really. I dance all the time. I have two younger sisters. I'm in PALS. Uh... That's about it. What about you?" I asked.

"I play instruments, only child, my mom's a single mom. Pretty much me," he said.

"So is mine," I said.

"Did your dad pass?" He asked.

I shrugged. "Took off when I was little."

"My dad passed when I was ten."

"That's awful, from what?"

"Heart failure."

"I'm so sorry."

"Nah, I'm okay now."

"That's good."

"Look, I think you're cool. I kinda know you from John, but I don't know you that well."

"That's what communication is for," I smiled.

"Would you mind coming with me to a party Friday night?" He asked.

I pressed my lips into a line. "I can't. John and I have to work on a dance that's due at the end of the month."

"Okay, I'll wait," he played with my hair.

I looked over at Grace and she gave me the "he so likes you" look and I looked back at him.

"See ya," he stood and walked away.

"He's so fine," Kelsi said as he left.

"He so likes you, Vanessa," Grace said.

I shrugged. "I don't even know him that well."

"Hey," John sat with us and looked at me. "Ready to work on the dance?"

I nodded, stood from the table, and waved goodbye to my friends and went to the dance room with John.

"So, John, who's this Casen person?" I asked tying my hair up into a pony.

"Just someone I've known for about a few months. He's in some of my classes. Why?" He asked.

"No reason. He just started talking to me today," I said.

"Well, let's work on the dance," he redirected me.

~

At the end of the month, we presented our dance to our dance teacher. Everyone loved it and it was one less thing to do. Casen and I still talked and I didn't "live" anywhere. Mom kicked me out saying I wasn't home enough and that I was a mistake.

No one knew. I slept at Grace's a lot of the time, but I couldn't impose like that. I started living at the dance studio too. Mr. O'Connor didn't know I got kicked out either. I just told him that I needed to perfect my toe pointing.

John and his family were going on a vacation and Grace's family was visiting, so that left me at the dance studio. School was about to end and I was putting things in my locker.

"Hey, Vanessa!" Casen ran up to me.

"Hey," I said.

"So I'm having some people over. Wanna come?" He asked.

"Sure," I shrugged.

"Awesome," he said.

I shut my locker and faced him, not knowing what else to do. Suddenly my tongue felt too big for my mouth, all saliva dried up in my throat, and my stomach was doing windmill kicks and leaps. When did I start liking Casen?

"Ready?" He asked.

I nodded and we went to his place for his get-together.