Hidden Close (Jr. Year)

Chapter 4

Part 4 Of The First Draft

“Why so down, kid?”

Lana’s smiling face was welcome. I had been depressed ever since Perry dropped me off. I have my good days, and I have many bad days, and tonight, I was able to stop after just two cuts. I looked up, and saw Lana in her disgusting Burger Emporium uniform. She threw off her hat, revealing her beautiful short bronze hair, which seemed to shine underneath the dim light of our room. I replied to Lana,

“It's nothing that I can't handle. How was your first day of school?”

Lana laughed in a sarcastic manner, and commented,

“Absoultely boring, but hey, I'm sure it'll get better. Every guy there stared at me....as if I were something that could easily be had. I'm sorry, but Brad means too much to me...you know? I'll talk to you after I shower, I promise. I feel so filthy...”

Lana left, and I was all alone again. I sat up on my bed, and peered through the window. I wonder if he is looking at the same sky as me right now, with the moon bright and full. I laid back down after I had a good long look at what was one of the most beautiful lit night skies I have ever seen. I wanted to grab my phone, and I did exactly that. I texted Perry,

“Look outside. Can you imagine us out there, embracing one another. Isn't the moon gorgeous?”

Perry’s response was almost instantaneous,

“It is. It's hard being away from you. I do spend much time absorbed in thoughts of you.”

“Likewise, Perry....”

Lana had finished her shower, and I noticed that I had lost track of time again. I often do when it comes to Perry.

“Dang. I come home and you're depressed, and then I return from the shower, and you have a huge smile on your face. You talked to him, didn't you?”

I nodded, and told Lana,

“What can I do, sis? You know what it's like. He is my drug, the one who gets me high. I love him so much.....”

Lana cut me off,

“Yeah, must be great. Here I am, juggling my job, school, and my boyfriend, but, there's something else in my life that's going on. A certain someone saw my name in some newspaper. He called me, wondering where I am. Wesley is back and I don't know what to do, Mindi. Brad is hardly ever around me, and it's real easy to forget about him....”

I rose up, and came over to where Lana was. She had changed into her blue silky pajamas, and now she was the one crying. I sat down beside her and put my arm around her, telling her in a caring but stern tone,

“If you are going to dump Brad, do it soon, before you enter a Lamia bond with him. If that happens, you will be stuck with him.”

Lana lifted her head up, and defended herself,

“I love Brad...Wesley is just someone that I thought was gone forever. He complicates everything. Give me some time, and I’ll sort it all out. I promise, Mindi. Please don't tell them. I want to take this problem on alone.”

I hugged her, and agreed,

“I trust you. I'll let you handle this, okay?”

I got up, and laid down on my bed. Lana switched the light off, and my first day of school was finally over. The last thing I thought before I fell asleep was,

“Junior year is going to be a nightmare....even worse than summer was....”

The morning came, and I hurried to get dressed in a shirt and jeans. I combed my hair in the bathroom and brushed my teeth, and ran downstairs, grabbing a banana as I hurried out the door. After leaving my house, I was shocked to find both Perry and Becky waiting for me. I looked at Rebecca, and asked her,

“What are you doing here?”

She laughed, and retorted,

“Well, you did say you'd be my friend....”

I shook my head, and then took Perry by the hand, who mentioned,

“Last night's moon was really amazing, wasn't it? Some day, we'll bathe underneath one them, forgetting our worries....”

Becky cleared her throat, and reminded us,

“Jealous friend here, remember? Can't you two freeze your hormones for even a second?”

Perry laughed, and played the peacekeeper,

“Oh, yeah, Becky. I forgot. I'm sorry.”

When we made it to the school we all hurried into the gym. Becky went to her locker, which was on the opposite of the room, and I quickly changed into my PE uniform, hoping she wasn't watching. Becky is cute and all, but, well, I'm in love. Perry can't be replaced. I slammed my locker shut with my clothes inside, and Becky joined me. She said, with much enthusiasm,

“Come on, Mindi! Let's go warm up!”

The bell rang shortly after we went into the gymnasium, and the coach blew her whistle, pointing to the track outside.

“Today you’ll be running three laps, and no whining, or it’ll be a whole mile! Go, go, go!”

Both the boys and girls went out the door, and I watched as both Perry and Becky took off, side by side. (Were they actually racing?) I did my laps, watching as Perry and Becky lapped me. Perry barely finished first, as if Becky had let him win. When I finally finished, Becky was breathing heavy, and when I caught my breath, and I told her,

“You didn't have to do that.”

Becky gasped, and asked,

“Do what?”

Becky knew what I was talking about. I left it alone, and sat there, panting, wishing I could run like either Becky or Perry. When we made it back to the gym, I saw that the two were playing basketball together. What's with this girl? Why is she so athletic, and why is she so creepy? Does she really think she can woo me with a physical display? I know though, that she is going to make everything so complicated. I'll have to stay on my toes this whole year, as I knew that there is some added hint of danger already lurking in the near future.