Secrets and Lies

Chapter 8

Monday morning Emma drove me to school and the whole way there she kept pestering me about what I was going to do when I saw Josh. "Are you going to kiss him? Will you hold hands in the hall?"

It was never ending, and with no opportunity to actually answer any of her questions.

By the time we arrived at school my stomach was in knots and my pulse was racing. Emma had gotten me so flustered about what I was going to do when I saw Josh. In truth, I had no idea. I didn't know what to do or say. Do we act like a couple now? I mean, it's only been one date.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts while taking books out of my locker that I didn't hear the footsteps walking up behind me.

"Good morning," came the oh-so-familiar voice that caused my insides to jump in excitement.

I guess it was time to find out. I took a deep breath to calm my swirling nerves before turning to greet Josh with a genuine smile. "Good morning to you too!"

His returning smile was bright and warm, causing all my insecurities to melt away.

"Did you end up doing anything fun yesterday?" Josh asked, leaning up against my locker.

Josh and I had texted back and forth on Sunday, but he had to stop in order to work on something. He never said what it was, just that his dad needed his help.

"Not really," I said shaking my head. "I helped my mom prepare for her job interview."

"How'd that go?"

"Good, I think. This is the one she really wants so I'll have every body part crossed in the hope she gets it," I told him, crossing my fingerings and then both my arms.

"Well, then, I hope she gets it too," Josh said, holding up his crossed fingers.

"Good morning, Brother. Mina," said a very cheerful Courtney as she bounced toward us.

"Morning," I replied, stifling a laugh at her cheerfulness. "What are you so happy about this morning?"

"I dunno. I just woke up feeling good. Like maybe something good was going to happen," she answered.

I rolled my eyes at her optimism. "Maybe it's that Mrs. Winston won't assign homework today."

"I said something good, not impossible," Courtney said, causing me to laugh in response.

The bell rang, signaling it was time for class, but mostly for Josh to leave. If only he was in first period with Courtney and me, then it would be my favorite class even though I loathed math.

"I'll see you later," Josh said, leaning in to give me a quick peck on the cheek before quickly making a mad dash down the hallway.

I stood there for a moment in complete awe and disbelief. Did that really just happen or was I just imagining it? I lifted my hand to my cheek as if I would find the answer there. There was nothing but the warm feeling radiating from my blushing skin.

"Earth to Mina," Courtney's voice called, bringing me out of my thoughts. "Come on. We have to get to class."

"Right," I said, following after her while trying to hide my blush.

We made it into the classroom just as the final bell rang and we hurried to our seats.

"So, I still never got the details from your date. How did it go?" Courtney whispered in my direction while Mrs. Winston was busy writing equations on the whiteboard.

"Are you sure you want details? I mean, he is your brother," I replied skeptically.

"Yes. I mean you don't have to go into extreme details but I want to know so I can yell at him later if I need to."