Annalise

Chapter 27: Secrets

"Asher thought Noah was my boyfriend."

"If his hands were all over you than what else would anyone think besides that you're dating him?" Alice questioned, her nose wrinkling as she scrunches her face.

"That we're friends, or that I was just too scared to move and stop him from being so touchy. Noah is not my boyfriend," I counteracted, sighing as I closed my red locker door.

"True," she agreed, her tall figure leaning against the locker next to mine. "I'm sorry that I couldn't kick Tate in the balls to stop him from dragging me away from you. I can promise that I literally almost took off his head for doing so," she utters quite seriously, her forest green eyes displaying no hint of joking.

I smiled lightly at her, shaking my head as I smoothed over my slightly short beige skirt. I began to tug at the sleeves of my white, hoodless sweater when she leans off the locker and stands right in front of me.

"You know, Noah being handsy with you in front of Ricky was only to piss the guy off. I bet he was doing it because, well according to what you said to me on the phone about the deal, he knew it'll get under Ricky's skin because he can't hurt you if he doesn't have any proof that your going against him with Noah..."

"... and by making it look like you and him are dating, it would only mean that of course your with any demented ideas he has to destroy the Imperishables," Alice surmised, her brows furrowing greatly as an unpleasant thought enters her mind.

I started to rub my forearm as I thought back to the dreadful moment, where me, Alice, and the girl Tamara stood between two gangs.

The fear from that evening crept back upon me, inducing goosebumps to spread along my arms and legs. That look, his eyes, it made sense.

That's why Ricky viciously glowered at me like I was his rival, his enemy. It was because of what Noah did.

"That's why," I muttered to myself, glancing at the floor.

"Noah has a lot balls using you like that. You're too good for him!" She exclaims, her loud voice overlooked in the noisy halls.

She grabs both my shoulders, gaining my attention in an instant. I caught her eyes, promptly aware of the worry that blatantly stood out, but it lasted only seconds as it was concealed swiftly.

It was as if she was scared of losing me for a moment.

Didn't she know that I wouldn't ever leave her just for a boy?

She added pressure to the firm grip on my shoulders, disapproval written across her face. Although, I swore I detected a bit of anger and something else, something I couldn't decipher.

"You can't go falling for him," she enunciated each word very slowly.

Why would she think that? He was all over me, not the other way around.

I wouldn't fall for a gang leader, they're undeniably dangerous.

"Alice," I voiced softly, "I'm not-"

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a tall guy heading my way, too close to simply pass by without bumping into me. Just as I attempted to free myself from Alice and move out of the way, the person appeared inches away from my side.