The Hidden Pocket {ruel van dijk}

chapter seven.

I rush through the halls of the school, down too many flights of stairs, and through many doors. Finally, I reach Celia's classroom, a few students linger around, making conversation with her or eating their lunches so they can be indoors and out of the rain. I grab my cello off of a rack on the side of the classroom and swing it onto my back.

Just as fast as I showed up to her class, I leave. I skip through the halls and up even more stairs. Though I don't run, I try to get to the auditorium as fast as possible. I found out last week that it is always vacant during my free period, but every once in a while somebody else will get there before me and I'm not able to use the stage.

I've been needing to play on a stage.

Instead of using the main entrance, I go around the the right wing entrance, that way if anyone is using the stage, I won't interrupt them.

I open the door as quietly as possible, careful to shut it without making too much noise. I peak my head around and don't see anybody. I sigh in relief. It's been days since I've been the first to get to the auditorium.

I cheerfully walk onto the stage, standing in the middle of it and relishing the sight of an empty auditorium. I notice that there isn't a chair on stage, only a choir stand. I turn my head to the side, looking for a chair or stool.

I walk towards the left wing to get one. But just as I get close enough, I notice two figures in the shadows behind a curtain. I can only see their side profiles, but it's obvious they're making out. Lovely.

Just as I'm about to turn around and leave, something stands out in the corner of my eye.

The girl has a pair of knee-high boots on. This typically wouldn't be at all offsetting, but they aren't part of uniform. Every girl is required to wear short kitten heels.

Then I remember Jude showing me her new pair of boots this morning. How she didn't care if she was dress coded because they were 'just so cute'.

I look a little closer and notice that the boy is only slightly taller than Jude. My heart falls to the pit of my stomach. Ruel is at least six inches taller than Jude.

I run off stage and back out into the corridor. My breathing hitches as I close the door behind me, accidentally very loudly.

So this is why she has been so distant lately, always on her phone and not paying attention to anything or anyone.

I don't know where I'm going, I feel as though I am helpless. I need to find Ruel, to tell him about what I just saw. The only problem is that I have no idea where his class is this period. So instead, I find my way to the library, deciding to wait there until school is over and I can find him.

I take a seat on a couch behind a shelf of nonfiction novels.

I cannot believe what I saw. Maybe I was wrong, maybe my eyes saw what I wanted to see. Maybe it wasn't Jude at all. All I know is that the boy was not Ruel. I know him better than I'd like to admit. I've memorized his posture and the way he stands, how tall he is compared to everyone else.

I try to work out how I'm going to tell Ruel.

"Hey buddy, hate to break it to you but I found your girlfriend kissing some other dude."

"Funny story, I'm pretty sure Jude was sucking face with a stranger."

"You probably won't believe me, but I literally just saw your girlfriend making out with someone in the auditorium behind a curtain."

"Your girlfriend is a cheating bitch. Date me instead."

I quickly discover that I'm not the best with words and this situation would be so much easier for me if I didn't have to tell him. Yet, even though I don't want to, I know that I have to. He deserves to know.