Chasing Secrets

8

It was the last day at the vineyard and Juniper was helping me pack my bag. I still hadn't told her about what happened the other night, it shouldn't be that big a deal, I mean it was just a friendly kiss on the cheek, and I'm happy with Pietro, but I knew it was right to tell her, I would tell Harley and now Juniper is my best friend too. Okay I was overthinking this way too much and I'm way in over my head
"I kissed Ace last night." I blurted out, if I hadn't said it, I would've still been overthinking it
"You what?" she replied instantly in confusion
"Well, it wasn't a kiss kiss. I just gave him a kiss on the cheek." I said, ignoring her question and not repeating myself
"But, your boyfriend..?" she was still confused
"I like him, nothing's gonna change that. What I did to Ace was a mistake that I'll never repeat. We're just friends and two stars of a play. Nothing more."
"When did this happen exactly?"
"Friday night, after all the adventures, I sat down on my rooftop, staring out to space, and he sat down next to me, we talked about how I miss my family, and how much they would enjoy it here, then he told me to do something with them the next weekend and I told him that I'm taking them to the County Fair, then I got tired so as he left my room I just did it without thinking" I explained myself
"Does he mean anything to you?"
"No. It was just a friendly kiss" but I started to think I was lying to myself. Being around Ace wasn't easy, I always felt tense around him, found myself fidgeting a lot, feeling like my body was heating up so I was confused.
We finished packing up my suitcase and then headed down to eat, Ace made pancakes and eggs, classy, but one of my favorite breakfasts.
We sat down quietly until I decided to break the silence "So guys who are you taking to homecoming?"
"We don't do homecomings" Juniper replied for her and Ace
"What? Why? They're so much fun!"
"How is getting all dressed up like a princess, with a cake face of makeup, annoying high heels, and dancing with sweaty people considered fun?" she asked
"Well when you put it that way it sounds no fun. But really, we can go as a group, you two, Harley, her date, Pietro and I, you could afterwards come over to my place and we can order a bunch of food and just binge watch movies until the sun comes up, then we can go to the County Fair with my siblings and Pietro"
They look at each other "Sure okay, what's the harm in that?" Ace replies
I clap both my hands in excitement, and finally all of my friends get to meet each other.

At home, I'm laying down on the couch texting Harley and telling her all about homecoming
'Lilia and Logan are coming with us to hoco and we're all gonna go as a group'
'sure that would be fun'
'oh also I need to tell you something,, but you super swear not to tell anyone. not even P, especially him.'
'okay you're making me scared but I super swear I wont spill one bean to anyone, not even P, especially him'
I take a deep breath then quickly type and send 'I kissed Logan on the cheek'
For a few moments I don't get a text back, she just left me on read. I dropped my phone on the couch and sat laying there looking up at the ceiling. I heard a ring from my phone that frightened me
'Oh' was all I read
'Oh?' I text back
'It's not a big deal, I thought you guys did it or something'
'no no no. I like P, and him only. It was a friendly gesture, that's all." but I still wasn't sure if that was all it was
'well then it isn't the end of the world Luna. As your friend, I think you should tell P"
"but I don't want things to end so soon"
"it's better to tell him early otherwise he'll somehow find out. you know how it always is in the movies"
You know how it always is in the movies.
I reread the words. She's right. There's nothing to hide, it was just a friendly kiss (lie), it didn't mean anything (also a lie). I shake my head to get rid of the parts that are saying it's lie. I ended the text with Harley as dad walked in from work
"Hey pops" I sit up
"Sweetie, how many times have I asked you not to call me pops please! It makes me sound old!!"
Well, you kind of are. I think to myself
"Sorry, dad" I giggle. "Random question"
"Shoot" he replies
"If back at high school, you and mom were together, and she gave one of her guy friends a kiss on the cheek as just a friendly gesture. Would you take it personally?"
"Well if she told me it was a friendly gesture then I would believe her"
"Oh well thanks" I make my way to the kitchen because I wanted to bake something to distract my mind
"Oh no." my dad says
I turn to face him as I was grabbing a mixing bowl "What?" I ask
"Is everything okay honey?"
"Yeah.. why wouldn't it be?"
"Because you're baking, you only bake when you're upset or have something going on in your mind"
"It's not a big deal, it was in the question I asked"
"Who'd you kiss?"
"Dad" I huff, he crossed his arms on his chest and by then I knew there was no way of getting out of it "Logan, you know. Lilia's brother. My drama partner. Nothing serious. A friendly kiss because I missed you, Rainer and Alexis and I felt as I haven't been hanging out with you guys as much. He told me that I should take them out and I told him about the County Fair, and now I'm going with Rainer, Alexis, Pietro, Harley, Logan and Lilia after homecoming but don't worry Pietro is still my date." it felt like I just explained my whole life story
"Just a friendly kiss?"
"Swears"
He gives me a kiss on my forehead
"Now can I get back to my baking?"
"Bake away" we laugh.