Unplanned

7. Secrets

When I walk into the Coffee Hatch, Kara was already sitting at the table and I noticed that again it was Bridget at the counter. I gave her a smile and a wave and she sneered at me. What is it with these girls and Jesse?

First Darcy and now Bridget. I hadn't even kissed the guy and I've made some enemies. I shake it off and sit down across from Kara. Bless her, she's already got me a hot chocolate. I'm sure she can tell from my sweat pants and singlet top that I am hungover.

"Hey, thanks" I sip my drink and sigh. "So, what's up?"

She looks like she's about to burst into tears and I quickly grab her hand across the table. "Kara oh my gosh. What's wrong"

She takes a breath and squeezes my hand. "I... kissed Rhys last night". I immediately relax and sit back. "Kara, that's a good thing!" She shakes her head, and looks down at the table.

"Look, I haven't exactly told you everything with my parents".

I'm confused but I sit silently waiting, knowing that she will tell me the truth.

"It isn't just my tuition riding on this 'no dating' rule. It's everything. They've threatened to send me to my grandma's house in England to go to finishing school if I don't comply". 

Tears silently slip down her face and she wipes them away in frustration. "It doesn't matter that it was just a kiss" - I smile because she knows me so well - "If they find out about this, even the tiniest inkling, I'm gone"

Her face drops again and she studies her fingers. "But I really like him". I wish I could say something, but I don't know what to say. "And you don't want to date him in secret?" she looks at me and then I remember, "That's right, your dad knows everyone, and everyone knows your dad. I'm sorry"

We both sigh and take a drink, thinking. "I'm not making any decisions today" she says decidedly. The Kara I know is back, and she nods, as if that's all that she would think about it for the day. And knowing her, she probably wouldn't think about it anymore. I wish I had her skill to just forget.

"So", she takes a drink, all her attention on me now "How was your night?".

Her voice is suggestive and I decide to shut her down straight away.

"No, I did not sleep with him"

"Oh" she deflates for a minute but then perks up, "but you at least kissed him right?". When I shake my head, she looks like she might about burst with frustration.

"How am I meant to live vicariously through you if you don't DO anything?". I raise my hands and stop her from asking any more questions.

"I slept in his bed, I'm pretty sure I traced his dimples at some point, and I woke up with a face full of abs"

Kara squealed and clapped her hands together. "That is so cute! Did you snuggle?".

I can feel myself blushing and bring my hand to my cheeks. "We know how I am drunk. I get... affectionate". She smiles and takes another drink from her coffee.

"Looks like the dress worked", said with a wink to let me know that she is just teasing.

I put down my hot chocolate and glance at my phone. It's almost 7am, and I could probably get a few more hours of sleep before work. "Well, I'm just as confused as you, and I need a nap". We grab our stuff and head out, me giving a quick smile to Bridget (Kill them with kindness). 

There was still barely anyone around, and it was nice to walk across campus without having to worry about running into my growing enemy base.

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