Keeping Secrets

Chapter 5

After what happened, he convince me not to go. It was awkward. He lent me a hoodie of his to wear to bed before leading me to one of the guest rooms. After that he left me to myself to get some much needed sleep.
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I start to wake up but I don't open my eyes because I still feel so exhausted. Then I remember where I am and where I need to be. School is not my friend.

I hear footsteps outside the door and I as I hear them grow closer I close my eyes. Soon the door opens and I hear the steps enter the room.

"Are you serious?" Jesse laughs. I stay silent.

"Opal I know you're awake." He laughs even harder and this time I open my eyes. How is he laughing right now? Shouldn't he feel just as awkward as I do?

"Sorry. I didn't know what to do.." I say shrugging my shoulders slightly and sitting up. I sit facing him and cross my legs.

"What do you mean?" He asks as if he has no clue why I would be acting so awkwardly.

"Um, I don't know." I say not really sure of what to say. If he wants to play the denial card, then let him.

"Well, are you hungry?" He asks stuffing his hands in his pajama pants pockets.

"Not really, but at the same time, yes." I say. My stomach is full but not with food, with butterflies. Wait, what? What am I saying? I just feel nervous, it's not butterflies. The kiss between me and Jesse was a mistake. I am not developing feelings for him, that would be wrong.

"Well, shall we venture into the kitchen?" He asks, pulling me out of my thoughts. I look over to the clock to see it's only 6 am so we have an hour and a half before school.

"Okay." I say standing up and following him out of the room.

"What are you thinking?" He asks as I take a seat on the chair by the counter. My legs are a little cold because I currently only have on a oversized hoodie of Jesse's.

"I'm really not that hungry, truthfully." I say lying, my response bringing a slight frown to his lips.

"Opal, you have to eat something." He says sternly, making me role my eyes.

"I know I should but I'm really not hungry." I say shrugging my shoulders, looking around the room to avoid eye contact. I know he can sense my bullshit lie but I'm sticking with it.

"Are you uncomfortable? Be honest." He asks frustrated, catching me off guard. Is the denial act coming to an end?

"Not a bit. I'm just not big on eating breakfast is all. I do every once in a while but it's not a normal thing I do." I continue with my lie.

"Look, I don't want us to be weird around each other. If you're uncomfortable I can back off and give you some space. It isn't a problem." Jesse says and I get up and walk over to where he's standing in front of the cupboards. I reach around him and grab a bowl before grabbing a box of cereal. If eating will get him to stop then that's what I'll do.

"I'm not uncomfortable, okay? So don't worry, I'm good." I say pouring some cereal into the bowl.

I know it seems pointless for me to be lying about this but I have good reason. Parker told me that Jesse is one of his closest friends. I don't want to ruin their relationship. If you couldn't tell, not only is Parker over protective of me, but vice versa as well. I would sacrifice my life for him, obviously. My suffering is worth my brother's happiness. It's easier for me to plaster a fake smile onto my face, rather than dealing with how things would be if I didn't. My family went through some dark times. We've finally rose above that, at least they have. That's why I need to keep up the facade that I'm fine, if I don't, we'll crumble again.