Teachers Pet

28: Secretive

        On my way home, Jill and I talked about the Halloween party. She hadn't wanted to go at first, but her sister Tanya was going and was sort of making her come with. I told her about Jake going and being in costume. Nolan would be too preoccupied with his friends to acknowledge me and I made sure we weren't going together. I told him I really wanted to keep my costume a surprise so I would just go with Jill. He agreed without any suspicion.

      "I get that you're keeping it a surprise for Mr. Pierce, but why can't I know?" We turned a corner, laughing at just about anything.

       "Because I want you to be surprised too. Now stop asking." She rolled her eyes as she bumped my shoulder.

       "I told you my costume. Come on. What- "

       "Jill." We looked behind us to see who called her. Behind us, not too far away was Dean and Bailey. She was clinging to his arm, smiling happily at us. I don't think he realized I was with her until he looked to me and frowned. He didn't know me and her were friends again. I wonder what he thought about that.

       "Hi." My voice was weird and a little high pitched. He didn't respond, he just stared at me. I swallowed hard, unable to look away from him. The guilt was eating at me.

       "We have Drama together, right?" I nodded to Bailey, not wanting to look at her, but I managed to. She was smiling at me with a smile too innocent and sweet. That wasn't her though.

        "Yeah," I told her. She nodded, obviously trying to make an awkward situation not so awkward.

       "I'm Bailey. I'm your understudy." She waved at me, trying to come off as giddy. I bet she was talking shit about me in her head like I was.

       "Are you two friends again?" Dean asked. Bailey suddenly looked very uncomfortable from the change in Deans voice. He stepped towards us, making Bailey step with him. He almost looked as if he had forgotten she was even there.

       "Um... " He's gonna figure out I know. Jill and I wouldn't be friends again if I didn't know. Why didn't I think of this? I could just tell him. I could tell him right now. But Bailey was here. I didn't need her as an audience. This wasn't exactly a conversation for her to be apart of either.

       "We are," Jill told him. Dean looked to her now for answers that I couldn't give him. He had hopes in his eyes and I felt so guilty. "I told her that it was all my fault. Everything that happened was on me. Somehow, we managed to get past it." I looked to Jill, shaking my head. Why was she lying? Did she want to protect him that much? I had to tell him the truth, but now that she lied... I can't lie to him. For now though, for his and Bailey sake... I'd let them be happy. I could let them have their moment.

       "Yeah," I agreed. I looked back to Dean and nodded. "I forgave her." I smiled, trying to make this less stressful. Dean stared at both of us for a long time before nodding.

        "I see," he mumbled. All hope was gone from his eyes. The blue in his eyes was icy. "I see," he repeated. He walked around us with Bailey and picked up his. Jill and I let him pass. I wanted a greater distance between us and them.

       "You lied," I told Jill.

       "For both of you, it's best that it stays that way." I nodded, only understanding so much of the lie. She was looking out for me. She was looking out for Dean too. We both cared about him. I didn't want to hurt him again, and Jill didn't want him to get hurt by me either.

       "Did you see it?" I asked her suddenly.

        "See what?" I smiled as I felt my eyes tear up. I needed a brave face.