Dear Diary

Chapter 80

It wasn't long afterwards that Cole and I had to make our way back to the school. It was a good ten minute ride to get back and there were only ten minutes left of the tutoring session; meaning Richard will be waiting to take me home.

I paused and Cole looked down at me. "What's wrong?" he asked as we walked down the footpath to his bike.

"How ... are we going to do this?" I asked hesitantly. I've never been in a relationship, let alone a secret one, so I have no idea what to do.

Cole's eyebrows pulled together in thought for a moment. "Are you busy in the afternoons?"

"Other than the tutoring sessions and my daily run with Dobey, no," I replied and he nodded his head.

"We can act as we normally have during school hours and tutoring, then maybe meet up somewhere when you run?" he suggested and I agreed after pondering the thought in my mind.

We soon reached his bike and, with less resistance this time, I climbed on behind Cole and wrapped my arms around him. Although I was still scared the moment the bike moved, it was far less terrifying than my first ride.

I sighed and rested my head against Cole's back as we moved along at a steady pace and soon found ourselves arriving at the school. Now that I was a little more practised in riding a bike, I managed to climb off this time and land on my feet.

Cole, however, stayed his bike but took off his helmet to run his hands through his hair as he watched me struggle with my helmet strap. "Seriously, how old is this helmet?" I scowled as I tried to yank it off my head.

"It was my sister's, so about three years," Cole replied. 

I paused when I saw his eyes flicker with sadness a moment before returning to normal. He then proceeded to help me take off the helmet and I handed it to him. I felt a bit awkward wearing it now, but I suppose I should be grateful that it wasn't an ex's or anything.

"What about your bag?" I asked when I realised Cole made no notion of getting off his bike.

Cole shook his head. "I don't need it today."

"Oh ... " I trailed off and looked around with uncertainty. Do I kiss him now? Hug him? Urgh, I'm horrible at relationships! "Well ... I guess I'll see you tomorrow," I said slowly and turned to leave when gloved fingers grabbed my hand. I turned to look at Cole and he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked and I furrowed my eyebrows.

Cole tugged me back towards him and he pressed his lips firmly to mine for a moment. I felt my chest spark from the tingles that spread throughout my body from the contact and I felt my face grow red as we parted.

I wasn't able to respond to the gesture and Cole looked at me with a smile spreading across his lips. It was as though he thoroughly enjoyed watching the affect his kisses had on me. I felt my face deepen to crimson and I blabbered out a pathetic 'good-bye', my tongue refusing to work. My knees nearly gave out when Cole pulled his helmet back on and winked at me before revving the engine and taking off out of the school grounds.

I tried to shake out of my stupor, but as soon as I turned to walk into the school, I couldn't contain the massive smile that spread across my face and internally squealed in glee. I just couldn't believe it. This whole day felt as though it was a dream that I never wanted to wake from.

Gosh, listen to me. When did I ever become such a sappy romantic? I'm blaming it on my grandpa and his French bloodline here.

"Lizzy!"

Without even realising, I had already walked all the way to the maths corridor and I looked to see Richard rushing towards me. 

"Where were you? I was so worried I couldn't find you!" he shouted as he pulled me into a tight embrace before instantly holding me back at arm's length to scan me for injuries. "Where've you been?"

I opened my mouth, about to respond where I was but thought better of it. I wanted to tell Richard where I'd really been but ... I was scared. It's not that I don't trust him; just it's a lot easier to keep a secret a secret if it remains a secret.

"I ... was at the bathroom," I blurted out the first thought that came to mind.

Richard blinked at me. "What?"

"Well, Cole needed to go somewhere before our session ended and I needed to go, so ... " I trailed off and cringed inwardly. 

Cole's right: I suck at lying. Not to mention the fact that I felt very guilty for lying to one of my best friends.

Richard stared at me with such a scrutinizing gaze that I felt my face begin to grow red and I found myself unable to hold his gaze. He's going to catch me out. Unbelievable, I'm not even dating an hour and someone's going to find out!

I stared at Richard confused as his eyes slowly turned to understanding and he patted me shoulder comfortingly.

"Do you need my mom's herbal laxative?"