Truth, Lies, and the Space Inbetween

Chapter Five

"So where are you taking Peyton tomorrow?" Aubree asks as soon as Xavier and I sit down at our table at lunch.

Xavier goes a bit red across his cheeks as he sets down his tray. For the past month we have been dating, and he takes me somewhere fun every Saturday without fail, on top of cute hanging out dates during the week. We've been to the park for a picnic, the aquarium and a drive in cinema a few towns over. I've begun looking forward to our all day dates just him and I.

"Umm actually", he says, scratching the back of his head and staring at his lunch, "I thought we'd go to my house tomorrow and you can meet my parents", he finishes, looking at me.

My lips part in surprise. He looks so worried, like I'll turn his offer down. Neither of us has introduced the other to their family. It seems like a very official thing to do and neither of us has gone there yet.

After a moment of surprise, I smile and nod. "Sounds cool", I say.

Xavier's face brightens and he squeezes my hand under the table. "Cool", he echoes.

Aubree, Aaron and Josh, who were sat at the table already, make gagging noises at us. I stick my tongue out at them and turn back to my lunch.

***

It was our last period gym class when Bree and I heard the rumours.

"Did you see him?" A girl next to us I the changing rooms whispers to her friend. She nods vigorously.

"Just a glimpse. But he's so hot".

Bree and I exchange a glance. It can't be any of our guy friends, they're not anonymous whisper worthy anymore, and everyone's seen their faces.

"He must be new here. But he's got a bike and this really hot leather jacket and his hair is just - UGH!" The girl says, rolling her eyes back into her head as she remembers this mystery guy.

"I saw him! He's in my English class!" A girl from across the room pipes up.

Suddenly the room is abuzz with conversations about this glimpsed strange boy. Half-dressed girls moaning about a leather jacket and a jawline aren't the best to divulge important information, but Bree and I try at least. After 20 minutes, all we had gathered was that he was a new student, was the typical bad boy, and had ditched half his classes to hang out with a couple of our resident rebel boys, before leaving after fifth period.

I think the well of information had dried up by then, but we were interrupted by an angry gym teacher telling us to get our asses out of the changing room and onto the field. Grumbling, all the girls move out of the room with a silent promise to keep gossiping when we were back in the changing rooms.

***

After a hellish gym lesson filled with laps and sprinting and loud whistles, all the girls in my class flood back into the changing room. Half stripped, the conversation resumes about this hot newbie. There's nothing new, so showered and dressed, Bree and I leave the room.