Dirty Little Secret

Chapter Eleven - Dates & Opportunities

After leaving the library I made my way towards my locker with my backpack slung over my shoulder, already dreading the bus ride home. The temperature outside was hot enough to melt a person, add on to that all the sweaty people cramming up the buses on their way home from work and not to mention the rush hour traffic we would be stuck in.

Hoo – freaking – ray.

I shut my locker after putting my books away and started making my way down the hallway when a door to my right was pushed opened and a girl with light brown wavy hair and tan skin stepped out, carrying a stack of files under one arm and her laptop bag in the other. She met my eyes and hers seemed to widen in recognition before she gave me a warm smile "Hey! Nina right?"

I nodded hesitantly, no idea who this girl was.

She fumbled around with the files in her hand until she had a free arm which she extended to me "I'm Poppy."

I shook her hand, but the confusion on my face didn't falter, so she quickly carried on to explain "I'm the editor of the school paper. I read your piece on modern day poets, it was very impressive."

My eyes instantly lit up and a smile spread across my face "Really?"

"Yeah, I loved it. As a matter of fact, I think you'd be a great addition to the school paper. If you're still interested of course."

My heart made a little jump and I nodded eagerly "Yes! I would love to."

"Great." Poppy smiled "Technically we aren't allowed to post the results until Monday, so try not to tell anyone before then."

"Yeah of course." I agreed and clutched the straps to my backpack a little tighter, trying to release some of my excitement into the small gesture. It had been a week since I'd handed in my application for the school paper, which consisted of a small profile of myself and one of my works, and I'd been nervous for the results ever since. Though, I had to admit my thoughts had been otherwise occupied today.

Poppy and I made our way through the hallways and out of the building as she filled me in on some of the details of finalizing my spot in the editorial office. We stopped walking when we reached the school's parking lot.

"Where did you park?" Poppy asked.

I shifted on my feet and looked at her sheepishly "I took the bus."

I didn't know what I expected her reaction to be, whether it was to judge me because I didn't own a car or not to care at all, but the last thing I expected her to do was offer me a ride home.

"Are you sure?" I asked her hesitantly.

She smiled and nodded "Yeah, no problem."

The car ride to my house was filled with Poppy droning on about a date she was going on tonight. I tried to listen, I really did, but my mind kept drifting back to Caden and whatever that moment was in the library before Mrs. Weidner interrupted us.

"- he's just so sweet. And to think a boy like him could be related to Brody."

My ears perked and I whipped my head around to face Poppy "Brody?"

"Yeah, Brody Woodward." She confirmed my thoughts and I swallowed. Did that mean she was going on a date with-

"Caden is his cousin. He's the one taking me out tonight." She continued with a smile, the dreaded words making my heart sink in my chest.

What did you expect Nina? For him to ask you out instead? He doesn't even like you enough to be your friend.

I tried to shut out the little voice in my head, ridiculing me for feeling hurt over the fact that Caden was into another girl. Whatever connection I thought had formed between Caden and I was probably nothing but a fragment of my own imagination. He didn't care about me. I should know that.