Set Free

Set Free Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four

"Hey, stranger," Nick greeted me as he entered the classroom.

Silence.

I'd decided to make him work for even a confrontation from me. For now, he was going to get nothing, because nothing was what he deserved. The silent treatment.

"Amber....? Did you hear me?" He waved a hand in front of my face, and I kept staring straight ahead at Mr. Anderson.

"Class, get to your seats," Mr. Anderson said as the final bell rang.

I watched Nick press his lips tightly together in frustration out of my peripheral vision and immediately felt bad. I was gettting conflicted again. On the one hand, I liked him and I didn't want him mad at me, but on the other, apparently as of right now, stronger hand, I was mad that he lied, and afraid of the reason why. That part of me just wanted to cause him pain. And for now, that side was winning.

                                                                   ******<3******

Half an hour or so into class, a note appeared on my desk. I looked down, and hesitantly unraveled it, curious of what it said.

It read:

     Amber,

                  Please tell me what I did wrong. I'm begging you.

                                                                                         Nick

I made a face. I hated that I liked how sweet and honest he could be.

I wrote back two simple words that I hoped would clear things up for him.

They were:   You lied.

I watched as the note was passed back to Nick in the back row of the classroom, and I tried to shield my face so he couldn't see that I was.

I saw him ravenously open the note, and devour its contents. An alarming look soon covered his face. He didn't write back to the note, so I assumed he got the picture. He'd probably realized he'd been found out, and now maybe he would just let it go and move on. I was a handful, and we both knew it.

And I didn't need a liar.

                                                                       *******<3*******

When class ended, I headed towards the entrance, but was soon blocked by Nick. I made an angry face at him that I hoped he would take as, "Get out of my way or else." The 'or else' was something I was unsure of myself.  But he didn't get the hint apparently, because he was opening his mouth to speak to me. And I realized I was rambling on in my thoughts like a crazy insane person again. I tried to snap to attention so I could see what kind of pathetic explanation he had in store for me.

"What did I lie about?" He asked me.

Wow, not even an excuse? He's just going to flat-out deny it? Low. I thought.

"Nothing." I said. "If you don't already know, it doesn't matter."

"Tell me." He demanded, his voice fierce.

"No." I said back, just as fierce.

"Amber, please. I don't what to lose what we have..."

"We have nothing! Just go be with Justice, I couldn't care less!!" I yelled.

"What? Justice? What the heck are you talking about?"

"Don't lie to me again! I saw you kissing her," He looked confused, so I expanded. "At your house yesterday."

Recognition fluttered in Nick's eyes. He suddenly grabbed onto both my shoulders. "No, NO! It's not what you think!" He said.

"I know what I saw." I countered.

"Well, you saw wrong. You see, Justice was trying to get me to fake-go out with her so she would keep my secret from you in return, okay? But, Amber, I refused. So, wait, did she see you there watching us?"

"Um, yeah, she did."

"Oh, well, see, she just randomly kis---"

"Wait. Hold on a second." I interrupted him, putting a hand up signaling him to stop. "What secret? You're keeping something from me? And SHE knows?" I was furious now.

"Oh, shoot. I wasn't supposed to say that....can you maybe pretend you didn't just hear that?"

"Um, no. So what is it?"

"What?" He asked.

"What's the secret?"

"Oh...I can't tell you." He said, not making eye contact.

"Yes you can. Tell me, tell me now. In fact, if you do, I'll forget this whole thing ever happened."

"Amber....I can't. I'm sorry." He smiled sadly.

And with that, he turned and walked away.