Forgotten Secrets | (Part 1)✔️

Chapter 06

I open my house with the spare key my aunt gave me in case she's not home, which is most of the time. 
"Welcome to my humble abode" I grin as we enter the living room. Jesse stands around looking "It sure is one humble abode," he says, impressed. 
"I'll show you the guest room, so you can freshen up while I cook something for us, gosh I'm starving" I mutter in the end.
I open the guest room since it's usually not used by anyone recently except Sterling, who tied it up so it's neatly kept since the morning. "If you need anything I'll be downstairs," I say as I'm about to leave, Jesse stops me by grabbing me by my hand. I turn to look at him, confused "I just.....I just wanted to thank you for letting me stay here, I can't tell you how much grateful I am of you for letting me sta-" 
He is cut off by me as I pull him in a warm embrace "It's fine, that's what friends are for silly. Besides, I get bored in this house being all alone. It's nice to have some company. Trust me you're really doing me a favor here. How about we watch a movie, okay?" I ask as I pull away from him. He nods as he turns to his bag. I halt as I'm about to leave the room "and Jesse?" he turns to me. "Huh?" he says confused "I'll break your nose if you say thank you to me one more time." I playfully glared at him. His eyes widen as he chuckles, raising his hands in surrender "No thank you anymore, noted." I leave him giving him his privacy while I go to look for something to cook for us. I finally find the box of mac 'n' cheese, I decided to make it. 
As I'm setting up the plates, Jesse comes down wearing a pair of sweats and shirts. I raise a brow at this "I keep an extra pair, just in case" he answers, noticing my expression.
"So, what do you want to watch?" he asks as he leans over the counter. "Just put something you like on Netflix." Nodding his head, he moved to the living room.
Moments later, I come with our plates of mac 'n' cheese, some packets of Doritos, and some Dr. Pepper. Jesse raises his brow in amusement as he sees the junk I brought. "What a girl gotta eat," I say, and he laughs.
We lose track of time as we watch 'Stranger Things' that is, until we hear the front door unlock and Aunt Carol appears from the doorway.
At first, she doesn't notice Jesse sitting there. I finally get up, helping her remove her overcoat and hanging on the stand. 
"Aunt Carol, this is Jesse. He goes to my school and is currently having some personal family issues. Can he stay here for a day or two, please?" I ask, giving her my puppy dog eyes, which I know she can't resist. She sighs, finally noticing Jesse's presence before smiling politely. He stands up before shaking her hand "Hello, ma'am. I'm Jesse Donavon, but you already know that. I'm currently having some family issues, as Catherine mentioned here. Catherine offered me to stay here. But I promise I won't be a burden if you allow me to stay." He says before charmingly smiling. My jaw drops on the ground seeing the boy who was not a minute ago hogging up the chips like a slob on the couch but now is standing in front of my aunt as if a scholar boy. Noticing my expression, he winks my way when my aunt isn't watching, I snicker.
My aunt smiles, impressed by the boy's words. "Oh, just call me Caroline, of course, you can stay here as long as you like. Please, just call your family so that they won't worry about your security." She says, smiling.
"Thank you, Caroline, you don't know how much it means to me" he smiles appreciatingly before excusing himself.

Aunt Carol turns towards me, and a smirk falls on her face. Noticing her expression, I immediately know that whatever she is about to say is no good. I groan "Aunt Carol, he's my best friend. Nothing of that kind is happening, so just drop it" I declare as I casually munch my Doritos, she pouts. Rolling my eyes at her childish behavior "I will be visiting Leo today around midnight or something so you can go to sleep, don't worry I'll be safe" I reassure her. She nods as she gets up to go freshen up. Jesse comes down and says he's going to bed since it's already 10 o'clock, and it's a school night.
Aunt Carol usually eats during her shift at the hospital, so she goes to bed but not before telling me to be safe and kissing my forehead. Unlike most of the strict parents, my aunt is cool. She is in her mid-twenties, I know that she is young but she's been doing a great job being a parent since my mom died and my dad fell into depression due to her death, further we had to admit him into the asylum nearby as his state got worse. I shake my thoughts away as
I message Leo that I'm on my way before hopping on my bike before driving off.
Leo and I are seated in the first row, and the racers are talking to their friends and coaches. It's 11: 50, I notice some familiar faces who were standing beside the red racer at first, I thought they were Justin, Jason, and Zander but shook my head thinking I must be hallucinating. 
On cue, the racers slide into their cars. Leo and I have our bets on the red one we cheer as he makes a sharp turn, overtaking the opponent. He's good. As he reaches the finish line, he takes a swift spin, making his finish classy. He gets out of the car as his friends' pat is back, high-fiving him, they finally lift him. I'm walking towards the racer who just won when he takes off his helmet, and I halt in surprise. I gasped out his name, making him look at me in shock and anger.
"Sterling?"