The secrets we keep

Chapter 80

I slammed my locker shut and hugged my books to my chest. Class had started about two minutes ago and I was on the other side of the building.
Without looking I hurried up the stairs to the second floor. I fumbled for my phone to see the time and didn't pay attention.
My body crashed into someone else's and sent me falling, but not for long before I was caught up in two strong arms.
My breathing was heavy as I let the other person pull me up. My eyes were still squeezed shut, a very unpractical panic reflex I seemed to have.
I finally looked up and realized that I was leaning against Kyle Hunter's chest.
"Sorry," I mumbled and averted my eyes from his face. His left hand still rested on my lower back and,
for whatever reason, I didn't mind.
"You should be more careful."
I could still feel his eyes on me.
Finally, I looked at him again. There was something in his eyes that I couldn't quite place. A flicker of pain rushed over his face and he seemed to recall something because he suddenly let his hands fall from me and moved up one step, creating some distance between us.
His jaw tightened as he looked at me once more before rushing down the stairs.
I frowned "Well thanks, I guess," I mumbled more to myself since he was already out of sight. I considered going after him for a second but I had to get to class, so I scrambled to pick up all my books that had fallen with me and made a mental note to talk to Kyle soon to find out what his problem was.

"Where do you think you're going?" Tyler leaned against the wall with his arms crossed in front of his chest.
"Nate's place," I slipped into my shoes.
"You do know that you're grounded, right?"
"Ah-Ah," I shook my head "Not grounded, just not allowed to go to parties." I smirked.
"Well then I'm adding a curfew to that; You'll be home by ten."
"And when did you join the fun police? It's Friday night, Ty."
"I'm serious."
"Yeah, cool cool," I rolled my eyes and threw him a smirk.
"Kenna."
"Ty."
"Be home by ten."
"Fine. Chill out," I frowned and opened the door "See you later."
"Try not to fuck anything up, yeah?"
"Jeez, I'm not a child Tyler. What's up with everyone today?" I shook my head "Bye!"

"I see you've returned to the land of the living," Laura teased when she opened the door for me.
"It wasn't that bad."
"Oh, I saw the video! You were real fucked up." She laughed as I blushed. I wondered if she had seen the same video that I had or if there were more.
"Hey there," Nate hugged me and gestured for us to sit down on the couch.
"Whatcha doin'?" I leaned over to see his laptop screen which he quickly closed.
I frowned at him "What was that for? Lemme see."
"It's better if you don't. Nothing important anyway."
I shook my head and snatched the laptop from his lap.
It hadn't closed entirely so the thing he was looking at was still on the screen.
"Oh," I narrowed my eyes. It was an Instagram page, a fan page for Nate I realized, which was littered with photos and videos of him from that party, including videos of him basically carrying me out.
"I'm trying to get them taken down," He explained.
"Once it's on the internet, there's no point. What's done is done," I shrugged.
"I'm sorry, If I hadn't been there these would've never been posted," Nate rubbed his neck.
"Don't flatter yourself, there are more videos of that night that already went all around school," I shrugged "Besides If you hadn't been there who knows what would've happened."
He smiled but I knew he still felt guilty about it, so I wanted to change the topic.
"So!" I smiled "What's the plan for today?"

Laura and I were laying on our towels in the sand, while the boys were playing volleyball.
"You know, we should hang out more," She bumped my shoulder "Without the guys."
"Yeah! I'd love that." I smiled at her.
"How about we do a little girls day sometime? We could do some shopping? Or we'll go to universal studios, I haven't been in ages!"
"I've never been, but sounds good to me."
She grinned.

"Can you do my back? I think I'm getting burned," I handed her the bottle of sunscreen to which she smirked.
"Nate!" Laura called out and I raised an eyebrow at her. "What's up?" Nate, who had already been heading into our direction, yelled back.
When he was close, Laura threw him the bottle and gestured towards me before laying back down and closing her eyes.
A sly smirk played on her lips.
"Idiot," I mumbled and turned to Nate a little awkwardly "Could you..?"
"Yeah, of course."
I laid flat on my stomach as he kneeled down next to me in the sand.
He put some sunscreen on his hands and started spreading it on my back. I felt a little self-conscious with him touching me like that. I almost held my breath as his hands slid up and down my back.
Nate's hands seemed to linger a little and I couldn't help but I feel a bit disappointed when he had finished.
"Thanks," I smiled and he nodded a bit awkwardly.

When it was time for me to get going Nate and I grabbed our stuff and said goodnight to the others.

"Thanks for driving me home," I smiled at him as I gathered my stuff.
"Of course, no problem.."
"I'll see you," I grabbed the door handle and got out of the car.
"Wait." Nate quickly jumped out of the car and walked to my side.
"What's up with you? You're acting weird."
"I'm nervous," He chuckled.
"What are you nervous for?" I teased.
"I'm gonna ask you something.. So.. Ah fuck it. Here we go. Would you like to go out with me sometime?" He bit his lip and stared at me.
My eyes widened, I hadn't expected that and was trying to sort my thoughts before giving him an answer.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have put you one the spot like that. But I've been thinking about it for a while.."
"Yeah no, it's fine." I awkwardly chuckled.
"So...?"
My brain seemed to be completely empty and I couldn't really find any answer as to why I shouldn't go out with him.
"Okay," I smiled "I'll go out with you."
His eyes lit up and he grinned at me "You won't regret it."
I hugged him tightly before picking up the rest of my stuff.
"I need to get inside before Tyler gets an aneurysm, I'm half an hour late already," We both chuckled "Text me, yeah?"
He nodded and I hurried to the front door.
When I looked back I saw his car was still standing there, waiting until I was inside.
I couldn't help but smile;
I had an actual date.