In Plain Sight

JUNE’S POV 

By lunchtime, the cafeteria had transformed into a battlefield of stares and whispers.

“You’re staring.” His voice came from right behind me. 

“I’m observing.” I said, turning to face him.

He smirked. “That sounds worse.

For a second, he stepped closer. Not a lot, just enough. 

But in a space like this? Everyone noticed.

Their star boy and a scholarship student.

“You ready?” He asked quietly. 

He studied my face for a moment, searching my face for hesitation. He found none.

“Yeah.” I replied.

He laced his hands through mine and we made our way to the table.

Not just any table, where the athletes and popular students sat. 

Dozens of eyes watched.

I caught Jules’ where she sat with some press club members. She gave me a thumbs up and a wink.

That made me feel better.

He pulled out a chair, “For you.” He said and sat right next to me.

“This is cute… I guess?” Lori spoke first.

“So,” Theo started, leaning forward. “Are we not gonna talk about this?”

“Talk about what?” Adrien replied lazily and put his arms around my shoulder. 

Theo gestured between us, “You and June.”

A beat.

Then Adrien turned towards me with a soft expression. 

An intentional look. It looked so real.

“We’re together. She’s my girlfriend.” He said simply.

One of the guys I recognized from the soccer team choked on his drink.

“Interesting,” Lori said, tilting her head slightly. “Didn’t know you liked quiet girls.” 

“A new found fleeting attraction I suppose?” James spoke, I didn’t even notice when he sat.

There it was. 

Judgment.

I met her gaze.

Calm and collected.

“I don’t think he does.” I said evenly, replying to Lori’s question.

I relaxed into his arms and rested my head on his shoulder.

“Just better taste.” I completed my sentence.

I didn’t like trouble but I wasn’t afraid of putting Lori in her place. 

“I like her.” Max, one of Adrien’s close friends said.

A satisfied smirk formed on my face.

Adrien turned to me.

He looked proud.

“Yeah,” he said softly. “Better taste.” 

Some people laughed. 

Others didn’t.

“I guess everyone is allowed to experiment.” 

My jaw stiffened, but I didn’t react.

My eyes met with James’ and I could see questions and suspicion in his eyes.

“Careful Lori, you’re beginning to sound bitter.” Adrien spoke calmly.

“Of course not.” She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Did you do this to spite me, Adrien?” James spoke.

“Not everything is about you, Dowman. I can win both on and off the pitch.” Adrien replied calmly.

I could tell there was some history between those two. I made a mental note to ask him later.

“Well, we have other things to do.” Adrien said with a wink.

Did he just imply that we were going off to engage in some form of intimacy?

He took my hand in his and we left the table together.

“I needed some air.” 

“I figured. You handled that really well for a rookie.” He said with a smile.

“A rookie? Me?” 

“Yes. You don’t usually have conversations with Lori, talk less of putting her in her place. You don’t stay around athletes or popular kids either, well except Jules.” He explained.

Didn’t make sense to me though.

“You didn’t have to do that though.” I said.

“Do what?” 

“Defend me.” 

He shrugged. 

“Felt necessary. What type of boyfriend would I be if I let her talk to you that way?”

Necessary? That word. 

“Do you have a class?” He asked.

I looked up at the clock on the wall.

“In about fifteen minutes, yes.”

“Okay.” He replied and we both sat on the stairs.

“What’s with you and James? Seems like you have bad blood.” I asked.

“Both our club academies are rivals. But there is a story though.” He said then paused.

“Well? Don’t keep a lady waiting.” I spoke.

He leaned in closer, searching my face.

“What on earth are you two doing?” I heard Mrs Crouch say right across us. We immediately gave ourselves some space.

She looked traumatized, as if she caught us engaging in the most unholy activities.

I don’t blame her, we were kind of secluded and quite close to each other.

“Miss Carter, Mr Hayes, I expect better from both of you.” She remarked before leaving.

“I used to be best friends with James but he turned sour, bitter and jealous after all the attention I kept getting and we just fell out.” He said.

“Oh, that’s unfortunate. You miss him?” 

“No. I’m happy we fell out, he had a major hubris and still does. If we didn’t, I wouldn’t have met Theo.” Adrien spoke so sincerely, so clear.

“Bromance?” I asked with a smile.

“Yes. Well, we better get going.” He turned to me.

“We?” I asked with raised eyebrows.

“Yes,” he said, grabbing my hand. “Let’s go to literature class!” He said, imitating the voice of a minion.

Before I could react, we were half marching down the hall to my literature class.

I couldn’t help but laugh at how silly we probably looked.

I knew he was nice but I didn’t know he was this warm.

“Thank you.” I said as we stopped in front of my class. I was early.

“Yeah, you’re welcome.” He slid his hands into his pocket, then glanced at me with a small smile.

“You are my girlfriend after all.”

He winked at me and left.

An applause broke out behind me.

I turned to see some of my classmates whistling and clapping, including Jules.

“I ship!”

“Wooo!”

“I can’t believe they look this good together.” 

I heard multiple voices, unable to identify who it belonged to because Miss Caroline walked in.

I felt heat rush to my face immediately.

“You are my girlfriend after all.” Jules whispered dramatically and made a kissy face as she slid into her seat.

“Oh please, he was just doing his job.” I said with a smile.

“Oh darling, you aren’t even paying him.” She mentioned.

“Miss Adewale.” 

Miss Caroline’s voice cut through the room. Her attempt at pronouncing Jules’ surname was laughable.

“You, my dear, are the ornament of the moment.” Jules said and I looked up.

The stares, whispers.

This wasn’t just a secret anymore, this lie wasn’t just mine anymore.

I was sharing it with the entire school.

If it went wrong… everyone would be there to watch.