Our Little Secret

BIANCA

I walked on eggshells the entire day. Spooked by the slightest sound, unnerved by every traded glance.

I'd gotten so used to dissapearing whenever I was here, it felt unnatural to feel anything but invisible.

All because someone somewhere in this communion of bodies knew my secret, and my mind didn't bother how far down my throat it forced that realization.

By the last lecture, I'd have to throw on my most unnerved demeanour yet.

LIT 107, Creative Writing.

In the absence of Professor Campbell, the President of the Literature Club was elected to lead the class. Unfortunately, in spite of my personal predicament, that responsibility fell on my shoulders.

“What the readers say they want and what they actually want are two different things” an argument stirred. “They might claim to want an impenetrable female character, but trust me, none of them resonate with that.”

He slammed his palms on his desk in delight.

“They want a slutty princess that moans and begs to be used like a whore.”

“The hell is that supposed to mean, Jonathan?!”

I don't know how we got there, but no one let the topic die down the moment it was brought up. Pandemonium swallowed the theatre, but rowdy as it was, it served as the perfect distraction to drown out my impending doom.

A distraction that lasted until the members of the basketball team trickled in. I was the first to see them. Partially because I was in front of the class and had a bird's eye view of the entire hall. And partially because the Vice Captain was the one leading the haul.

Wade Harrison.

“That'll be all for now guys. Mrs. Campbell should be back for next week's class.”

I dismissed them, scrambling for my stuff as calmly as I could look. But before I could stash my books back into my bag, his hand pinned the last note to the desk.

“Leaving so soon?” he asked.

He was so close. Too close. It drew goosebumps over my skin. I tried to move, but he planted his other hand to the desk, blocking off any route of escape.

“Why are y

O o nj theou still wearing these oversized get ups to school? God, you're so selfish with that body.”

I hated the way he spoke. I always did.

His eyes undressed me. I didn't even have to look back at him to feel it.

“Get off me” I muttered, but he ignored. He pressed closer, leaning into me.

“I know this is your last lecture” he said. “Come grab lunch with me. We need to talk.”

“I don't have anything to say to you. Now get off me or I'll—”

“I'd lower that tone if I were you” his voice turned sour. “Wouldn't want anyone to learn our little secret.”

My mind stopped spiralling. My eyes widened in paralysis. I suddenly became aware of the stares, every eye aimed right at me.

A cold sweat ran down my back, welcomed by the thick cardigan Wade's scent had now crawled on to.

“Didn't you guys hear her?” He turned back to them before I could speak. “Class is dismissed. Get out. All of you.”

Wade had built an unquestionable authority in just under two years. No one dared stand up to him, even though most of us here were his highschool classmates.

I, on the other hand, was tied to the 6’2 by a much darker past.

“They're all gone. You can look me in the eyes now.”

I couldn't. The fear from last night had become a crippling condition. Of all people to find out. Him?! How?!

He pulled me close, spinning me until our eyes met.

“Did you really think I wouldn't know?”

His tone hit twice as hard. His fingers plastered into the small of my back, creeping deeper than I was comfortable with.

“If you needed money that badly, you should've come crawling back. I wouldn't mind sparing an old flame a couple bucks.”

He pressed harder into me, pinning me against the table and extinguishing any chance of an escape.

“Say it” he growled. “Say you need my help. Beg me to come back.”

I pictured it. Him finding my page. Spreading rumours till he made my life miserable. Only this time, they weren't rumors. They were real. And he had proof.

“If you don't pay the rest of your tuitions by the end of the week, your time here is up. You need my help. Or your little golden child reputation is gone.”

My mind twinged at his words. He wasn't lying, but something about the way he spoke didn't hit as hard as it should've.

He noticed my expression had slightly tilted, and applied pressure until I broke in his arms.

“I heard all about it from the little lady at the bursary department. Don't worry. Your secret’s safe with me. That is, if you're willing to comply.”

What?!

That's the secret?!!

My fear dowsed into annoyance, irritation overwhelming my body. I shoved him off, more mad at myself than at him and his sultry methods.

He's not the guy from last night. And he's certainly not worth any of my attention.

I stashed the last note into my bag, flung the strap over my shoulder, but just before I could walk away, he blocked me off.

“You've got some nerve” he clenched his fists, but I didn't care.

Whatever he was going to say or do wasn't important anymore. He wasn't my problem.

…until his palm flew across the space between us the moment I stepped forward. Straight for my face. Moments from a landing a hard slap.

It happened so fast.

A blur of motion cut through, grabbed his wrists. Twisted. Bent. Then finally pinned them behind his back.

“What the hell do you think you're doing?” a growl followed.

My eyes shot wide. My line of vision spreading to accommodate his huge figure.

Stout. Built. And completely untraceable until this very moment.

The Captain of the Basketball Team.

Max Callaghan.