Chapter 8

I could practically feel everyone’s eyes on me as I walked into school the next day.

It wasn’t too surprising with how quickly gossip tends to spread around here. And I had no doubts Brooke had been running her mouth to everyone.

I always knew she never liked me. Especially when I started dating Marshall. But to expose one of my biggest secrets like this? It was diabolical.

I perked up when I saw a familiar auburn haired boy standing in the courtyard with a bunch of his buddies all in their letterman jackets.

I jogged up to him.

“Hey Marshall!”

Marshall spun around and I saw his face drop slightly.

He turned and said something to his friends and they all begun to leave but I didn’t miss the accusatory looks they shot me in the process.

I let out a sigh as I reached Marshall, locking my thumbs into the straps of my backpack and shifting uncomfortably.

This was more than awkward.

“Everyone hates me, huh?” I told him.

He gave me a small, weak smile.

“They don’t.” He said and I could tell he was just trying to be nice.

“Lie a little better, babe.” I teased.

He let out a breath. “They just think it’s weird that you lied.” He spoke and this time I could tell he was being brutally honest.

My face dropped.

“Do you think that to?”

Marshall didn’t have to respond. I bit on the inside of my cheek hard.

I was always afraid of this happening. My father had already ruined my life so much I never wanted him to get the chance to do it again. But now this had happened.

The whole school could judge and hate me if they wanted to but I didn’t want Marshall to ever change the way he looked at me.

I frowned. “I don’t know how many times I can apologise for this.” I told him earnestly as I tried to meet his eyes. “Just say the word, how can I make this up to you?”

Marshall looked up at me this time and I was happy to see a twinkle in his eyes. “Well…” he spoke moving closer, “our uh, private time was kind of interrupted on Friday.”

He wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me in closer. “You could come over to my place. And we could, you know, hang out. Just the two of us.”

I felt my heart this at our proximity and what Marshall was implying.

He tucked some of my hair away from my face.

“Babe, we’ve been waiting to take things to the next step for months. Honestly, I’m kind of thinking you don’t want to.”

The look of sadness on his face filled me with guilt.

I pulled him back.

“No, no I do. I want to.”

And most importantly, I wanted to make him happy. Fix everything I had ruined. I didn’t want to lose him.

Marshall grinned.

“Perfect, how’s -“

He was cut off when we heard the sound of an engine rumbling.

I turned and saw a motorbike driving up to the car park.

The driver took off his helmet shaking out his hair.

Kaden. I almost gasped. What was he doing here?

There was commotion in the courtyard and students - mostly girls were rushing over trying to get a glimpse of him.

“Oh my gosh who is that?” I heard a girl whisper not too far away.

“Kaden Reyes.” Someone whispered in response.

“Who’s Kaden Reyes?” Another asked.

“Bad news.” Was the response.

Tell me about it.

Kaden got off his bike and he had an easy air about him with his leather jacket and.

His eyes swept the courtyard and I froze when they landed on me.

Recognition seemed to register and he shocked me by winking.

I fought the gasp that almost escaped my mouth.

“What was that? Why is he staring at you?”Marshall asked.

I gulped and was telling the truth when I said,

“No idea.”