Chapter 27- Everyone Has Secrets

It’s amazing at how much secrets plays into our lives. We all have them whether they be big or small in applies to everyone. However in my case it’s a pretty big one and did I forget to mention that I’m not that great at keeping them? I mean I try, really try. But sometimes by accident they just slip out.

Blake’s eyes meet mine again for the third time in the last fifteen minutes and I quickly divert my attention away from him to look at anything else. I think I’m becoming too obvious now. What if he thinks something up? Or worse what if it shows on my face I know something!?!

Ok quick Farrah think of something else.

Right, but what?

Since when have you ever had a problem thinking of something random?

I know. It’s weird. What’s wrong with me today? Oh wait….the big secret, that’s what! I mean I haven’t even told Brody about this yet. In fact I’m not sure how? And I know as soon as I tell him he’ll probably ask that I stay out of it. Which I will….probably….maybe….I think. I really shouldn’t care anyway right? It’s true it’s none of my business but I just can’t help but wonder if he even knows.

Oh crap he’s looking over here again. Wait when did I look back in his direction? Oh no, now he’s coming over here. Quick think Farrah, think! Why could you just mind your own business? If you weren’t looking at him he wouldn’t be coming over here right now, now would he? Now do some quick thinking.

Thinking….thinking….

Oh I know! Gummy Bears!

Seriously, Gummy Bears is the best you could come up with?

Red Gummy Bears, Green Gummy Bears, Yellow Gummy Bears….

Before I know it Blake is standing directly in front of me with a puzzled look on his face and all I want to do is runaway before I say something stupid.

“Is something on your mind?” He asks taking the seat next to me.

“Orange Gummy Bears!” I shout before stuffing five French fries in my mouth.

Well there goes the something stupid.

What person in their right mind shouts out Orange Gummy Bears and stuffs their face so full of food? That’s right, none. Curse Mr. Pine for letting us leave for lunch early ten minutes early! This is all his fault. Normally I wouldn’t be in this situation but of course today of all days I would be. Again with all my luck.

“Are you making fun of me?” He asks crossing his arms over his chest in an amused manor.

Making fun of him? How could I be making fun of him? Oh wait! I can’t believe I forgot. Of course! Gummy bears. Hmm…it’s weird that I randomly came up with to distract myself  from thinking about him and didn’t realize why.

After I successfully swallow my food I feel it’s safe for me to speak again.

“I swear I wasn’t.” I say while trying to keep from laughing.

Of course this becomes increasingly worse when I remember my three year old cousin stuffing Orange gummy bears up Blake’s nose when he fell asleep on my couch. I know you’re wondering how this could have happened, right? Well allow me to explain.

You see I was supposed to be babysitting that night but Blake being the insistent person he is volunteered to come stay with me until my aunt Wanda came to pick her up. I believe he thought we’d get some alone time once she fell asleep, but well… he was wrong.  And just a word to the wise, never fall asleep before a three year old does. You’ll live to regret it.

So anyway about a halfway through The Little Mermaid Blake begins to doze off and I have to use the bathroom so I leave them there alone. It never occurred to me that Leah would make the best of it. Well as you can imagine, after I came back from the bathroom there Blake was fast asleep on the couch with two gummy bears stuck up his nose.

I think it was my laughter that finally woke him and let’s just say he wasn’t the least bit happy about it. After he calmed down a little however he did find it humorous and lightened up by laughing it off. And of course making me swear I’d tell no one. To this day I still can’t think about it without laughing though.

“You swore.” He reminds me.

“I promise it was purely by accident.” I chuckle before he joins in with me.

A throat being cleared quickly brings our laughter to a stop as I look up to see Olivia and Thomas hovering above us. Oops. She doesn’t look happy.

This probably doesn’t look so good. You know me and Blake sitting here laughing together? No doubt Thomas will probably say something to Brody about this. They are best friends so I would kind of expect it.

“Excuse me while I talk to Farrah for a minute.” She says rather rudely while giving Blake the evil eye.

He immediately takes the hint and doesn’t bother to argue with her.

“I guess I talk to you later.” He says getting up from the seat next to me.

Instead of answering him I reply with a curt nod before he walks away and turn my attention to Thomas and Olivia who are now occupying the seats across from me. Why do I suddenly get the feeling I’m in the principal’s office about to get in trouble?

“It’s not what it looks like.” I quickly explain.

“You might want to explain that Brody.” She says nodding to someone behind me.

I automatically feel myself feel myself fill with panic at her words. He saw didn’t he? I really hope he didn’t take it the wrong way.

When a food tray is placed on the table next to me I don’t have to even guess who it is. His scent and Olivia’s words alone are enough to give it away.

“Hi.” I say with a voice a little higher than normal.

“Hey.” He replies setting down next to me. “You can Coleman looked pretty chummy.”

“He was just coming over to inquire why I kept staring him down and I-”

Oops I don’t think I was supposed to say that, I think before quickly covering my mouth.

Olivia’s eyes instantly grow two sizes bigger at my accidental confession as she begins shaking her head at me.

“You were huh?” He questions grimly.

I slowly remove the hand from my mouth and gently place it in my lap as I think of a way to explain myself out of this.

“Just tell him.” Olivia says with very serious look on her face.

“Yeah, tell me.” He agrees.

“You know something I don’t?” Thomas asks her with puzzled look in his face.

Seeing as I’m probably not going to be able to get out of this one I guess I have no choice but to answer them.

“Ok look.” I whisper while leaning closer to them. “I think there is something about Kristen that you two may not know.”

Before I can continue on with my story I hear Brody let out a frustrated sigh.

“You were supposed to let this go. Do you still think I’m going to get back with her? I thought we discussed this already?”

“I did.” I state. “And that’s not what this is about.”

“Then what is it?” Thomas asks impatient for me to get to the point.

Before answering I take a quick look around the room to make sure she hasn’t arrived yet and turn back to the table.

“She….um…well she kind of, might, sort of….have a kid.”

Neither Brody nor Thomas says anything to each as they share the same disbelieving look.

“Why would you say that?” Brody asks.

“Because we saw them together at the park yesterday.” Olivia answers for me.

“She had a kid with her that looked about two years old.” I add. “That would have made her pregnant around the same time she was here.”

“So, it could have been her cousin or something.” Thomas says.

“He called her momma.” I state.

Then what came out of Brody’s mouth next surprised me completely.

“Frankly I’m relieved.”

“Relieved?” Olivia and I repeat.

“Yeah, because if I had been with her then I would be the one worrying right now.” He explains. “And I don’t need that.”

Even though he had already explained to me that he was never with her I needed that little bit of assurance he just gave me. It never hurts to be extra sure.

“It could also be Travis’s kid.” Thomas states before turning to Brody. “Didn’t they hookup to?”

As Brody nods in conformation my eyes wonder back to Blake’s table once again. But this time instead of him looking back at me he was talking to someone. And that someone just happened to be Kristen. She couldn’t possibly be telling him now, could she? Not in front of everyone.

Despite what they seem to think, I believe that the child is Blake’s. For one he looked more like him then Travis and second why else would she be over there talking to him right now?

“Stay out of it.” Brody warns when I don’t look away.

“I am.”

“No you’ve got that look of determination in your eyes. It’s not our problem.” He says firmly.

I roll my eyes at him and sigh. “I know. Consider me out of it, okay?”

He’s right. I know he’s right. But I just…I don’t know. I kind of feel bad for Kristen now. I totally misjudged her and in all honestly, now that I know she’s not after Brody, she doesn’t seem that bad. I suppose Blake is the reason she kept the pictures of her son hidden. She probably didn’t want him to know about him yet. I wonder what changed?

“Do you think you could get away this weekend?” Brody asks changing the subject.

I instantly turn my attention to him in curiosity.

“Uh…I don’t know. How long are we talking?”

“Two days. We would leave Saturday and come back Sunday.” He answers.

“Well, where are we going?”

He gives me a grin and takes a bite of food.

“Can’t say, it’s a surprise.”

A surprise for me? Brody doesn’t strike me as the type give surprises. I’d be lying if I said that didn’t make my heart flutter just a little.

Before I answer him I look over at Olivia who has a smile on her face and just nods at my unasked question. She knows me to well.

“I’ll cover.” She says.  

At that I turn back to Brody and smile. “OK. I’m free.”

He seems pleased by my answer as he wraps an arm around my lower waist and pulls me closer to him. His scent fills my nose while his arm warms my skin and my heart instantly picks up in speed. I can’t believe he can still do this to me. You’d think I would have grown used to him by now but, no. And I’m starting to think I never will.

“Fine, it’s your mistake.” Kristen shouts gathering much attention to her before storming towards the door.

All eyes land on Blake when she leaves and I can’t help but wonder what he has done. Did he totally just reject her and his kid in front of his friends? If that’s what he did then I have lost what little bit of respect I had left for him. And that wasn’t much.

The only reason I had any for him at all was because of our talk at the lake. I thought I’d reached him. Was it stupid of me to think that he had changed?

What am I saying? Of course it was. Why do I always forgive people so easily? It’s one of down falls I suppose.

“What did I miss?” Sarah asks sitting down at our table with Lucas next to her.

“Hey.” Olivia and I greet before she explains the situation to her.

While Olivia’s talking I stare over at Blake’s table fighting the urge to go over and say something to him. Sure I don’t know what the fight was about but I can only guess it was about what we saw yesterday.

Stay out of it Farrah, you heard Brody. He’s doesn’t want you involved.

Ugh, Stupid conscious always telling me what to do. Fine!

“Whoa.” Sara says loudly looking at Brody. “You dodged a bullet there. Imagine if it had been yours?”

“I don’t want to.” He says.

Thomas finds some amusement in his statement and laughs at him while I can’t help but feel bad for Kristen. I mean she’s new here and hasn’t made any friends and now has a child with one of the biggest jerks at our school. That doesn’t sound like a walk in the park. Brody could be a little more sensitive to her situation but, I guess after what he’s been through with her it’s the best he can do.

After I finishing my lunch I check to time on my phone only to realize there is only five minutes left before the bell rings and I excuse myself to use the restroom before everyone piles in  them as they usually do after lunch.

I make my way to the closest one which happens to be in the wing my next class is and push open the door.

“No mom. Just put him down for a nap and I’ll be there soon, ok? And don’t forget to give him the Tylenol I sent.”

I instantly recognized the voice coming from the stall as Kristen’s.

“Yeah I know. I’m leaving now.” She argues.

Maybe I shouldn’t be here. I think I’ll just hold it. I can probably make it through the next class alright even though my bladder is the size of a pea.

Ok maybe not. When you have to go, you have to go.

Just as I make my way to an empty stall the one next to it comes open revealing a very distraught Kristen. Well this is awkward.

“I guess you heard that, huh?” She asks walking over to the sinks.

“Not if you didn’t want me to.” I answer.

No need to give her anymore reason to hate me.

“It’s ok. I know you know.” She says. “I saw you and your friend leaving the park yesterday.”

“Oh.”

She saw us? I didn’t know.

“You’re Brody’s girlfriend, right?”

Oh no this is where the claws come out.  And no witnesses either. I’m going to die, aren’t I? I never thought I’d go in the bathroom. Wait maybe I could lie.

“It’s alright.” She says giving a light smile. “I don’t like him anymore.”

Wait, she doesn’t like him? As happy as that makes me I don’t know if I should believe it or not. What if this all just a trap? Ok maybe I’m overreacting here. She is probably telling the truth.

“Yeah, I am.” I answer.

“You made a good choice, you know. He’s a much better person than Blake.” She says.

I furrow my eyebrows up in confusion. She knows about Blake and I?

“What?”

“He still has your picture on his Facebook page.”

Oh. That explains it. Wait, he still has my picture? Well….that’s not awkward at all.

“Yeah, we used to be together,” I admit.

After she finishes washing her hands she grabs a paper towel to dray her hands and turns to me.

“Do you think you could gather my assignments for the rest of the day and drop them by my house after school? I hate to ask but…my son he’s…”

“Sick?” I finish. “Yeah, I heard.”

“It’s ok if you don’t want to, I’ll just ask someone else.”

I can feel soft Farrah coming out again at her words. I don’t know why I feel the need to help her but I do. Maybe it’s because I hear too many sad stories about people who don’t have any friends and they end up as outcasts of their school. I think everyone could use a friend. Besides I’m one of those people who always believe people can change. I’m still not sure yet of that’s a good thing or bad thing.

“No, I’ll do it. Just give me your address and I’ll bring them by.”

“Thank you.” She says appreciatively.

After typing the address into my phone and saying a million thank yous she quickly leaves hurrying out the door. See, she’s not so bad after all. I guess having a kid changes you.

Now what did I come in here for again?

It’s not long after I find that it’s the end of the day and I’m now on my way to Kristen’s. I hope I’m doing the right thing by helping her out.

As I drive past the mass of houses I try to find the one with the Blue Mailbox out front with the name Evans written across it. I had only ever been down this street one other time in my life and that was when I came with Blake to Hunter’s house so I wasn’t completely lost thank goodness.

And speak of the devil. When Hunter’s house comes into view I fight the urge to say a few choice words in its direction as my car travels past. Wait when did he start driving a Yellow Beatle? He must have a sister or something because the only other person I know that drives a car like that is Grace and I know she isn’t with him.

At least I don’t think anyway.

I try to push the horrid thought from my head as I continue my search for Kristen house. Let’s see….Roger’s…..Mitchell…..Silvers….Evans! There it is. After making sure the house number matches the one in my phone I pull into the driveway.

The house looked small and cute and I couldn’t help but admire its simplicity. It seemed really homey. The outside was kept up nicely and there was a very small swing set next to the big tree at the edge of the yard. Yes this must definitely be her place.

I park the car and quickly gather her assignments and open my door to exit the vehicle. Before I know it I find myself standing at her door ringing the bell and it doesn’t take her long to answer.

“You found me.” She says opening the door. “Come in.”

Come in? Should I? Wouldn’t it be best if I just dropped off her things and left? I’m not even sure how Brody would react to me being here.

I know, I know. I should have told him and I will. I just thought I’d tell him after I got home so he wouldn’t protest. So it’s not that I’m not telling him, I’m merely prolonging it. That’s all. Big difference.

“I promise, we don’t bite.” She adds.

Well I suppose I could stay for just a minute. What could it hurt?

I step inside the door enough for her to close it and my eyes instantly land on the two small toddlers sitting in front of the television on the couch watching an animated program.

Wait, two?

A boy and a girl about the same age were side by side. The little boy was lying down on the couch while the little blonde girl was sitting next to him. Ok, call me crazy but I swear I only remember seeing one child yesterday, not two.

“These are my kids.” Kristen says coming to stand next to me. “Who you saw me with yesterday was Connor and this Hailey. She was at my mom’s.”

“Your mom’s? You live here alone?”

“Yeah,” She nods. “I’ve been on my own since they turned one.”

I had a whole new respect for her now. Not only is she a teen mom of twins but she also does it completely on her own. You don’t see that on Teen Mom too often.

“What about their dad?”

I know I shouldn’t but I couldn’t stop myself from asking. I had to know for sure.

“He doesn’t even know they exist.” She states.

“I’m sorry.” I say.

I don’t know if I was apologizing because Blake was the father or because he didn’t know. I suppose both were owed one.

“Don’t be, Blake’s an idiot. He wouldn’t even come over here so I could tell him today. Maybe that’s a sign I shouldn’t.” She says. “Part of the reason I came back here was to give him a chance to be a part of their lives. I just don’t want them to hate me one day for not trying, you know?”

I knew it! I knew it was him.

“Yeah, I could understand that.” I reply.

“I’m sorry for spilling all of this on you.”

“No apologies necessary.” I say. “I get it.”

“You know Farrah; you’re nicer than I thought you’d be. I was honestly expecting to hate you when I arrived here but I guess I was wrong. I’m glad.” She says.

“And I thought you’d be after Brody.” I chuckle.

I guess that sounds ridiculous now given these new turn of events. Of course she wouldn’t be after Brody now. She’s after Blake.

“Hardly.” She laughs. “I’m not interested in dating anymore bad boys. One time was enough.”

“Brody is hardly bad.” I state. “I think most of it is for show.” 

“Are you kidding Brody is all mush on the inside. I’m talking about Blake.”

It’s weird. I’ve never thought of Blake as a bad boy before but I guess you could say that’s exactly what he is. He goes around messing with people emotions and does things to cause problems and sets people up to take the fall for things. He is a full blown bad boy. I can’t believe I never saw it before.

“Yeah, I guess he is. I can’t believe I missed that.” I state.

“We only see what we want to see when we’re in love. Don’t blame yourself. You were probably too smitten to notice. That’s actually one of the reason’s I chose Brody before. He was sweet and not at all like Blake but I guess life had other plans for me.”

So that’s the reason I’ve been so blind? I guess I did like him a lot but I wouldn’t say I was in love. Loved yes, but in love is something different.

“That would be their dinner, excuse me.” She says at the ding of the oven.  “Feel free to make yourself at home.”

I walk over to her couch and take a seat at the end right as my phone decides to ring. Oh crap what if it’s Brody and he wants to know where I am? I can’t lie! Oh no he will be so mad at me for this.

Calm down, you don’t even know if it’s him. Just check it.

Yeah, it could be my mom or something.

I take out my phone to see it’s a message from Heather. Oh great, what does she want?

My question was quickly answered as soon as I open the text.

Heather:

Dress fitting at 5 pm @ Hannigan’s. Don’t be late!

Five?! Crap what time is it now? I look at the clock on my phone and panic. Great 4:25. Why does she always have to wait until the last minute to tell me these things?   

I lay Kristen’s things on the couch and stand to leave just as her doorbell rings.

“Farrah, could you get that please?” Kristen calls from the Kitchen.

“Sure.” I call back walking over to the door. I’m leaving anyway.

Just as I pull it open I am surprised at who I see standing there and he looks just as equally surprised as to see me.

“Blake.”

“Farrah, What are you doing here?”

Great, all the more reason for me to leave.

“Just leaving actually. Could you please tell Kristen I had to go?” I ask without really waiting for reply.

Just as I brush past him I feel a tugging at my arm.

“Wait, aren’t you going to ask why I’m here?”

“No. That’s between you and Kristen. Now if you’ll excuse me I really have to go.” I say quite hurriedly pulling my arm from his grasp.

Without waiting for another word I rush to my car in hopes of making it to the fitting on time. I hope Kristen will be ok. Although Blake might not be after he finds out what she’s been hiding from him.

As I speed down the road and pass by Hunter’s house once again I notice that the yellow Beatle that once occupied the parking space in the driveway was no longer there. Well I’m pretty sure that it wasn’t Grace’s car before but just to be sure I think I’ll pay her a visit once I’m done with this Dress fitting and ask her.  Meanwhile I’ll be thinking about what Brody has planned for us this weekend. It’s it weird that I’m feeling slightly nervous?

---------------------------------------------------------------

A/N

Hey guys, I’ve started a new story. It might be just the thing to keep me on Wattpad. I don’t know though, we’ll see. It’s called MY Best Friend’s Back. If you would like to check it out I will post the link in the comments section below. It will be the very first comment so just click it and it should take you to it. However if the doesn’t work for you, you can always search Brittanyleigh8 in the discover search bar of Wattpad and find it there. It will bring up all of my books.

Please…..

Comment….Vote…..And Follow! 

Banner to the side by @RandomFan! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S- For anyone looking for the cast list for this story you can view it to the right of the story on the Wattpad website. :)