from me to his brother and back again. “What are we gonna-”
“ Quiet,” Ian snaps “We need to talk, Ellie ,” he levels me with a serious glare. He takes a few steps closer to me and I don’t like the frustration on his face.
I know he loves his brother. He’s here helping him. No matter how much of an ass he was being, he was still there, helping Karl keep his secret and his dignity. He may have been my friend at one point in time but not any more. Even if he was, Karl would always be more important to him.
The look he’s giving me tells me he’ll do anything to keep his brother’s secret safe. Even if he has to threaten me.
My legs are moving before I consider any other options. I jump the turnstile out of the library and bolt through the door. As my feet pound the tarmac, I can hear footsteps behind me and I’m moving on pure adrenaline.
I don’t know what god, goddess, or spirit is looking down on me but something is working for me. Maybe it’s my attempt at positive thinking. Whatever it is, it makes sure the bus is at the stop. I jump on it just as the driver closes the doors. Taking a deep breath, I slump into my seat, my eyes meeting Ian’s as the bus pulls away.
Chapter 8
I expect Ian and Karl to confront me the next day at school but they don’t. In fact the entire Carter family are keeping their distance. I still have to work with Matt in D&T but he refuses to speak to me and he’s progressed from glaring at me to outright sneering every time I try to talk to him about the design.
Whatever.
If they want to pretend it never happened then that’s fine by me. I don’t need the drama. Although Becky is my best friend, I don’t tell her about what I saw and heard. It’s not that I’m keeping secrets from her, it just isn’t my secret to tell.
By Friday, I’ve practically forgotten about it. I have more important things going on. Firstly, there’s my schoolwork. All my courses are relevant to my future in some way, even if I don’t strictly need them. Secondly, there’s my friendship with Becky. I’m a little bit in love with her and the way she makes me feel happier, just by being with her. Finally, there are the rumours which have been circulating over the last week or so that I’m gay.
I wish.
My life would be so much easier and, as I’ve already said, I totally love Becky.
But no. I’m not. The rumours don’t bother me but the snide comments are getting to Blossom and she deserves better than that. People are labelling her as gay by association and she’s just too shy to fight back.
“Carpet munchers!” A lanky blond kid shouts out as Becky and I come out of a bathroom after fourth period. He compliments the filth coming out of his mouth with an even filthier finger-tongue gesture.
Bilge worm.
I see Becky’s bottom lip trembling as I flip the guy off and I wrap my arms around her. It’s probably not helping the rumours but I know she’s a tactile person and she needs it. She really does smell like sugar, and spice, and all things nice, and I’m getting much better at hugging her without looking like C-3PO.
“ I’m sorry, Blossom,” I say gently as I release her. “It’s okay if you want to stop hanging around with me for a while. I’ll understand.”
“ What? No!” She blurts, clearly horrified at the suggestion. “I just don’t understand how people can be so mean. You’ve not done anything to them.”
“ Everyone has a bit of evil in them. Good people just chose not to act upon it,” I smile reassuringly. “Negative actions will never give you a positive life.”
“ I like that,” Becky cheers up a bit. “Simple but a good rule to live by.”
“ One of my mum’s many mantras,” I shake my head in fond amusement. “Speaking of my mum, she keeps demanding that I invite you round for dinner.”
“ Really?” Becky’s eyes widen, rising above her thick glasses.
“ Yeah,” I nod slightly awkwardly. Do sixteen year olds invite their
“ Quiet,” Ian snaps “We need to talk, Ellie ,” he levels me with a serious glare. He takes a few steps closer to me and I don’t like the frustration on his face.
I know he loves his brother. He’s here helping him. No matter how much of an ass he was being, he was still there, helping Karl keep his secret and his dignity. He may have been my friend at one point in time but not any more. Even if he was, Karl would always be more important to him.
The look he’s giving me tells me he’ll do anything to keep his brother’s secret safe. Even if he has to threaten me.
My legs are moving before I consider any other options. I jump the turnstile out of the library and bolt through the door. As my feet pound the tarmac, I can hear footsteps behind me and I’m moving on pure adrenaline.
I don’t know what god, goddess, or spirit is looking down on me but something is working for me. Maybe it’s my attempt at positive thinking. Whatever it is, it makes sure the bus is at the stop. I jump on it just as the driver closes the doors. Taking a deep breath, I slump into my seat, my eyes meeting Ian’s as the bus pulls away.
Chapter 8
I expect Ian and Karl to confront me the next day at school but they don’t. In fact the entire Carter family are keeping their distance. I still have to work with Matt in D&T but he refuses to speak to me and he’s progressed from glaring at me to outright sneering every time I try to talk to him about the design.
Whatever.
If they want to pretend it never happened then that’s fine by me. I don’t need the drama. Although Becky is my best friend, I don’t tell her about what I saw and heard. It’s not that I’m keeping secrets from her, it just isn’t my secret to tell.
By Friday, I’ve practically forgotten about it. I have more important things going on. Firstly, there’s my schoolwork. All my courses are relevant to my future in some way, even if I don’t strictly need them. Secondly, there’s my friendship with Becky. I’m a little bit in love with her and the way she makes me feel happier, just by being with her. Finally, there are the rumours which have been circulating over the last week or so that I’m gay.
I wish.
My life would be so much easier and, as I’ve already said, I totally love Becky.
But no. I’m not. The rumours don’t bother me but the snide comments are getting to Blossom and she deserves better than that. People are labelling her as gay by association and she’s just too shy to fight back.
“Carpet munchers!” A lanky blond kid shouts out as Becky and I come out of a bathroom after fourth period. He compliments the filth coming out of his mouth with an even filthier finger-tongue gesture.
Bilge worm.
I see Becky’s bottom lip trembling as I flip the guy off and I wrap my arms around her. It’s probably not helping the rumours but I know she’s a tactile person and she needs it. She really does smell like sugar, and spice, and all things nice, and I’m getting much better at hugging her without looking like C-3PO.
“ I’m sorry, Blossom,” I say gently as I release her. “It’s okay if you want to stop hanging around with me for a while. I’ll understand.”
“ What? No!” She blurts, clearly horrified at the suggestion. “I just don’t understand how people can be so mean. You’ve not done anything to them.”
“ Everyone has a bit of evil in them. Good people just chose not to act upon it,” I smile reassuringly. “Negative actions will never give you a positive life.”
“ I like that,” Becky cheers up a bit. “Simple but a good rule to live by.”
“ One of my mum’s many mantras,” I shake my head in fond amusement. “Speaking of my mum, she keeps demanding that I invite you round for dinner.”
“ Really?” Becky’s eyes widen, rising above her thick glasses.
“ Yeah,” I nod slightly awkwardly. Do sixteen year olds invite their
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