Chapter 4: Secrets and Mixed Signals
752 Words
SIENNA’S POV
Secrets.
Everyone has them. Some are small, harmless things. Others are the kind that weigh you down, pressing on your chest like an invisible weight.
Mine?
It’s definitely the second kind.
And now, thanks to the stupid bucket list, I have to tell someone.
Jade is practically bouncing in her seat at lunch, eyes glinting with anticipation. "So, what’s the secret?"
I stab at my salad with my fork. "Who says I have to tell you?"
Her jaw drops. "Excuse me? I am literally your best friend. Who else would you tell?"
Good question.
I could tell my mom. But she'd overanalyze it.
I could tell my brother. But he'd tease me for eternity.
I could tell Asher...
No. Not happening.
I sigh. "I need to think about it."
Jade groans. "Fine. But don’t take too long. The list isn’t going to complete itself!"
I roll my eyes. But as much as I pretend to brush it off, my mind is already spinning.
Who do I tell? And… what if saying it out loud changes everything?
* * *
Later that day, I’m at my locker when Bryce Holloway appears out of nowhere.
"Hey, Sienna."
I jump a little. "Oh. Hey."
He leans against the locker next to mine, looking effortlessly cool like always. "So, you coming Friday?"
I hesitate. Do I want to go? Not really. But a small part of me, the part that wants to prove Asher wrong, kind of does.
"Yeah," I say finally. "I’ll be there."
Bryce grins. "Good. I’ll save you a dance."
Before I can respond, a familiar voice cuts in.
"Wow. Didn’t think you were into the whole party scene, Sie."
I turn.
Asher is standing a few feet away, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Bryce smirks. "Guess there’s a lot you don’t know about her."
Tension crackles between them.
I step in quickly. "Alright. This is weird."
Bryce chuckles. "Relax, Green. Just making conversation."
Asher’s eyes flicker to me. "See you in chem." Then he walks off.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
Bryce watches him go, then turns back to me. "That dude got a thing for you or what?"
My stomach twists. "No. We’re just friends."
"Uh-huh." Bryce doesn’t look convinced.
Honestly? Neither am I.
* * *
That night, I sit on my bed, staring at my phone.
Jade’s texts are piling up.
Jade: Soooo? Who’d you pick?
Jade: It better be me, btw.
Jade: Hello??
Jade: Sienna??
I exhale.
I know who I need to tell.
I tap on Asher’s name and type:
Me: Can we meet at the park? Need to talk.
A few seconds later:
Asher: Be there in 10.
The park is quiet when I arrive. The swings sway gently in the wind, and the streetlights cast long shadows across the pavement.
Asher doesn't take too long before joining me on our usual bench.
"You good?" he asks as he sits beside me.
I nod, then shake my head. "I don’t know."
He frowns. "What’s going on?"
I stare at my hands. My heart is racing. "You know the bucket list?"
"Yeah?"
"There’s an item that says, ‘Confess a secret.’"
He leans back. "Okay…"
I take a deep breath. "I’ve never told anyone this. Not even Jade."
Asher doesn’t say anything, just waits.
I look at him. "I’m… scared of what comes next."
His brows furrow. "Next?"
"After high school. After… this. I act like I have everything figured out, but I don’t. And everyone expects me to have this perfect plan, but what if I screw it up? What if I leave and regret it? What if I stay and regret it?"
The words tumble out before I can stop them. It’s not the secret I thought I was going to confess, but it’s the one that matters.
Asher is quiet for a long moment.
Then he sighs. "Sienna. You don’t have to have it all figured out."
I shake my head. "Easy for you to say. You’re going to UCLA. You have a plan."
"Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I’m not scared, too."
I blink. "You are?"
He nods. "I mean, I’ve never been away from home. Never been away from you."
My heart stumbles.
"But," he continues, "we’ll figure it out. Okay?"
I nod slowly. "Okay."
Then, before I can second-guess it, I lean my head on his shoulder.
And for the first time in a long time, I feel… lighter.
- Writer
