His Secret

It’s a deal

As I walked down the stairs to get my car keys to head for school, the front door swung open.

There stood my mother, Tessa, in her red, Express Airways uniform with her black, mini suitcase. Each time I saw her, her uniform got shorter and her makeup got heavier.

Tom was definitely getting cheated on. I mean that is how he got her so it shouldn't be a surprise if that is the way he'll lose her.

"My baby!" she shouted before running to hug me.

"Hi mom," I said dryly. She'd been gone for two weeks and didn't even send a text. I tried calling her to see if she was alive but she declined.

Tessa and I were two opposites. She loved to party, I didn't. She wore the tightest clothing, I didn't. She loved makeup, I didn't. No one would know that she was my mother unless I tell them.

She checked her watch. "Going to school already? Come on, it's early, let's have some breakfast!"

I sighed, "You know how heavy the traffic gets. I'll be late."

She rolled her eyes. "Don't worry about that.

Being late is fine, it's not like I'm going to get mad at you or anything."

"Mom.

.." I muttered as she started pulling me towards the kitchen.

"Where's Tom?" she asked. "Tom!"

"Right here babe!" he shouted as he stood around the island watching his laptop. They kissed before she watched his laptop.

"What are you doing, honey?"

He laughed, "This guy bet two thousand dollars for some gamer to win and now he wants a refund."

Mom covered her mouth, "Is this really what people are sending their money on? Make sure you don't do that Evelvn."

"Mom!" I shouted. She knew I hated my full name.

"Don't 'mom' me. I thought long and hard about that name."

Tom pushed two plates with sandwiches towards us. "I made these for you guys."

"Thanks babe," she said before kissing on his cheek. She turned to me. "Tell your dad thanks."

I immediately froze.

"Tess," Tom started.

"What Tom? Are there any other dads around that I don't know about?"

I turned around and headed towards the door.

Of course, she had to ruin it.

I shut the door and started the engine of my old, grey Honda Civic.

Traffic wasn't as bad as I expected and I reached to school five minutes before the bell.

I jumped out of the car and bolted towards the entrance. When I almost reached to the door, I halted.

At the door stood the whole gang: Haze, Jason, Mark, Ashley and a few others from their friend group. They were just standing there talking.

There is no way I could pass through without being held back. I checked the time, three minutes to spear. I had Mr. Yun first and he never allows late commers to enter.

Forget it.

I closed my eyes for a second before I continued walking to the entrance. As I slowly approached the group, their eyes fell on me.

Jason quickly moved to block the entrance while Haze had his head down watching his phone.

Oh no.

"Please, I just want to pass," I said.

"Who's stopping you?" Jason asked with a grin on his face.

He was trying to play games and I didn't have time for that.

"Hey, how's your back? I saw that you hurt it pretty badly," Mark added. The others quickly laughed at his lame joke.

I looked across at Haze and he so happened to do the same. Our eyes instantly locked before he awkwardly looked away.

Haze suddenly stood up. "Let her go."

"Come on Haze, have you become soft?"

Jason asked.

"No but it's too early to have her in my sight."

Jason laughed and moved aside.

The bell rang.

There was still time to get to class!

..

"Vote for Belly James!" Belly said as she passed out flyers to the passing students in the hallway.

"Belly, we don't have enough to give everyone. It's best if we just tape them on the wall," I tried to suggest but she ignored me.

"Vote for Belly James!"

Great.

"Ms. Parker!" I turned to see who it was. It was Mrs. Vincent. "Head to my office."

I nodded before turning to Belly. "Bells, I'm leaving."

"Vote for Belly James!"

I shook my head. Was she doing this on purpose?

I headed straight to her office but I was immediately turned off when I arrived.

There he was, sitting in the waiting room with not a care in the world.

For a short second, the thought of Mrs.

Vincent finding out that he was still bullying me and wanted to put a stop to it crossed my mind. I received a little hope.

His head turned slightly and as his eyes landed on me, he immediately rolled them.

I'm guessing he was not too happy to see me either.

I sat down on the other chair which was opposite of him.

I raised my eyes from the ground to take a peep at him but he was already staring at me.

My eyes moved down to his hands which were now rolled in fists.

Now I began to feel scared. What did I do so wrong to him to make him so angry at me?

My eyes returned to his which were still in the same position, fixed on me.

I was nervous, yes, but I couldn't let him know. I stood my ground and stared at him, although I could probably s**t myself right

now.

He raised his eyebrow at me and I mimicked him. A small smirk appeared on his lips before he quickly shut it down.

He stood up, revealing his tall height of around six feet six inches. Today he had on a black shirt with black shorts which was perfect for today. Football season was soon approaching so the team had to work extra hard. Scouts from all over were coming to watch them.

Dad was a college scout so I picked up on a thing or two.

I have to give Haze credit though. Last year Haze put our school on the map. He scored almost all the goals from last season.

"You're both here, great!" principal Vincent exclaimed. "Let's go into my office."

We silently followed her into her office with the both of us probably wondering what we did wrong.

"Eve, as you know, you're the only member of the journalism club."

"Photography club," I corrected.

"What?" she asked as she looked on a paper.

"Oh, I see, yes!"

"This means that you are also responsible for the yearbook of course with the help of a few others closer to graduation."

Haze stood up. "Look miss, with all due respect, I have places to be and I'm not sure what I have to do with any of this."

She sighed, "ahh Haze, what am I going to do with you? I was getting to that."

He nodded his head before sitting back down.

"Back to you Ms. Parker, you will need to take some photos of the football club during practices for the yearbook."

"What!?" I accidentally shouted out loud.

She laughed, "Don't worry, you'll be awarded extra credit."

She turned to Haze, "Now Mr. De Luca, this is where you come in. Since the coach is absent and you are captain, you will have to formally allow Ms. Parker to take photos of the team and explain to your teammates. Do you accept?"

He turned to me for a second before turning back to her. "Is there no other way? Can't the subs just take pics for us?"

"Do your 'subs' have professional cameras and skills?"

"No but-"

She clapped.

"Then it's a deal!"