What She Concealed

by Jannat Bhat

  “It’s okay, you wouldn’t be the only one. I’ve had my share of insecure people around. Don’t worry, you’ll get better one day.” Julian said. “Not as great as me but you know, better.” He consoled, ruffling her carefully made-up bangs.

  “Don’t touch my hair and I’m not insecure.” She swatted his hand away frowning.

  “Are too.”

  “Am not!”

  “Yes.”

  “No!” Eliana burst out. The class looked their way curiously.

  “He’s just kidding, El. Let it go.” Jax said from behind them and looked at his sister, wondering what she was getting so worked up about. It wasn’t like her to talk to anyone like that. She was usually very sweet and soft-spoken. Naomi looked surprised at Eliana’s outburst.

  “You don’t know him, Jax.” Eliana countered looking at her brother.

  “And you do?” Julian asked her.

  “What?” She turned back to Julian.

  “Know me?”

  “I’m not interested in knowing you.” She scoffed. As if I have nothing better to do, she thought.

  “Praise the Lord. Man, she’s your sister? I can’t imagine the horror. How do you bare her every single day?” Julian shook his head and looked at Jax with sympathy.

  “I know right?” Jax said rolling his eyes.

  “JAX!” Eliana didn’t understand why her brother would team up in teasing her with this stupid guy who had made a fool of her in front of her father.

  “C’mon, Eliana. He seems sweet. And funny.” Naomi added.

  “I am sweet, aren’t I?” Julian slid to Naomi and put an arm around her shoulder. “I’m Julian by the way.”

  “You’re pathetic is what you are,” Eliana said instead. Julian was everything she didn’t need in her life and decided to stay away from him. He was arrogant, a flirt and annoyed the hell out of her. She was here to be her best self on the road to becoming an academic scholar in Literature and Julian made her act out of character.

  “She’s so irritating, isn't she?” Julian said looking at Jax.

  “I’m not irritating, you are!” Eliana fired back.

  “I wasn’t talking to you.” Julian refused face her, keeping his eyes fixed on Naomi who bit her lip to control her bubbling laughter at the way Julian was messing with Eliana. Before Eliana could retort back or kick him, the door opened and Ava came back. Jax’s gaze lingered on the teacher a moment longer than needed.

  “Sorry to have kept you all waiting. As mentioned you’ll be working in pairs today.” She picked up the sheet from her desk again. “Jaxon Bennett and Naomi Clark. Julian Rivera and Eliana Bennett. And that was the end of what Eliana heard. This can’t be happening. I can’t be stuck with a southsider, Eliana thought miserably, “Each group will be selecting an old classic novel and getting it approved by me before class ends. I shall expect a daily report of your progress on my desk by the end of each class. Now, shuffle up and get to your partners and start discussing your options.”

  Naomi stood up and gave her a small smile with a shrug taking a seat next to Jax. Eliana couldn’t believe her bad luck on her first day for getting paired with Julian of all students. What was someone like him even doing at Imperial High? Didn’t he have a south side school to attend and vandalize?

  She pressed lips so she wouldn’t curse out and pulled the desk closer to his following the example of other groups. Banging her notebook forcefully she waited, studiously for him to speak all the while avoiding the grin which was stuck to Julian’s mouth. “What’s so funny?” She blurted out the question when he wouldn’t say anything.

  “I’m just so happy to be grouped with you.” Julian said opening his notebook.

  “You are?” His answer took her by surprise.

  “Of course,” Julian said. “Not.”

  “Urgh.” Eliana piqued. They started to discuss which novels they could choose from but ended up in a heated argument over that too. “The Lord of the Rings is the best one to choose. The details of this imaginary world and this sense of realism a reader feels it deserves to be explored!” Eliana said but Julian didn’t agree.

  “Look, it might be good but His Dark Materials is better.” He said. “The soul embodiment in an animal and the parallel universes it depicts is something to explore rather than going for a hobbit.”

  “How can you say that?” Eliana said clutching the pen in a tight grip so she wouldn’t stab him. “Have you not read the book? It’s not just about a hobbit it’s so much more than that!”

  “Rivera and Bennett, what seems to be the problem?” Ava arrived next to them. Both students state their options of choice. “This is how you’re going to work? If you both can’t even agree on a simple decision then how you are supposed to finish your project?” She snapped at them.

  “It’s his fault.” Eliana tried to defend herself.

  “It’s her fault.” Julian didn’t back down either.

  “Quiet!” Ava glared at them. “I need a three page essay on each of your choices by tomorrow stating why you think one is better than the other. I will decide which one you’ll work on.”

  At lunch break, they gathered in the cafeteria, all talking about the day they’ve had so far. Carter and Mia joined Eliana at the table where Julian was seated next to her to her dismay. She couldn’t ask him to move away without making a scene and she wasn’t one to draw attention if she could avoid it. Jax and Naomi seemed to be in a much better mood in comparison.

  “So Bennett, when Ms. Diaz chooses my essay tomorrow, what will you do?” Julian started the second the others were done speaking.

  “It’s not necessary she’ll pick yours. We’ll talk when we have the decision.” Did he think the world revolved around him? Eliana dismissed him and took a bite of her grilled sandwich. She was already famished.

  “You know I don’t lose.” He folded his arms and leaned behind in his chair.

  “I don’t lose either. You should know that.” She gave him a meaningful look.

  “What do you mean?” Naomi asked, sipping her hot soup.

  “She means nothing by it,” Julian answered as soon as Eliana opened her mouth. “If you’re so sure, why don’t we bet on it?”

  “Again with the bet?”

  “You heard me.” He smiled and she frowned at him. “C’mon. Let’s bet on it and make this interesting.” He persisted.

  “Thanks, but no thanks.” Eliana turned back to her sandwich. She was not indulging in his senseless ideas.

  “Looks like you have no confidence in your choices.” Julian tried to provoke her. “As I said earlier, I’ve had my share of insecure people.”

  Carter who was listening in to their conversation just like Jax, Mia and Naomi said, “I bet on Julian.” He said looking at Julian. “In that case, I’m with Eliana.” Supported Mia. “Me too. Girl power!” Naomi and Mia bumped their fists. “What about you, Jaxon?” Carter asked. “Leave me out of this. “Jax turned to his coffee and took a sip. “C’mon Eliana, say yes!” Carter urged.

  “No, Carter!” Eliana was not expecting the others to join in on Julian’s stupid idea of a bet.

  “Yeah, Eliana. Let’s do this.” Naomi cheered her on. “It’s just a bet.”

  “Yeah, c’mon. Say yes.” Mia said and simultaneously and ate her ramen. The cafeteria menu at Imperial High was one of its best assets.

  “Leave it guys, she’s a scared little kitten,” Julian said, looking disappointed and stood from his seat. “I am not!” Eliana said outraged. How dare he call her a kitten, that too a scared one!

  “Are too.” He said.

  “Am not.”

  “Yes!”

  “No!”

  “Yes!”

  “Stop it with the screaming match.” Jax chided because students around gave them looks. What are they, five-year-olds? He thought.

  “Why do you both have to argue like this?” Mia rolled her eyes. “It’s your first day too just like Naomi and Carter.” She said looking at Eliana and
Julian both. “How could you already be on each other’s nerves?”

  “He started it,” Eliana said in her defense and Julian sat back down throwing a sugar packet at her.

  “She started it,” Julian said as Eliana threw the packet right back at him and blew her bangs out of her face. “Stop irritating me.” He said.

  “I’m not irritating anyone, Julian. You are.” Eliana shot out.

  “I didn’t ask who started first. C’mon, be nice. Now say hello to each other in a civilized way and start your acquaintance again.” Mia said in a mature way that made them both do as she said.

  “Hey.” Julian tried reluctantly.

  “Hi!” Eliana made a face.

  “Woah, such a favor,” Julian said, his tone dripping of sarcasm. “You know Eliana, you should start showering with cold water, maybe then you won’t be so hot-tempered all the time,” he said. “And maybe you’d agree to the bet if you weren’t so afraid.”

  “Fine! It’s on!” Eliana agreed petulantly.

  “That’s what I’m talking about.” Julian grinned in triumph. “So the one who loses will . . .” He thought about it. “. . . Do what?”

  “How about you wait on him.” Carter gave a suggestion. “Maybe it will give you both the chance to bond if you spend some time together.”

  “Wait on him? What do you mean?” Eliana asked, confused. And what bond? She didn’t want to bond with anyone. Especially Julian.

  “Like, fulfill all his demands?” Mia wanted to clarify.

  “Exactly,” Carter confirmed.

  “Not bad. I like it.” Julian nodded. “Having an attendant.”

  “I’m not doing that. It’s ridiculous.” Eliana looked at her peers in incredulity. Had they gone completely insane?

  “This bet is ridiculous,” Jaxon muttered with disapproval. But he wasn’t about to interfere in Eliana’s life. She was a big girl and needed to learn to make her own decisions. However, he would always be there if she needed him.

  “You have no choice, Eliana. You said yes already.” Carter said.

  “But . . .” Eliana gazed around the table for anyone to back her up but they all looked at her waiting for an answer, except for Jax who kept sipping his coffee staring into the distance.

  “A bet’s a bet, Bennett.” Julian reminded her with a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. “And that’s what the losing party will have to do. Wait on the other. I like two sugars in my coffee, just saying for future reference.”

  “Don’t talk to me!” Eliana scowled at Julian. She wanted to smash a plate on his head but restrained herself from doing just that.

  “You should try and be more like me. Calm and composed.” Julian laughed lightly as he found it funny the way he could rile her up. Funny and entertaining.

  “Sure. You’re a saint, aren’t you?” Mia commented amicably.

  They returned to their classes for the rest of the afternoon and thankfully Julian wasn’t in any of those with Eliana so she could pay attention to the lectures peacefully. When she walked to the parking to meet Jax, her mind went to Julian and his silly bet which is what she discussed once she was alone with her brother in the car. “He makes me so mad I could hit something,” Eliana said.

  “Then why do you let him get to you?” Jax asked with his eyes on the road.

  “Don’t worry, Jaxon. I’m not as naïve as you might think. I know exactly how to get back at him.” She took an oath to piss him off after that and wipe the infuriating grin off his face. Calm and composed, huh, we’ll see Julian Rivera, she thought in satisfaction.

  That evening Jaxon and Eliana spent a nice and cozy dinner with their father as they talked about their first day as seniors avoiding all lanes that led to the topic of the boy from the south side. Long after the Bennett family had retired for the night, they each took out the picture of Amelia Bennett, a brunette woman with green eyes just like her daughter had inherited. Amelia was the woman who had made their house a home with her unconditional love, kindness, and compassion and whose absence was felt in that very home every single day.

  Jax missed his late mother lying in bed, eyes shut tight, and he tried to control the sobs that were threatening to take over, wishing for the millionth time that she was still alive as he had wished for countless other moments in his life. While Eliana had always been a Daddy’s girl, Jax had been his Momma’s boy. He had taken it the hardest when she had died in the hit and run accident. He hadn’t spoken to anyone for months and had barely eaten. He’d become obsessed with finding her killer because Jax knew that the criminal was still out there roaming free of any charges and it kept Jax up at night to date.

  The cops had given up because the accident scene wasn’t covered by any CCTV’s, but Jax had promised his mother as he sat on her grave with tears falling down his cheeks that he would bring her killer to justice. Even if it took his entire life finding them, he would avenge his mother’s unjust death. Jax was the only one who knew of his battle and he planned on keeping it that way. He didn’t want to burden his father or El. They had finally moved on and he didn’t want to drag them into his fight.

  Eliana missed her mother too but like Jaxon, she had a habit of keeping her emotions deeply buried. As she sat by the window seat in her room, she stared at her mother’s picture with the same green eyes looking back at her. I miss you, Mom. She thought. So much! Why did you have to leave us so soon? She let a single tear fall onto the frame and fell asleep with it in her hands.

  Jonathan Bennett beheld the painting of his beautiful wife in his study and talked to her about their children as he often did when he was alone. What in the world is about to befall the academic profession, Mellie? He thought in good humor.

  Chapter Two

  The next morning Jax left earlier than they were due at school which came to Eliana as a surprise. Jax rising early wasn’t something the Bennett household was used to seeing. He mentioned something about meeting a friend and to use her car today. Waving him off Eliana tried to focus on her breakfast but all she could think about was the impending decision. Though she was proud of the essay she had written and the points she had made on LOTR being a deserving novel, she still felt stressed about the result. She was intent on making a good impression on Ms. Diaz. Add to it Julian’s idiotic bet. Which is why when she was walking in the parking lot, she didn’t pay attention to her surrounding and got pushed around by the passing motorbike. It just happened to have Julian as its rider. She was unaware of the fact that Julian had zeroed in on her purposefully. “Hey! Are you blind?” She saw Julian stop and park the bike. “If you don’t know how, why do you even bother driving?” She snapped.

  “So I can talk to you, Bennett.” He gave her a sexy grin when he reached her. She shook her head and turned away, walking towards the entrance. Julian followed her all the way to their lockers. Turns out, his was mere two lockers over from her own. “I hope you remember our little bet.” He said and she dramatically rubbed her right arm which he had hit with his bike.

  “How could I forget?” She smiled sweetly and cursed him mentally. She looked up and saw Jax in the corridor with their father. “Dad..!” She was about to greet him but shut her mouth immediately at her slip up. She realized it was too late when a few students turned to her, Julian with surprise and the Bennett men with disapproval. It was an unsaid rule of the Bennett family to address their father professionally when at school. “I mean . . . good morning, Mr. Bennett.” She corrected, wincing.

  “Good morning, Ms. Eliana. Have a good day, students.” Her father gave them a single nod and went his way. Jax went to his locker without a word and started getting his books. Eliana closed her eyes at her slip up and felt something wrap around her knees. Her eyes flew open and she saw Julian on the floor with his hands around her knees. “Julian! What are you doing? Let me go!”

  “I’m trying to find redemption for my sins at your feet.” He said not letting her go. Jax laughed at them lightly as Carter and Naomi come in toget
her looking at the spectacle with interest.

  “Look at them, bonding already,” Naomi said going to her locker.

  “What did you say?” Eliana was looking down at Julian astounded.

  “How would I dare say anything to the headmaster’s daughter? Please forgive me and don’t complain to your father.” Julian continued dramatically as Eliana tried to free herself of his hold. “He would expel me and cancel my scholarship! I promise to pay you the uttermost respect from now on forth.” He wailed. So that’s how he could afford to study at Imperial High, Eliana confirmed her suspicions.

  “Oh my god! Stop!” He let her go but not before laughing heartily at her expression. He could get used to this.

  “Why do you harass her like this, Julian?” Carter asked and Mia joined them coming in after Julian and went to open her locker.