What She Concealed

by Jannat Bhat

  “That’s your problem. You act first and ask questions later.” Julian said bitterly without moving.

  “It was a mistake.” She tried again and Julian slammed his locker shut and turned to her.

  “Mistake? Do you know how much this little mistake made me suffer?” He glared at her and she flinched. “Everyone is acting strange around me. The school staff whispers behind my back and my so called friends taunt me. I’ve started to question myself if coming here, taking this scholarship was the right thing to do. What have I done so wrong to deserve this? My life, everything that I’d worked so hard for, was all done for because of your little mistake!” He fumed. “Maybe I was better off studying in south side. Maybe coming here was a mistake.”

  “I am so sorry, Julian.” Eliana realized the enormous error of her judgment.

  “Well, Bennett. I refuse to accept your apology.” Julian threw on his jacket and walked out, leaving Eliana dejected.

  But she didn’t give up. When she heard from Carter that Julian was throwing a small get together that evening at a local pub with Naomi and Mia joining in except Jax since he had his own plans, knowing she’s not invited, Eliana decided to crash the party. Even back in Japan she was invited to almost every party willingly. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought she’d be a party crasher but she would do whatever it took to get Julian to forgive her. She didn’t know why it mattered to her so much, but it did.

  When she reached the pub, she spotted Mia and Carter sitting at a small roundtable in a corner with music blasting from all over. A flash of red confirmed Naomi was on the dance floor and man could that girl move. Eliana observed from afar and saw Julian join them but he wasn’t looking any happier than he was earlier. He was dressed in his same outfit of dark jeans, a white shirt, and a black jacket that he had left the school in.

  Carter stood up and went to the dance floor with Mia, leaving Julian alone at the table with his thoughts. He wasn’t in the mood to dance. He had hoped an outing with his friends would lift his spirits but the plan had failed.

  Eliana moved forward and took a seat next to him.

  “Hey.” She greeted him with a small smile.

  “Why are you here?” Julian asked, displeased at her presence. “I don’t remember inviting you.”

  “I know. But I wanted to talk to you.” Eliana found herself unable to look away from his face. The sternness with which he was gazing at her, the formidable expression made him seem dangerous and untouchable. She doubted if he was even the same person as she’d come to know. He not only looked but felt different in the darkness of the pub.

  “You sure have guts to crash a party you weren’t invited to.” Julian lowered his eyes back at the golden brown liquid in his glass. “That’s sure to be a new one for you, Bennett.”

  “I’ve already apologized to you, Julian. I don’t know what else to do. Can we please move past this? Let’s call a truce and be friends.” She suggested.

  “Friends?” Julian scoffed and tipped back his drink in one shot and emptied the contents of the glass. “No, Bennett, you and I, we can never be friends. Now leave me alone.” Julian got up from the seat to get himself another shot.

  When he came back, Eliana was gone. But he had a prickly feeling at the back of his neck which he couldn’t shake. Carter, Naomi and Mia were having a good time and he didn’t want to cut their night short on his account. So he texted them while paying his tab at the counter and left on his bike.

  Chapter Three

  The universe was upset with Eliana too because it gave her car trouble at the worst time. It was late at night, and she couldn’t find a cab. She kicked the front tire of her Mini in frustration and because Jax was God knows where, she couldn’t ask him to come and pick her up. Eliana didn’t even entertain the idea of calling her father. If he knew she’d come to a pub without Jax he’d not be happy with her. Her father was conservative about her and didn’t like it when Eliana went off alone like this. But she couldn’t wait for Jax either. Not after Julian had asked her to leave so bluntly. It was clear he didn’t want her there and she was not one to overstay her welcome and after tonight she was feeling discouraged in her pursuit of gaining Julian’s forgiveness.

  Lost in thoughts, Eliana didn’t notice the bike that had been following her for the last fifteen minutes as she had been making her way on foot to the main street, before the rider came up to her.

  “Hey there, beautiful. What are you doing walking all alone at this hour?” Said the rider.

  Eliana turned and saw that it was the same guy whom she had slapped at the school parking lot. She refused to acknowledge his presence and continued her way. But he got off and grabbed her hand. “Come on, babe. I’ll drop you home. Name’s Nick.” Eliana’s heart started beating faster. “I’m not as bad as you think.”

  “Le . . . le . . . let go of me.” She stuttered and tried to pull her hand back. She didn’t give a shit about his name.

  “I will, sweetheart. Once you climb onto my ride.” His hold on her tightened to the point of being painful. “I promise.”

  “Let me go before I bash your face in.” Eliana let anger take over her fear as thunder rumbled in the distance and rain started to splatter on her face. Within minutes it turned to a full-blown windy downpour.

  “Look at that, even the weather turned romantic for us.” He started to drag her into his bike before she felt another hand take her arm.

  “Let her go.” She saw Julian’s firm hold on her. Surprise rocked Eliana to her core. She hadn’t even head him come up due to the storm overhead. Turning she saw his bike on the side of the road with the headlight on.

  “And why would I do that?” Nick laughed loudly.

  “I said, Let. Her. Go.” Julian emphasized each word as the rain-drenched them without mercy. Nick did not move but Julian did. He swiftly moved forward and took the Nick’s hand which held Eliana and twisted the guy’s wrist the wrong way, until he screamed in agony and his hold on Eliana loosened and within seconds he let go completely. “I warned you to never touch her again. Do you want a problem with me? Think carefully before you answer.” He twisted the guy’s arm further and he screamed so loud Eliana flinched.

  “I’m sorry! I won’t touch her again I swear. I SWEAR!”

  Julian tossed the Nick’s hand roughly. “Leave.” He demanded. Nick whimpered in pain and drove away from Julian as fast as he could. Julian looked at Eliana shivering from the cold rain and removed his jacket. He wrapped it around her shoulders and walked to his bike. “Let’s go.”

  Eliana’s gaze went to Julian and she saw the white shirt he had been wearing was wet and stuck to him like a second skin. She could clearly see the defined muscles of his shoulders, chest, and abdomen. Feeling her cheeks blaze, she hopped onto the bike and hesitantly put her hands on Julian's broad shoulders. Where does he live, the gym? She wondered absently.

  Julian took her hands and wrapped them around his waist so she didn’t fall off when he took to speed. He made his way to her home, taking timely directions. Eliana could barely concentrate as her heart fluttered from being this close to Julian. There was also the fact that she was excruciatingly aware of the hard muscles that her hands felt on Julian’s abdomen. The heat he emanated made her already warm body even hotter. The cold from the rain didn’t seem to penetrate her with Julian next to her. Once she got down from the bike at her gate, Julian left without saying a word or taking back his jacket.

  Eliana kept following him the next day trying to find the opportunity to thank him for helping her and to return his jacket. But whenever she did, Julian was talking to someone from his other classes. Earlier that day in Lit, Ms. Diaz had informed them they’ll be having a field visit to Massachusetts, to see The House of Seven Gables, which had been made famous by Hawthorne's novel of the same name as per Eliana’s google research. This structure was the oldest wooden 17th-century mansion still standing, first built in 1668 which had her excited. Also on the list was a visit to N
athaniel Hawthorne's birthplace and other historic structures associated with him. As the place was a couple hours’ drive, the class would be going in the school bus.

  The students were discussing this when Eliana came to her locker room and found Julian there too. “Julian!” She said with more enthusiasm then she had intended. She walked forward and opened her locker trying not to notice everyone’s eyes on her. She twisted towards Julian who lifted an eyebrow at her. “I . . . uh . . . just wanted to say thank you.” She said quietly as the conversation among the others resumed. He shrugged at her and looked away. “I’m sorry . . .” She started again.

  “You need to decide whether you want to apologize to me or thank me.” Julian finally spoke to her. “Fine. I accept it. Both of them. Can you stop now?”

  “I’m serious.” She said. Her hand took hold of his jacket which she’s kept in her locker that morning but she didn’t dare give it back in front of others, afraid of the conclusions they might come to.

  “So am I,” Julian said, and walked towards the exit. “I’m going to get myself some coffee so if you could quit wasting my time, I’d be thankful.”

  “Whatever, go to hell!” Eliana got mad and the others stopped talking again at her sudden outburst again.

  “I will if you promise you won’t follow me there too.” He smiled a little and went out of sight. Eliana was more relieved to see that smile then she cared to admit. She was still mad though.

  “Looks like you guys are back on track.” Mia chuckled.

  “Things can finally go back to normal now,” Naomi said adjusting her bag over her shoulder.

  “At least, he’s funny when he teases Eliana. I didn’t like it when he was avoiding talking to all of us these past few weeks.” Carter added. “He was like a ghost of himself. He’s more fun this way. More human.”

  “Sure. Fun for us. I doubt Eliana agrees.” Mia said and Jax observed Eliana still looking at the door Julian had disappeared from.

  The students were supposed to leave with Ms. Diaz that afternoon after classes were over. But fate did not side with Eliana. Because she’d received a call from her Uncle Steve, she lost track of time and got delayed. When she came running to the parking lot only to see the school bus already gone and a ton of missed calls and texts from Jax and the others. “Are you kidding me?” She groaned. Her phone dinged and she saw a text from Ms. Diaz scolding her rightfully and asking her to find Julian and make it on their own to Massachusetts if she didn’t want to fail the semester. Ava also added an angry emoji for effect. “You did this!” Eliana scowled at her phone. She turned his head to the sky and closed his eyes.

  Wait, Eliana thought. Julian’s not on the bus either? She turned around and saw him next to his bike, patiently waiting for her to notice his existence.

  “How are you blaming this on the phone?” He asked her. “Do people in Japan do that?”

  “Why aren’t you on the bus?” She asked in return. Julian shrugged noncommittally avoiding her eyes. “Were you waiting for me?” He heart thudded against her chest at the notion.

  “As if I have nothing better to do.” Julian scoffed and go on the bike, revving the engine.

  “I’m not going with you.” She narrowed her eyes.

  “Do you have your car?” Julian thought of the options so they didn’t have to travel together and end up dead while arguing at the wrong moment on the road. He was too young and good looking to die.

  “Not yet.” She said. Eliana hadn’t yet collected it from the workshop.

  “What about Jax’s car?” Julian asked.

  “He left with his keys,” Eliana shrugged and walked up to him. “I could go with you but you don’t even have a car and I’m not sitting on that again.” The memory of her hands placed on his body were still freshly branded on her mind. She felt warm just thinking about it.

  “Said who?” Julian turned around to face her.

  “I’ve never seen you in a car. You’re always on this stupid bike.” She explained.

  “Hey now don’t go around throwing names. This bike saved me more times than I can count. And you’ve always seen me on it rather than my car because I fly solo and prefer this to it.”

  “So you have a car.” She said monotonously. “In short.”

  “Yes, your highness. I do.” Julian bowed.

  “Where is it? On Mars? Or your imagination?”

  “Can you get on and be quiet. We’ll have to go to my place and get it.” He scowled and she climbed up behind him. Eliana didn’t let her mind wander to the feel of him underneath her hands as they made way to Julian’s apartment in the south side. She observed the area and people around and didn’t feel the animosity that most people up north did. All Eliana was able to feel was compassion. Once Julian got his car keys and they stood by his black jeep, Julian sighed heavily. “Since we have to do this, I beg you to please remain quiet on the way and make this ride bearable for the both of us.”

  “Quiet? You’re the one who keeps talking nonsense all the time.” She sat in the back of the car at the same time Julian got into the driver’s seat but he doesn’t start the engine and gave her a narrowed look via the rearview mirror. “Um, what are we waiting for? Let’s go.” She said casually waving her hand forward.

  “Let’s go?” He turned around to her. “What am I, your driver? Get in the front seat or get out.”

  Geez, demands much? Eliana thought as she got off and moved to the front, slamming the car door.

  “Slowly! You’re going to hurt her.” He said, lovingly patting the steering wheel.

  “Can we go now?” She made a disgusted face. What is it with guys and cars?

  “Please?” Julian adds. “Did your parents not teach you any manners, Bennett?”

  “What?”

  “PLEASE.”

  “Oh my god! PLEASE, can we go now?” Eliana huffed. He was unbelievable.

  Without another word, Julian started the long drive. The ride was surprisingly pleasant as both kept to themselves most of the time except when he stopped the car an hour later to take a break and got out to stretch his muscles.

  Eliana got down from the car, smirking at Julian. “Tired much? I’m a much better driver than you.” Just because she didn’t like to drive didn’t mean she wasn’t any good.

  “Would you look at that? Bennett is capable of cracking jokes after all.” He said. “And here I thought you lacked sense of humor.”

  She stuck her tongue out at him. “I’m going to get some coffee, you need anything.” She said pointing to a diner they had left behind moments ago.

  Julian looked at her all emotional, “Really? You’d do that for me? Get this poor handsome soul some sustenance?” His bottom lip quivered. “And I thought you didn’t love me.”

  “Whatever, forget I asked.” She left him at the car, thinking why she even bothered when she heard his deep laughter behind her. “I’d love some coffee!”

  “You’re not getting any,” Eliana called back. Why should I when all you do is make fun of me. He can starve for all she cared. When she reached the diner, she ordered two coffees to go and coming back, she placed it in his cup holder after she got in the car, without saying a word. Julian drank it with a small smile.

  Soon after they reached their destination at Hawthorne Hotel, Julian and Eliana saw that the other students had already turned in for the night but Ms. Diaz waited for them to arrive in the hotel lobby. After a few minutes of reprimanding them for missing the bus, she handed Julian the card to his room on the first level where he’ll be rooming with Jax and Carter since it would be three per room and the duo had asked to reserve the third spot for Julian. As for Eliana, she was asked to follow Ms. Diaz to the second floor and directed her to the first room on the right where she found Mia and Naomi waiting up for her. The girls told Eliana that Ms. Diaz had informed them to begin early morning the next day where they will be going to the House of Seven Gables directly. Eliana settled down soon as she was exhausted from the journ
ey and would like to get up fresh for the visit. Before she drifted off to sleep she saw a pair of grey eyes that held her at their mercy. Eliana dreamt of their depth and how mesmerizing they felt to gaze into.

  Julian went to his room and saw Jaxon and Carter already fast asleep. He showered and flopped down on the third bed but found it difficult to sleep, his thoughts lingering on a certain dark-haired girl with bangs who had ridden with him that afternoon.