What She Concealed

by Jannat Bhat

  “Ah, she told you. Well, I was a bit shy myself, you know. You’re just . . . great.” Julian said and started to leave but Eliana stepped up to him.

  “Are you mad that I told her about your fandom?” She blinked at him with wide eyes. “I only wanted to make your dream come true.”

  “Nope, not a bit.” He continued rubbing his cheek which had turned bright red. “I love the way she slaps.” He smiled. “Look, Bennett, the day’s almost up and you haven’t made me mad. Not even once.” He winked at her. “It’s just not up to your capability.”

  Eliana lost her smile and narrowed her eyes. She knew exactly what will piss him off real bad. It wasn’t something she would have ever considered but she wanted to get back at him. She remembered how angry he had been when she was being harassed by that rider the other night. What was his name? Nick? She had barely seen him in the cafeteria twice after the incident and thankfully didn’t share any classes together. After school, she was shoving the books with Julian doing the same, when she took rogue paper with a couple sentences and hearts drawn on it.

  “Look at that, you’ve got someone in love with you,” Julian commented when he saw the note. He wanted to know who sent them to her but held his tongue.

  “Julian, is this your way of messing with me?” She asked frowning.

  “Giving you love notes?” He asked her. “That makes you unhappy? You are one strange girl.”

  “Calling me to the library after school. Is this you?” She showed it to him.

  “Do I have nothing better to do with my time then see you after school too?” He shook his head. “It’s not me.” He handed the note back to her.

  “Why do I feel like this is the same guy from the other night? Nick? The guy you almost beat up.” She said, cautiously. Julian’s stance changed at the mention of that guy. He clenched his jaw and glanced again at the note in her hand.

  “If you think it’s him, maybe you shouldn’t go.” He said stiffly.

  “Yes, but maybe I have a secret admirer. Only one way to find out,” Eliana said, closing her locker. “And here, I never got the chance to return this to you.” She passed him his jacket. “Thanks.”

  “Just don’t go if you’re not sure.” He said again taking the jacket.

  “I’m not a little girl, Julian.” She said and made her way to the library. “I can handle myself.”

  After Eliana left, Julian couldn’t shake off the memory of the way that low life had behaved with her and the note she’d received. How dare he send her love notes? The nerve. Julian thought. Looked like he had to take matters into his own hands. He decided to go to the library too to check if she was okay. Putting on his jacket, he went to the first floor and opening the door to the quiet room but didn’t see anyone. Even the librarian had left for the day. Coming further in, Eliana’s green and white-colored stole was discarded on the floor. Uneasiness crawled up his spine as he looked around the dimly lit room. Crouching down he picked up her stole.

  “Eliana?” He called out in the silence with the indistinct sound of the few students still in the parking lot. No response. Turning right, he saw another piece of clothing on the floor. Upon closer inspection, he saw it was her jean jacket thrown down carelessly. What the hell? “ELIANA?” He yelled. I’m going to kill the bastard if he hurts her, Julian thought in fury. He turned when he saw a shadow coming towards him from the far end of the shelves.

  “Elly? Is that you?” He ran towards the figure and saw that it was her indeed, looking lost and disheveled. “Hey, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” He cupped her face gently and tilted it towards him and saw her eyes were wet. “Elly, what happened? Are you hurt?” Eliana started crying and Julian took her in a tight hug. He felt sick to his stomach. “Shhh, you’re okay now, Elly. I’ve got you.” He rubbed his hand up and down her back in a soothing motion. His heart was beating erratically and rage burned in his veins. It was when she started laughing softly that he felt something very wrong in this scenario. She leaned back from him and he saw her grinning.

  “Julian Rivera, are you angry now?” She asked softly.

  “What?” Julian frowned in confusion. It took him a few moments to realize that she’d pulled this stunt as a prank. And she was right. She got what she wanted. He was now beyond angry. He shoved her away from him forcefully. “What the fuck, Eliana!”

  “Is it still out of my capability?” She wiped her eyes of the water she sprinkled in the washroom and took her jacket from his hand. She fixed her mussed hair by running fingers through it. She knew the note would create an uneasy vibe and would make Julian worried and in turn mad when he knew he was played.

  “I never thought you’d stoop so low, Elly. Go to such lengths just to piss me off!” He glared at her. “Well guess what, you win.” He threw her stole on the floor and left without a backward glance. He was as angry as he’d never been in his life. How could she do this?

  Eliana regretted her stupid idea as soon as Julian walked out the door and lying in bed that night so felt bad. Maybe she had gone overboard. And what she did, it wasn’t something to be made fun of. She had to apologize to him. She hadn’t seen him this furious with her before and she’d only planned to make him mad not enraged. She sighed deeply and hoped he’d forgive her this time too.

  At break the next day, the group ate their lunch peacefully with Mia discussing the upcoming wedding of her father. “Well, as long as he’s happy, I’m okay with whoever he remarries.” Mia shrugged. “Exactly. Happiness is underrated.” Carter said.

  Jax had his mind on the visit he was supposed to make that night to one of the cops he’d contacted regarding his mother’s accident. Naomi was annoyed at her parents for pressuring her into doing something she didn’t want to and Julian and Eliana’s mind was on the showdown between them the previous night.

  “Julian, you look tired, bro,” Carter observed looking at his bloodshot eyes. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Julian said shortly. He didn’t want to debate his insomnia. Eliana avoided looking at him and picked at her sandwich. Naomi abruptly stood up and pushed Carter by mistake who stepped in her way.

  “Naomi! Could you watch where you’re going?” Carter said and bent to pick up the trey and food waste which had fallen to the ground.

  “If I didn’t see at least you should be more careful.” Naomi was in a bad mood and left with Carter staring after her.

  “What’s her problem?” Carter wondered.

  “Leave it, Carter. Some people don’t see their mistake even if it’s crystal clear.” Julian taunted with a look at Jax’s sister who ignored him. A girl started wailing behind them and the group turned to look at her. Eliana saw the girl and recognized her as a junior. At the distance they sat, Eliana couldn’t understand what was happening. “What’s going on?” She wondered aloud.

  “That’s Rachel.” Mia said gravely. “I heard that her mother was in a bus accident yesterday. She passed away this morning.”

  Jax stiffened next to her, then stood up and left without a word. Eliana’s own mind went to the accident of her mother and the memories came back fresh of the two officers showing up at their door late at night, with pity reflected in their eyes as they stared at her. Mrs. Redd came hurrying with a student which Eliana guessed was Rachel’s friend and took her out of the cafeteria. “I’m so sorry, Eliana.” Mia said looking sad. “I know your mother had a hit and run too. Please forgive me, I should have been more tactful.” Julian gaze flicked to her face. He hadn’t known, neither had Naomi and Carter.

  “It’s okay.” Eliana murmured. She couldn’t think straight and tears pooled in her eyes. “I . . . I should get back to class.” She said running out so she wouldn’t break down in front of everyone. There was still plenty of time for class, but the sibling needed space alone.

  “I suck.” Mia groaned. “What is wrong with me?”

  “It’s okay, it just happened.” Naomi consoled her. “I didn’t knew Mrs. Bennett had passed away, Eliana and J
ax never said anything. Did you know Julian?”

  Julian shook his head and got up leaving the cafeteria in search of the dark haired girl. He worried about Eliana and hurried around to find her. When asked about, one of the cheerleader had seen her go to the computer lab and could be possibly still be there. Julian pushed open the lab door and found Eliana at the corner of the room with her back towards him, her shoulders shook, giving a clear sign that she was crying. He forgot that he was mad and just wanted to comfort her in this moment. “Elly?” Julian said softly as he reached her and laid a hand on her shoulder when she didn’t respond. “Elly?” She turned at his touch more than his voice, her nose red and face wet, she cried harder looking at the sympathy shining in his eyes. Tears rolled down her cheeks and he took her in his arms holding her gently. It’s okay, baby.” He said kissing her hair.

  Eliana cried against his chest, clenching his shirt in her fists. “I miss her, Julian. I miss her so much.”

  “I know.” He whispered. “I know.” It hurt Julian to see Eliana cry and all he wanted to do was console her. She felt so delicate in his arms that he would fight worlds just to see her smile again. He wanted to take her pain and make it his own. But all he could do was hold her until she let him.

  After class, Jax was nowhere to be found. He was AWOL since break and had sent Eliana a quick text to find a ride with of their friends. Julian saw the text over her shoulder and volunteered to drop her home. The ride home was made in silence as Eliana’s heart was full of the tragedy she had faced years ago and Julian just gave her the space she needed. After she got off his bike outside her gate, she thanked.

  “Uh, Elly?” Julian stopped her. “Could you promise me something?” He asked.

  “What is it?”

  “You’ll be okay right?” He didn’t want her to cry herself to sleep. Eliana gave him a delicate smile and a small nod before she turned to leave. “Wait!” She paused and looked back at him in question. Julian wasn’t sure why he had stopped her. “It’s just if you ever need to find me when I’m not around, this is my number.” He said handing her a scratch paper with his number. “And uh, you’re pretty when you don’t cry. So don’t.” His feelings towards Eliana had started to change without warning. The girl smiled genuinely at the grey-eyed guy in return.

  That night, Jonathan Bennett talked to his daughter about his share of tragedies and told her that the death of her mother would hit them the hardest. But she always had him to talk to about anything she wished. Eliana was glad of the solace and comfort her father had given her and she also recalled how Julian had come to take care of her at her lowest point. He wasn’t so bad after all. Jax still hadn’t come home.

  Feeling much better the next day, she caught Julian looking at her several times in the course of the day but she didn’t say anything. “I am so damn bored.” Mia moaned and sprawled herself on two chairs in the cafeteria and closed her eyes. She felt that they would fall out of their sockets.

  “Time does fly when you study your butt off. Our life seems to be all studies and no play. We need to have some fun!” Carter suggested, taking a seat next to Mia and placing her legs on his lap.

  “Exactly. Let’s do something after school.” Naomi said, shoving the wrap around her shoulder into her handbag.

  “We could do something outdoors and get some cardio done,” Jax said had shown up directly at school, freshly showered though he sported the same clothes as yesterday. Eliana asked where he had been, all Jax said was with a friend. “I need a work out desperately.”

  “How about we play football?” Julian proposed, leaning against the table. Eliana turned and saw him gazing at her.

  “Just because you made the team doesn’t mean we all are good.” Carter murmured.

  “You want to lose? Again?” She asked him.

  “You’re mistaken. I let you win last time.” He corrected her.

  “Fine. Football it is.” She said turning to the others who were all in agreement.

  “My thoughts were more along with the go and dance it out but okay. I’m game for a game.” Mia said.

  They met up as the court where Eliana had first met Julian and played the game as individuals. Julian would have won the game fair and square but unlike last time, he had become much more sensitive to Eliana’s presence. Whenever he tried to take the ball from her, he was struck by her face and how beautiful she was, which proved to be a benefit to Eliana causing her to score more and win, again. Mia, Naomi, and Carter weren’t as good at the game but Jaxon was much better. He was just happy running around and getting his dose of exercise.

  When Eliana jumped from glee at her win, she expected Julian to be mad like he usually is whenever he lost to her, but instead, when she found him standing with Jax and Carter, he was smiling and seemed content. Making their way back to their vehicles, she stopped him. “You’re behaving oddly.” She said. Julian being happy at her win wasn’t normal from her experience.

  “He’s always behaving oddly. It’s when he doesn’t, that concerns me.” Carter said, going to Mia’s car who would be dropping Naomi and him home.

  “What’s going on?” Eliana asked pausing next to Julian’s bike. “Tell me.”

  “If you must know, I like someone. Kind of,” Julian said. He hadn’t yet realized the extent of his feelings for the girl in front of him.

  “How many times and how many girls have you liked before?” Mia asked from ahead with a tone that indicated a double meaning.

  “Is it another one of your hookups?” Naomi laughed. “Maybe that receptionist from Salem? Don’t you learn from your mistakes, Julian?”

  “It’s not that receptionist. I don’t even have her number anymore.” Julian had all but thrown it in the trash while he had come to Eliana’s rescue at the Hawthorne Hotel. “And this girl, she’s not a hookup.” Julian avoided Eliana’s gaze. “And I haven’t . . .”

  “Sure you haven’t.” Jaxon was next to his car, waiting for Eliana to get in.

  “You know what, forget I said anything.” Julian roared his bike to life and shook his head. The others continued to laugh at Julian’s expense as they all made their way home.

  Chapter Five

  That semester, Eliana saw another addition at Imperial High. Jonathan Bennett introduced him as Ethan Bailey in the morning briefing at the great hall. With almond-shaped brown eyes, thick eyebrows, and dark hair, Ethan was of a half British and half Korean origin. He was born in Greenwood like Julian and as luck would have it, he already knew the grey eyed guy from middle school since Ethan had moved to the south side. The two had no love lost between them. Naomi wasn’t too keen on his presence either since he’d accidently crash into her car that very morning in the parking lot. The group was in the cafeteria on their break when Julian saw Ethan come in.

  “Looks like you got a makeover, geek,” He commented looking at newbie. “I don’t see those big old glasses that used to cover half your face.”

  “I changed, Rivera, but you’re still the same. I’m surprised to even see you here.” Ethan said with disdain. “Thoroughly surprised.”

  Julian stood up and got in his face, eyes narrowed with fists clenched. “Careful Bailey, you don’t want to mess with me.”

  “This isn’t middle school, Rivera. You don’t intimidate me. Not anymore.” Ethan didn’t back down.

  “C’mon guys, drop it,” Mia said.

  “Can I sit with you?” Ethan asked looking at Mia, Carter, and Eliana who were at the table too. Naomi was looking the other way pretending he didn’t exist.

  “Would you go away if I say so?” Julian asked rudely. “If yes, get lost.”

  “No need to be so rude, bro” Carter said. “Ethan can join us. We’re like a big happy family.”

  “Huh! We sure were.” Julian huffed taking his seat once more.

  If he had been the same kid he had been, Ethan would have run away from the table crying. But he had changed long since. So he took the empty seat next to Naomi. “Couldn�
�t you sit anywhere else?” She scolded him. “Do you see any other seat at this table, Clark?” He countered. She had also ended up as his partner in Social Science and it infuriated her to no end. “Whatever, just don’t talk to me.” She turned her face away. “Wasn’t planning on it,” Ethan said.

  “So what happened between you and Julian to cause this animosity?” Mia asked Ethan. She hadn’t seen Julian be this impolite to anyone.

  “Yeah, Ethan, what happened?” Julian said, grating him and folded his arms, leaning forward on the table. “Tell them.”

  “He stole my girlfriend,” Ethan said quietly, staring daggers at the grey-eyed guy. And bullied me for years on end, Ethan said mentally.

  “What!” Mia looked up in surprise from her coffee. That was unexpected.

  “How do you steal a girlfriend?” Carter was dumbfounded.