What She Concealed

by Jannat Bhat

  We should stay away from each other for a few days. That would be best.

  She leaned against her car door. She felt drained.

  Goodbye, Bennett.

  His words kept haunting her.

  “I can’t believe he would just leave like this, without saying anything.” Carter was the first one to speak. “What happened that he would disappear without saying a word to us? We were all supposed to be his friends.”

  “Only Julian can answer that,” Jax said and looked at Eliana. “You don’t happen to know anything about this, do you, El?” Eliana shook her head without meeting his gaze. How would she even begin to explain what had happened between Julian and her?

  “It’s not one of his silly jokes again, is it?” Naomi asked looking around. “If so, it’s not funny.”

  “I don’t think so. It’s too big a risk to his scholarship.” Mia said.

  “I miss him. The school just feels so dead without him here.” Naomi said with a drawn face. “No mischiefs happening, no one is running around to kill him, especially Eliana. You know, the usual.”

  “It’s a school, Naomi. There should be no running around.” Jax said, but he was concerned for his friend too.

  “Maybe it was an emergency and he just didn’t have the time to say goodbye?” Ethan said.

  But he did have time. Eliana thought. And he did say goodbye, I just hadn’t realized it would be for good.

  “This is driving me crazy.” Naomi cried and went to stand next to Ethan. “I just miss him so much. I see his stupid grin everywhere I go. Do you guys even know what he did for me?” Naomi explained the situation with her parents and how Julian had helped her out of that fix. “Even though he didn’t want to do this because you know it is kind of morally wrong and he refused countless times. It was after I started getting hysterical that he finally agreed. But I won’t ever forget this. He helped me out when I needed it the most. He’s like a brother I always wanted.” She put her head in her hands.

  Eliana closed her eyes in despair. Naomi whipped her head back up and looked at them with wide eyes, “Guys, what if he’s in trouble this time? What if he needs our help?” The others straightened at that.

  “It’s very much possible,” Carter said. “Or he would never leave without telling us. I knew it!”

  “Let me try his phone.” Naomi jumped and removed her cell from her pocket, quickly dialing Julian’s number. Moments later she shook her head. “Try his home line,” Ethan suggested.

  “I don’t have it,” Naomi said.

  “I do,” Eliana said to everyone’s surprise. “I’ll call him.” But there was no answer to that either.

  “Now I’m even more confident that he might be in trouble,” Naomi said and started pacing in the lot.

  “Where could he have gone?” Carter wondered. “I’ll go drop by his apartment right now.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Naomi said.

  “Me too,” Ethan said.

  Jax and Eliana shared a look. “You’ll let us know if you find him,” Jax said to them.

  “Will do,” Carter said and they left hurriedly.

  “Did you want to go with them?” Jax asked Eliana.

  “It’s okay, like you said, they’ll let us know when they find him,” Eliana said. “We should head home.

  “Me too,” Mia said. “Let me know once Carter updates you.”

  But when Carter called Eliana, it wasn’t good news. Julian wasn’t home. The next morning when they met again, they debated how to find their treasured friend and bring him back safe and sound. “This is so sudden.” Carter shook his head.

  “You didn’t fight with him again, did you?” Ethan asked Eliana and noticed how her eyes shone with unshed tears.

  “They fight all the time, but it’s never so serious that he would just leave school and jeopardize his scholarship like this.” Carter said.

  “I think I know where to find him. No one knows him better than I do, and if my experience serves me right, he’ll be there.” Ethan said after a while of deep pondering.

  “Where is that?” Jax asked.

  “Home,” Ethan said.

  “I don’t think so.” Carter said. “We already checked his apartment.”

  “Not here, back in Greenwood. It is an hours' flight from here. I’ll go find him.” Ethan offered. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Julian’s departure was his fault. After what he had told Eliana at Naomi’s party, that is when things had changed.

  “Are you sure, Ethan?” Naomi asked. She had seemed quite sad since Julian had left and Ethan wanted to see her happy. “You both hate each other.”

  “I don’t hate him, Naomi. Even though he’s not exactly my friend, I don’t want to see him hurt. Or worse.” He said honestly. He had seen Julian a changed man as compared to back in middle school.

  Or worse. Eliana was having a hard time breathing after hearing those words.

  “I’ll take an emergency leave and head out right now.” Ethan said opening his locker and taking all the essentials. “You’ll bring him back right?” Naomi laid a hand on Ethan’s arm. The two of them share a private moment that the others turn away and give them some privacy.

  “I’ll try, Naomi. But the decision to return rests only in his hands.” He promised her. “Let’s just hope he has something to come back for.” He glanced at Eliana subtly.

  That night the Bennett family were having a rare meal together and Julian was the topic of discussion. Eliana couldn’t bear to hear Julian’s name without breaking down anymore so when Jonathan Bennett started saying how bright Julian Rivera was and what a waste of such brilliance his exit would be, she stood up from the table saying she wasn’t hungry and ran back to her room locking the door behind her.

  She missed him terribly. It was as if a piece of her heart had been taken from her. She opened her window to get some air and saw Julian standing in her lawn looking up at her and giving her a sweet smile, mouthing ‘I Love You.’ She closed her eyes as physical pain rocked her to her core. Looking out again, she saw nothing but an empty lawn. Julian was the feeling she missed. He was the piece of her heart which resided outside her being. And the farther away he was, the more agony she felt. Please come back, Julian. I miss you. She wished, hoping against hope that he would hear her call.

  “I hope Ethan can bring him back,” Naomi said during break the next afternoon. She kept checking her phone more frequently than usual.

  “He’s become like a habit. I miss him too.” Carter said, biting on his hot dog. “I almost didn’t come to school today.”

  “You haven’t heard back from Ethan yet, have you?” Eliana asked Naomi. She hadn’t received any calls or messages from Ethan and wondered if anybody else had.

  “Nope. Nothing yet. I tried his phone this morning, but it was unreachable.” She explained to the dark-haired girl who seemed just as sad as Naomi felt. Even more so. Naomi thought it to be obvious because there was no one else to mess with Eliana in a way that was solely Julian, so she would be feeling his absence the most. When you get used to someone’s mischiefs all the time, nothing can cure the loneliness that was felt when they aren’t around.

  Eliana stood up to throw her trash away then turned around and saw Julian at the cafeteria entrance watching her with amused eyes. He lifted his hand to his lips and blew a kiss at her, along with a wink. Eliana smiled painfully knowing all too well that he wasn’t there. She took her phone and texted him, adding to the dozens of messages she had left already. But they remained unseen.

  That afternoon before school was over, they were called to the headmaster’s office and asked if any of them knew about Julian’s impulsive decision to drop out. Ms. Diaz was present there as well and had seen how Mr. Rivera’s absence had affected them and she honestly had missed her mischievous young student. But the reality was a bitter pill they all had to swallow and the group denied knowing the reason but did tell her the real motive for Ethan’s sudden leave.

  It was unwi
llingly that Jonathan Bennett informed them, in case Mr. Rivera does not report back to school, he will be suspended until further notice for his reckless actions and will not be graduating. Ethan came back the next morning and Naomi attached him the moment he showed up at his locker. “Did you find him? Is he okay?”

  “I did and he’s fine,” Ethan said. He didn’t look happy though instead he looked defeated. “He’s not in any trouble. At least not the kind we thought.” He muttered the last sentence.

  “So what happened? Where is he?” Carter asked, looking behind Ethan as if expecting Julian to pop into view any moment.

  “He doesn’t want to come back,” Ethan said, folding his arms.

  “Why is that?” Mia asked with a frown.

  “He wouldn’t say. He barely gave me a minute to talk to him.” Ethan said looking into the disappointed faces surrounding him.

  “Did you try to reason with him?” Jax asked next.

  “Of course I did. He isn’t willing to listen at all.” He shrugged. Eliana informed Ethan of Julian’s impending suspension if he doesn’t return immediately. “I don’t think he would even care at this point, Eliana,” Ethan said disheartened.

  “We can’t just let this happen to him. We can’t let him get suspended.” Carter said.

  “You’re right, Carter. Something must have happened and he’s being all stubborn about it. As his friends, we need to help and make things right so he can come back.” Mia said.

  “I agree with Mia. We should talk to Mr. Bennett.” Naomi said looking at Eliana and Jax. “What do you say, guys? Do you think your Dad will give Julian a second chance?”

  “He’ll only need a second chance if he comes back,” Jax said. “And from what Ethan said, Julian doesn’t want to do that.”

  “Let us secure his chance first, then we’ll try to persuade Julian again,” Carter said practically and the rest nodded in agreement.

  Jonathan Bennett looked at the desperation reflected on the faces of the young students as they pleaded their case on behalf of their friend.

  “But Mr. Bennett, don’t you think. . .” Carter was cut short when he was interrupted by the head of the school.

  “There is little point in discussing this, Mr. Hayes.”

  “I know what Julian has done is wrong, but this is the question of his life.” Naomi pointed out.

  “I’m well aware, Ms. Clark and believe me, we feel as bad as you do about this turn of events.” The senior said.

  “But Mr. Bennett, you said it yourself, Julian is a gifted student as compared to many his age.” Eliana reminded.

  “And I stand by my words, but we are helpless in the eyes of the policies and foundations this school stands on.” Her father said.

  “With all due respect, Mr. Bennett, we are not asking you to break the law. We are just requesting you for one chance.” Ethan said.

  “If you say as you feel Mr. Bennett, I believe bending the rules a little wouldn’t hurt anybody.” Ms. Diaz added lightly. That one statement made all the students respect their teacher more. Especially Jax, who gave her a small smile.

  Dr. Bennett remained silent for few long minutes as the students continued to beseech. He stood up and they fell silent at once. “Okay.”

  The students had just started to thank him profusely when he lifted his index finger. “However, I do have one condition. If Mr. Rivera is not back within 48 hours, the suspension orders will have my signature on them.” He warned. “Now I don’t know how, when, where or who will be taking the responsibility of his return. That is up to you. Let me know when you decide who it’s going to be.” Mr. Bennett went back to his chair and sat down. “That will be all.”

  The friends gathered outside in the corridor and started debating. “I’ll go and get him.” Naomi jumped for a chance to rescue Julian just as he had her.

  “No, Naomi.” Ethan immediately shot her down. “You think you know Julian, but you don’t. He’s always been kidding and laughing around here but you’ve never seen him angry as I have. He wouldn’t give you two seconds with the mood he’s currently in.”

  “What about me?” Carter asked. “I could go.”

  “I don’t think so. Julian treats you like a little brother. Instead of you bringing him back, he’ll send you here without you realizing it.” Jax said.

  “Maybe Ethan could try again,” Mia said.

  “If he wanted to come with me, he would have done it the first time. I don’t think me trying again is going to make a difference.” Ethan said.

  “Guys we have to decide fast, we’re running out of time!” Naomi stood up and started pacing again.

  “I’ll go,” Eliana said finally.

  Jax looked doubtful. “Are you sure, El?”

  “Yes. He’s my friend too.” She said. He’s been much more than a friend. So much more.

  “I agree. Even though he teases and irritates you the most, I think Julian is more attached to you then the rest of us combined.” Naomi said.

  “True. This might just work.” Carter said, feeling hopeful.

  “I’ll leave right away after I inform Mr. Bennett. Ethan, if you could give me Julian’s address in Greenwood?” Eliana said.

  “Sure thing.” Ethan got some pen and paper and started writing quickly. Jax moved to his sister’s side. “I’ll be fine, Jax.” She assured her brother before he could start.

  “I know you’ll be. Doesn’t make me less worried.” He said. “I would go in your stead, but I agree with Ethan. Julian is more attached to you.” Because he’s in love with you, Jax thought the latter.

  Ethan gave her the piece of paper with the scribbled address. There were two of them so she asked him about it. He said the upper one was Julian’s home address but directed her to go to the second which was a hotel named Oak Avenue Square. He explained by the time she would land, Julian would be at the second address rather than his home. “And when you reach here, just say the word ‘Goldmine’ to the receptionist.” He said.

  “Goldmine? What’s that?” She asked with a frown.

  “It’s a password to enter the place where Julian would be. And that place, its bad news.” He sighed. He had been there a couple of years ago with a friend and seen Julian at the time too. “Eliana, you might find something that would surprise you.” He said reluctantly. “The Julian you know is not the one I’ve been familiar with. He seemed different with you but it looks like he’s gone back to his old ways.”

  “What do you mean old ways?” Eliana asked with a frown. “Be careful, Eliana.”

  They all hugged Eliana before leaving wishing her luck. She took her small bag that had just her wallet and a few essentials before she went to inform her father of their decision. Jonathan Bennett wondered why his daughter of all students would choose to get back Julian Rivera and he asked her so.

  “Because he’s my friend too, Dad.” She explained. That she loved him, was an explanation for another time.

  Once permission was granted, Eliana took to the airport without looking back.

  Chapter Eleven

  PRESENT DAY

  Julian looked like he had lost some weight in the past few days, but he was still the most beautiful man Eliana had seen. He wasn’t wearing a shirt and his muscles were on complete display. Veins were bulging from his arms and biceps as if he had been doing nothing but working out day and night. The tattoos on his arms stood in stark contrast against his skin. She noticed he had another tattoo on his left arm but she couldn’t see it clearly. He stepped forward from the shadows into the light, and the crowd went wild.

  “Please welcome our all-time champion, Julian ‘The Unstoppable’ Rivera.” The presenter said into the mike. Julian came and stood to the man’s right side, his face devoid of emotion but his eyes were angry. Those grey eyes she loved so much almost looked black. “Yes, my friends, the same Julian Rivera who hadn’t been heard or seen in the past few years and those who have seen him before, know very well how UNSTOPPABLE he is.” The crowd ch
eered. Eliana tried to catch Julian's eyes but he stared straight ahead as if he was all alone in the arena.

  “On the other side, we have Creesto ‘The Cruel’ Perez. Our current champion who has never lost a fight before.” A dark bulky looking man stepped inside the cage giving Julian a vicious look. Julian stared back stoically. The woman next to Eliana screamed so loud in excitement, Eliana thought she’d get permanent ear damage. “Now it remains to be seen who will win tonight? Our Old Champion or the new? The unstoppable fighter or the cruel one. Place your bets now!” The presenter moved off the cage and she saw Julian going to the far end of the cage and speaking to a man in his late fifties. Moments later a loud bell dinged and the fight commenced.