What She Concealed

by Jannat Bhat

“Please, what kind of a guy do you take me for?” Julian pretended to be offended.

  “How many girlfriends or hookups have you had?” She asked, jealousy making her turn her face away.

  “Let me think.” Julian rested his elbows on the table and started counting off his fingers. “Maybe 15, uh, no that was back in middle school.” He muttered. “I think about 23, let’s just round it up to 25.” Eliana got mad and stood up to leave but Julian caught her wrist standing up with her. “Hey, calm down. I’m just kidding. You know me, never to lose a chance to mess with you.” He said but Eliana tried to free her hand from his hold. “Look, Elly.” He said, his voice quiet in the ambient music flowing around them. “I have a past and you know that.”

  “I do,” Eliana said turning to face him. “But it doesn’t make it easier seeing girls throwing themselves at you.”

  “I’m sorry you had to see that. But tonight, I want to make you a promise, Elly. Even though you’re not the first girl in my life, you will be the last. There is no one after you, Elly. Because I’m no one without you. I love you, Eliana Bennett.” Eliana felt her heart melt with love at the passion in his eyes and the sincerity in his words. “Now can we please sit down and have a nice meal?” He asked, kissing her hand. A few minutes later Julian asked her about her stole which was wrapped around her handbag. “I never see you without it. Why is it so special to you?” He asked.

  Eliana touched the cloth softly. “It was my mother’s stole. When she passed away in the accident, Dad gave me many of her things, her clothes, her jewelry, but nothing appealed to me more than this particular stole.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Because those other things were just a part of her everyday life. But this stole, she was attached to it too. She never went anywhere without it. So it made me feel closer to her than any of her other belongings.”

  “I think your mother approves of me, seeing that the stole always brings us closer.” Julian smiled at her blushing face. “Does the bracelet make you feel close to me?” He asked looking at the ornament around her wrist.

  “It does.” She held his warm hand. “I want to give you something too. Apart from the sweater I mean. Something you could wear like me.”

  “No Elly, you’ve given me enough by giving yourself to me. I don’t need anything else to remember you by. You’re in my heart, my mind and my soul. You’re in my very being and nothing could separate you from me.” He said grazing his thumb over her hand.

  An hour later Julian excused himself to go to the washroom. He was on his way back to Eliana when he felt a tap on his shoulder and saw Naomi and Carter. Shit, Julian cursed. “Julian! You made it. That’s great. We just got here too.” Naomi said in excitement.

  “Bro, why didn’t you call to inform us?” Carter said.

  “But you were supposed to meet an old friend, right?” Naomi asked.

  “Uh, yeah. Old friend. I was supposed to meet him. Your right about that.” Julian started looking around, hoping Eliana wouldn’t come this way. She would freak.

  “So what happened?” Carter asked.

  “So, I met him. My old friend.” Julian nodded at Carter.

  “Why don’t both of you join us.” Naomi offered kindly.

  “No!” Julian startled them with a sudden shout. Naomi and Carter shared a look wondering why Julian was behaving so oddly. “I mean, no, no absolutely not, we just, uh, we can’t join you because we, uh, we’re not here.”

  “What?” Carter asked confused. “But you are here.”

  “It’s just me now. Alone. Like always, with no friends.” Julian said. “I mean, he’s still my friend, he’s just not here anymore. With me. My old friend. He’s somewhere else.”

  “Julian, you’re confusing the hell out of me.” Naomi frowned.

  “So what happened is that I met my friend. Okay?” They nodded. “Then later I dropped him off and came here to meet you guys because I felt so bad about bailing and you all mean so much to me that I couldn’t disappoint you.”

  “That’s so sweet of you, bro,” Carter said.

  “Let’s go to the table. The rest of the guys would be so happy to see you.” Naomi encircled her arms around Julian and led him to their table with Carter right behind them. “Look who I found?” She said looking at her friends.

  “Why are you here?” Ethan asked abruptly when he saw the grey-eyed guy. “I mean weren’t you supposed to be somewhere else? With someone else?”

  “Could you all stop asking me so many questions? I’ve explained myself already.” Julian was disgruntled. He was looking forward to an evening alone with Eliana.

  “Glad to see you made it,” Jax said.

  “Yeah, me too.” Julian sounded anything but. He had to let Eliana know about this mess.

  “Do you plan on standing all night? C’mon, sit down.” Mia gestured to an empty chair.

  “Now we’re all here. Jax, Ethan, Carter, Mia, Julian and I. Now only Eliana is missing. I wish she could have joined us.” Naomi said. “I wonder if she’s feeling any better.” Ethan was looking at Julian wondering what had happened to his plans with Eliana. He hoped to hell they hadn’t fought again. “Julian left his friend to come and meet with us. Wasn’t that sweet of him?” Naomi said looking around the table as the waiter came and passed them the menus. “I knew he wouldn’t disappoint me. Unlike someone, I know.” She glanced at Ethan.

  “I didn’t know you loved us so much, Julian,” Ethan commented.

  “Yeah, me neither.” Muttered the grey-eyed guy.

  “But how did you know we were here, Julian?” Mia asked.

  If I knew, would I have come here? Julian thought and looked at Mia before answering, “Carter told me.” Carter looked up from his appetizer. “I did? When?”

  “Yep.” Julian slapped Carter’s back in a friendly manner. “You did tell me before leaving school. Otherwise, how would I know to come here?”

  Carter shrugged. “Could be, I don’t remember what I tell whom.” Carter was feeling much better since his friend Kyle had finally agreed to be operated and now was alive and well.

  “Maybe we should call Eliana and see if she’s feeling better,” Mia said.

  “No!” Julian jumped up, the others staring at the sudden movement. “I mean, I’ll call her. She’s on speed dial so . . .”

  “Geez. Chill. No need to get so excited about a call.” Naomi frowned.

  “Yeah, Julian. No need to get excited about a call.” Ethan smirked and Julian kicked him under the table as he sat down once more.

  Eliana looked at her watch again and wondered what was taking Julian. It had been long since he’d gone to the washroom. If he bails on me as a prank, I will kill him, she thought. Her phone rang and she saw it was the guy she was thinking about. “Julian, where are you?” She asked.

  “Ah, Eliana hey, it’s me, Julian.” His voice said in her ear.

  “Yeah, I know. I have your number.” Eliana said.

  “So I’m at this restaurant called RED SAUCE.” He continued.

  “I know, Julian. We came here together.” What is wrong with him, she wondered. Did he get drunk while he was gone?

  “How are you feeling now?” He said next.

  “Julian, what’s going on with you?” Eliana frowned. “If this is another of your jokes. . .”

  “I’m glad you’re feeling better. Yeah, we’re all here. All of us.” He said, cheerily.

  “What?” Eliana wanted to bang her head.

  “Everyone is here, we’d love it if you could join us at Red Sauce. Everyone is here, Naomi, Jax, Carter, Mia, and Ethan too.”

  “Oh my god! They're here?” She connected the dots.

  “Yes! Exactly, everyone is here.” Julian sounded happy to her. Of course, she slapped her forehead, he couldn’t tell them he was here with her. “Do you think you’re well enough to join us?”

  “Okay, Julian. I get the message. I’ll find you in some time.” She said. Glad that he didn’t get drunk on their dat
e. “Perfect! We’ll wait for you.” Julian hung up.

  Eliana wanted to spend time with Julian outside school and this is what happened. She groaned at her luck and asked for the bill before resting her head in her hands.

  Back at Naomi’s table, the conversation was in full flow. Julian kept bouncing his leg until Ethan kicked him to stop. “Why are you so jumpy?” Ethan asked him.

  “How did you know? Julian asked. “I mean, what? Me and jumpy? Not at all.” He improvised.

  About half an hour later Eliana freshened up and found them at the table and her friends greeted her warmly. Ethan saw Julian visibly relax at her presence. “Eliana come sit down. You guys are the best.” Naomi said looking at Eliana and Julian.

  “You feeling better?” Jax asked Eliana.

  “Yes. Much.” She said to her brother.

  “Now that we’re all here, let’s get some food in us,” Carter said and all chorused in agreement.

  After a joyful dinner, they all stepped out and were laughing at one of Carter’s jokes when a gang of strange men kept looking at Eliana, Mia, and Naomi. The girls became uncomfortable with this and the guys took notice. Julian and Jax shared a look and went to the three guys who stood near them, making the girls uneasy with their repulsive expressions. “Can we help you?” Jax asked, looking at each one of them.

  “No thanks.” Said the bald man in the center. They kept staring at the girls ignoring Jax and Julian. “Unless you could introduce us.”

  Julian fisted his hands. “They’re with us. You’ll do well to mind your own business.”

  “Beautiful women are our business if you get what I mean.” The same man said.

  “We have a problem then.” Jax’s jaw hardened.

  “We’ll gladly fight you for the beauties.” The man sneered.

  Both guys didn’t see the fists flying their way, but once they caught on they didn’t stop. Fists flew on faces as both groups bled and broke. Carter and Ethan joined the fight supporting their friends and showing that they weren’t alone. The girls went to them and screamed for them to stop, but when someone made the girls they loved, uncomfortable, the four gentlemen wouldn’t stop unless they taught the sickening men a lesson. Even after they heard sirens of the police cars, they didn’t stop. Which is how all of them ended up at the police station that night. They were seated next to each other on the bench waiting for the officers to call them for their statements. By the looks the cop was giving their way he already disliked them.

  “I can’t believe I got myself arrested,” Carter said in disbelief and close to tears. “It was supposed to be a nice dinner and then home, not jail time free with dinner.”

  “You’ll get over it.” Julian drawled.

  “You get arrested often?” Jax asked.

  “Back in Greenwood. Different times, same reasons.” Julian answered. “God knows someone’s got to stand up for this shit.”

  “True that, man.” Jax felt his admiration for guy increase.

  The girls were apprehensive and kept looking at each other, except Ethan who couldn’t stop smiling. His logic was that because he’d got hit, Naomi was paying him some attention and hadn’t fought with him in an hour, which was a new record for them. Naomi turned to see Ethan seated next to her. “You do realize that we are in a police station right? What the hell are you so happy about?” She whispered to him furiously.

  “Uh, I’m not happy. This is just my first time in a police station so I’m just excited. I’ve only ever seen it in the movies.” Ethan covered the fact that it was her nearness that had made him glad.

  “None of us here have a habit of frequenting this place, just so you know.” Jax drawled as he massaged his knuckles which were bleeding slightly.

  “And why are you sticking to me like glue. You’ve got so much space on your end of the bench, so move your butt.” Naomi said pushing Ethan to the edge of the bench.

  “Will you stop talking so much? Or they’ll think you’re drunk.” Ethan moved away.

  “Look at you, so worried about me.” Naomi made a face at him.

  Eliana was stressed looking at the guys who were roughened up from the fight. Jax and Julian had got the worse of it and they seemed the most relaxed of the lot. Jax stood up and said that he’ll be talking to the officer. The others waited until one by one they were called on and gave their statements along the lines of harassment and self-defense.

  “If that’s true, why don’t you we call your parents and I’ll speak to them.” Officer Kane said to Jax. “Either that or you spend the night in jail.”

  “I’ll make the call.” Jax stepped forward and the others were escorted to separate holding cells. A couple of hours later, the students were escorted back to the main station by a different officer, saying that their bail was being paid and they were free to go. It was when they saw Jonathan Bennett looking ashamed and angry to find his students locked up, they froze in place.

  “Dad, we . . .” Eliana began but stopped after receiving a cold look from her father.

  “Mr. Bennett, we were out for dinner but then the cops showed up and the guys . . .” Naomi started to explain but was stopped by Mr. Bennet.

  “And the cops arrested you for no reason, is it?” Mr. Bennett was in no mood for explanations.

  “Later, Ms. Clark. I’d like to leave here first. The scandal this could cause for the school is unconceivable.” He turned to the officer and addressed him. “Officer Kane, I assure you that I know each one of them. They study at my school. I’m sure whatever they must have done is a mistake made unintentionally and I assure you they won’t repeat it.” Mr. Bennett said with dignity.

  “I’ll take your word for it, Mr. Bennett. I’ve heard great things about you.” Officer Kane said. “Please sign here.” He passed him the bail documents.

  “Thank you.”

  “Mr. Bennett . . .” Julian stepped forward.

  “Not right now, Mr. Rivera.” Mr. Bennett said without looking up.

  “I’m surprised you study at Imperial High.” The officer said looking at Julian. Mr. Bennett looked up from the papers and saw the cop addressing Julian. “Excuse me?”

  “I’m talking about him. The hero of your students.” The officer said. “I’ve seen his records from years ago.” Julian clenched his teeth. “It’s not your first time behind bars, is it? That’s why you look right at home here. I’m almost convinced you’re the one who started the fight and not the other way around as you all claim.”

  Mr. Bennett gave Julian a look before continuing to sign the papers. “Here you go, Officer. Thank you and my apologies once again.” He passed the documents back to the cop then turned around. “Ladies, please get into my car. I’ll drop you home. Jaxon?”

  “I’ll manage, Dad.” He said. “You go on ahead.” His car was still parked at the restaurant.

  “Sir, I could drop them,” Julian said as they all made their way towards the exit. He would have to make his way to the restaurant first too, but he still offered. It didn’t look right with them leaving like this. Getting arrested had messed up his date night.

  “No, thank you, Mr. Rivera, You’ve done enough for one night. No more please.” Mr. Bennett said. “And I expect all of you to school on time tomorrow morning.”

  “Yes, of course, sir. We’ll be there. No worries.” Naomi, Ethan, Mia, and Carter said simultaneously.

  “I’m not worried, you should be.” Mr. Bennett said and moved towards his car. The friends said silent goodbyes to each other and Julian motioned to Eliana that he’d call later which she acknowledged with a nod.

  Back at home, Eliana said goodnight to her Dad but he gave her a disappointed look and went up to his room.

  After she had showered and changed into her tank top and trousers, she removed her phone from her bag and saw 7 missed calls from Julian. Shit. Her phone was on silent. I better call him back before he goes insane, she thought. She lit up her bedside lamp, dialing him back and went to lock her door. She shut off th
e main lights and turned around when she saw a dark figure right behind her. She was about to scream out when the figure covered her mouth with his hand. She recognized his scent before she saw his face. Eliana took his hand from her mouth and pulled it down. “Julian! What the hell are you doing here?” She whispered hurriedly.

  “What am I doing? What are you doing touching a handsome young man in the middle of the night?” Julian said. “And I was worried because you didn’t answer.”

  “How did you get in?” He was still dressed in the same clothes. Dark jeans and his signature black jacket over a white shirt.

  “It wasn’t an easy task, trust me,” Julian said. “Yes, I am athletic but aerobics is so not my field.”