Secrets and Lies: Book 1 Autumn - ON HOLD

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1st December

Autumn sat by the river smoking, the sun reflecting like a mirror across it, the water

rippling as the ducks swam across it. It was so peaceful out here.

“Hey Red.”

She looked over at him, his hair shone in the morning sun, falling over his dark brown eyes. “Stenton.”

“I called around. Your mom said that you were out here.”

“You went to my house?”

“Yeah. She weren’t to pleased.”

“Whats new.”

“So are we still okay to get out homework done?”

“Yeah that’s fine. Please sit down, your making he place look untidy.”

He laughed. “But it’s cold.”

“Gee grow a pair.”

“Can we just go to the diner or something?”

“Sure but I have to meet Connor at one.l

“Sure come on red.” He said, holding his hand out.

She took it and he pulled her to her feet.

He let go of her hand and they headed off to the diner.

Stenton ordered two lattes and cream cakes. “Thought you may be hungry.”

“Thanks.”

He sat down. “I know I’m a complete pain in the ass it just takes me a little longer to process things than most of the guys in he class.”

“It’s okay Stenton, I’m happy to help. It’s not like I’m going to do it forever.”

“I guess not.” He said, sadly.

“Hey, we can stop hang out.”

His smile grew wider. “I’ll hold you to that.”

“So, shall we begin?”

“No time like the present.”

He smiled and they got their books out of their bags attempting their homework for the next three hours.

“So what time have you got to meet Con?”

She loked at her watch. “Damn.”

“Whats wrong Red?”

“I have to go. I said I’d meet Con at three it’s almost ten to.”

“I’ll walk you.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Yeah I do. I’m a gentleman after all.” He laughed

“Many would disagree with you.”

“True. Come on red we best pack pro stuff away so you can meet Con.”

They packed their stuff into their bags, and headed out of the diner heading towards the river.

“I’ll see you in school Red.”

“You will and thanks for walking back with me.”

“The pleasure is all mine red TTFN.”

“Bye Stenton.”

He smiled jogging away.

Con looked Autumn as she approached him. “Was that Stenton?”

“Yeah, we went to the dinner to do our homework and he offered to walk me with back.”

“Is he feeling okay?”

“God only knows.”

He laughed then said. “So what gives with your mom?”

“God knows she wasn’t pleased about Stenton showing up.”

“Understandable he’s a gigilo.”

“I kinda worked that out.”

He smiled. “So want to head somewhere warm?”

“Like where? My mom’s on a pissy mood.”

“How’s mine sound?”

“Sounds better than mine right now.”

“Let’s go.” He said taking her hand in his walking away.

Connor closed the door behind them heading it into the kitchen to do them a hot drink she sat in the sofa. He plodded I’m placing the cups down sitting next to her, draping his arm over the back of the sofa. “I done us both a drink, it’s freezing out there.”

“Thanks.”

“So how was your homework date?”

“It wasn’t a date, Con.”

“I know I’m just messing. So did you get any done?”

“Yeah we managed to finished it. He’s slowly taking it all in.”

“Good.’

He pulled her close. “It’ll be warm soon. How about we watch a movie?”

“Sounds good.”

He smiled putting the tv on and choosing a film to watch they sat in complete silence watching the film.

5th December

Autumn sat in the office after leaving her friends. Mathew sat opposite her. “So how

was your weekend?”

“Okay I and Connor had an essay to do, then we chilled.”

“I see.’ He looked at her. “So…where did you chill?”

“By the lake. It’s not too far from where I live.”

“Must be handy.”

“It is when you just want to forget about everything.”

“Pity life isn’t that easy.”

“Yeah.”

“Are you okay to talk about Taylor’s brother today?”

“Yeah.”

“So, how did you and his brother meet each other?”

“I met Sam through Taylor, the first time was when we were both in town and Taylor introduced me as his girlfriend. I was a little taken back by it I didn’t know what to say so I smiled politely. He shook my hand and I flushed when he spoke, ‘It’s nice to meet you. Taylor has told me a lot about you. I must say you’re prettier than I expected.’

‘You're embarrassing her bro.’

‘It’s okay.’

‘So.. Taylor said you were a naughty girl.’

‘It was a dare.’

‘A girl after your heart aye bro!!’

He smiled. ‘We have to go Sam.’

‘Sure. It was nice meeting you Autumn.’

‘You too.’

‘Later bro.’

‘Later.’

‘Hope to see you soon Autumn.’

“I smiled politely and we went on our way. I asked Taylor why he had called me his girlfriend, he said he hoped I’d say yes if he asked me out.”

“So did you get in with his brother?”

“Yeah, he was like a big brother to me. He was always protecting me.”

“Do you think that he had a crush on you?”

“No, no not Sam he was like a big brother to me till he…”

“I’m sorry, Autumn.”

She looked at him.

“How did it happen?”

“He went after those that he thought had killed Taylor. They found him dead the same MO everything. The police were baffled.”

“So it was classed as suicide?”

“Yeah. They had nothing else to go on so they put two and two together. They reckoned he was grieving over Taylor’s death and he couldn’t take it anymore so he took his own life to join him. Things just seemed to get worse after that?”

“How?”

She opened her mouth and the bell rang.

“We’ll pick it up this Thursday okay. I don’t want you getting in trouble again okay.’

“Okay.”

“Try not to think about it till then okay.”

“I’ll try.” She said, pulling herself up.

“Just remember you’ve got friends Autumn, who believe in you. You have me too.”

“Thanks.”

Mathew opened the door. “Bye Autumn.”

“Matt.” She walked away and he closed the door.

Connor slipped his arm around her. “So, how did it go?”

“Okay.”

“Guess you began to talk and the bell went.”

“Yeah.”

“I hate when that happens. It plays on your mind till the next time you see them.”

“Yeah.”

They walked into their lesson. They met their friends for a break having a cigarette then at lunch. Connor stood outside the school gates with Dan, James and Ashby.