Secret Crush

Chapter 8 - [The Start of Something New]

I walked out of my Anthropology class, feeling a little disappointed. Gale and I had spent the whole evening together and we were almost as good as new… or old… whatever.

But when he came into Anthropology today, he simply nodded his head at me before he walked over to his friends.

I really hoped that he wasn’t going to keep up the “I don’t know her” act.

But as I walked off, I pushed the thought aside. I was probably over reacting.

When I got to my locker’s hallway, I saw Maria arguing with Val and I frowned, my heart sinking. I hated when my friends argued with each other.

“What’s going on?” I asked, as I approached them.

Val, who was leaning against the locker with her arms crossed, shrugged. She looked out of her mind annoyed with Maria.

Maria turned to me, her curls bouncing as she did. “People are saying my party was bad.”

I hesitated. “Why?” As I thought about the party, I got confused because it looked like everyone was having a good time.

“Because Alison is pissed.”

I raised my eyebrows.

“She didn’t like it so everyone didn’t like it.”

I gave Maria a smile. “Mars… just cause one person doesn’t like your party, doesn’t mean everyone doesn’t.”

Mars crossed her arms. “Do you want to know why Alison is mad?”

No. “Why?”

“Because apparently… you and Gale left together.”

I hesitated and turned to my locker, looking down at the lock as I turned the knob. “He offered to give me a ride home.”

“And now Alison is mad!” Maria sighed loudly. “Why do you keep pretending you don’t even know him when you two seem pretty close?”

I swallowed hard, not really knowing what to say.

“Naomi, I-”

Suddenly, I felt someone’s hand on the small of my back.

And because I’m so ticklish, I jumped forward, letting out an awkward yelp as I slammed into my locker.

I heard Gale laugh as he stepped to the other side of me and leaned against the locker, his shoulder against it, looking at me.

I turned to Maria, whose mouth dropped.

Val was minding her own business, texting someone.

When I looked back at Gale, I saw him grinning at me. “I found this in one of my drawers.” He said as he handed me a bracelet made of plastic, cheap beads. “Remember this?”

I hesitated. “Yeah!” I said, taking a step back. He was standing a little too close to me and I was struggling to breathe. Especially now that my heart was racing at the thought that he had kept that old bracelet safe.

But when I looked back at the bracelet, I smiled. I had made matching bracelets when we were younger, one for me and one for Gale.

I opened my locker and pulled out a folder, ignoring all the glances and trying to act normal. “I remember when bracelet making was one of the hardest things in the world.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, you told me that if I break it or lose it you’d never talk to me again because it took you forever to make.”

I let out a small laugh, but then remember that I had broken mine years back.

“Where’s yours?”

I pressed my lips into a thin line.

Gale rolled his eyes. “You suck at being a friend.”

I opened my mouth to argue but was interrupted by Blake.

“Gale!” He called as he walked over to us. He looked at me and hesitated. “Is it true that Alison is pissed at you?”

I looked at Gale, who looked surprised. “That’s news to me.”

Blake looked at me and smiled. “I heard its cause you gave her a ride home?”

Now Gale rolled his eyes as he stuffed the bracelet back into his pocket.

And now I felt worse. Not only was I the reason for why Maria’s party was apparently bad… but I was also the reason for why Alison was mad at Gale.

Blake cleared his throat. “You two are friends? Like, actually?”

“Yeah.” Gale said as he straightened himself up.

“Close enough for you to run off and give her a ride home?”

I started to feel weird… I didn’t want to admit it… but it actually looked like Blake was jealous.

Jealous that Gale and I were friends?

Why would he be jealous?

But Gale suddenly gave Blake a look that made him look away.

Blake hesitated but then looked back at Gale. “Aren’t you going to explain yourself to Alison?”

Gale snorted. But then he looked at me. “I’ll see you later?”

I nodded. “I hope everything’s okay.”

Gale gave me a smile. “Trust me, this happens on a daily basis.”

I smiled. I wasn’t surprised by that, actually.

“I’ll wait for you afterschool?”

“Why?”

Gale rolled his eyes at me. “The project is due tomorrow.”

“Oh. Yeah.”

He turned around and started to walk away with Blake, who gave me a smile before he turned. But then Gale stopped and turned around. “Oh, Maria?” He called.

She was staring at us the whole time, and her voice squeaked when she responded. “Yes?”

“Sorry I had to leave your party early.” He said, rather loudly. “But it was an awesome party.”

Maria swallowed hard and looked around. She looked pleased that a lot of girls were listening. “Thanks!”

“Hope you invite us again.” He said before he gave her a wink and walked off.

When he disappeared past the doors, Maria grabbed my arm tightly. “Naomi!”

“Ouch!” I winced as I pulled my arm away. “What?”

“He touched you.” Mars placed a hand over her mouth. “He touched you here.” She reached out to touch me but I stepped away, knowing that it would tickle me.

“Okay?”

“You really think you two aren’t close?”

I shrugged as I closed my locker and looked at Val for help.

But she was still busy texting.

“Mimi, in all the years that I’ve been watching Gale… he’s never touched anyone but his girlfriend.”

I shrugged again and walked around her to Val. “His hand must have slipped.”

“Yeah right!” Maria groaned. “What are you hiding from me?”

Val looked up at me as I approached her. “Leave her alone, Maria.”

I smiled.

But Maria just groaned again. “Fine.” She said. But instead of staying with us, she marched off, looking annoyed and angry but at the same time a little flustered. Probably because of Gale’s comment.

I sat next to Val.

“You feel the pressure?” She asked me.

I hesitated and looked at her. “What?”

“The pressure of being best friends with Mr. Popular?”

That made me laugh. “Now that you mention it… yeah.”

Val patted my shoulder. “Well, let me ease the pressure by giving you some good news.”

“I love good news.”

She smiled and then looked down at her hands.

I examined her face… noticing that she suddenly looked a little shy. “Val?” I asked. “Are you okay?”

She licked her lips. “There’s this guy that I haven’t told you about…”

I placed my hands over my mouth. “No!”

She nodded as she looked at me. “Yup.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, getting excited and turning my body to her. “Who is he? Where did you meet him? Ohmigosh. How could you not tell me?”

“Chillax, princess.” She said, chuckling. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think it was serious…”

“But it is?”

“Sort of.”

I wanted to scream in joy.

You see, Valerie was not the type to get close with guys. She held herself back after a bad breakup in the eleventh grade. At least, that’s what I thought was the reason. We never really talked about it.

“I met him at work.” She said. “I walked over to his table to take his order and he was one of those loser flirt’s and was like ‘can I have you with a side of love?’”

I laughed. “No way!” At first glance, this guy was definitely not her type.

“Obviously, I snorted in his face and turned him down. But after him and his boys were done eating, they left. But he came back later and walked over to the counter and asked me for my number.”

“And you said no.”

She nodded. “I said no. But then he begged me.”

“And you still said no.”

She nodded again. “And then he jumped over the counter and told me to give him a chance.”

My eyes widened.

“He was like, ‘give me a chance babe, you’ll never regret it. I promise.’”

I hesitated. “And you still said no.” This happened frequently with Val.

“Obviously.”

“But what made you say yes?”

She chuckled and her cheeks turned a little red, shocking the daylight out of me.

This guy must have done something crazy.

“He grabbed my arm and pulled me out from behind the counter…”

“And?!”

“And then, in front of everyone, he got down onto one knee and begged me for my number.”

I burst into laughter. “No way!”

“And so I was like fine.”

“And you gave him your number?”

“Yup.” She said. “He called me that night and asked me out on a date. He took me out to dinner at some cheap ass restaurant… but it was fun… you know?”

I nodded.

“And I saw him again after that… and it’s been two weeks now since we started hanging.”

I clapped my hands together. “Ohmigosh… Val… I’m so excited for you… how could you have not told me!”

Val rolled her eyes. “I’m telling you now, aren’t I?”

“I guess… but… do I get to meet him?”

She nodded. “He’s coming to pick me up after school. I told him I’d only come with him if you approved of him.”

I laughed. “I love you.” I said, giving her a tight hug. “And I’m so happy you found a guy.”

She chuckled. “I hope you like him.”

“I’m sure I will.” I grinned. “Where does he go? Not here right?”

“He’s twenty. Well, turning twenty in March.” She said. “At a college in Oakville. He’s studying mechanical engineering but plans on working in his dad’s auto repair shop.”

“Okay, you’re turning eighteen in about four months. That’s just two years… no biggy.” I said. “I’m so excited to meet him.”

Val smiled.

“All the guys here are going to be so jealous when they see you drive off with another guy.”

She snorted and rolled her eyes as she got up.

When she got up though, I noticed she looked a little dressier then usual. Her reddish-brown hair was out and she was wearing black skinny jeans and a red tank top. She even had a necklace and earrings on.

Val was so attractive. If I was attracted to girls, I’d be crazy about her.

She had that natural beauty and confidence that radiated. And none of the rich girls could be a match for her.

She had the perfect body. Tall and not too skinny. And she had a way of dressing that made guys go crazy. I could see it on their faces.

She almost always wore tank tops. And these tank tops were deep enough to tempt the guys to look at her, but not deep enough for them to see anything.

I could only imagine what this guy of hers was going through.

“Oh-la-la. Trying to impress him some more with your beauty?” I winked at her. Failing at it of course, since I didn’t know how to wink properly.

She ran her fingers through her hair and rolled her eyes. But she smiled at me as she put on her cardigan. “His name is Drew, by the way.”

I jumped up. “Can’t wait to meet him!”

I stood outside with her afterschool and waited for Drew. And when a boy pulled up on a motorcycle, I was actually a little surprised that I hadn’t expected that.

Val walked over to him and I followed as he got off his bike and pulled off his helmet.

I swallowed hard.

This guy was no boy. He was a man. A handsome young man who looked nothing like a boy. And I have to admit… no matter how a man actually looked; he was always attractive in my mind. Just because he was a man and not a boy.

He grinned at me, revealing the small gap between his teeth, and walked over to me. “Naomi?”

I nodded, my heart racing.

Just by looking at him, you could tell he was in his twenties. He actually looked older then twenty. He had light brown, short hair and some facial hair too. He was tall too, real tall and he had nice brown eyes.

He looked like a typical, attractive, street kid… man. He wore dark jeans and a wife beater with a sleeveless jean jacket on top. He had two silver chains on and you could see his biceps and triceps and whatever. He even had black bands around both his wrists.

He held out his hand, grinning. “Drew.”

“Hi!”

“You’re as cute as she said you’d be.” He winked at me.

Val rolled her eyes and patted his shoulder, making him turn to her. “Don’t try and flatter her. She doesn’t fall for that kind of stuff.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from your friend.” He said as he looked back at me. “Do you know how difficult it was for me to get this girls number? Let alone a first date?”

I laughed.

“She’s beautiful but she’s a pain in the ass.”

I laughed harder.

Wow. A guy that isn’t afraid of Valerie? He’s definitely the one.

Val punched his bare shoulder and he chuckled. “It’s getting cold out, how are you wearing that?” She asked him.

“Cold?” He snorted. “I laugh in the face of weather.”

“You’d stand out in the snow like that?” She asked, giving him a condescending look.

“Yeah.” He said, returning the look. “You wouldn’t?”

God. How much more perfect could this get.

“Alright, I approve.” I said.

“Yes!” Drew did a quick fist pump.

Valerie smiled at me. “You sure?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

She laughed and then shrugged. “Alright then. Take me wherever.”

Drew walked over to me and gave me a quick hug. “Can’t wait to see you again Naomi, you’re a little cutie.”

I smiled, liking this guy more and more. “Take care of my Valerie.”

He saluted me as he walked back to his bike and put on his helmet. He handed Valerie the second that was hanging on the handle.

She waved at me. “See you tomorrow.” She said before she put on the helmet and they drove off into the sunset.

Kay, fine. There was no sunset. But whatever.

I sighed, feeling super happy.

“Hey, Natalie.” I heard someone call.

When they called again and again, I turned around and looked at the boys who were a part of Gale’s crew.

I then realized they were calling me. “My name’s Naomi.”

They didn’t seem to care about what I had just said. “Was that Valerie’s boyfriend?”

“Pretty much.” I said.

I saw the disappointment on their faces and laughed. “You guys…” I shook my head. “”You guys are crazy if you think she’d date you.” I said, rather bravely.

“Excuse me?” Said a blonde guy

I shrugged. “Valerie doesn’t date guys who get my name wrong.”

They didn’t respond to that.

Because if they knew anything about Valerie, they knew that she loved me.

“Hey! There you are.”

I turned my head and was startled by Gale.

He looked past me and nodded his head at his friends and then looked back at me. “I was looking everywhere for you.”

“Oh my gosh… I’m so sorry.” I had completely forgotten. “Val wanted to introduce me to someone… I-”

Gale chuckled. “It’s fine. My car’s out in the back. C’mon.”

I followed him back and we were soon at his house again.

He parked the way he always does, even after arguing with his sister the day before. And for some reason, that made me chuckle.

When we got into his house, I was pleased to see Blitz. But for some reason, he looked so much less jumpy then before. “Has he gotten used to me already?” I asked as I bent down to pet him.

Gale smiled. “Nah, Blitz just has days where he’s energetic and high and other days when he’s tired and low. But no matter what, he always comes running when we get home.”

I smiled at Blitz. “What a sweet dog.”

Gale walked up his staircase and I followed, but only after I knew Blitz was going to come with us.

But as I walked up the stairs, I realized something.

In the past two weeks, I had been at his house quite frequently.

And it was only two weeks ago that we were pretending we didn’t know who the other was.

The though felt weird and made me sigh.

But quite frankly, it didn’t seem to bother Gale at all.

When Gale walked into his room, I pushed the thought aside and hesitated. “I though we were working on the project?”

Gale gave me a funny look. “We’ve got lots of time to do that.” He said. “How about we take a break for now.”

I smiled at him, but followed him into his room.

This time though, he opened the door to where his bed was and walked in.

I stood outside awkwardly until he turned and looked at me. “You can come in.” He said.

I hesitated, noticing that he was holding that bracelet in his hands, but walked in. Walking over to the wing chair, I sat down and looked at him.

But wow, was that wing chair comfy.

He dropped the bracelet into one of his drawers and then jumped onto the bed, sprawling out into a star. Blitz jumped on after him.

“Are we really going to take a break?” I asked.

Gale gave me a look. “You nerd. Always want to work, eh?”

“Well what do you want to do?”

He sat up. “Eat.”

When he sat up though, I noticed a picture on his side table. It wasn’t framed or anything. It was just a picture.

It was a picture of him with all his new friends, including Alison.

And then I was reminded of what happened between him and Alison.

“Gale?” I called.

He looked at me. “What?”

“Is everything okay between you and Alison?”

He nodded. “Why?”

“I heard she was mad that you gave me a ride…” After I said it, I suddenly felt strange. It was as if Alison expected him of cheating on her with me.

Wow.

Gale shrugged his shoulders and leaned against headboard. “She’s like that. But trust me, you’ll get used to it.”

That made me snort. “She doesn’t seem quite fond of me.” I said. “I don’t think she’ll ever give me a chance.”

“Again.” Gale said. “She’s like that.”

I smiled but looked down at my hands. It was quite clear that Alison wasn’t just not fond of me… she hated me.

But oh well, it’s not like I wanted to be her friend or anything.

I sighed.

“Did you hear about the Solar System Exhibition that’s going on at the Oakville Science Center?” Gale asked, looking down at his phone.

I shook my head. “Nope.”

“It’s opening on Friday. You should check it out, since you’re a freak for space.”

I chuckled. “But aren’t the tickets to the Oakville Science Center so expensive?” Well, compared to Broadview’s Science Center at least.

“Forty bucks. Not that bad.”

“Are you crazy?” I scoffed. “It’s only twelve dollars for adults to get into Broadview’s Science Center!”

Gale looked surprised by my sudden outburst.

But I wasn’t wrong, right? Forty dollars is a lot for a ticket into a Science Center. It was pretty much just a plain old Museum… except for science.

“Well, Oakville’s Science Center is pretty legit.” He said. “Have you ever gone?”

I shook my head. “I would remember if I paid forty dollars for a ticket into a Science Center.”

Gale chuckled. “Well, it’s great. Lot’s of interactive things to do… they even have an awesome telescope.” He said, watching me carefully. “It’s super huge and you can see a crap load of things.”

The idea of going suddenly sounded tempting.

Gale got up. “Check it out” He said. “It’s worth the money.”

I let out a small laugh. “I would if I could afford it.”

Gale smiled. “Let’s work on that project.”

Obviously, I went home and did the research on the Oakville Science Center and from my research, the exhibition seemed to be absolutely amazing!

But, I was right about the price. Well, it was actually forty-four dollars and ninety-five cents to get into the exhibition. Another ten dollars to get a chance to look into the telescope they’ve got.

There was absolutely no way I was going to spend that kind of money on that.

So I tried to forget about it.

I pushed the thought aside and went to school the next day. After all, I had a presentation to do and I wasn’t as good at doing presentations as I was at doing essays.

And how could I ever forget… I was also excited to hear some big, important news from Val.

But as I closed my locker and threw my bag over my shoulder, walking to my first class, I felt someone grab my arm.

I turned around and smiled at Gale. “What?”

He handed me a piece of paper. “Friday, afterschool.”

I hesitated before I took the paper from him. When I looked down on it, my heart jumped.

It was a ticket to Oakville’s Science Center with unlimited access to the telescope.

“Gale!” It almost came out as a scream.

Gale grinned as he turned around and walked off. “Don’t blow me off on this!” I heard him say. “You know how much I spent on that!”

I swallowed hard, frozen, as I stared at the ticket.

My heart was racing and I couldn’t figure out why.