A Little Secret

I was totally speechless as I stared at Coach

" What do you mean " Tony asked

" I said you should take Richard home everyday " he said smiling at me

" I have a ride home, sir " I cried out frustrated

" That is my order and it is final " Coach retorted

" Don't worry you are in safe hands " Coach reassured

I glanced briefly to my left daring myself to look at Tony, who hasn't spoken anything since.

" Back to class, and no practice today " Coach dismissed us cheerfully.

The bell was rung to end classes before lunch. I wasn't my cheery self as I entered the cafeteria, taking my seat as I sat at the popular' rangers table after ordering for lunch which consists of chicken broth and Coca-Cola soda.

I tried to avoid the attention of Ava but she was staring at me deeply with a look of " what happened to your lips" on her face.

"I will talk to you later "I whispered to her

I pushed my plate of chicken broth around as I thought about what Coach said. Tony was nowhere to be found

" Hey " James called out

" Hi " I replied

" Are you feeling okay "

" Yes, I'm good "

" We have a boys night out tomorrow, so I was thinking if you would like to Join us "

" Do you mean the squad or the rangers"

" Just the Squad "

" Can I give you a reply tomorrow "

" Yeah sure "

Everyone stood up as the bell was rung to signify the end of lunch. I dumped my leftovers in the waste bin and scrambled out of the cafeteria.

Hours Later

Classes were over. I went to my locker, opened it and took a biology text book to read at home.

I rushed to the car park in search of Tracy's pink Marie as she called it. I saw my sister and Tracy talking to a familiar face.

I jogged down, panting heavily as I joined them.

" Hey, where have you been " Tony spoke harshly

" Nowhere " I scoffed

" I won't be going with you guys" I muttered slowly

" Why, are you going somewhere " Ava questioned

" I have to go with Tony for three weeks on Coach orders " I said gently

Ava wanted to refuse but said otherwise " Be safe " she dropped quietly.

She settles shotgun as she entered Marie. The car pulled away quickly as Tracy drove stepping on the brakes roughly.

" let's go" Tony barked

I followed him to a dark garage, where a cloth was used to cover an object or machine, I couldn't really specify what it was.

He took away the cloth, revealing a bike, I wasn't really good with bikes but I know this is the Ducati V4R motorbike.

It was so beautiful and breathtaking. I could stare at it all day and never get tired of it.

" Get on it " Tony ordered

I was surprised at the tone of the voice he used

" I can't ride on this thing " I spoke furiously ignoring the curse words coming out of his mouth

" Stop wasting my time, I need to be somewhere " he raised his hands up yelling

" Coach doesn't need to know I will take a taxi home " I shrugged

" I don't break orders, would you get on the bike or do you want me to put you on it " he snapped

I gulped down not wanting him to see the fear on my face, he took the helmet and placed it on his head settling down on the seat.

I climbed down on the bike and sat behind Tony facing his tensed and broad shoulders.

" Your address " he asked glancing at me

" 1600 opposite church gate towers in East field " I replied weakly

He started the bike and moved slowly.

I was nervous, damn, I was scared. I've never ridden a bike in my life.

We turned and saw the road ahead of us. Tony rode speedily causing my head to jerk forward, hitting the helmet on his head. I mumbled a quick sorry to him as I rubbed my sore forehead.

" You can hold on to me " Tony offered, mocking me

Even though I was embarrassed, I held on to his waist tightly.

" Hey, you are choking me" Tony laughed

" I'm sorry " I said releasing my hands a little bit

*** Minutes later

We arrived at the address I gave him. I got down from the bike gently

" Thanks for bringing me home safely" I blurted out

The look on his face was a mixture of anger and hurt. I stepped back from his side and waved at him gesturing for him to go.

With a glance at my side, he biked away.

I sighed and waited patiently for three minutes before walking down to my real address which was five metres away.

*****

The next day came by briskly.

I was having five classes today, one with Tony and some other two with Ava.

Talking about Ava, when I got home yesterday, Ava asked about my swollen lip and the reason why Tony is taking me home. I told her about what happened. She advised me to stay clear of Tony.

Talking about Tony, I have been thinking about him since he dropped me off yesterday. Is it his dazzling blue eyes or his lips that I wish to taste. Focus Eva Focus

I skipped lunch and went to the library instead. During my search for a textbook at the library, my eyes met with a familiar figure sitting at an isolated place, focusing at the book he was reading, there he was, the boy whose face invaded my thoughts.

I tiptoed to his side and settled on the seat in front of him.

" What do you want " Tony asked without looking up

" Nothing, what are you doing here "

" As you can see, I'm reading "

" I thought bad boys don't read "

" You are a distraction "

" I don't think so "

" Can I ask you a question " I wanted him to keep on talking

" Go ahead "

" James told me about the boys night out you are having "

" What about it "

" He asked me to join you guys, what do you think "

" You are free to come, that is if you wish "

" Okay thanks "

" You are welcome " he whispered in my ear as he stood up to leave. His hot breath that smelt of strawberry fanned against my ear. I was dumbfounded, I wanted to give a comeback but nothing came out of my mouth.

I went back to my seat and did some of the assignments given to me to pass away time.

Hours later

The bell was rung to end school for today. The walk to the locker room was tiring as everyone moved out of their classes, going in groups to the school gate or their lockers as they chattered among their selves.

I changed and got dressed in a minute as I journeyed to the court room.

Coach grouped us into twos as we practiced making different lands of passes. We made chest passes, bounce passes and throw-in passes.

The chest pass was kind of difficult for me because of my taped boobs. I couldn't do it freely without feeling a pain underneath my baggy t-shirt.

Coach was satisfied with the different lands of passes we did, when he blew the whistle for ending the practice.

" Tony and Richard, see me immediately " Coach signaled

I followed after him to his office with Tony still walking at a length distance behind me.

" Why did you give Tony the wrong address " Coach asked glancing at me for a reply

" I don't know what you're talking about " I objected knowingly

" Tony said he saw you few minutes after he dropped you entering an unknown apartment " Coach questioned with a glare cutting me off from another lie I was about to make

" No one knows his house, I can't give him my real address " I shot back blatantly

" When I said you are in safe hands, don't you get it " Coach asked gazing at me intently

" I ........ "

Coach cut me off from whatever I wanted to say " Tony take him home "

He gestured at him, not waiting for my reply.

After dismissing us, I rushed down to the locker room in haste avoiding Tony.

I took the clothes I was going to change into, with me, to the shower room. I quickly showered and dressed up in the shower room. I came out, ignoring the stare I was getting from Tony, made my way to get out. One foot in and one foot out, when Tony yelled in the most frightening voice I have ever heard from him

" You Are A Girl!!! "

Everything around me came to a slow mode, the moment he said those four words.