Chapter 12 ~Secret 001~

"A secret worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept."

Iris's POV

I groaned as I felt a slight pain in my abdominal region. I suddenly got tensed when I realized that a strong masculine arm was wrapped around my waist as his warm morning breath tickled the exposed part of my neck.

I tried removing his arm but it didn't work, so I just stared at his face. I have never seen him up close. I stared at his bed hair, tossed at different angles, I could even see the little stubble that was tracing the outline of his sharp defined jaw, his nose looked slightly crooked probably from an accident. He look so peaceful and innocent.

Shit! I'm getting distracted again. So back to what I was thinking. What in the hell is he doing here? Yeah, I know it's his house, but what's he doing on the same bed with me?

"You know you can take a picture, it will last longer." My breath hitched as I heard his husky morning voice.

"I wasn't staring."

"Hmm, I never said you were." He smirked as he unwrapped his arms from my waist, already missing his warmth while I just glared at him.

"Shit!" I winced again as I stood up from the bed.

"Are you sure you are okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine, just a little uncomfortable. So what are you doing here exactly?" I questioned.

"I live here." He answered with a faint tremor of amusement in his tone.

I rolled my eyes. "You know what I mean, ALEXANDER!"

Suddenly his playful side was gone and was back to his usually cold shell.

Gosh! This guy has more mood swings than a girl on her period.

"Okay, let's get this straight don't you ever and I mean ever call me Alexander." He deadpanned.

"Whoa! calm down, what got stuck in your ass? If you are mad about something, try not to lash your anger at me. I just asked a harmless question." I glared at him as he stared like I wasn't even talking to him.

"Psst! You don't have the damn right to talk to me like that and from what I remember last night I wasn't the one crying like some stuck-up bitch, probably waiting for her mum or dad to pet so she could stop having nightmares."

My mouth kept opening and closing but couldn't produce any words, I just stared at him, I could feel the tears threatening to escape, but I held them. I can't cry not in his presence. I couldn't even read his facial expression, it was just blank. My glassy eye flashed with anger and embarrassment.

I decided to break the awkward silence. "Ooh o-okay, I think it's best I leave now," I muttered as I left his house with my belongings, not even hearing what he had to say, not like he even wanted to say anything. As soon as I stepped out of the house, I couldn't stop the tears anymore.

I think I cried for good ten minutes before giving myself a pep talk.

You are a strong lady Iris! Don't let him get to you!

I didn't even know where I was, so I followed the sign that was conveniently scattered around the area. It looked like a place you will find bratty rich people with a pretty gated posh. So you can try to imagine how I felt and looked with my so-called messy bun and his oversized shirt and gym shorts.

So yeah! I looked homeless.

I finally got to the main road, where I could board a cab and go home, I wanted to call Chris but I decided against it. I got home in approximately thirty minutes. As I got down from the cab, the cab driver kept staring at me like I'm some kind of lab animal.

I know I look hideous, no need to make it obvious!

I was so happy it was a weekend. As I got home, I realized everywhere was quiet.

"Finally you are back!" My dad said scaring the hell out of me. He just laughed as I held my chest, I thought I had a mini heart attack.

"Oh my God, dad you scared the heck out of me. I thought no one was around." He kept on laughing.

"It's not even that funny anymore, don't sneak on people like that." I hissed as his laughter came to a stop.

"Okay!" He smiled. "So how was the party?"

"Ooh, it was fun," I remarked sarcastically while he raised his eyebrows.

"Hmm, and the sleepover?"

"Sleepover?". I mumbled.

Ooh, the sleepover Treasure lied about to cover up for yesterday's shit.

"Ooh, the sleepover! it was totally fun, you know we had our girl time." I lied.

"Ooh! like paint your nails, gossip about cute boys, and have a facial treatment. "Devon chimed in and ruffles my hair.

"No!" I deadpanned as I punch him on his abdomen and I smiled as he groaned in pain.

"I'm glad you had fun, at least you didn't spend time with Chris again." My dad chuckled.

Devon snickered. "Nice one dad! Even dad knows you spend way too much time with your best friend or should I say your only friend."

"I was even surprised you made friends with Lizzy and Treasure."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I questioned Devon while dad just rolled his eyes and excuse himself.

"You know what I mean big sis." He draped an arm around my shoulders. I elbowed him lightly.

"You are such an ass," I remarked as I grabbed my stuff from the floor heading straight to my room.

"Language Iris! Language." Dad shouted from across the room while Devon laughed again.

I sighed in contentment as I got to my room. I winced as soon as I landed on the all too familiar queen-sized bed roughly.

Shit, I haven't even taken my bath.

I groaned as I went straight to the bathroom, mumbling some profanities. After taking a long warm bath, I stared at my abdominal region. I was glad the injury wasn't that deep, it's just like a scratch but still hurt a little.

This is what I get for going to a party filled with hormonal and psychotic teenagers.

I kept thinking about what Zander said earlier, normally I would always ignore what people say about me, cause you know people will always want to judge you, but this is different. He saw me in a vulnerable position.

Only Dad knew about my nightmares and now Zander. Zander and I weren't on good terms since I started school, even before I got to Charisma high, we bumped into each other and it wasn't a good first impression on both sides.

What if he tells others about what he knows, just for payback?

He is obviously popular, so they Would believe him even if it was a lie.

I wonder why he snapped like that!

I sighed again as I lay on my bed in starfish position. I grabbed my phone and switched it on.

My phone buzzed with countless notifications from Chris, Lizzy, Treasure, and an unknown number. I didn't bother checking it, I think I have had enough drama for now.

I grabbed the guitar dad got for me on my sixteen birthday as I struck the strings effortlessly, scoring the song "When the party is over by Billie Eilish".

Just me and music in my world without any problem.

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Hello everyone!

So it's been forever since I last posted, lot has been happening but I will try to be consistent this time.

So if you come across my book, please give it a chance.

Please vote, comment, read, share, follow... It means a lot.

Quick question: Can you play any musical instrument?... If yes which one?

Love ibby