high school

"I'm fine." he lied.

 

Jules could tell he was lying but wasn't going to push the issue. She wished he would be honest with her. Perhaps he thought she wouldn't understand, or was too childish. Ok, so she wasn't like the other kids. She came from a happy background. That didn't mean she was stupid.

 

He hated lying to her like that, but he wasn't comfortable talking about his parents. He finished eating and excused himself, going to the bathroom. He sat on the toilet and started crying.

 

Jules looked at her mum. They had both sensed something was wrong.

"He'll tell you when he's good and ready. Just give him space."

Jules hugged her mum. "Thanks. You're the best."

 

He wiped his eyes, which were now red cause he was crying, and left the bathroom. He put on a fake smile and said "Thanks for the great meal! I should probably get going now."

 

"Only if you want to."

Jule looked at him and noticed how red his eyes were.

"I'll walk you to your bike."

She grabbed his hand.

 

"Thanks." he said, holding her hand.

 

Jules walked quietly beside him. She could sense that he was uneasy. Sometimes just having someone there was enough.

 

When they got to his bike, he asked "Do you want to come to my house? I could really use your company."

 

"I'll just get my phone in case of emergencies."

Jules ran back to the house. Told her mum she was going out and grabbed her phone and keys. She then ran back to Clint.

"I'm ready when you are."

 

He smiled, a real smile this time. He gave her his spare helmet and said "Put this on." He put his own helmet on and got on.

 

She put on the helmet and nervously climbed on behind him. She had never been on a bike before. She didn't want to admit she was terrified.

 

"Hold on tight!" he said, starting up the motorcylce.

 

She hung on and closed her eyes. He probably didn't realise she was scared and she didn't want to disappoint him by admitting it.

'Let this be a short journey' she thought to herself.

 

He took off and turned the corner.

 

Jules felt slightly ill. She clenched her eyes shut. Her knuckles were white.

 

In a couple minutes they were at his house. He stopped and shut the bike off.

 

Jules was still hanging on with her eyes shut. She was frozen with fear. All she could think was don't scream like a little girl.

 

He took off his helmet and put it away. He took her hands and kissed them, softly saying "It's okay now. We're here."

 

She took off the helmet and blushed. "Sorry, I should have told you."

Jules hung her head in shame.