Chapter 12—Two Can Keep a Secret

It's only noon and I feel like I'm ready to blow out my brain. And I think it's safe to assume that the only reason I'm feeling like this is because of one Victoria Spencer.

The girl is like a pesky insect; no matter how many times you try to keep her away, she always finds her way back to you. Every time I find myself being pulled to a different station at this stupid function, I find her right behind me, just waiting for the moment she can corner all by myself and destroy my virtue. I shudder at the thought of being anywhere alone with the girl, and even more confounding is how Christian even developed a crush on the creature.

I'm quietly trying to find a place where no one else is to find a little solace, but I'm called away by a woman's voice. I turn around and find Christian's mother walking toward me with a warm smile. If I wasn't so annoyed by my situation at the moment, I would be in total admiration of this woman. She's so nice and understanding, it makes me envy Christian a little that he was blessed with such a caring mother.

"Andy, dear, there you are," she says, walking toward me with that warm smile that never seems to leave her face. "Darren is no longer available to do the dunk tank, do you mind filling in for him?"

I look up at her curious face, knowing that there's no way I could deny her, no matter how bad of an idea this is. I give her what I hope is an amiable smile and nod my head.

"Sure, Mrs. Grey." Inside I'm growling at her and asking God why I have such bad luck.

"Oh, call me Grace, dear, Mrs. Grey is my mother-in-law." She looks down at me with a gentle smile, and no matter how annoyed I am at having to be involved in this boring event, I can't help but smile back at her.

I just nod my head, knowing I'll never call her by her first name. That'd be too weird, and I don't know how appreciative Christian would be if I called his mother by her first name.

"You're a quiet one, aren't you?" she asks me. I look up at her and am about to say something but she continues to talk. "Very different from Christian's other friends, not that that's a bad thing, actually I'm glad Christian met you. And he seems to really enjoy having you as a roommate. Whenever I call to see how he's doing, somehow he finds a way to involve you in the conversation."

I gaze up at her with a shocked expression. Christian talks about me to his mother? That's odd and very, very unexpected.

"Really?" I squeak. I clear my throat and blink a few times up at her. "I—I didn't think Christian liked me much. I just assumed he thought I was his weird roommate."

Grace waves her hand through the air, as if shooing away the idea. She laughs too, with an amused grin settled on her lips. "Oh, sweetie, if I didn't know about his ridiculous crush on Miss Spencer, I'd have thought my baby boy was gay the way he goes on about you. But I guess he just likes having you as a friend."

She smiles down at me and pats me gently on the shoulder when we approach the dunk booth. "Thanks for filling in, Andrew, the dunk tank seems to be the most popular booth this year." She glances back at the long line of kids waiting their turn to watch some poor innocent fall into a 30 gallon tank of cold water. I wonder what type of sicko invented this form of torture and persuaded everyone to find it amusing.

"Well, I'll see you around, dear. Have fun!"

I watch as Grace walks away, while I try to process this newfound information. Christian talks about me to his mother? Why? I don't understand, I thought he couldn't stand me. I mean, I know sometimes he finds me amusing by all my sputtering and clumsiness, but I thought he tolerated me because I had no place else to go.

"Hey, dude, are you the replacement?" Some kid in a baseball cap and torn khaki shorts asks me as he stands next to the dunk tank.

I look up at him and sigh, and begin walking toward my demise. I really hope all of these people have no aim. I'm not really in the mood to have my skin pierced by cold beads of water, even more so I don't want people to see anything through my shirt. Everyone would know my secret then, and I would have no way of hiding it.

Climbing up the steps and walking across the board, I slide over onto the seat and sit on the plank. The ticket collector dude motions the first kid forward and hands him the ball. The brown haired kid gives me an evil smirk, narrowing his eyes at me. He takes aim, and I hold my breath, praying that his scrawny little arm won't even be able to lift the ball over his shoulders. He releases the ball and I almost fist pump in victory as the ball completely misses the target.

I give the kid a crying face as I pretend to rub my eyes. He flicks me off and walks away in a pout, to which I can't help but laugh at.

Apparently there is a God and he answered my prayers, because for the next five minutes each contender misses the target and I'm safe from being discovered. My victory is short lived, though, when Drew and Luke get in line, giving me teasing smiles. My heart sinks slowly to the pit of my stomach, watching, almost as if in slow motion, as Drew takes the ball, aims, and throws directly at the target. I don't even have time to scream as I fall straight into frigid water, sinking straight to the bottom before I bob back up, gasping for air.

I resurface to the sounds of cheering as the crowd laughs and claps, numerous fingers being pointed at me. The first kid that missed is standing in front of the tank making fun of me as he points and laughs. I roll my eyes and climb out of the tank.

Scooting over to the ledge and climbing down the steps, I look at the ticket collector dude and say, "Find another victim." I snatch away the towel he hands me and race toward the outdoor locker rooms before he can say anything. I make sure no one is following me as I make my escape so I'm in no danger of being discovered.

I let out a loud sigh of relief when I find the locker rooms completely deserted and rush to the stalls, striping faster than I ever have to get my now freezing clothes off my skin. I wrap the towel around my naked body as I slowly peak out of the stall, making sure the coast is clear, and then go to the hand dryers, trying to dry my clothes to a semi-dry state.

I was just thinking of how I wish the doors to the locker rooms had a twistable lock so I'd feel less on edge, when the door opens and in steps Luke. I turn around so fast I practically spin on my feet, and think about dashing to the stalls again to hide myself, but I'm too late and have no idea how I'm going to dig myself out of this.

He looks up at me up and down, his eyes settling on mine as he gives me a scrutinizing glare. I stand before him, shivering in nothing but a towel covering all my bits and pieces, and a beet red face.

He crosses his arms over his chest and leans against the wall.

"Is there something you want to tell me, Andy? Assuming that is your real name, of course."

I gulp hard as I try to think of something believable enough to say, but come up blank.

What the hell am I supposed to do now?

I know it's been a couple weeks since the last update, but I did warn you guys to be patient as I try to adapt to having two jobs. For those who were patient-good things come to those who wait, so I hope this chapter makes up for my absence.

Thank you for all the reviews, follows and favorites!

SS&G xoxo