This day has been unbearable. Charlie and Fulton haven't let up. They're still breathing down my neck. Why can't they just leave me alone! I know I made a mistake when I cheated on Guy. But that mistake…it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I close my eyes as I replay last night in my mind. I can still feel his lips on mine. I can still feel the love radiating from his eyes each time our eyes met. I can still feel his arms around me, caressing me…
I love him with all my heart. I know I have never felt this much for anyone, not even Guy. We were made for each other. I love him. Unfortunately, I can't handle being seen with him. I don't want the rest of the Ducks to know because I know they wouldn't approve.
Maybe you just have so little faith in them.
I bury my face in my hands and feel nothing but guilt. God, Connie! It's not about faith; it's all you! You haven't even told you're best friend, and you can't possibly have little faith in her.
I shake my head and wonder why Charlie hasn't spread the news to all the Ducks about why Guy and I really broke up and why I was with another man. Probably because he felt guilty…but his guilt hasn't stopped him from making it so difficult on us. He's still sticking with Guy, even after everything.
Charlie and everyone else who currently knew decided to keep the others in the dark. They told them they didn't know why we broke up and got everyone to help out in his plan to get us back together. Well, with the exception of one person of course…
"Connie?"
"Hey, Jules." I didn't need to look up to see who had broken my trail of thoughts. I pretended to read the book in front of me intently.
Julie grabbed a chair and sat down beside me. "Can't fool me."
I laughed. "That obvious?"
"Yah. You never go to the library, let alone study." Julie replied with a snort. "So what's up? Why won't they leave you alone?"
I sighed. "They saw me walking with Lucas."
"That's it?!" Julie let out exasperated. "He's a sweet guy…" Julie smiled and pretended to daydream. "…a sweet, good looking guy…"
"Stop it!" I gave her a good-natured slap on the arm as I smiled. I grew serious again. "It's not just that. They won't let me off the hook for what happened with me and Guy."
"Oh." I saw her expression. She looked kinda disappointed. I know why. "If you told me why you guys broke up, I could be of more help…"
"I'm so sorry Jules." I began. "I'm just not ready to talk about it."
Julie smiled half-heartedly. "I'm not gonna say I understand cause I don't." She gave me a hug and started to walk away. She turned around before she got to the door. "Anytime you're ready. I'd really like to know."
The moment Julie was out of sight, I could feel someone beside me. I wasn't alone. I knew who it was. Somehow, he found a way to be right beside me when I needed him ever since school started.
I leaned against him and he put his arms around me. I felt tears stream down my face as I snuggled up to him. He didn't say a word and just held me as long as I needed to be held.
After a while, I looked up to face him. He took out his handkerchief and wiped my cheeks. How can he bear to stick with someone for this long even when she doesn't want to be seen with him? I knew he had wanted to make our relationship known. I simply told him I wasn't ready.
"So, why Lucas?" I finally broke the silence.
He pulled his arms away from me. He held my hand in his, smiled and looked deeply and lovingly into my eyes. "I just hated being called the other Tom Riley."
