Ch. 5 Mature
(LUKE)
Clare just stands there staring at Owen, she isn't moving or replying to him so I elbow her lightly in the back.
"Yes I'll be your girlfriend." She finally speaks.
Owen smiles putting his arm around her lower back and pulling her to him putting their lips together, she puts her arms around his neck and they kiss for a long minute.
"Aww!" Maya says quietly taking my hand.
We watch them for a few seconds before sharing a quick kiss ourselves; finally Owen and Clare break apart.
"Should we go into the dance?" I suggest.
"Wait we can't go in all together, Luke and I are secret we can't walk in holding hands." Maya points out.
"I'd like to walk into the valentines dance with my girlfriend!" Owen argues with a slightly whining tone.
"No it's fine we can still walk in together," Clare soothes him putting a hand on his stomach. "Everyone already thinks that Maya and I went out together and that you and Luke were hanging out together. We'll just tell everyone we ran into each other at the movies and Owen asked me out at the movie so we decided to meet up at the dance. Maya and Luke just need to pretend like you had a terrible time having each other for company. We can go in together and let everyone know that we're dating now. This should be interesting to say the least." Clare says.
"Glad one of us has brains, good idea Clare. Maya should walk ahead, real annoyed like she can't stand to be near me." I remark.
"That shouldn't be too hard," she retorts and I shoot her a look.
"I'll walk behind you guys, looking like I've had enough of the cutesy stuff. Once we're inside and Maya and me have shown our faces I'm assuming most everyone's attention will be on you two so Maya and I can slip out and go somewhere private." I say.
"Good plan," Owen smiles, turning with an arm around Clare so they can walk into together.
Maya rushes ahead of them adopting a miffed expression and walking quickly into the banquet room of the church where the dance is being held. I walk about ten paces behind Clare and Owen; by the time we follow Maya in I've lost her in the crowd but a good portion of the dance stops when they catch sight of Clare and Owen with his arm around her. My sister is talking with Adam, Jenna, Alli and Eli all of whom have sort of frozen and are staring at Owen and Clare. I find Maya finally she's waking over with her sister and Jake, still wearing that annoyed expression.
"Hey Clare…and Owen, uh what's going on?" Adam inquires.
"She's my girlfriend we're dating now!" Owen announces.
"WHAT?!" They all exclaim.
"Maya and I ran into Owen and Luke at the movies where Owen asked me to be his girlfriend, I said yes so now we're dating." Clare tells her friends.
"Totally ruined our guys night as they were making googly eyes at each other for the whole movie." I complain playing up my part.
"Tell me about it, I was looking forward to watching a movie with my friend and instead I spend the night watching a movie with two lunk head hockey players. I told you guys it was gross, I didn't even know Owen liked her." Maya complains to Katie and Jake.
"Neither did I," Jake says slowly giving Owen a harsh look.
People start crowding around them asking questions and no one's paying attention to me or Maya anymore. I walk around the crowd and towards the opposite doors that lead to the hallway. I assume Maya's following me but I'm not going to look behind me to see for sure. Once I'm in the hallway I lean against the wall and wait for Maya, she comes out a minute later. I grab her hand and we run down the hall into the main part of the church. I take her upstairs to the bell tower, not the most romantic place but the door to the stairs locks and only me, my dad and the ladies that clean the church have keys. Dad is busy chaperoning the dance and the cleaning ladies won't be in again until Thursday. I unlock the door and then lock it again right behind us.
"Where are we, it's really dark." Maya says gripping my hand a little tighter.
"Relax I'll keep you safe and no one will find us up here." I tell her.
I lead her to the top of the stairs sitting on the top one and leaning against the wall. There's a little moonlight coming in and I can just make out her beautiful face and the moonlight reflecting in her glasses. She sets her purse down, sits on my lap putting her arms around my neck and smiling at me.
"I'm so happy for Clare and Owen, they're so cu…"
I silence her with my lips; hey I'm happy for Owen and Clare too. Actually I credit myself largely with the fact that they are even together but I've had enough of talking. She melts into the kiss, into me, I see her eyes close and I take off her glasses setting them down next to us. I grip her waist as her hands comb through my hair and deepen the kiss a little. We continue making out until her phone beeps and we break apart as she starts looking for her phone in her purse.
"It's Katie she wants to know where I am," Maya sighs.
"We should probably get back down there the dance is close to ending anyway." I reply with a regretful tone. I hand her glasses to her, she puts them back on, gets off my lap and we go back downstairs. I unlock the door again and peek out to be sure no one's around. "You go back first I'll follow in a few minutes." I instruct her.
"Okay," she nods.
She turns and starts walking but I catch her arm and turn her back to me crushing our lips together. "Happy valentine's day Beautiful," I smile when I pull my lips away.
"Happy valentine's secret boyfriend." She smiles back before turning and walking down the hall.
I lock the door and wait a couple minutes before going back to the dance. I see Maya leaving with Katie and Jake dragging Clare away from Owen as they kiss goodnight.
"Problems?" I ask Owen when Clare is gone and he comes over to me.
"He's just being a protective brother I have a feeling he's going to lecture her a bit on the drive home. I'm a big brother I get it. Anyway Jake's taking Clare home in the truck and Katie took her sister home, do you want a lift?" Owen asks.
"Nah I'll get a ride home with my family see you tomorrow," I tell Owen.
"Cool see you tomorrow, hey thanks for dragging me out tonight." Owen smiles walking toward the exit.
He waves as he leaves, within a few minutes almost the entire dance has cleared out thanks to my dad telling everyone it was over.
"We'll clean up tomorrow we should get home it's a school night." Dad says when it's just us Baker's left.
"Alli, Jenna and Adam said they'd come and help clean up after school tomorrow. Can I drive home Luke?" Becky asks me.
"Uh sure Becks," I shrug.
"We'll see you two at home; I'd say your dance was a success Becky." Mom tells her.
Becky smiles and starts skipping out, Dad has to lock up and I follow Becky to my car.
"Wasn't that fun? Although you weren't there very much. Isn't it sweet that Owen and Clare started dating on valentine's day? It's so cute and they make such a cute couple, well I think so anyway most of her friends didn't seem to think so but Clare and Owen are happy. What do you think of Adam? I think he's really nice and cute. He's going to help me clean up isn't that nice of him? Everyone had a good time at the dance although not many hockey players came but I guess they knew you weren't going to be there or Owen either. Boy did they miss out! Did you see Eli when he…Luke are you even listening to me?" Becky snaps.
"Yes Becky I hear you, I'm glad you had fun at your dance I didn't want to go in the first place. Yes Owen and Clare make a very cute couple it still ruined our guys night." I reply keeping the scowl on my face but inside I'm smiling because all I can think of is Maya. We get home before Mom and Dad since they stayed to lock up and when we get inside something occurs to me. "Becky do you like Adam?" I ask her as I lock our front door.
"I don't know maybe, I mean I think he's really nice and sweet and cute. What do you think of him?" She asks.
That's my sister always looking for someone else's approval.
"I don't know haven't really spent much time with the guy. But uh I heard something from Dallas and he's Adam's billet brother so I have to assume it's true." I tell her.
"What did you hear?" She asks.
"Becky I think Adam's trans," I inform her.
"No way he's transient you just said he lives with Dallas and we went to a party at his house a few weeks ago." Becky argues as we go upstairs.
"No not transient stupid, transgender like he's a she." I correct her.
"No way but he's a guy, I mean he looks like a guy and…" she says slowly.
I look at her to see she has a slightly horrified expression on her face. It's exactly the expression she had when she was five and I was six and I told her there was no Santa Claus. Crap! I just shattered my sister's world! I stop walking taking her by the shoulders and looking her in the eyes.
"Look Becky I don't understand how that…it works. If you really like Adam don't let that stop you. Maybe you should talk to Eli and Clare, they're his best friends, they probably have better insights on it than I do. If you have real feeling for him there's a reason." I advise.
"Yeah but Mom and Dad would never understand," she laments.
"Don't worry about what Mom and Dad think okay, follow your heart Becks, if it's leading you to Adam then go for it. Don't turn down potential happiness because you're worried about what people will think." I encourage her.
Becky smiles at me. "When did you get so wise about relationships?" She asks.
"Oh I've always been wise," I reply smugly puffing out my chest.
Becky gives me a look and giggles as I hear our parents come in.
"You kids need to get ready for bed," Mom calls up the stairs.
"Don't tell Mom and Dad," she requests.
"I won't say a word," I smile.
After getting ready for bed and saying goodnight to Mom and Dad I get in bed grabbing my phone from the nightstand to text Maya.
SB: Goodnight my beautiful valentine.
SG: Sweet dreams valentine, see you at school tomorrow.
I smile setting down my phone, turning out my light and falling asleep with a smile on my face.
(MAYA)
Katie drives us to school, as we pull in to the parking lot I see Luke on the stairs with Owen and a few of the other Ice Hounds. I smile at the sight of him and look out the window so Katie can't see. She parks the car next to Jake's truck and we see Jake and Clare still in the truck, they seem to be arguing.
"That can't be good," Katie says getting out of the car.
She goes around to the driver's side and opens Jake's door, I get out too and go to open Clare's door.
"Hi Maya," Clare smiles at me then glowers at Jake, "I have to get into school." She tells Jake getting out of the car.
"We're not done yet." Jake counters.
"Oh yes we are you have no say in who I date Jake!" Clare spits angrily.
She gets out of the car linking her arm with mine and we start walking to the school.
"I take it he's not too happy that you're dating Owen?" I ask.
"Understatement," Clare replies but she's smiling now and it's because Owen is smiling at her.
"Hey there Gorgeous," Owen says taking her hand and pulling her in for a quick kiss.
While they're kissing and the other hockey players are distracted watching them I sneak a glance at Luke and he smiles at me.
"Man I thought Adam was joking when he told me you two were dating but you really are a couple." Dallas remarks.
Clare breaks from the kiss to glare at Dallas. "Walk me and Maya inside?" Clare requests of Owen ignoring Dallas' comment.
"Of course," Owen says putting his arm around Clare. "Luke you comin'? I'll get you those notes." Owen says looking over his shoulder.
"Yeah," Luke says going to the other side of Owen.
The four of us walk into school together, Clare and Owen get a few looks from people that I guess haven't heard yet.
"Let's all meet for lunch, on the football bleachers," Owen suggests quietly when we're inside.
"It's February, it's freezing outside." Clare argues.
"I'll keep you warm," Owen counters.
"It's probably easier if we accidently run into each other at the Dot. Owen and I will go eat there and you and Clare can decide to eat at the Dot too." Luke says.
"Easier and warmer," I point out.
"Fine, Luke and I had better go see you at lunch." Owen replies.
He cups Clare's chin, they share a gentle kiss before Owen and Luke walk down the hall. Watching Clare and Owen be so sweet in the hallway makes me wish Luke and I didn't have to hide our relationship.
"You know now that Owen and I are dating we can help you and Luke. You can tell your family you're hanging out with me and we can go meet the guys. We can cover for you guys when you sneak away to meet each other etcetera." Clare tells me.
"Thanks, I wish we didn't have to hide but Katie would go nuclear much worse than Jake reacting to you and Owen. Not to mention my parents, his parents, half the school." I lament.
"Hey I get it and we don't mind helping. I'll see you at lunch." Clare smiles, waving and walking away.
When Clare was gone I went to my locker and then off to French class. Tris and Tori were already there, so was Cam, Tori seemed to be telling Tris about her valentines date with Zig.
"It was okay, sweet I guess but it was valentines I expected more for the most romantic day of the year. So did you go to that valentines dance?" Tori asked Tris.
"What would I have done at a valentines dance Tor? But Maya ended up there." Tris comments as I come in and sit at my desk.
Now all three of them are looking at me. "Yeah well Clare and I ran into Owen and Luke at the movies. Turns out Owen has had a crush on Clare for a while and he picked last night to finally work up the courage to ask her out!" I inform them making sure I look annoyed because that's how I'm supposed to feel about last night.
"Yeah that was news to me too, that my brother had a crush on Clare. My parents almost died of shock when he came home and announced he had a girlfriend and when he told me it was Clare I almost fell over." Tris tells us.
"Clare, Adam's friend?" Tori questions and we nod. "So how did you guys end up at the dance?" Tori asks me.
"Luke brought it up after Owen asked Clare to be his girlfriend. His sister was hosting the dance and he told her he'd come check it out. He'd gone to the movies with Owen in his car and I'd gone with Clare and so we ended up at the dance. I was so looking forward to a girls night but Clare ditched me for Owen. It's not entirely her fault I mean I get it plus when we got to the dance all her friends were pretty shocked that she was suddenly dating Owen and she was too busy calming them down to spend any time with me." I tell them and it's more or less true.
"You should have hooked up with Luke," Tori says jokingly.
"Tor don't be gross," Tris reprimands, "Luke's too old for her plus he's a jerk."
"Only kidding," Tori giggles.
The teacher comes in so we fall silent but I can't help noting that Cam listened to our whole conversation intently. The rest of the morning was fairly boring, at morning break Clare made a point to approach me and offer to take me to lunch at the Dot to make up for last night so we had a reason to eat together. When the lunch bell finally rang I left math class to stow my backpack in my locker and met Clare on the front steps to walk to the Dot. As we're walking she tells me the boys will follow behind in about five minutes so it's not obvious. We get to the Dot and sit down to order food, the waiter comes over and we place our order. He brings our drinks and Clare looks out the window.
"I thought the boys would be here by now," she practically whispers.
"I'm sure they'll be here soon," I whisper back.
By the time our food comes the boys still haven't arrived however.
"I bet Dallas made them eat with the team or something," Clare sighs.
"I wouldn't put it past him," I nod.
We eat quickly and walk back to the school where we find Owen and Luke hanging out with the rest of the team and surrounded by puck bunnies. Clare crosses her arms with an irked expression on her face and I don't know how to look. We're a secret so I can't really look angry like Clare, I just sort of stand there blankly.
"What are they doing?!" Clare demands.
"Luke's just keeping up appearances, we're a secret remember?" I tell her but I'm trying to convince myself more than her.
"There's keeping up appearances and there's outright flirting. They both have puck bunnies draping themselves over them, they're both smiling and neither is telling the puck bunnies to get lost!" Clare states angrily, her jaw slightly clenched.
"If he pushed them away then people would know something's going on," I argue.
"Yeah something but knowing something is going on and figuring out you two are a couple is a pretty far leap." Clare retorts.
At this time Owen notices Clare, now he pushes the puck bunnies away and runs over to her. Luke glances over at me but goes back to talking to the puck bunnies, okay now I'm angry. Since Luke is ignoring me I'll ignore him and watch Clare and Owen instead. Clare opens her mouth to talk but he mashes their lips together before she can.
"I'm sorry; Dallas stopped us and dragged us into this. None of it is our idea we wanted to come meet you for lunch. We didn't want anything to do with any of this." Owen assures both of us.
"It looks to me like you were both having a good time. What's going on anyway?" Clare inquires.
"It wasn't our idea; we didn't want anything to do with it. They want to do a calendar to sell for the school with the guys from the team and some of the puck bunnies." Owen explains.
"Pictures like you guys in full gear with a puck bunny or two in the background?" Clare questions.
"More like pictures in hot tubs and stuff," Owen admits.
Clare looks even angrier and starts to walk off but Owen grabs her arm.
"Clare I don't even want to do it, I'm second string I probably won't even be in it." He starts to argue as my phone beeps and I pull it from my purse to read the text.
SB: Under the bleachers, be there in 2 minutes.
I'm still pretty angry but I know I'm going to go meet him. I don't even have to ask what bleachers because I know. Clare and Owen still arguing a bit and I'm sure they'll figure it out so I start walking to the soccer bleachers at the far end of the field. Luke is sitting underneath them when I get there and I sit down next to him.
"It wasn't my idea. We were trying to get to the Dot and Dallas stopped us and told us about this calendar idea. I don't want to even do it, neither does Owen, we're being forced to." Luke tells me.
"I know Owen told us," I reply.
"You know that no matter how many puck bunnies they put me with I'll only be thinking about you." Luke assures me pulling me into his lap.
I smile and bring my lips to his, his tongue slides across my lower lip and I part my lips for him. As always the kiss quickly turns to making out, at least until a dog barks nearby startling us both and we break apart laughing.
"You know Clare said she'd help us, like I can tell my family I'm meeting up with her when I'm on my way to meet you and stuff like that." I inform Luke as I make myself comfortable on his lap.
"Yeah Owen said pretty much the same thing." Luke replies.
"So whose idea was this calendar thing?" I inquire.
"I think Dallas and the twins came up with it. Dallas says it mandatory for the whole team. Something about team building morale and school spirit since the proceeds will go to the school." Luke tells me.
"I guess that's good, we should probably start heading back. Lunch will be over soon." I comment taking note of the time.
"Yeah guess so. I have practice after school, can we meet after?" Luke asks me.
"I have Whisper Hug practice after school too and I have to be home for dinner." I reply.
"That's no problem I'll just sneak over later tonight." Luke smirks.
I smile as he presses our lips together, then he helps me off his lap and we part ways to go back to school.
(LUKE)
As I'm walking around the long way to get back to school Dallas calls to me.
"Baker," he hollers running up to me slapping me on the back, "where the hell did you disappear to?" Dallas asks.
"Becky needed me," I lie but I know he'll believe it.
"This calendar's going to be sweet all the hot puck bunnies in skimpy bikinis. If there aren't enough hot puck bunnies I'm sure we can convince a few of the hotter DeGrassi girls to take part." Dallas remarks.
"Yeah like who? I don't think Fiona is going to pose for a calendar or Katie." I reply.
"Well Clare's practically a puck bunny now that she's covering our games and stuff." Dallas remarks.
"And she's also Owen's girlfriend even if she agreed to do it, which I doubt, Owen would never let her. Don't even think about asking Becky to do it." I tell him.
Dallas just smiles and goes the other way as we enter the school. I head to my locker and find Owen and Clare at his locker; they seem to be still arguing.
"Your idea or not you seemed to be having a good time with those puck bunnies and this weekend you're going to be taking pictures in your swimsuit or boxers with scantily dressed puck bunnies. Maybe my friends are right, I thought you'd changed but maybe you haven't." Clare says in an irate tone.
"I have changed, we've been going to school together two and half years you know I've changed." Owen counters in a pleading voice.
"Yeah and in that time we've hardly said three words to each other. All I know about you I saw or heard from people like Adam and you know nothing about me." Clare contends.
"Meaning you know me by reputation only but that isn't me Clare and I do know you." Owen argues.
"What by reputation, by what Fitz told you?" She questions.
"Yeah Fitz, K.C. and Drew," Owen replies.
"Drew?" Clare inquires.
"Yeah well he's Adam's brother and I guess Adam talks to him and Drew doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut." Owen tells her.
"Awesome," Clare huffs in annoyance although whether it's directed at Drew or Owen I can't be sure. "So what you're saying is…" Clare starts and I decide it's time to intervene.
"What he's saying is anytime anyone talked about you Owen listened." I say going up and putting an arm around Owen.
"Yeah, when they talked about you I listened." Owen says quickly.
Clare softens and smiles now. "So if you've like me that long why'd it take you this long to ask me out?" She asks Owen.
"Well after Fitz I didn't think you'd give me much of a chance honestly." Owen admits.
Clare takes his hands and stands on her tiptoes to kiss him. "I'm glad you did ask me out." She says.
"You know Clare you're supposed to covering our games and practices now I bet you could cover the photo shoot for the calendar. Then you can be sure Owen will behave." I point out.
"Good point," she smiles, "I gotta get to class see you guys." She says kissing Owen's cheek and walking away.
"Dude why'd you bring that up? Now she'll be at the photo shoot and probably get mad anytime one of the puck bunnies even looks in my direction." Owen gripes when Clare walks away.
"She'll also be there to see that you're behaving yourself and that I'm behaving myself so she can tell Maya. Besides when you're not getting your picture taken you can be with her, all day." I point out.
"Oh yeah, didn't think of that, good thinking." Owen says as the bell rings. "See you at practice," Owen waves walking off.
My next two classes go by pretty quickly and when school lets out it's time to leave for practice. After changing into all our gear we head out to the ice.
"Friday's game is very important! If we win that game it means we have a chance at the playoffs. Today's practice is all about speed and control." Coach tells us. "Baker, Saunders, Price, Milligan, Clarke and Braddock team one. The rest of you team two, team one chaos drills on that side go." Coach orders and we skate to the left side of the ice.
"Alright I'm one; rookie is two, Owen three, Braddock is four. You two protect the goal." I command taking charge.
"Man I can't wait for this photo shoot on Saturday, Dallas said we could ask some of the other girls at school to be in it." Price says.
"I'm gonna ask some of the girls in my class then." Clarke remarks.
"Dude get in position so we can run drills," Owen barks at them.
"I should ask Maya to be in it," rookie says as he skates into position.
My face gets hard and hot with anger, I start skating after him to pound him but Owen catches my arm.
"Don't! Won't be much of a secret if you pound the snot out of Saunders for his comment. You know Maya would never says yes anyway just let it go." Owen advises.
Owen's right so I take a deep breath and calm down but when it's my turn to hit the puck to Cam I slam it pretty hard. Actually I'm pretty hard on him for half of practice until Owen lectures me to knock it off or people or going to wonder why I suddenly have a beef with him. When practice ends I shower and change quickly so I can get home and eat. My family's eaten by the time I get home and my parents are gone for some reason.
"You're home, how was practice?" Becky asks the second I walk in the door.
"It was fine, where's Mom and Dad?" I question.
"They stayed at church after we cleaned up, something about a counseling session with one of the parishioners. I ordered pizza it's on the table." Becky informs me.
"Cool, so did you talk to Adam today?" I query as I get a plate and some pizza.
"I chickened out of talking to Adam about it but I did talk to Clare a little and Eli too at lunch. They said Adam's a guy, he thinks like a guy and everything he was just given the wrong body. I really like him Luke; we had a great time this afternoon cleaning up. He's so sweet, cute and a gentleman. He's really smart, he loves music and he has an older brother too, they're only 14 months apart. They aren't blood related but Adam's dad adopted Drew and they're really close just like us." Becky tells me as I'm eating.
"Great he sounds perfect for you so ask the guy out," I tell her.
"Mom and Dad would never approve, they'll never understand." She laments.
"Mom and Dad don't need to know everything Becks," I reply.
"You want me to lie to Mom and Dad?" She questions.
"Not lie just don't tell them." I respond.
"So like a secret boyfriend?" She asks.
"Yeah sure," I smile since that's what I am with Maya.
"You know I suck at secrets," she comments.
"If you really like Adam then keeping the secret is worth it." I advise my sister.
"What about you? You'll keep the secret?" Becky asks.
"Yeah Becks I'll keep the secret. Adam seems like a good guy and as long as he treats you good I'm good." I tell her.
"Thanks Luke," Becky smiles kissing my cheek and skipping upstairs.
After I eat it's up to my room for homework, lots of boring homework that's hard to concentrate on when all I can think of is Maya. As soon as I'm sure my parents are asleep I sneak out and drive to Maya's. It's almost midnight and her house is all dark except for a light in the room next to Maya's that I assume is Katie's. Worried that knocking on Maya's window might wake up Katie I pull out my phone and text Maya.
SB: Outside your window, I think your sisters still awake.
A moment later her curtain gets pulled back and she smiles at me as she opens her window.
"Hey there," she says leaning on the sill.
"Hey Beautiful," I smile cupping her face and crashing our lips together.
She parts her lips for me right away and my tongue slips in. Her hand comes to the back of my neck deepening the kiss. She tastes like mint toothpaste, her skin and lips are so nice and warm. We kiss until we hear someone knocking on her door and she pulls away fast.
"Oh my god, get out of here now!" She orders in a whisper.
"Maya," I hear Katie calling on the other side of the door.
Maya pushes me away and closes her curtain as her door opens.
"What is it Katie?" Maya calls.
"What are you doing up?" Katie asks.
"Thought I heard someone outside, must have been a cat or something." Maya lies.
I don't hear the rest of the conversation as I walk away and get back into my car. Sometimes I love this secret relationship thing but a lot of the time it sucks!
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