Chapter 6

I won't tell your secrets
Your secrets are safe with me

~ Diary - Alicia Keys

"So...What do you have to say?"

My brain was unfortunately not working fast enough to come up with an excuse causing me to come out with the clever response of, "Um..."

Delilah rolled her eyes and grabbed me by the elbow, steering me towards the flat.

"Come on, we'll go up to the flat and you can tell me all about it."

As we went up, my mind was still a mess. I didn't want Delilah to get the wrong idea. But I couldn't tell her the truth. She would think I've gone mental or something! Besides, it isn't my secret to tell. A part of me considered just letting her think whatever she wanted just to make the situation a little less complicated. And it would be the perfect cover story for why Sirius and I are suddenly spending a lot of time together. But I dismissed it immediately. I can't lie about this. It will lead to tons of unwanted issues I could probably do without.

Once we entered the apartment, I went straight to the kitchen.

"Do you want something to drink, Del? How 'bout hot chocolate? I could make you some." I started saying, trying to put it off.

"Sure," She replied. I immediately set to work so that she wouldn't feel the need to prompt me with more questions. But as always, nothing stopped Delilah.

"So NOW tell me," she said, leaning against the kitchen counter. "What is really up with you and James?"

I froze just as I was about to add the chocolate powder.

"Me and who?" I asked.

"James. Black. Whatever. The bloke you've been gallivanting around with?"

His other name was JAMES?!

I couldn't hold back laughter at the sheer ridiculousness of it all. I began laughing uncontrollably, scaring Delilah to no end. When I finally calmed down enough to catch my breath, Delilah stood there staring at me with a bewildered expression. The sight almost caused me to break into another laughing fit but I decided that I had freaked her out enough as it was and instead, finished up the drinks and handed her her mug.

"I'm sorry. Its just this whole thing is sort of funny to me," I said.

That seemed to be the wrong thing to say for Delilah's expression turned angry.

"Oh, is it funny to you and your new boyfriend that I don't know anything about my BEST FRIEND all of a sudden? What, are you two playing a joke on me or something? Is it SO hilarious to you, Reyna, because I fail to see what's so funny about it!"

"No, no! No, Del. I am not laughing at you. Its just..." I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. "Fine. I'll tell you whatever you want to hear. Just don't be mad, alright? I'm sorry."

Her face softened a little and she walked back into the living room, gesturing for me to follow. We both sat down as she turned to me expectantly.

"Its not what you think it is. We aren't together or anything. He...uh...needs my help with something. That's why he asked you for my address. Nothing more. I swear!"

Delilah narrowed her eyes at me.

" 'See you on Saturday, babe!'" she called in a comical imitation of Sirius' voice, "Oh, and 'mwah!'" finishing it off with an air kiss.

Sirius Black, you are SO dead.

"That's because he's a prat!" I exclaimed. "He likes teasing me. That's why he did it - so that you would think there's something going on. He's an arse, seriously."

To my relief, Delilah cracked a smile.

"I believe you," she said smirking at the scowl on my face. "Now, what does he need your help for?"

Uh oh.

"Well, um...its kind of a secret..." I trailed off.

"Oooh, is it something illegal?"

I swatted Delilah's arm at that.

"No, you dolt! Do you really think I'd help him if it was something illegal? Its kind of a personal secret..."

"Is he gay?"

I snorted so hard at that that I choked on my hot chocolate.

"Don't let him hear you say that. He would kill you. But, no. Its something else. I just can't tell you what it is."

Delilah nodded thoughtfully.

"That's alright. I just wanted to know if you are secretly dating him without even telling me-"

"And I am NOT!"

"Yeah, yeah," she waved a hand dismissively. "Its gonna happen soon for real and you'd better tell me then! Okay, hon? See you tomorrow!" she said, running out of the flat before I could open my mouth to protest.

Well, atleast she knows the truth. Sort of.

I didn't get much sleep the next day either. The reason being that I got a phone call at six in the morning. The caller being Sirius Black.

"Hello?"

"Reyna!"

I sat up immediately.

"How the hell did you get my mobile number?!"

"Nevermind that-"

"And what are you doing, calling me at-" I checked the clock on my bedside before continuing, "6.30 am?"

There was some incomprehensible muttering on the other end.

"What?" I snapped.

"I was up all night reading and I just finished the second book," he stated smugly.

"So?"

"So do I make an appearance in the next book?"

"Yes, Sirius! You do. Did you have to call me up right now to ask me that?"

"Sorry. I just wanted to know. Anyway, what happened last night after I left?" I could hear the laughter in his voice.

"Nothing. I told her the truth and she believed me." I stated simply.

"The truth? What did you tell her exactly?"

"Oh, calm down. I only told her I was helping you with some personal problem."

"Oh, okay."

"So, are you going to start on the next book later today?"

"Nah. I am going to meet the lads. There's going to be a race later on."

A motorcycle race! Wow.

"Well, have fun then. And be safe."

"Yes, mother." I could almost see him rolling his eyes.

"I have to go now," I said mid-yawn. "I need atleast two more hours of rest before school."

"Oh, sorry. Guess I forgot that you need your beauty sleep."

"Shut up, Sirius! Or should I say James?"

"Whose the stalker now, huh? Where'd you get that from anyway?"

"Can't say. Oh, and want to know something?"

"What?"

"Del thought that you were gay." I stated simply. "Goodbye, James."

I hung up, feeling a bit more cheerful than I was 5 minutes ago and fell back asleep with a smirk on my face at the thought of Sirius's face at my parting comment.

"Often with the subject, it's easier to spot correlating symptoms between the..."

I wasn't paying much attention. The lack of sleep was truly detrimining my ability to pay attention. Instead, I had started noticing random things like the number of tiny grey hairs in David Atkinson's head - which happened to be right in front of me - , the way the light bounced off of Professor Harvey's glasses and the sound of Delilah's shoes as she tapped them against the desk.

When the class finally ended, I piled all my belongings together and filed out with everybody else. Delilah and I along with Sarah, Mark and Kiran headed to the pavilion and sat down on our favourite spot near the Mayflower bush.

"Can I borrow your notes?" I asked Sarah.

She raised an eyebrow.

"What happened to yours?"

"I didn't take them today," I said irritably.

"Wow. What's got your knickers in a bunch?" Mark enquired, propping himself up on an elbow.

"Nothing. Just didn't get enough sleep."

Kiran snickered.

"YOU didn't get enough sleep? You sleep every chance you get, Reyna! You're practically a narcolepsy sufferer," he stated.

I glared at him.

"I do not have narcolepsy! I'm a night owl, I stay up late at night and sleep more during the day." I informed him haughtily.

"We had afternoon classes today," he reminded me.

"Yes. So?"

"Meaning you would've gotten atleast 5 hours of sleep." Sarah said.

I rubbed my eyes tiredly.

"Why are we investigating my sleep-cycles? Just let me borrow your notes, Sarah."

She handed over her notes but added,

"We know something's up, Rey."

"Yeah, and we'll figure it out," Mark said as he ruffled my hair.

Delilah snorted at that.

"Good luck, then. She wouldn't even tell me for weeks!"

"Does it have to do with a person?" Kiran asked perking up.

"You could say that."

I got up, slinging my bag on my shoulder.

"Okay. I am leaving before any of you lot start formulating stupid theories on that. I'll see you people tomorrow. Thanks for the notes, Sarah!" I called out as I walked out of the gates and to the bustop.

I loved my friends, I really did. But sometimes, they could be a handful. And none of them would exactly pass up an opportunity to tease me. On the other hand, if they knew the truth, or more accurately truths, they probably wouldn't believe me either.

AN: Hey everyone! I'm back like I said I'd be! Albeit a little late, but still...Actually I tried updating it somewhere 'round two and a half weeks ago but for some reason, it didn't update...So I'm re-doing it now. Okay, so firstly, just wanna clarify: I have absolutely nothing against being Gay or anything else. Its just the fact that Sirius is, in my eyes, very much a guy and a very guy-ish guy at that. And I think he would definitely be offended if anyone suggested that he wasn't straight. Next: Narcolepsy is an actual sleeping disorder which causes abnormal sleeping patterns, usually increased daytime sleeping.

So anyways, this chapter is kind of a filler as well. It's kinda short. The shortest one I've written. I'm finding it hard to find inspiration and you can totally see it (I've resorted to introducing random side characters, talking about the obvious and sleep cycles!). And I apologise! The main reason for it is that I've only just come back from 3 long weeks of GCSEs. I reckon that I'll need a bit of time to get back in stride. So, reviews are welcome as always! I really appreciate the over 1000 reads I've gotten for this story but I would really appreciate it if you take the time to leave a review after reading as well. Thanks a bunch to BeanieBaby96 and Val66 for your favs/follows.

~ Bekah