DISCLAIMER: ALL HUSH HUSH CHARACTERS ARE THE PROPERTY OF BECCA FITZPATRICK
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CHAPTER 5
"ONLY FRIENDS"
NORA'S POV:
Patch Cipriano and I had been seeing each other for two weeks by now and it wasn't ideal but I was having fun. No one knew about us and the sneaking around was actually pretty hott. We had made out in his jeep for a little while every day since we started seeing each other. When the both of us were at Enzo's at the same time we would subtly go outside and make out. The make out sessions were good and I loved them but I wasn't ready to take the next step yet. I was nowhere near ready to give up my virginity, especially for a guy who may or may not be my boyfriend. I was carrying my tray across the quad when he intercepted me and pulled me aside where no one could see us. We were against the side of the school away from prying eyes.
"Come to the river tonight," he told me when I was pressed against the brick wall.
"Why?" I asked him.
"There's a party, I'll be there, so you should come and hang out," he said.
"But we're not going to be together," I reminded him. My hands rested on his sides and I loved the freedom I had in touching him as long as no one else was around. It was definitely lacking several ideal factors but it was something at least.
"We'll steal some time," he promised and I sighed. I didn't want to tell him but I was honestly getting tired of hiding everything from everyone. I've been lying to everyone I know for the past two weeks and it was starting to really bother me. I was holding out hope that he would decide he wanted to be public and exclusive soon.
"I don't have a way to get there and you can't come get me," I told him.
"Just give it a shot, please. For me? I really want to see you tonight," he insisted leaning down and placing a single, solitary kiss to my neck.
"I'll see what I can do," I sighed.
"Good, I think Olivia is coming. You should ask her to drive you," he suggested and I nodded my head.
"Alright. I'll ask her," I told him and he kissed me on the lips, caressing his tongue along my bottom lip. He had the presence of mind to hold my lunch tray while he kissed me, knowing that I tended to forget everything when his lips were on mine.
"I'll see you tonight," he said before walking away from me. I paused to catch my breath before walking out to join my friends.
"What happened to you? You were right behind me in the lunch line," Vee demanded when I finally sat down after my little rendezvous with Patch beside the school.
"I got caught up talking to a friend of mine," I told her not really lying.
"Which friend? I thought I was friends with all of your friends?" she asked suspiciously.
"Only a friend," I told her not willing to break the promise I had made to Patch. If I wanted him to trust me enough to be public with me, I couldn't blab about us to anyone.
"You've been spending a lot of time with a friend lately," Vee noted.
"I'm allowed to hang out with other people other than just you," I told her shaking my head. If I wasn't careful, all of Vee's questions and jabs were going to get to me.
"So are either of you going to the party tonight?" Olivia asked, somehow having the instinct to rescue me from Vee.
"Nope. Neither of us are going. I have plans with Jules and Nora never goes to these things," Vee answered for the both of us.
"Actually, maybe I'll go with you tonight," I decided.
"Cool!" Olivia grinned at me.
"You're actually going to a party?" Vee asked dubiously.
"Yeah, why not?" I said grinning. I had a way to the party, so now it gave me more time to make out with my sexy semi-boyfriend.
"You've never had any interest in going to a party at the river before," Vee pointed out.
"Well maybe I just want to get out tonight," I shrugged.
"You've been weird for the past few weeks Babe. What's up with you?" Vee asked me.
"Nothing. I just don't want to sit at home tonight," I shrugged, trying to brush everything off. I didn't want her to start suspecting anything. She stared at me for a minute, as if she was trying to figure out if I was lying or not. She seemed satisfied when she focused on her lunch once again. I breathed a sigh of relief as Olivia looked at me curiously. I quickly focused on my salad in front of me.
~P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N~
PATCH'S POV:
I watched her across the quad, I was trying to be subtle about it, it was important that I was. I didn't want anyone else knowing that I was majorly crushed out on Nora Grey.
"Yo, Cipriano, you coming to the party tonight?" Dante called, commanding my attention for a moment.
"Yeah, I'll be there," I told him as if he was stupid for even asking. Did I ever miss a party? No, I certainly did not.
"Hello, Patch," Katie, one of the many girls I've slept with said as she walked by. I smirked at her but mostly just ignored her. I had a rep to keep up. I wasn't in a public relationship and I needed to make sure everyone knew that. I wasn't sleeping around anymore, but I had to make it seem like I was. I didn't need anyone detecting any change in me.
"So, I was wondering if we'd maybe meet up again sometime soon?" she asked running her hand down my arm.
"You know I'm a fuck em and chuck em kind of guy," I reminded her.
"I know that, but you know it was fun that first time," she urged me. She had moved her hands to my chest and ran them down my pecs. I stopped her and put her hands back by her side.
"Fuck em and leave em. I already fucked you so that means we're done," I told her.
"You're such an asshole, Patch," she hissed as she walked away. I turned my head and saw Nora's eyes on me, if I didn't know any better I'd swear she had a smirk on her face. She must have liked watching me turn down a girl for sex, not that she'd ever actually admit that. Since I refused to be public with her, she refused to say anything remotely nice to me most of the time. We'd make out and that was about it. She wouldn't sleep with me, but right now I was perfectly cool with the kissing. She was absolutely incredible in that department too. Her tongue and lips worked wonders on me. I have never been kissed the way she kisses me. I'm pretty sure she could get me to agree to almost anything when we were kissing. But so far she hadn't tried anything.
"So you coming tonight?" I asked Rixon who was seated beside me but staring over at Vee Sky. He glowered when he saw Jules Langeais lean down to kiss her lips.
"That prick isn't good enough for Vee," he growled.
"Not what I was talking about Rixon. Are you coming to the party tonight?" I asked him laughing. I vowed that I would never be as pussy-whipped as Rixon was. But I was well on my way to being fucked though.
"Yeah I'll be there. As always. My mom is going to be pissed though, she seems to think I should stay home and Skype with our family," Rixon said.
"So why are you coming?" I asked him. I knew Rixon didn't actually enjoy the parties so much. He came mostly to keep me busy until it was time for me to find someone to take home with me.
"I don't want to talk to my siblings and because I need to keep an eye out for you and your mystery girl," he told me, his voice so quiet none of the other guys could hear.
"What the fuck are you talking about?" I demanded. It didn't bother me if Rixon knew something because he was my best friend and out of anyone on the planet I knew he wouldn't betray me.
"You know, the girl you've been sneaking around with for the past couple of weeks. Don't think that I didn't notice," Rixon laughed and I shook my head.
"How did you figure it out?" I asked not bothering to deny anything.
"It was obvious. You disappear every so often and you come back happier than ever before. I don't think you're sleeping with her since your rendezvous' with her are very brief. I think you're actually hooked on a girl," Rixon laughed and I shook my head.
"I can't believe you know that," I chuckled.
"Well I do. My amazing detective abilities also know who the mystery girl is," Rixon pointed out.
"Oh you do do you?" I asked laughing. It really didn't bother me knowing that Rixon knew. I would have told him soon enough anyway.
"Yes I sure do," he grinned and slapped me on my shoulder. I knew from his mannerisms that he knew exactly who it was.
"Well good for you. You're sworn to secrecy, do not tell anyone. At all," I warned him and he made a show of crossing his heart.
"Worry not dear lad. I won't tell a soul. What I don't understand is why you don't just come clean. Won't both of you be happier that way?" Rixon asked and I shook my head.
"Man, you of all people know I'm not that kind of guy," I declined.
"Yeah, but I'm sure Nora Grey will be the one to tame you," Rixon predicted. I shook my head not even wanting to talk about losing my identity. The simple idea of it scared me to death.
~P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N~
NORA'S POV:
"So what are your plans for tonight, sweetheart?" my dad asked me when I walked in the front door.
"Olivia is picking me up to go to a party tonight," I told my dad. Aside from one really big one, I didn't have secrets from my parents. Patch Cipriano was the sole exception and it was slowly killing me.
"Is Olivia the friend you've been spending a lot of time with?" my dad asked me.
"No," I admitted, not willing for there to be another lie between us.
"So who is this other friend?" he asked.
"Only a friend," I shrugged. My dad didn't respond, he just shrugged his shoulder and went back to the paper he was reading. That was one thing about my dad, he didn't push me and he believed everything I told him for the most part. I had never done anything to disappoint them, so I had that level of trust that many of the kids I went to school with didn't have.
"Just be home by curfew," my dad called as I started walking upstairs to my bedroom.
"Always," I called back.
At dinner time I came back down with all of my homework done and sat down in my usual seat across from my brother Travis. My mom had just walked in the front door and sat down with a sigh.
"There is so much gossip in this town that I have no interest in," she laughed shortly.
"I know," I agreed with her. She had no idea how bad it was in high school. Whatever she was hearing was no worse than what I heard on a daily basis.
"So what went on with you two today?" my mom asked my brother and I.
"I just went to school. Nothing to remarkable happened. I also have no plans tonight," Travis answered knowing that would be the next question she asked. Travis and I knew exactly how these conversations went.
"What about you, Nora?" my mom asked.
"Nothing happened at school today aside from tons of gossip. But that's a usual Friday and Olivia and I are going to a party tonight," I told my mom.
"Good for you. No drinking, right. I know there is drinking at these things but I don't want you getting involved in that," she said.
"I know, but I should go get ready. Olivia is picking me up early so we can get there early-ish. I have a curfew and I have to say hi to everyone there," I said glancing at the clock and seeing that it read 6:50.
"Alright, have fun tonight Nora. You're only young once," my mom told me as I cleared my plate and walked back upstairs. When I reached my room I made my way to my bathroom and locked my door. I took a fast shower and quickly blow-dried my long hair then did my makeup. I left my hair down but shaped my unruly curls so they would spiral and frame my face. I wasn't one of those girls who piled on the makeup, makeup should enhance the beauty that's already there, not look like thick paint on a canvas. My skin was nice and I liked showing it off. I was blessed with my mother's complexion. I was lucky in that way, it was my hair that was my low point. When I was finished in the bathroom I walked back into my room and pulled a mini skirt out of my closet along with a tank top that I intended on pairing with my leather jacket. Patch loved my leather jacket and I loved driving him crazy.
At 7:30 Olivia honked her horn and I rushed downstairs.
"I'll see you guys later,' I called to my parents before leaving the house. I didn't take anything with me, I didn't need anything. Drinks at these places were free and I didn't need an ID, even a fake one.
"Hey," I said when I got in the car next to Olivia.
"How's it going?" she asked when the door was shut and I was buckled in.
"It's good," I told her as she pulled away from the curb.
"So I have a question for you. Well, it's not really a question, it's an observation," Olivia started.
"Sure," I told her, willing to answer almost anything she had to ask me.
"Okay, so this friend you've been spending a lot of time with, is it a guy?" she asked me and I sighed.
"Fine, I'll admit it. Yes." I told her.
"Are you keeping it a secret? If so, why?" she asked.
"We're exclusive I think, but he's not ready for everyone to know about us. He's not really familiar with exclusive relationships. It's just easier this way," I explained.
"I see. Why don't you just tell Vee that you're seeing a guy?" she asked me.
"You know Vee. You know how she would react to that information. She would want to know everything and she wouldn't stop until she does. It would ruin everything," I told her as we neared the river. There were already a lot of cars there, even Patch's motorcycle was already parked.
"I know, Vee is pretty intense," Olivia laughed.
"She is. I'm hoping someday he wants to tell people about us," I told her and she smiled at me as she found a place to park.
She grabbed a spot she knew she could get out of easily when it was time for us to go. That was the kind of friend Olivia was. She would grab a spot so we could make a quick getaway so I was home in time for curfew.
"Is lover boy here tonight?" Olivia asked.
"I think so," I said as we got out of her car. I didn't want to tell her who he was. I didn't want to break my promise.
When we walked up to the keg, Patch was talking with Rixon and Dante but I made every effort not to look at him. I was playing a game that I was getting dangerously good at. I quickly got my beer and walked away, I could feel his eyes on my back. He could get away with staring at me since he pursued me for so long at school. He had his reputation so he could stare but I couldn't. If I started staring at him, people would suspect something was up between us. I was supposed to hate him and he was supposed to want to get in my pants. Which he clearly still wanted.
"Don't look now but Patch is still staring at you," Olivia told me as we walked away.
"I know. He just doesn't give up," I laughed.
"Well I'm going to go mingle. I'll catch up with you later, unless you want to come with me," she told me.
"Nah, I'll just hang out around here," I declined. I knew Patch would be coming to find me soon enough and we needed to be covert about it. I didn't have to wait long before he sidled over to me with two beers in his hand. He approached me without too many people questioning him, I just had to be careful. This was far easier for him than it was for me. It really wasn't fair.
"I brought you this," he handed me the beer. I gave him my empty cup and he tossed it in the garbage can a few feet away from where he was standing.
"Thank you," I said taking a sip of the amber liquid.
"Meet me in the woods in about five minutes. Just follow the path between those trees right there. I need to be alone with you for a few minutes," he told me before walking away. No one would have suspected anything from that conversation. I didn't even smile. When my allotted five minutes were up, I started walking down the path that he pointed out to me. The one that I had just seen him walk down. I walked a little ways into the woods when I felt his arms close around my waist hauling me against his strong chest. He quickly spun us around so my back was pressed against a tree and his lips were molded to mine. He devoured my mouth, sliding his tongue past my lips to duel with mine. By now I knew exactly how he liked to be kissed. We had been doing it every day for two weeks now pretty much, so you get good after that long. My hands rested on his sides while he did all the work. His tongue plundered my mouth and he slid his hands down to my ass and squeezed. Patch picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he ground into me. I could feel his hardness pressing against me and I knew we would need to stop this sooner rather than later or else we wouldn't be and I wasn't ready to go there yet. He slid his hands under my skirt and touched my ass over the lace of my panties. He groaned into my mouth when felt them. She
"You're trying to kill me,' he groaned when he finally broke the kiss.
"Not intentionally," I told him.
"Then please, don't make me stop," he insisted as he went to my neck and started nibbling and sucking.
"I have to. I can't go any further until I know if we have a future," I told him unwrapping my legs from around him.
"Nora, you know I can't go there," he told me annoyed. We've been having this "conversation" almost every day for the past few days. I didn't know how much longer I could go like this.
"And I can't go like this for much longer," I told him shaking my head and stepping away from him.
"I thought you understood what we were doing," he said crossing his arms.
"I do, and I was cool with it because that meant I got to be with you. But we aren't going anywhere," I told him.
"Are you breaking up with me?" he asked.
"No. Not yet. I'm just warning you, I don't know how long I can do this for," I told him. He nodded and stepped further back, indicating that I should start walking back to the party. I was suddenly no longer in the mood to party. I just wanted to go home.
When I came back, Olivia found me and grabbed my arm.
"It's Patch isn't it?" she asked me. I nodded my head and sighed. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, but I can't pretend like this for much longer. He has to make a decision and I don't think I'm going to like the choice he's going to make," I murmured.
"Do you want to leave?" she asked me.
"I kinda do," I told her hating to make her leave.
"Do you want to go home or are you willing to go to Enzo's with me to have a coke and some fries?" she asked me. I hated myself for tearing her away from the party so I nodded my head. Honestly that felt nice, fries and a coke sounded great to me.
By the time Olivia dropped me off I was late for my curfew.
"I'm sorry if you get into trouble because of me. I completely lost track of the time," she told me as I got out.
"It'll be fine. I'm just happy you got me out of that party when you did," I said smiling at her.
"Alright, I'll see you Monday," Olivia said and I shut the door heading up the front walk.
"Where have you been? You're almost an hour late for curfew," my dad shouted. He never yells unless I'm late for something. When I was late he started worrying.
"I just lost track of time," I told him.
"Come in here young lady. Your mother and I were talking," he said and I walked in.
"What's up? I'm really tired and I want to go to sleep," I told them.
"We want to know what's going on with you. You've been so secretive over the past couple of weeks. We know all of your friends except for this "only a friend" you've been spending so much time with. You have to tell us what's going on with you," he told me.
"Nothings going on. I promise. Me and my friend aren't going to be spending much time together anymore," I told them with a heavy sigh. I had to stop lying and this was the last time.
"Are you sure?" my dad asked.
"Yeah," I told them before heading upstairs. When I finally fell asleep, I slept fitfully.
~P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N~
The next morning I woke up to Vee sitting on the chair across from my bed.
"Alright, you and I are going to talk. I feel like you've been hiding things from me for so long and I'm getting sick of it," Vee told me and I groaned.
"I've had a really crappy night and I don't want to do this now," I pleaded.
"You have to. Who is this "friend" that you're spending so much time with. It feels like you've replaced me," she told me and I sighed. Vee always managed to make things about herself. It was a talent really, but she was my best friend for a reason.
"Look, it doesn't really matter anymore," I told her.
"And why are you spending so much time with Olivia? You're my best friend not hers," she reminded me.
"Olivia has been a really good friend lately as I deal with my other friend," I told her.
"Olivia knows your other friend doesn't she?" Vee asked me hurt.
"She does," I admitted.
"I'm your best friend, Nora. I hope at some point you remember that," Vee muttered as she stood up and walked out.
"Shit," I whispered and ran my hands through my hair. It was decided, I was staying in bed for the rest of the weekend. This thing with Patch was making me lose everyone and I couldn't let that happen.
~P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N~
When Monday morning came around my parents weren't upset with me. I didn't leave once for the rest of the weekend and they saw that I was seriously sorry for lying to them. I got up and ready for school. I had several ignored text messages and a couple missed calls from Patch where he was essentially booty calling me. I didn't answer them and I had no intention of doing so. I would talk to him at school today. When I got downstairs my dad was waiting with his keys in hand. I couldn't wait until I got my license so I could drive myself. My life would be so much easier and less dependent. My dad drove us to school and I walked to my table where Olivia and Vee were sitting.
"How's it going?" Olivia asked me but Vee ignored me.
"It's going. I'm ending things today," I told her and Olivia looked at me sympathetically while Vee glared.
"So you guys have a special code too?" she demanded.
"It's not special. There is just no point in telling you since it'll be over with today," I sighed. I didn't need her acting like this. I turned my head and saw Patch sit down at his table. He stared at me but I wouldn't look at him. Now was not the time or place to have this conversation.
When I walked to class, Patch intercepted me and pulled me into the same supply closet he asked me out in over two weeks ago.
"Why have you been ignoring my messages?" he demanded.
"Look, I have to get to class," I told him.
"Fine, if you won't talk to me now then meet me after school. I'll pick you up down the street and drive you home afterward," he told me.
"Fine," I said. I was relieved that he wasn't going to make me talk to him right now. I needed time to mentally prepare.
But of course as luck would have it the end of the day came quicker than it should have. Quicker than it did on any other normal day.
"My mom is picking me up if you want a ride," Vee told me as we stood at our lockers that were next to each other.
"It's okay, I have another ride," I smiled at her.
"Do you want to do anything tonight? I'm sorry I snapped at you. I just want us to be friends again," she told me.
"Come over tonight after dinner. I'm going to have lots to tell you one way or another. I have to deal with something right now," I told her.
"You're going to tell me everything that's been going on?" she asked.
"Yeah. I'll tell you everything you want to know. Just so you know, Olivia only knows because she figured it out on her own," I told my best friend.
"I just feel so left out," Vee sighed.
"I know, but I really have to go," I told her. Vee nodded and walked down the opposite way of the hallway while I walked towards the back doors. I started walking down the sidewalk when Patch pulled up next to me. I opened the door and slid in shutting the door behind me as he drove away. He drove until he got to a deserted parking lot a little ways out-of-town. Of course he would take us somewhere we couldn't be spotted. That was so Patch.
"So are you going to tell me why you've been avoiding me since Friday night?" he asked with his hands on the wheel. He wasn't looking at me, he was staring straight out the windshield so I did the same thing.
"I have a question for you. Do you ever plan on not keeping us a secret?" I asked him and he sighed.
"This again? Nora, you know why I can't tell anyone," he told me and I sighed.
"What if I asked you to stop making me keep it a secret?" I asked him.
"Nora, if you start telling people then everyone would know and it wouldn't work anymore," he said.
"Well, I can't keep it a secret anymore, Patch. I'm sick of lying to the people that I love. My parents are worried about me and my friends hate me for lying to them constantly. I can't do it anymore," I told him refusing to let my emotions out. A fake relationship wasn't worth the tears I wanted to cry.
"So you're basically giving me an ultimatum," he clarified.
"Not really. I'm telling you that I can't do this anymore. I need more and if you can't or won't give me more then we can't do this anymore," I told him.
"I'm sorry Nora," he said and he sounded like he meant it.
"That's what I thought. It's okay. Can you just take me home?" I asked him. He nodded and started the jeep back up again. He drove me home but stopped down the street, even now not able to have us be seen together. I sighed and got out not stopping to look at him before he drove away.
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