Crap. With a quick look at Conner, I imagine the gears turning in his head, twisting in the direction I don’t want them to turn, and clanking together as he understands what I mean. Static zips at the light bulb above his head. Soon enough, if I don’t grab the metal pole and stick it between the gears, hewillfind out.
Would that be so bad?
My inner thoughts force images of Conner lying in a pool of his blood. In a wheelchair, bruised, broken, and disturbed when he finds out. I imagine him getting involved, calling the cops, causing my lifeline to fade.
I imagine Dad packing up our belongings to leave. I envision Conner battling the beast, but luck was not on his side as the dice landed on a one, sealing his fate. They all rush to the surface. It’s enough for me to keep my home life separate from everything.
“I don’t work this Friday night. I can come over then if you aren’t busy…”
“Done,” he says after a few hard blinks. “My mum can be a little overbearing because she will probably assume you’re my girlfriend.”
“Oh…”
“Troy, Aaron, Finch, and Sarah Jane are the only ones who have been to my place before.”
“Who is Sarah Jane?” I say. I’ll leave it at that, not wanting to persist since overhearing Aaron and Conner talking about her after our D&D game.
“We dated for a few months last year, but it didn’t work out.”
“Ah…” My fingernails dig into my jeans.
“You’re curious about the reason, aren’t you?”
I tense. “What gives you that impression?”
“You’re getting a little easier to read,” Conner answers, a hint of a smile on his face.
That’s not a good sign at all.
“Sarah Jane came over to my house. She always came over every Saturday when we were dating. We would watch a movie, hang out for a few hours, and then I’d drive her home. But the last time I dropped her off, she went to leave the car when a necklace slipped out of her pocket. I handed it to her and thought nothing of it until Mum complained she had lost her necklace a few days later.” He turns into the car park. “I told my mum to describe it, which made me realise the necklace Sarah Jane had in her pocket was my mum’s.” Conner parks in his usual spot and switches the car off before turning to me. “I confronted her, but she denies it to this day, denying that she stole anything. Mum says she doesn’t care, but I know losing it hurts her because it was an anniversary gift from my dad.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, leaning towards Conner but hesitating before placing my hand over his. “And I’m sorry your mum lost something dear to her.”
“Me too,” he agrees. “But you have nothing to worry about, Noya.”
“About what?”
He leans in with a wicked grin on his face. “I like you and only you, so you don’t have to worry about Sarah Jane.”
“I wasn’t…” My words fall flat. I don’t know what to say, and not saying anything seems to broaden Conner’s grin as he enjoys my loss for words.
“You’re cute when you’re flustered.”
A shaky breath trembles out of my parted lips. My body leans forward, and my hands tighten against the seat. Cool air gushes from the vents, keeping my flushed cheeks at bay. Smoky, ashen breath brushes against my face as Conner’s lips grow nearer. The beat of my heart turns rapid, piercing, and harsh. I closemy eyes, and my breath hitches when Conner’s lips graze against mine. His thumb moves across my jawline, caressing my cheek.
“Noya?” I blink, noticing myself staring at Conner. The door is open on my side, and he smiles warmly. “You spaced out again.”
“Oh…” I duck my head, suddenly embarrassed to look him in the eye. “Sorry.”
“What were you thinking about?” he asks as we walk into the school grounds.
“Um…” I clutch the straps of my bag and bite the inside of my cheek. “Nothing important,” I say after I can’t think of a good reason.
Conner chuckles as he says, “You’re such a bad liar.”
I glance at him, then down at the footpath.
“Oh, it reminds me of a song by Imagine Dragons.”