Keep it Secret (8 page)

Ava

I never really understood
why girls hated each other for no reason. Thing One and Thing Two
obviously didn't know me from Adam yet because of the way I looked
I was instantly an adversary. Whatever happened to getting to know
someone before hating them? Well, to their defense I’d probably
hate me too if I was them. Still, they were complete bitches
towards me, withdrawing myself from the situation wasn’t easy. The
only reason I did was for Vanessa’s sake. They are her two best
friends after all although, how she’s able to befriend such
pretentious stuck-up assholes is beyond me. The hostility inside me
grew making my body shake and clouded my mine. The monstrous hand
that is my vice gripped my throat as the urge drowned the anger I
was feeling and turned it into craving. The three out of four shots
I took weren’t going to be enough to get me through the day. I
figured I wouldn’t need them at all but this school had a way of
making me feel out of sorts. No doubt, I needed to start investing
in more pints not shots. The last shot in my satchel would have to
do until I got home. Scrambling to find the nearest bathroom I made
a sharp turn at a corner and collided with a body; a big hard body
at that.

“Watch where you're going.”
I barked. Watching in slow motion as my textbooks crash against the
floor.

“Ava?” The familiar voice
questioned.
Oh, my shit
. That voice was in my dreams every night for the past week.
The memory of his bright blue eyes haunted me. His lips. God, those
lips left torched imprints on my skin and his touch; only his touch
was able to obliterate any man who came before him. I couldn't get
this guy out of my head
. I hated
it
. I was terrified to look up maybe if I
kept ignoring him he’d leave.

“Ava?” He called again. Ugh,
take a hint!

Crouching down to pick up my
books his hand reached over and touched mine. The cloudiness in my
mind dissolved as my senses became highly responsive to his
touch.
Get ahold of yourself Ava.
Quickly retracting my hand I stood, every fiber
in my body was on high alert. Our eyes collided and my fears were
rewarded with a panty-dropping smile.

Fuck me
...not literally. More like ‘damn me.’

Universe you’re an
asshole.

Heat rushed to my head not
sure if it was from my abrupt movements or from being so close to
him. Heat also rushed to other parts of my body.
That
, I knew was from
his close proximity.

“What are you doing here?
Aren't you supposed to be in college?” I snapped really not sure
how I was able to speak. My body was shutting down but at the same
time being electrocuted.

“I could ask you the same
thing. And no, I’m not in college. I’m a senior in high school,
this high school.” He stretched his hand handing me the books he
picked up. “I would have shared that information with you if you
hadn't been so eager to take off, leaving me naked in a bathroom.”
He said not caring if anyone was listening.

Shit. This was bad. Not only
did he drive my body crazy he was also a high school student. My
one and only rule was never to sleep with a guy that was still
attending high school. They all had big mouths. Honestly, if I was
going to be labeled a slut, I, was at least going to sleep with
someone who knew what the fuck they were doing. The majority of the
high school male population doesn't know the difference between a
g-spot orgasm and a clitoral one…well, if we’re being completely
honest how many men know that really? Still, my odds were better
with college guys, men, not boys.

“I haven't been able to stop
thinking about you since that night.” He whispered
sweetly.

No. No. No.
This cannot happen. I grabbed his arm opening the
nearest door. Fortunately it was a janitorial closet. Perfect. I
pulled him in shutting the door behind us.
Ah, déja vu.
Ugh…focus Ava! Gabriel
looked at me eyes filled with desire, I shivered as his eyes lower
to my lips. Oh God, why was he so sexy? Setting his books inside
the utility sink beside us he stepped in front of me placing one
hand on my face the other gripping my waist. My lungs gasped for
air as he pressed my back against the wall melting his body into
mine. Gabriel’s essence was irresistible it should be illegal to
smell the way he does. He held the power to completely shut down
any inhibition I may have left. It scared the Sicilian out of me no
guy has ever affected me the way he does. He could very well become
an addiction, an insatiable addiction. Lowering his mouth to my ear
I felt his warm breath on my skin as he whispered. “I haven't been
able to stop thinking about you. The way you moaned my name.” He
nipped my earlobe before continuing “the smell of your skin.”
Gabriel kissed my neck sending my lower muscles into a
frenzy.
Good God
.
What was he doing to me? All logic got thrown out the window as the
need to kiss him clouded any reason in my brain. “Gabriel.” I
whispered forcing him to look at me. Our eyes interlock with
feverish hunger both communicating without words. His fingers grip
my hipbone as his thumb slipped under my shirt forming circles
around the exposed skin causing my nipples to pucker.

“Gabriel.” I said again,
moaning in a hushed tone. Just like a cold icy shower we are
interrupted by a startling noise it boomed from the speakers
directly above us. Headmistress Harvey welcomed everyone to the
first day of class continuing with the morning announcements. I was
grateful but pissed that it zapped me back to reality.
Don’t have sex with high school boys!
Again!

Gently, I pushed Gabriel
away from me. “Gabriel, I can’t.” I said shaking my head. He
stumbled back like I had punched him in the gut. “Listen, Blue, I
really enjoyed what we did but I thought you were in college. I
wasn't aware that you were in high school, more importantly a
student here.” I held my head high as I continued maybe that way
I’d convince myself I meant what I was saying. “I know all you high
school boys like to parade and flaunt your conquests. I would
really appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone. That’s if you
haven't already. Let’s just pretend like it never happened.
Okay?”

If everyone found out I had
slept with Gabriel as a one-night stand the rumors would start I
knew how this would play out. It wasn’t my first rodeo after all.
Involving Vanessa in this part of my life was not going to happen
it would jeopardize her reputation. If it was anybody else I would
give a flying fuck but this was Van she didn’t deserve to be called
a slut by association. Outside these walls I could screw any guy I
wanted but while I attended this high school every boy here was off
limits. No matter how incredibly sexy they were.

Gabriel grunted. “Sure, Ava
whatever you say.” His voice was cold. Grabbing his books he
slammed the door on his way out making me jump. Why did I care if I
hurt his feelings?

Because this guy gave you the
best orgasm you’ve ever had
. Was that it?
Was it purely sexual? Or was there something deeper? Truly, I’m not
sure nor did I care to find out.

To my amazement and torture I
had Public Speaking with Gabriel. “
Yay!”
She said
sarcastically
. He sat three seats in front
of me it was impossible to see his face from where I sat which was
all right by me. The less we interacted the better. Surprisingly,
Mallory, the hot little blonde I danced with at the party was also
in that class, we also had Economy together. She walked in the
classroom in all her blondness glory and sat next to me.

“Hey! Remember me?” She
asked leaning in closer to me.

“Yeah. Mallory,
right?”

“Aha. And you’re Ava
Veneziano. Vanessa Saint John’s cousin.” She replied. Wow. Word
travels fast.

“That’s right, did you do a
little investigating?” I asked a little intrigued. She smiled as
she bit down on the end of her purple pen.

“No, just overheard the
nosey chickens clucking about you this morning.”

I smiled at her comment.
Needless to say we hit it off instantly. She was a cool chick I
guess the next possible valedictorian She and Vanessa were top
contenders. Mallory was also the captain of the dive team basically
Ms. Popularity. Not at all what I expected. After Public Speaking I
was finally able to find a bathroom. Fucking-ancient-ass building,
I’d get lost if it weren’t for the helpful painted arrows on the
walls. Stepping in a stall I closed the door locking the latch. The
shot was burning a hole in my satchel. My mouth dried as I took out
the tiny bottle with jittery hands, my eyes admiring the last
source of assistance. “Fuck you.” I said to it before opening the
cap chugging the liquid aid. Since coming here I’d become too aware
of my vice, I was beginning to think moving to Vail and attending
this high school was a little too much for me to handle. It was
hard enough having the female population hate you right off the bat
without even knowing you. They made that very clear in the hallways
and in the classrooms scowling and whispering amongst themselves.
At my old school if I had an issue with someone we’d handle it
diffidently, differently as in with our fists. Classy right? Here,
things were different. It was all about money and status two things
I did not have. Cautiously walking into AP Calculus seconds after
the bell rang the doors slam behind me shocking everyone in the
room, the entire class gaped back at me. I was welcomed with
catcalls and low whistles as I walked to the front of the class.
Mr. Masterson cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention back
to him.

“And you are?” He
snarled.

“Ava Veneziano” I said
handing him my class schedule adjusting the strap of my
bag.

“Why are you
late?”

“Because, the bell rang before
I got here.” I mentally smacked my palm against my forehead.
Cool the bitch for a moment, jeez.

“Excuse me?” He
startled.

“I’m sorry, sir, I got
lost.”

“Well, Ms.
Veneziano
be in your seat before the
class bell rings next time, without the attitude.” He said giving
me back my schedule.

“Yes, sir.”

“Sit down anywhere that has
an empty seat.”

Glancing around the classroom
I noticed it didn't have individual seats, everyone sat in black
top lab tables that seated four, which seemed odd for a math class.
I inspected the back of the room where the only empty stool was
across it was a familiar face. Where did I know that face? Then it
dawned on me it was Talon or formally known as the idiot, the boy
that was with Gabriel the night of the party.
I thought this class was for smart kids
. Next to him was a male body slouched over almost like he
was hiding suddenly without warning he sat up. It was Gabriel.
Fuck-tastic or was it fan-fucking-tastic? Across from Gabriel sat a
boy I didn’t know.

“Ms. Veneziano, back there
is a seat. They won't bite, I promise.” Mr. Masterson spoke
up.

“Not hard at least.” Talon
called creating laugher in the classroom.
Here we go
. I walked to the back of
the room sitting down on the empty stool Talon smiled at me with
amused eyes. Great, Gabriel told him.

“Ava.” Talon said. Talon
wasn't bad to look at he was actually pretty hot, dark brown wavy
hair, hazel bedroom eyes and strong Roman features, he was as tall
as Gabriel but had a bigger build almost like a linebacker, Gabriel
was lean but muscular.

“Talon” I
replied.

“How do you guys know each
other?” The boy sitting across from Gabriel asked.

“We, were all at Danny’s
party last Friday.” Talon said pointing to himself, Gabriel and
me.

“Oh, you’re the ‘big
breasted, black hair hottie’ everyone keeps talking about.” I
coughed choking on my own spit. What the hell did he just call
me?

“I'm Michael, by the way,
nice to meet you, Ava.” He extended his hand for a shake. Michael
was nothing special he was blonde and had the same build as Gabriel
they had the identical broad shoulders.

“Titty
.” Talon deadpans.

“What?” Michael and I asked
in unison.

“Big titty, black hair
hottie.” Talon said. Michael nodded in acknowledgement mouthing the
words silently.

“Wow, who killed some brain
cells thinking that one up? You guy’s never seen a hot chick
before?” I asked. How lame was that nickname? Creative writing
failed them horribly.

“Who said you’re hot?” Gabriel
piped up. ‘
Who said you’re hot?’
Pssh, please. I jerk my head glaring at him. Was
he trying to be funny? I get he’s mad but trying to embarrass me in
front of his friends was not cool. Before I could come back with
something sassy to say the image of Vanessa’s face emerged from the
back of my mind.
Behave; starting drama
could ruin her reputation.
Right. I bite
my tongue and snarled at him. Even though I knew he was lying, him
purposely trying to hurt my feelings felt like teeny tiny jabs at
my heart.