Chapter 104

Bakersville High School

***

You and Gabriel are dating?" Julie asked in a voice that was just above a whisper.

"Keep your voice down," Emily said as she looked around the library. She hoped no one had heard her. She couldn't afford another rumor, not because it wasn't true but because it had to be kept a secret at all costs. It was part of the plan. Going public was out of the question.

"Yes," she said, "but we're keeping it a secret. We'll be acting the way we normally do at school so that no one catches on to what's happening between us."

"But why?" Julie asked, "why doesn't he want to tell people that you're dating? Is he ashamed of you?"

"No, it was my idea actually, I didn't want all the attention. You already know that dating Gabriel means being a part of the popular crowd and you know I can't handle the attention, let alone the pressure of looking and acting the part. It was my suggestion because I wanted to do this on my terms," Emily said.

"If you say so," Julie said, "as lo