The Secret Life Of Us – Chap 4

**Hey everyone! How do you like this fic? I love it! I’ve carefully planned out special events, and I keep having to slow myself down, and stop jumping right to the events! Haha! Please r+r if you have the chance! It’d be much appreciated! Luv Ya d0oD! –Sam xoxo**

If Only She Knew

Late that night, I was laying in my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Thoughts of Tara floated around my head.

Tara for Paul
Mrs Tara Marazzi
Mr and Mrs Marazzi

I smiled to myself as I thought about her and I being together. But, it wasn’t long before some less welcome thoughts also appeared.

Mark and Tara
Mr and Mrs Read
Mrs Tara Read
Mrs Read-Marazzi

I shuddered, my smile disappearing. Why was I so hung up about whether Mark and Tara were together? Either way, I didn’t have a chance with her, surely. I mean, yeah, we were friends – but that’s all. Just friends. And that’s all we’d ever be.

Sighing, I rolled onto my side, trying desperately to get her out of my mind. But it was useless. As I slowly drifted off to sleep, Tara’s smiling face stayed in my mind, right next to the spec of hope I still had about her and I being together…

~*~

Mark pushed me into the locker, and stood in front of me.
‘H…hi Mark.’ I stammered.
‘Yeah, Hi. Look, Tara’s having some people over, and she wanted me to invite you. It’s this Saturday. You there?’ he asked.
‘Y…you? At Tara’s?’ I exclaimed.
‘I’m always there.’ He shrugged, ‘Her parents and I get along really well.’
‘Oh – well, yeah – I’d love to come.’ I smiled weakly.

‘Tara’s house, Saturday, around 12. Ok?’ Mark called, walking away.

I nodded feebly, my heart sinking.

‘Hey Paul – What’s up?’ Ben asked, he and Chris approaching me.
‘I’m going to Tara’s on Saturday.’ I replied.
‘That’s great!’ Chris exclaimed, looking at me. Seeing my frown, he creased his brow in confusion, ‘Isn’t it?’
‘Well, yeah – but, Mark’s going too.’ I elaborated.
‘And…?’ Ben shrugged, not quite catching on.
‘Apparently, he’s always over her house, and he and her parents get along really well.’ I sighed.

Realisation flashed across both of their faces.
‘Gee…they’re serious then.’ Chris said sympathetically.
‘Not helping Christian!’ Ben growled.

They turned to face me.
‘You want us to come? You know, for moral support?’ Ben offered, placing a hand on my shoulder.
‘Nah.’ I declined, forcing a smile, ‘I’ll be right. Can’t be all bad can it?’

Shrugging, I glanced behind Ben and Chris. Tara and Mark were chatting intensely. Suddenly, Tara giggled, and hit Mark playfully. My insides sunk as I watched them. Ben and Chris followed my gaze, and looked back at me.

‘Don’t worry Paul, they might just be good friends.’ Chris said, trying to shrug it off.
‘Yeah, Chris is right – don’t let it bother you.’ Ben agreed, smiling slightly.

I returned the smile, and grabbed my bag, setting off down the hall, my two best friends lagging behind me.

I felt someone tap me on the shoulder, so I turned around, expecting to see Ben or Chris.

It was Tara.

‘Hi.’ I said shyly.
‘Hey Paul – Mark told me you could come on Saturday.’
‘Yeah – I can’t wait.’ I said enthusiastically.
‘Good…I really hoped you could come!’ Tara admitted, looking down at her shoes.
I smiled, pleased that I wasn’t always the one saying goofy, cheesy things.
‘Thanks. Well – I’ll definitely be there. 12pm sharp!’ I said firmly.

Tara smiled, her eyes shining.
‘Great! I’d better get to class. Bye Paul!’
‘See ya!’ I waved, watching her turn and walk in the other direction.

Smiling giddily, I hurried to my next class, my mind already anticipating the coming weekend…