Doubt still plagues me, but all I can do is hope he’s right.
Keeping to the outside edge of the room, because I’m worried about being close to him right now, I walk toward the door.
“Luna.” I look back when he calls my name. “I haven’t forgotten that I owe you lunch.” My breath catches. “You’ll be collecting it soon.”
Chapter 8
LUNA
Later that afternoon, I walk out of school and head toward the parking lot. Feeling eyes on the back of my head, I look over my shoulder and find Mr. Monroe watching me. He’s standing about fifty feet away with the principal. Mr. Neethers is saying something to him, but he’s paying him no mind.
I look away, quickening my steps. My body is still buzzing from earlier. Having his eyes on me only makes it worse.
My steps falter when I look up and see Aleah at my car. Her head is bent as she types something on her phone, but she glances up when I get closer.
“Hi,” I say hesitantly.
“Hey. Luna, right?”
I eye her critically. “Yes.”
“I’m Aleah, if you didn’t know.”
I bob my head. “I know.”
“Would you mind giving me a ride home today? My brother has my car to get some speakers put in.” I hesitate in answering. Seeing the wary look in my eyes, she continues. “If you can’t, that’s okay. I’ll call my step-dad.”
I make a split-second decision. This can go one of two ways, and I’m hoping it’s the good one. “Yeah, sure.”
She beams a smile at me. “Great! Thank you.”
After unlocking the doors, I get in the driver’s side while she gets in the passenger. It’s quiet as I start the car and move us toward the exit of the parking lot.
“Which way?” I ask.
“Left.”
Turning left, I creep along at the restricted school speed limit zone, then accelerate. I’ve never been good at making friends. Living in the same house most of my life and going to school with the same kids year after year, I haven’t had to since grade school. Aleah always seems nice any time I’ve seen her in class or the hallways.
“There was another reason why I asked you to take me home,” she says quietly after telling me to turn right at a red light. “I wanted you to know that your and Mr. Monroe’s secret is safe with me.”
I glance at her out the corner of my eye.
“Oh, uh, thank you.” I tap my fingers on the steering wheel as I stop and wait for the car in front of me to turn. “But why?”
“Why?” she asks.
“Yes. Why wouldn’t you tell anyone?”
“Because it’s no one’s business but yours and his,” she answers simply. “Besides, I get it.” I feel her eyes on the side of my face, so I look over at her. Her expression is thoughtful. “I’ve got my own drama currently going on.”
I lift a brow in question, and she laughs. “We’re not good enough friends for me to tell you. Just know that I definitely see the appeal in seeing an older man like Mr. Monroe.”
Her cryptic explanation does crap for my curiosity. I wonder if this is the secret Mr. Monroe was talking about.
“You probably don’t know because you haven’t lived here long, but Mr. Monroe and my brother, Bryan, are friends. They grew up together here in Silver Falls.”
What she says doesn’t really surprise me. I imagine in a small town like this, most people know each other.