The Secrets Club by Chris Higgins

Author:Chris Higgins
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141966953
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2013-08-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

The party fills up rapidly. Lissa’s dad comes home, puts his head round the door of the kitchen where we’re all standing around eating, grabs a plate of food and disappears. At least, I’m assuming he was Lissa’s dad. He could’ve been any random guy in a suit who had heard there was posh nosh going free!

Then Austen arrives. Austen Penberthy is Ali’s best mate from primary school and we all know him from the fashion show which he helped Ali to organize. Austen (shaved head, glasses, nice face) is an eco-warrior and he’s wearing a T-shirt which says ‘Save the Earth’ that he’s tie-dyed himself. Immediately he corners Tash to engage her in a heated debate about the implications of wearing fur, but having made his point he moves on to chat to others. Unlike Lissa’s dad he’s completely unfazed at being the only boy in a room full of glammed-up eleven- and twelve-year-old girls.

He’s not the only boy for long though. After a while I notice a couple more helping themselves to drinks.

‘Who are they?’ asks Tash, then her jaw drops open as one of them drapes his arm round Lissa’s shoulders. ‘OMG!’

Lissa is looking completely relaxed, like she’s used to having tall, good-looking, mature guys giving her a cuddle. I’m not kidding, this particular guy must be fifteen or sixteen at least!

‘Lissa’s got a boyfriend!’ Tash splutters. ‘I don’t believe it! She never said!’

I believe it. I’ve always thought Lissa was a dark horse. I don’t get it though. I thought she was mad about Ajay, Tash’s friend. Lissa’s life is even more complicated than mine.

And there was me worrying myself silly about my little secret! It pales into insignificance compared to hers. I wouldn’t want Ajay if I could have him!

I give myself a little shake. What am I on about? I don’t even like boys! Not in that way.

But if I did like boys, I’d like him.

I can’t stop staring at him. He’s got thick dark hair and broad shoulders and a gorgeous smile. He’s smiling at Lissa like he thinks she’s the best thing since sliced bread. Then he glances up and sees me staring at him and he smiles at me too, before bending his head to whisper in Lissa’s ear.

Oh no! I can feel myself blushing!

I never blush.

‘They’re coming over!’ yelps Tash and the two of us immediately look the other way.

‘Hi!’ says Lissa as cool as a cucumber, with the two boys in tow.

‘Oh, hi!’ I trill, turning round and acting really surprised to see her here at her own party. She gives me a funny look and says, ‘Let me introduce you. This is Duncan.’ She indicates the other boy: fair hair, T-shirt, baggy trousers.

Nice. But nothing special.

What is wrong with me? I never judge boys on their appearance normally. It’s like I’ve not just had a makeover, I’ve had a personality transplant as well.

To my surprise Duncan extends his hand, first to Tash, then to me. ‘Pleased to meet you,’ he says.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.