Damaged: A Violated Trust (Secrets) by Melody Carlson Page B

head inside and giggle with glee, and I remove what I need, then close it. When I turn around, Emery is looking at me. It’s not a mean look exactly. More like she’s curious or confused. I attempt a weak smile in her direction. She seems to take that as an invitation and comes over.
    “I’m not blaming you for the breakup,” she tells me evenly. “Everyone knows it was just a matter of time with Harris and me.” She looks around, as if wanting to see if anyone else is listening. “But just so you know, I will get him back … eventually.”
    My brows arch but I try not to look alarmed. “I guess we’ll see about that.”
    She nods. “We most definitely will.”
    Now I force a bigger smile. “I’m just glad you’re not mad at me. I really didn’t want to make any enemies.”
    She smiles back and I’m surprised at how truly pretty she is — strikingly pretty. “No, I don’t like to make enemies either. At least we agree on that.” She turns and walks away, holding her head high. Her confidence shakes me, but I try to act like I’m unaffected, like I don’t feel like a peasant in front of the queen.
    Don’t be ridiculous, I chide myself. Emery isn’t superior to me or anyone. It’s just that she acts like she is — oh, in a sugar-coated, friendly way — but it’s not like I have to buy into it. Besides, I have Harris.
    Lunchtime is a little precarious. I’ve decided to remain low-key, hoping I can stay beneath Saundra’s and some of the others’ radar. I wait for Harris to come into the cafeteria, then follow his lead as we get our food and go to the regular table.
    “Oh, look, here comes the happy couple,” someone says.
    Now we get some teasing tossed our way. Some good-natured jabs, some with sharper barbs attached. But after a while they seem to grow bored and start talking about last week’s game and how this week’s is even more important.
    “Having a new girlfriend better not slow you down,” one of the guys says to Harris.
    “Don’t worry.” Harris gently elbows me. “This girl is keeping me in shape.” He chuckles like this is a private joke, so I laugh too.
    This evokes some off-color comments and jokes, and my cheeks burn. I can also feel Emery’s eyes on me. I know what’s going on too — I may be naive, but I’m not stupid. Everyone here is assuming Harris and I have had sex. Part of me thinks I should just go along with this charade, but another part of me wants to raise my hand and make a statement of innocence. Naturally, I listen to the first part.
    Somehow I make it through lunch with a smidgeon of dignity attached. Harris walks me to class and kisses me, and I think maybe I can keep up this charade after all.
    “So you’ve gone ahead and done it,” Poppie says to me in art class.
    “Done what?”
    “Gone all the way over to the dark side.”
    “Huh?” I select a very thin watercolor brush, then give her a blank look.
    “You and Harris Stephens, you’re a couple now.”
    “Oh.” I just shrug, heading back to the worktable. “Is there a law against that?”
    “Not if you want to ruin your life.”
    I turn and stare at her. “Ruin my life? Don’t you think that’s being a little melodramatic?”
    She makes an uneasy smile as she sits down. “Maybe so. But I’ve heard things about Harris, how he rolls. I just didn’t think you were like that, Haley.”
    “Me neither,” Zach says as he joins us at the table.
    “It’s touching that you two are so interested in my private affairs.” I sit down too. “But I really think you should get a life of your own.”
    “Ooh.” Zach pulls his head back like I just zapped him.“Ouch.”
    “Excuse us for caring about you,” Poppie says.
    “I think it’s sweet that you care,” I tell her. “But I just don’t get why you’re so worried. Harris is a great guy. We had a wonderful weekend and — ”
    “Really?” Zach leans forward with way too much interest. “What did you and Harris do this