The Hidden Stranger

CHAPTER 20

Maddison'S POV:

Wednesday afternoon, Damon had strolled over to me, carefully due to his bruised ribs and leaned against the locker next to mine. He was looking better than he did Monday, but I could tell it hurt to walk so much during the day.

"Have you talked to your parents yet?" he asked.

I shook my head, putting textbooks in my locker. "No, I haven't had the time."

"Maddison, we need to know," Damon said. "By tomorrow night, the latest."

I looked over at him. "I know, Dame. I've been trying to figure out when to bring it up but they're always so busy that I can barely talk to either of them."

He sighed. "Well, I just want you to know that all of our parents granted us permission to go on the trip... if you get authorisation to use the house."

"Wow, you used a big word," I joked. "I'm in shock."

He rolled his eyes. "Oh, shut up."

I smirked and put one last item into my locker. "What'd you tell Serenity?" I asked shutting it.

There was soft chattering close to us and Damon glanced at the students not-so-secretly watching us and they quickly turned around. "The truth."

I raised an eyebrow.

He chuckled. "I told her that I was going out of town with some friends and won't be back until the weekend before school starts back up. At first, she didn't like it but I told her I would be safe and there will be no parties or drinking."

"Does she know I'll be going?"

"Yes," Damon answered.

"What'd she think about that?"

He shrugged. "She didn't think it was a huge deal. I mean, she knows we've been alone before and she knows that I won't have sex again-"

"Again?" I asked. Damon cursed underneath his breath. I could see in his expression that he didn't mean to say that. "Wait, you've had-"

"Once," he confirmed. "It was only once and it was a big mistake. I promise."

I bit my lip, not meeting his eyes. "Oh."

"Maddison," Damon said softly. "It was a long time ago."

"Who?"

He looked uncomfortable. "One of my old girlfriends. It's a long story."

"Was it serious?" I asked wanting to know.

"I guess you can say it was."

I looked down at my shoes. "Was she pretty?"

"Maddison, I'll explain all of it to you one day, but not today," Damon whispered propping my chin up with his finger. His beautiful green orbs locked with mine and I felt defeated. "I promise I'll tell you everything. One day."

I nodded, leaving the subject alone. I pushed him in the chest. "I'm holding that to you."

"I thought you would," he grinned.

He noticed that the same students from earlier were staring at us and he glared at them, sending off the look 'keep your noses in your own business'. They all jumped at the gang leader's stare and quickly turned around. I smirked and Damon just smiled. His eyes flickered to something behind me and I turned my head to see Kate standing close to the lockers.

"Hmm?" I muttered.

"Are you ever going to talk to her again?"

I shrugged, glancing over at her for a second time. Kate shot me a look and walked off. I shook my head. "Nope. Apparently, we're not on speaking terms yet."