The Truth About Faking

mom?”
    “No. But thanks for reminding me.”
    “I’m sorry. I just… I was hoping—”
    “Look. I’m done with that. I’m not playing games anymore.”
    I start to speak, but a loud voice from behind cuts me off.
    “What’s up, Harley?” It’s Stephanie. She pushes herself between Jason and me, removing my hand from his and replacing it with her own. “What are you doing with my date?”
    “Your date?” I blink. “You’re—”
    “With Jason.” She finishes, and her tone says back off.
    “I didn’t know.” This time when Jason glances up at me, my eyes are stinging with unshed tears. He’s going out with Stephanie now?
    Shelly and Aaron walk up to the keg and for a second the three of us listen as they argue over whether Shelly stood guard while David stuffed Aaron into a locker freshman year. I might be funny, but I can’t laugh. I feel like my heart’s breaking, and I just wish they’d go away.
    “You’re wrong,” Shelly argues with her eyes closed as she pours a drink.
    “I’m not wrong.” Aaron leans toward her.
    “It wasn’t David, it was Brian,” she giggles.
    “I think I’d remember—” Aaron starts.
    “Well, even if it was David,” Shelly cuts him off. “Here. Let him buy you a beer.” She grins and holds up a cup. He smiles and leans forward to plant his lips on hers.
    “So where’s Trent?” Stephanie’s loud voice cuts through the commotion.
    Shelly turns her face toward us and frowns. My throat’s tight, and I don’t think I can speak. I can’t believe I’ve lost Jason. And to Stephanie of all people.
    “So that’s it,” I say to him softly, trying not to cry. “You don’t want me…”
    I can’t finish. His eyes catch mine, and for a moment it’s just us.
    But Stephanie isn’t through. “Have you kissed him yet?” she asks loudly. I glance at her and see she’s starting to giggle. “Are you and your mom doing some special outreach to gays now?”
    It’s like the room went silent just at that moment, and her words echo through David’s house. Shelly freezes and my eyes widen.
    “Trent’s gay?” Shelly asks, and her voice feels very loud to me. Then she starts to giggle, too. “Oh my god! Of course! That totally explains—”
    “Shut up, Shelly.”
    “What?” I hear Aaron’s loud voice. “Trent’s gay?”
    The news travels like a hot potato from person to person through the room, and I see Jason remove his hand from Stephanie’s and take a step toward me. But none of it matters when I hear the voice behind me.
    “Harley?”
    It’s Trent.
    I spin around and see him standing there, staring at me. The look on his face is pure betrayal. My heart slams to the floor.
    “Trent!” I step forward.
    “I thought you said you wouldn’t tell.” His expression makes my stomach hurt. “I thought I could trust you.”
    “You can! I didn’t…”
    But before I can finish my sentence, he turns and starts pushing through the bodies. It only takes me a second to wake up and start pushing after him. But he’s too fast for me. He’s out the door and gone before I can catch up to him. I follow, but by the time I make it to the sidewalk, he’s already pulling his car away. I watch as the Accord pauses at the corner before exiting the cul de sac and turning toward the main street through the neighborhood. And then he’s gone.
    I pull out my phone and try texting him.
    Talk to me.
    I wait several seconds. No response.
    PLS .
    No response.
    I start to feel panicky. I have to find him and tell him Stephanie simply guessed it. I didn’t tell anyone. But will it even matter? He didn’t want anyone to know. He trusted me and now everybody’ll know. It’ll only be a matter of hours, if that long.
    Oh, please help me… Please let me find him.
    I keep walking in the direction of my house. I decide if I don’t hear back from him by the time I get home, I’ll ride my bike to his house. It’s out of the neighborhood, but it isn’t far. I try again.
    I didn’t tell! I text. She guessed!
    More seconds pass. Silence. I let out a frustrated scream and want to throw my phone, but I look up and see I’m almost at my house. I run the rest of the way, toss my shoes on the porch and set off on my bike, riding back the way I came. David’s house goes by, then the entrance to Shadow Falls. I pass the hydrangea bush at the corner of Main and Spring, down the highway to the newer development. Cars keep whizzing by. I hate riding on the highway, outside