To say I was jealous of his popularity in my school was a bit of an understatement. For years I’ve been dreaming about getting out of the “friend ...zone” with Mack, admiring him from afar, not creeping, but stealing covert glance at him from over the top of my monitor, or listening in on his conversations, but I was certain he would never go for it. Not with me anyway. See, Mack’s one of those people that don’t know I’m gay. I hadn’t told him for fear it would ruin our friendship, being so. He would be working until 9:30 that night. I started a pot roast for supper, with Kelly's assistance.The two of us relaxed with our movie while the beef roasted. Around a quarter to five Kelly and I headed back to the kitchen to finish cooking supper. Potatoes, carrots, celery and onions went in the big cast iron pot with the roast. Kelly put together a simple chocolate pudding pie while I made dough for dumplings to go with the roast.Mom and the kids got home just as I finished the dough for. Put him on for asec.' I heard her yell 'get over here.' When he picked up, I laughed."Oh, I am getting even with you..."He laughed. "You wish Allie...Sorry, but it was just too easy..." Ilaughed. I actually didn't mind. Tom wouldn't have done it if he didn'tlike me. "You looked really good last night." Haha, Tom." No, I'm serious. I saw the pictures. You clean up nicely." Why Thomas, I had no idea you cared," I joked.He laughed. "I don't. But you did still. Anyway, Chloe is grabbing forthe. Of course! Such childish amusements would be beneath such a haughty woman! "Just for a moment?" he pressed her, smiling slyly to himself as he notedhow her pale cheeks had coloured slightly, how the matt steel grey of her eyeshad taken on a brighter sparkle. He looked slowly about the room, as if searchingthe shadows. "There is no one else here, no one to see. And I did say the Victorianshad their secrets. The horse is not all that it seems to be." Her curiosity was piqued, for the first time.