Secrets in the barn

Sarah and Theo enter the barn and stand in the middle underneath a light shinning from the ceiling.

“Have you got it,” asked Theo.

No, I thought you had it. She replied with eyes wide open.

“What?” Said Theo. No, I am sure we agreed that you would bring it. Theo said pointing at Sarah.

Theo stepped back and took out her bag.

Of course, I got it. He said whist smiling.

Seriously, said Theo angrily.

Sarah took out the lightsabres and the two began to fight. Their moves appeared almost choreographed. They lost count how many had done this but they were sure it was probably in triple figures. They were careful not to make too much noise as no one knew about their obsession for Star Wars never mind them having lightsabre fights in the barn.

They would usually pay close enough attention that they would be able to hear anyone long before they could reach the barn however this time the pair were really focused on their duel so much so they were all most caught off-guard when they heard someone running towards them.

They suddenly dropped the Lightsabres. Whoever it was heading their way was very close which meant they couldn’t run out the side for they would be seen and the last thing they wanted was to answer questions or arise any suspicion. So, they decided to hide behind the hays at the back of the barn. Sarah picked up the Lightsabres and put them inside the bag. Theo looked confused as he noticed that was something else in the bag.

“What is this strange ball”, asked Theo. The footsteps got closer and the pair ran towards the back of the barn.

Adam opened the door and walked inside the barn. Sarah and Theo watched from the back of the barn, sweating profusely. Was their secret going to be exposed they thought Adam walked towards the centre of the barn right underneath the main light overhead. He looked around with puzzled look on his face. He checked his phone and picked his nose, flinging what came out towards the hiding pair. Sarah and Theo at this point calmed down. They looked at each other as if to say surely Adam wasn’t here for them. He wasn’t here to catch them in the act but probably for another reason. That thought would be proven correct when Zara walked into the barn.

“Finally,” said a relieved Adam.

“Sorry I had to give Jacob the slip,” said Zara whilst walking towards Adam.

“I still got your phone as well”, said Adam jokingly.

The two began to kiss which left the Sarah and Theo in shock. The eyes widened and the hearts beating faster than it before. The realization that their secret was safe was now no more than an afterthought compared to what they had just witnessed. The very shy, nerdy Adam and the most popular girl in school Zara, together. The unlikeliest of couples for sure but that wasn’t had shocked the hiding pair. No, it was the fact that Zara already had a boyfriend – Hassan. This was truly big news thought Sarah unfortunately she wouldn’t have time to process the idea further as voices could be heard outside the barn.

“Oh my God,” said a shocked Zara.

“Is that”, replied Adam.

“Hide,” said Zara nervously.

Adam ran towards the back of the barn and hide behind the hey. His heart pounding and sweating so much it could’ve filled 10m deep pool. He was scared that he didn’t notice Sarah and Theo next to him. He clenched Zara’s phone in hand very tightly.

“Did you really see her around here”, Asked Hassan.

“Yes, definitely,” explained Jacob.

Hassan and Jacob walked inside the barn and saw the flummoxed Zara standing nervously. Hassan jogged towards her worryingly.

“Where have you been. I was looking everywhere for you”, said Hassan whilst hugging a shaking Zara.

Adam began holding his chest and looked towards his left and finally noticed the two people next him. Sarah and Theo waved whilst having a muddy grin on their faces. Adam stared at the two and looked forward and saw Hassan hugging Zara. She walked out of the barn leaving the two men behind. Jacob held a white suitcase in his right hand. Immediately Sarah realized that the strange ball that Theo was talking about was Jacobs and Hassan’s good luck charm. They took it everywhere they went and once refused to go inside swimming without rubbing it. Twice. They waited for hours for the right time. Sarah promised her parents and brother she wouldn’t tell anyone about it especially Theo. Theo hadn’t yet noticed Sarah’s realization as he was busy watching Adam struggling to breathe. Sarah gestured towards Theo and pointed to the bag and then pointed towards Jacob and Hassan. Theo’s eyes widened and mouthed the words, ‘Oh my God’.

Jacob opened the box and took out the white bag and placed his hands inside and with a look of confusion took out a red sock.

“It’s a red sock”, said a confused Hassan.

“It’s a red sock” replied Jacob echoing Hassan’s words, tone and emotions.

Hassan’s head faced the ground, his eyebrows twitched and his confusion had morphed into state of sheer bewilderment. At the back of the barn, Sarah places her hand on her face as she remembered that she tripped and fallen over her and her brother bags and without looking put everything that was on the floor into the suitcases.

“It’s a red sock”, Repeated an increasing angry Hassan.

“I know”, said a frustrated Jacob.

“Why is it a red sock”, shouted Hassan.

Jacob shrugs his shoulders. The pair wondered how long they would stay in this disorientation; a mere few seconds had already added years on their faces. Wrinkles and a few grey hairs became dominant features. A new reality began to form around the pair. The pigs flying above their heads and the chickens multiplying like cells. Suddenly they were be taken away from their little pocket dimension with a creaking sound near the back of the barn.

Adam began panic so much so leaned on a broken pole which fell over and forced the hiding trio to jump out of the way and fall on the floor at the feet of the confused Hassan and Jacob. The strange lucky ball roles towards Hassan feet and picks up the ball. Both Hassan and Jacob notice the lightsabres. Jacob looks directly at his sister angrily.

Sarah and Theo both blurt out, “I can explain, I think”.

Hassan notices the red lipstick on Adams lips and Zara’s phone in his hand. Zara walks into the barn and stares at each person until she locks eyes with Hassan.

She blurts out, “I can explain, I think”.