Ugly Secrets, Pretty Lies

Twenty-two

Nearly six in the evening and we haven't completed anything at all. We didn't write down a single sentence, much less a word. We spend 3 hours arguing endlessly about the most random stuff, like why cheerleading should be considered a sport. And we're still at it now.

"You don't even—"

I interrupted before Blake could finish. "Shut up!"

He shut up, closing his mouth and glared at me.

I sprang up from my bed and kept shouting, "Shut up, shut up, shut up!"

"Shut up, Crimson!" Blake said.

I inhaled sharply and shot him an icy look. He ignored me and picked up my deep crimson binder and opened it. 

"We have done nothing for 3 hours and something minutes straight and you're telling me t9 shut up," he says flatly.

Excuse me, bastard?

"You were the one who started it in the first place!" I said hotly, grabbing my binder away from him. 

He let the hard bind slip from his fingers and looked at me. "So let's get some work done now."

I was shaking my head already before he had even finish his sentence. "No way. Nu-uh. You're free to go, Blake. Now get out of my house."

"You were the one who wanted us to work on this!"

"And you were the one who forced his way into my house without permission! None of your tactics gonna work on me!"

"You're acting as if I'm a vampire! None of my charm going to work on you!"

"Get out of my house!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Fuck you!"

"Should we do that now, then?"

I started pushing him toward the door, teeth clenched tightly and afraid to open my mouth. I didn't know what I would say if I open it. I kicked open the door and shoved him into the hall before slamming my door shut and locking it. I felt him lean his weight on the door as I walked away from it.

"Open up, Crimson!"

I didn't bother answering and flopped down on my bed, taking my binder and opening it.

"Crimson!"

I started reading the questions on the second hole-punched page attached to the binder.

What is one thing that attracts you to your partner?

What is this, a girlfriend/boyfriend questionnaire?

"Crimson! Let me in!"

"Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin," I muttered and continued reading. A few minutes later though, I was aware of complete silence outside my door. Did he actually go away? I set my binder down and tiptoed quietly to the door, unlocked it and opened it slightly, peeking out. The hall was empty. I drew my head back in my room and closed my door. Huh. What a surprise. At least I could study in peace now. But before I had even took more than 2 steps to my bed, Mom's voice screamed my name loudly. Mom? I thought she was at work!

I threw my door open and dashed down the stairs, skidding to a halt at the entrance to the kitchen. My jaw dropped open. 

Blake Anderson was sitting at my kitchen table drinking a can of Coke, his phone in hand and looking at my mother with a surprised look. Mom stood at the other side of the table, makeup expertly applied and holding a black purse. I glanced at Blake quickly before turning eyes back to my mother.

Uh-oh.

"Care to explain this, Quinn?" Mom asked, gesturing a hand at Blake.

I swallowed. "S-sure?"

Mom looked at Blake who looked back, not flinching. If I survive this, I'm going to kill him.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Mom asked me bluntly.

I recovered from my shock and shook my head hurriedly. "Hell no, Mom! He's just my partner for an English project."

To my surprise, Mom sighed loudly. "Not your boyfriend, huh? You don't have to lie, Quinn. It's perfectly fine."

"Who are you and what have you done to my mother?" I asked, surprise taking over again. 

Mom laughed and walked over to me, giving me a hug. She placed a kiss on my head and whispered, "He's very handsome, dear. You chose well."

Oh my God. This isn't happening.

"Mom, he isn't my boyfriend! I don't even like him!"

Blake spoke up. "She doesn't like me. She loves me."

"Blake!" I shrieked, pushing Mom away from me gently. I glared daggers at him. If looks could kill, he would be six feet under. Blake only winked at me and smiled at Mom.

"Love? Quinn, you didn't tell me!" Mom placed a hand over her heart in mock hurt.

I groaned loudly. "Mom, please," I said wearily. "He's just my project partner, okay? Stop it."

Mom chuckled lightly and ruffled my hair. "I'm just kidding, Quinn."

"What are you doing home anyway? I thought you had work?"

"I was told to take a short break. I'm going back in 3 days from now," she answered.

"Oh, that's good. You deserve it he break."

Mom smiled tiredly at me. "I'm headed to bed. You can order takeout." She walked out of the kitchen and I heard her steps on the stairs. I did 't even bother to tell her I always ate takeout dinners since she was never home at night. 

Well. This went better than I expected. But one thing still needs to be taken care of. I turned to Blake, who had now stood up. He held up his hands. 

"You are dead, Blake Chandler Anderson," I said through gritted teeth. 

"Not today," he said and hurried out of the kitchen. I turned around just as the front door slam. The bastard. I threw his unfinished Coke in the trash and trudged back upstairs to my room. Another night with takeout for dinner. Yippee.

*

Well, that went better. This chapter is short and very boring so you're welcome to complain all you want. Hopefully the next chapter will be better. Fingers crossed. 🤞 

Thanks for reading though (if you did)

Chapter dedicated to @Cinmisola, @unicornsprinkles321, @AkanbiFavour, and @ameena25x for the follows 

- Hollis