Ugly Secrets, Pretty Lies

Twenty-eight

Blake's smile faded as he turned his dark eyes on me. He stared at me for a minute before taking a seat next to Justin. "Me," he said calmly. "Got a problem?"

Why is he acting like this?

I took a breath and forced a smile. "Not at all." Looking away, I opened my menu and scanned the list of foods. I listened to Blake and Justin's conversation, keeping my eyes on the menu.

"Why is she here?" I heard Blake ask. I bit my tongue to prevent from speaking out, tasting a faint trace of blood.

"Her mother's dating my father. Why wouldn't she be here?" Justin said.

"But why invite me?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpse Justin shrug. "I wanted company. Liam has a date and you don't have any plans. Why are you acting like this anyway?"

"Like what?"

Justin stared at Blake, then shook his head. "Never mind."

I looked up from my menu just in time to see Blake swung his head toward me. "Why aren't you out with your boyfriend instead, Campbell? I didn't think you would rather be at a family dinner out then having a chance to make out with Thomas," Blake said, a sneer in his voice.

I closed my menu with a snap and glared at him. "Why do you care about what I do? What I do with my family and my boyfriend is none of your business."

"That's right, stick up for your boyfriend, why not."

"Why wouldn't I stick up for my boyfriend? He's my boyfriend!"

"What do you see in that bastard anyway?"

"First of all, he's not a bastard; you are. Second, you don't know anything about him so you have no right to judge him. Third, are you jealous?"

Blake arched an eyebrow. "You think I'll actually be jealous of him? I wouldn't date a girl like you. I like pretty girls."

I ignore the words, though I have to admit they hurt. A lot. I'm not exactly the prettiest fish in the tank, but cut me some slack. I'm not bad looking. So I do the cowardly thing (to me anyway) and ignore him, opening my menu again and feeling tears prick at my eyes. I blink rapidly. I would not cry.

"Oh look, she's crying," Blake sneered.

"Will you shut up?" Justin said quietly, nudging Blake's arm.

Blake rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

"Dude, you really don't have to be so harsh." Justin swept his sandy hair from his eyes and picked up his menu. His dad and my mom were deep in conversation and holding hands, apparently not having heard anything we said.

A waiter came over, holding a gold encrusted notepad and a fancy black fountain pen. "Ready to order, Misses and Misters?"

James and Mom looked up. "Ah, yes," James said. "Kids, why don't you order first? And hello, Blake. Good to see you again."

Blake nodded politely at James, then Mom, who smiled brightly at him, recognizing him.

I ignored them and smiled at the waiter. "I'll have the honey baked salmon with spiced potato cubes on the side."

"Lovely," the waiter smiled, scribbling it down. The rest of our little group orders and the waiter flounces away, promising it "would be here in no time!"

I lean back against my seat, tucking a strand of hair behind my hair. I watched Blake and Justin talk with each other before turning my eyes to James and Mom. Mom had a bright smile and her face was flushed. Her eyes shone and she looked as if she was having the time of her life. I'm happy that she's happy and I just hope James doesn't hurt her. After Dad left, Mom never really went out. She spent her time working and she was rarely home. After Jessica left, Mom fell more. She lost a daughter who was ashamed of her. After that, I hated Jessica.