White Lies | All American

twenty three

"I can't believe she keeps giving us homework. You happy?"
Jordan complained.

"I'm all for unconventional methods if it gets the job done." Liv shrugged.

"That woman is getting paid $200 an hour, okay, and the best thing she can come up with was to make us draw stupid pictures of what our family actually looks like versus what our family feels like."

"What do you care? It's not your money." Liv pointed out, staring at her brother.

He smirked, glancing to Haiden.

"Well, in that case, I say we go Lord of the Flies with no parents. Less people to draw, no curfews, right?"

"You do realize you're about to have a kid with a girl you barely know. You might wanna take this more seriously."

"Yeah... About that.." He sighed, pulling the watch from his pocket.

"Here. It's a family heirloom. Dad gave it to me."

"Should we be offended?" Liv asked, taking the watch from his grasp.

"No. Just keep it, it's yours now. The only reason dad gave it to me is because he thought I was having a kid but--breaking news-- I'm not. Simone lied to me. To all of us, actually. She made everything up."

"Wait, Simone's isn't pregnant?" Haiden inquired.

"She didn't make everything up; she is pregnant but I'm not the father. She only said I was because she knew I'd step up."

"Is she okay?"
Liv asked.

"Is she okay? Really? I'm the victim here, Liv."

"You're not a victim, Jordan."

"More like an idiot." Haiden commented receiving a glare from her brother.

"She did something stupid out of fear, but she's still pregnant and alone."

"Whose side are you even on?"

"There's only one side. The baby's side, and maybe when you're not so upset, you'll realize that."

"And I'm out."
Haiden said, closing the sketchpad.

"Haiden, don't bail." Liv pleaded.

Haiden grabbed her things, making her way outside to her car. She popped the trunk, carefully picking up the small backpack.

Once inside, she pulled the zipper, looking in to see the small bottle. She checked her glove compartment, slightly smiling when she laid eyes on the blunts.

Later that evening, Billy sat near the pool with Laura. They reminisced, attempting to cut the tension.

He moved closer to her, hoping she didn't yell at him to get away.

"And you kept your promise. You showed up for me, and I'm gonna do the same for you. I'm gonna show up for our marriage because.. because-"

His voice became silenced as Laura softly kissed his lips. With her confirmation, he gently caressed her face, deepening the kiss.