Rapture

11

I now sit at my dining room smiling like an idiot doing homework.

Or trying to do work but I keep thinking about Oliver.

Oliver

I gasp at the realization.

"SHIT!"

I smack myself on the forehead.

I get up and start pacing.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit."

I stop pacing and grab my phone.
She picks up on the fifth ring.

"I kissed him." I blurt out cutting off her hello. 

"I kissed him Meghan."

"Who?" She asks.

"OLIVER!"

"Yay. Oh my god, that's so cute."

"NO. Not cute." I say distressed.

I stay silent because I'm over thinking again.

"Kira. Kira. Take a deep breath. Why do you feel bad about this. Let's talk it out."

I start pacing again.

"Because I feel like I'm lying to him. About hockey, about my name, about my cancer. I feel like he doesn't know the whole truth. So me getting involved with him feels like a lie. You can't start an anything (not that this is anything) on a lie."

"Kira. The only thing you're "lying" about is your name. And even that isn't a lie. It is your name technically. The rest of the stuff happened in the past.  In relationships you slowly open up to the other person Kira. That's what dating is. Getting to know one another. You don't have to lay out all of your cards right now."

"I know. Thank you. I just don't want him to think I'm lying and be mad because I think we can be something.... Because isn't purposely omitting details considered lying?"

"Not in this situation. You have the right to your own experiences."

"You're right." I sigh. "Still feel shitty though. I came here to be around authentic people and get away from fake people yet here I am, being fake."

DING DONG

"Someone's at the door. I'll talk to you soon."

"Kk, bye girl."

I end the call and head to the front door.

I swing the door open and there stands...

"Kelsey?"

"Hey girl!" Kelsey beams at me and walks into my house.

"Uh, hey?" I say confused as I close the door after her.

"I heard what happened. Julia is such a bitch." She says as she makes herself comfortable on the couch.

"I'm just glad I dealt with it." I go to sit next to her on the couch. "Thanks by the way, for the information on her and Mr. Wilson."

She waves me off and crosses her legs to face me.

"How did you even know about that?" I pull a pillow close to hug.

She looks at me with a glint in her eyes and smiles.

"I know a lot of things, Lucia."

I don't say anything so she looks away. She takes her time continuing.

"People don't usually tell me things," she looks back at me, "voluntarily that is."

"I apparently don't look very trustworthy. I'm not shy, or quiet and therefore people are careful when they talk around me. They think I'll go to the next person I see and blurt it out." She lets out a dry laugh but continues.

"I shouldn't care what other people think of me right? I know that I'm the most loyal person ever and the secrets of people I care about will go to the grave with me. That should be enough right?" She looks composed but her eyes hold insecurity and fire. Like she has something to prove now.

"Anyways," she continues, "the point is I have to get my information other ways. If its family members, I get in their good graces, whether that's gifts or an exchange of petty information that they think is valuable."

I cut into her explanation with a question. "But how do you know they have information you want?"

"That's the fun of it. The networking. You never know what people are hiding or what their willing to share or give up."

"Networking." I repeat.

She sighs.

"My grandfather is an important man. Growing up and still to this day we attend galas and events with him. You know "to show a untied front as a family and all that".

I nod partially understanding what she's saying.

"It's scandals galore at these events. It was like a playground for me. Figuring out who's stories fit with one another and how drama connects through their small world."

She smiles at the memories.

"My cousin and I would trade secrets at the end of the night. Like a debriefing." Kelsey laughs.

"What is the whole point?"

This time her smiles grows even bigger, like I asked the question she's been waiting for.

"Now, now, I can't be spilling my entire childhood onto you. I don't wanna scare you off."

"I will say this though," she leans in close, "knowledge is power, Lucia. Hasn't anyone ever told you that?"

I shake my head and she pulls away.

She gets up and walks around the room.

"Hello."

I whip my head around to the voice. "Mom. I didn't even hear you come in."

"Ms. Patel, so nice to meet you, your home is lovely, my name is Kelsey."

"Nice you meet you Kelsey. You go to school with," she glances at me, "Lucia"?

Kelsey gives her a small smile.

"I do! We were just hanging out, I hope you don't mind."

"No, not at all. Her friends always welcome here."

"Amazing." She look at her watch and glances back up. "Unfortunately I have to go, sorry I couldn't stay longer but I will see you tomorrow Lucia."

I nod and in a blink of an eye she's out the door.

"I like her."

I roll my eyes. "You like anyone who talks to you formally but also casually at the same time."

She considered that for a second then nods her head.

" Yea, so? What do you want for dinner?" she exits the room.

I shake my head smiling.

I let out a breath. Kelsey is one complicated girl. Why did she come over today?