Unmasked

The Excuse. - Chapter VII

Side note: * symbol will be used in paragraphs to reference a picture. Find it at the bottom of the chapter.
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[5:10 PM]

The apartment smelled like roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. Mom was cooking dinner and dad was preparing the table. You anxiously opened and closed your fists, wiping the nervous sweat off onto your jeans. During dinner is when you planned to tell your parents the "excuse" you and Ash came up with merely two hours ago. Since she agreed to come to the party, it only made the alibi that much more believable. It's not that you considered yourself a bad liar, it was the fear of being caught that lurked in the back of your mind.

"(Y/n), come eat," yelled your mom, her voice sounding muffled through the door.

Just act normal— and don't over-explain.

The food looked delicious, but you hardly wanted to eat. "Thank you," you muttered as you said grace.

Mom and dad were talkative today which made it hard for you to find an opening. They discussed work and their opinions on the neighborhood. Now was the best time to catch both of them in a good mood. However, you were holding back. With every bite, you felt the opportunity slipping away from you.

"I'm going to sleepover at Ashley's house tonight," you blurted out, half-chewing on a potato wedge.

Your mom turned to look at you. A chill ran down your spine.

Jesus Christ, this woman has one hell of a stare.

You forced a smile trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. She looked away, her eyebrows furrowing. The scraping of forks and knives on the plates were now the only sounds in the room.

"What's today, Saturday? Don't you have work tomorrow?"

"No, I swapped my shift. Evelyn wanted to work instead because she won't be there Monday and asked me to switch."

Take the bait.

"...Alright. Well, you are turning 18 soon and should learn to be in charge of your own schedule. So when are you leaving?"

A huge wave of relief washed over you. "She's going to pick me up at 7:00."

You didn't say anything more, nor anything less. Being able to catch mom on a decent day already meant luck was in your favor. The last thing you were going to do was ruin it.

After finishing your plate, you got up and offered to wash everyone's dishes for extra measure.

I mean, I'm technically not lying. I am going to sleep over at Ashley's house tonight... after the party.

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[8:01 PM]

"Have you ever been to a party?" Ash asked while applying mascara. Synth-pop music from one of her CDs played in the background. "I'm just curious about your life before Nockfell."

"Of course, a few," you replied.

"Would you laugh if I said this was my first time?"

"I might."

You both cracked up. Ashley made you feel so comfortable; even though Larry and Sal were great it was nice to have a female friend, too. She finished her makeup, having already gotten dressed. Sticking to her usual color code, Ash wore a tight-fitted deep purple pencil dress with thin straps.* Accompanied were thigh-high black platform boots and a choker around her neck.