TRIP TOWARDS TRUTH

CHAPTER 10

Lilly's POV - (continue)
I woke up. I was at home. I was sleeping, on my book. Was I doing my homework?? Ouch, my head is aching. I opened the big window and went outside, in our yard. To have some fresh air. The grass-covered yard had flowerbeds on the boundaries. And some shrubs and trees. I had my one favourite tree. I used to play there when I was young. It had a swing on one of its branches and also a treehouse so I enjoyed playing there. Wait, I should go and check what my treehouse looks like after so many days. I climbed the ladder which connected the ground and treehouse and went inside the treehouse. Wow, the treehouse looked like I had just left it yesterday, exactly like I left it.

(The treehouse)

My kitchen-set on the left side of the treehouse, my barbie was sitting on her small sofa with her small barbie, little barbie was doing her homework, and another barbie was cooking for them. Oh my God! I was so stupid and innocent at that time. I was on the other side there was one small mirror, I placed it for my teddy. But where is he? Aww, he was on the floor. I picked him up and hugged him. They're so cute. All my toys remind me of the days I used to play with them. I placed my teddy on the table. "Lilly!? Lilly?!" Out of the blue, someone called me. The voice was soft and calm. I turned to look in the direction of the voice. And took a step to reach the treehouse window and open it. But suddenly with a creaking sound, the old wood of the treehouse floor parted and made me fall from the treehouse. I closed my eyes in fear. Ouch, I fell on my buttocks and they hurt now, I opened my eyes and saw I was not in the backyard anymore, instead, I was on the floor of the room and Ally was sleeping soundly. I guess I was dreaming, she might have kicked me and made me fall. God, this girl doesn't even know how to sleep. I cried in my inside. I checked the time, it was 2 am. I felt thirsty. Generally, I don't wake at night so I don't take extra effort to keep water in my room. Okay fine, I agree, sometimes I am lazy.
I came out of the room and was drinking water when suddenly I heard something. "What are you doing this late??" "Oh god, you scared me dumbo!!" I said punching Carl's hand, lightly though. "Well, I felt thirsty, so I came here to drink some water. But what about you??" "I saw you. So I followed you. You know I am tired but I am not able to sleep" Carl said. "Ohh, It happens sometimes" 'yeah' was all he said then.

Carl's POV -
We were sitting on a bench on the veranda. Lilly was sitting beside me. It was mildly chilly out here. Although it was summer, we were in the middle of a forest. So it's kinda obvious that it will be chilly. "Carl, look at the stars," Lilly said grabbing my hand. I looked up. "They're beautiful". In cities, we don't get to see stars a lot.
Lilly held my arm to gain my attention, "Carl, you remember the treehouse where we used to play when we were kids?" She asked, her eyes filled with innocence and had a curiosity, that generally, a young kid has. "Yeah, the house to your toys where we used to play those silly games of yours. You know, Jake used to participate because it was you who had the urge to play, and he used to drag me in your girly games that I used to hate". " yeah I know" she said and busted into laughter and received a smirk from me. "By the way, you said 'I used to hate' so does that mean you like those games now?" "Eww, no!! I mean the hate rate has minimized but I still hate it" "ohh Carl, I wish, I could go back in time and torture you with playing my same girly games" she said in between her laughs. "Hahaha, so funny," I said sarcastically. "Okay okay, so let's play something" she suggested "truth and dare??" I asked energetically "umm, okay, but how can we complete our dares here?" She inquired "okay, then no dares only truth. You can ask me one question and I'll ask you one" I suggested and she agreed. The game started with me, "what if it turns out I am gay??" I asked her. "Well, it won't affect me much, cause I have my boyfriend whom I like. But yes, if it turns out you are gay, then don't even dare to fall for my troy" "eww, I'll choose to be single my whole life rather than dating him." With this, we both busted into laughter. "So, I know you aren't gay, but then who's your crush??" She asked at her turn, I scoffed at it, "don't you know all my crushes??" "Not the celebrity crushes dumbo!! Tell me the name of your real-life crush" ohh my real-life crush? "Umm, I don't think there is any. I just love Blake lively and I am loyal to her" I said. "first of all, she is married. And you also have a crush on Emma Watson whenever you watch the Harry Potter series right? And if I am not wrong you have a crush on Anne Hathaway too. And secondly, you are lying." She argued "okay I admit I have several crushes. But how can you say I am lying?? Do you have any proof??" "Cause Carl, you are lying. You have a crush on Audrey. right?" Wait, how does she know about this? Ugh, "yeah you are right, I do have a crush on her. But as you know, our group and she always get into a fight. And I know Ally and you don't like her. Even sometimes I don't like her for behaving like a bitch. You know sometimes I wonder why I feel so attracted towards her, her charm and carefree attitude are what I loved the most. You know, when she first entered our classroom when we were 14 years old, she looked like a shy girl and I loved her sophistication the most. but then, days passed, and whenever I wanted to befriend her, she acted like a complete bitch. And I've accepted the truth that, I and she can't be friends or lovers. But still, at someplace in my heart, I have those feelings for her, and whenever I see her those feelings start to rise. I don't know if I like her or just have a crush on her but yeah there's something for sure." I finally finished. Whoa, that was deep, I didn't know I could talk or think so sentimental. "Ohh Carl, I am sorry, it's because of me that you and Audrey can't be together. She hates me, not you. I don't say she is good and you should go and date her. But sorry that because of me you couldn't even get a chance to know her, and you know, if she just hates me, then you should go and ask her out as a good friend I support your relationship." She said and hugged me. "No Lilly, it's not you who's at fault. I know both of you don't get along well. But you are more important to me than her, and if she wants to harm you then I don't want to be her friend or I don't even want to talk to her. Although there's something, I'll control my feelings." I said with a smile. "Umm, Lilly, if you don't mind can I ask you something??" I asked and she just nodded. "what happened that directed to your fights with Audrey??" I raised a question. "I guess you were not there at the time of the incident. Honestly, I exactly don't remember what happened when we were young, but when she came back from London, she was changed. Completely changed. I tried to ask her what was wrong and why was she behaving like a psychopath but she didn't say anything and just said it was my price to pay for somebody's terrible work. I tried to tolerate her torture for a point as we were close friends earlier. But then things got out of hand when I was frustrated and she didn't stop her torture. It was when I slapped her at Johnathan's(one of Lilly's classmates) party and the war was declared between us. But I was able to bear the torture because I used to cry and open my mind in front of Jake. He sometimes used to stay in my house as I used to cry the whole night. He took care of me at that crucial time. Audrey joined the school just two days before the beginning of the summer vacation. You must have started liking her since then and all the torture I went through happened during holidays, when you went to Max's(Max is a cousin of Carl) for vacations. You returned one week after Jonathan's party. And it was me who didn't want you to know about all this because, from the first day she came, I knew you like her." She finally completed. Oh my God so much happened and they didn't tell me. I came to know about this when Audrey started her dirty games in front of me, that was when I realised that my friends and Audrey are enemies. And I decided to control my feelings for her. "How did you come to know that I like her??Even though I didn't tell anyone, and wait, does Jake and Ally know this too??" I asked. "well, I've known you since we're like 5, so don't you think this much time is sufficient for me to know you??" Lilly clarified.

Jake's POV-
I woke up as I didn't see Carl on his bed. Ohh, man! Where in the world is he gone now?? This guy is such a pain in my ass. I'll beat him up once I find him.
Suddenly I felt a cold breeze on my face. Which surprising spend shivers down my spine. Whoa, the door is open, he must be outside. Agghhhh. I went outside and heard him say, "How did you come to know that I like her?? Even though I didn't tell anyone, and wait, does Jake and Ally know this too??" "Well, I've known you since we're like 5, so don't you think this much time is sufficient for me to know you??" Lilly replied. 'I like her' I think they must be talking about Audrey. "Yes, I know you like her." I interrupted. Still not sure if it's Audrey. But he likes her only. "But how?? I didn't tell you that I like Audrey" carl asked. "Sorry man! But you were too obvious about your feelings. The way you used to ask about her and the way you used to see her, it's obvious that you like her." I said. "And by the way," I started again " what the hell are you two doing here?? Last time I saw you, you guys were fighting. And now look at you, sitting so close, with hand in hand." "ohh, we are playing a game. You wanna join??" Carl answered. "At this hour??" "Yupp" Lilly said popping the P. "yeah we are not feeling sleepy yet," he said and yawned at the same time. Which made us all laugh. "Just sleep already, tomorrow is going to be a long day" I suggested. "Okay, Lilly we'll continue our game some other time," Carl recommended. "But, I don't think I will be able to sleep in the room. There's some kind of scent in the room that makes my headache. My pain minimised when I came outside for some air. And I don't want to go upstairs." Lilly complained. "Then you can sleep with us on the couch" carl suggested. Lilly agreed and we went inside. I closed the door and Lilly brought her necessary items. We adjusted on the couch. I wish we can reach the resort safely without Lilly knowing about Alice.

(Author's note - okay this was a big chapter. Like this chapter was double the length of the normal chapters. Hope you liked it and I hope you enjoyed the chapter. This is the new year gift to all my dear readers from me.

So tell me one thing, should I edit the previous chapters?? So that the upcoming readers won't face any reading issues and their reading will be smooth.

Also, one of my friends suggested, I write a character sketch about all the characters in my story. So what is your take on this? Please don't forget to tell me.

Question of the chapter - what do you think must be the reason behind Audrey's psychopath behaviour?? Do you think she is innocent or is she a psychopath for real??

Anyway, the decision is up to me. I am not sure when will the next chapter come. But till then stay tuned and don't forget to follow my Wattpad account, so you won't miss any updates about the story.

So as I always say, if you liked the story, then, please vote, promote, support and answer the question in the comment section or message me personally. I'll be happy to hear your views and recommendations.)