When life gives you lemons, throw it back and demand chocolate.
'"Sweet baby Satan!" I screamed, accidentally gaining the attention of the murderers. Act natural, Arya.
"Did you just shoot them?!" I mentally face-palmed. So much for acting natural...
This morning, I'd made the probably stupid decision that I was going to tell the others about my sickness. However, since I was a coward, I decided to call Lucas for moral support.
"Yo Greenie, what's up?" His relaxed tone instantly put me at ease.
"Hey Cheekbones." Despite my growing unease, a subconscious smile lifted my lips at his voice. "Okay, so, I have decided to tell the other about... it."
"It?"
"Yes... it." I stressed.
"Look, Greenie, you ain't making any sense. Are you in danger? Say 'Lucas is the best' and I'll try to save you." Sometimes I find it hard to believe he owns a multimillionaire business.
I rolled my eyes. "Sorry, but I was taught not to lie."
"Ouch, you hit me right in the heart."
"You have a heart?!" I gasped in mock-shock.
"Shut up, Greenie." He grumbled, but I could hear the humour in his voice. "Anyways, why did you call me? What is... it?"
"I'm gonna tell the others about my sickness." I replied. "And, well, it would help if you're with me... but only if you want to of course- I don't want you to come if you're busy-"
"Arya." He cut off gently. "I would love to help. I'll be there in ten minutes."
"Thanks Lucas." I whispered, my voice choking up. I cut the call and rested my hands in my lap.
I'm going to die.
There it was.
The final truth.
I am going to die.
I expected a huge wave of fear to wash over me. I waited for the usual, depressing thoughts that always accompanied this thought. But to my slight surprise, I didn't feel that. Instead, I felt a sense of...peace. If I was supposed to die, then so be it. I'll accept my fate with open arms. But that doesn't mean I'll go down without a fight.
Nodding my head in satisfaction, I skipped downstairs to the living room, where I expected the boys to be doing their work. Instead, I stumbled upon the living room being turned into a giant pillow fort and they were playing a violent video game. I cleared my throat. They froze- looking like deer caught in the headlights.
"Don't move." Caleb whispered. "If we don't move, maybe she won't see us." Nick slapped him upside the head.
I placed my hands on my hips and glared at them. "Caleb- aren't you supposed to be working on the new plan for the restaurant? And Nicholas, didn't you have that important case that needed to be planned? And Ethan- you're supposed to be getting ready for your date with Rey! Issac and Christopher, weren't you both telling me just yesterday that you were going to be busy for the next few days due to problems with the business?"
"We started the work-" Caleb said slowly.
"-But then we got bored-" Nick continued.
"-And what better way to relieve boredom-" Zack grinned.
"-Than to make a pillow fort!" Kit finished.
"And don't worry, I explained the situation to Rey!" Ethan threw some confetti and they all did jazz hands with goofy smiles on their faces.
"Children." I stated, shaking my head. "I'm surrounded by children."
"It's okay to be a child every once in a while, Ree." Caleb said, attempting to throw a yellow Skittle in his mouth. He cheered loudly when he got it in.
"Well, uh, I have something to tell you guys." I said, wringing my hands together.
"What is it?" Kit questioned, tilting his head to the side.
For a moment, I considered chickening out. They all looked so happy and relaxed! It would be cruel to snatch that away from them. But on the other hand, they deserved to know. I should've told them six years ago, and I should tell them now.
Fortunately, I was saved from making a decision as Zack's 'Highway to Hell' ringtone blared through the room. The phone shuddered, the name 'THE IDIOT' emblazoned on the screen.
"It's Blake!" Zack lunged for the phone and answered the call, putting it on speaker. "You're on speaker. Any news?"
"Issac." Blake's voice was unusually grave. "It's confirmed- we have a traitor in the business." I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth.
Blake continued. "We have reason to believe that- NO MARIA! DON'T PUT THAT IN YOUR MOUTH!- that, um, the traitor is responsible for your mother being in a coma."
I glanced at Zack to see his expression hardened, his grip so tight on the phone that his knuckles turned a frightening shade of white. "Thank you for telling me this. I will investigate this thoroughly."
"No problem. So sorry I couldn't be there, Izzy."
"Don't worry about it- you're doing a great job from over there. Family comes first. I'll call you later." Zack answered breezily.
"Yeah- oh, and one more thing! Is Arya there?"
"Yep I'm here." I said, leaning forward slightly.
"Do you remember that stalker person you had about six years ago?" He asked.
I frowned. "Yeah..?"
"Well, the there's a chance the traitor could be working with the stalker, or be the stalker themselves-" Zack threw his phone across the room. I flinched as it hit the wall and shattered.
"Woah!" I exclaimed, backing away. "What's wrong?" Vaguely, I registered that the front door opening, but my attention was mainly focused on the man who looked as if he was going to cry or go on a murderous rampage.
"This is... bad. Really really bad." He replied, squeezing his eyes tightly shut.
"Oh, so has Arya told you about her sickness then?" I sucked in a breath at Lucas's words, feeling as though a rug had been pulled out from underneath my feet.
Zack's head snapped upwards and zeroed in on Lucas. "Sickness? What are you talking about?"
"Oh shit." Lucas muttered. "You haven't told them yet."
I forced a laugh. "Hahaha! Lucas was just, er, joking. Yeah, joking. He doesn't mean sickness sickness, just um, my chills from yesterday!"
"You are so bad at lying." Kit snorted.
"Okay, fine." I breathed deeply. "The truth is-"
End of chapter 11
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