Call Me A Liar [Book 1] (Justin Bieber Love Story / Fan Fiction)

4

tw: emotional abuse

I've always loved Birdie. Despite all of the trauma she endured growing up, she turned out to be so confident, witty, and headstrong. She is the true definition of conquering your past. She's grown so much, but I still find myself worrying about her.

Birdie is outgoing. I've always envied that about her. In school, she always had so many friends from sports and after school clubs. She's one of those people who doesn't have to try very hard, she's just amazing at everything she does. She's funny, charismatic, quick, and she'd give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. Everyone who meets Birdie loves Birdie.

I'm sure it would be a shock to know that even though I could say endless nice things about Birdie, I still feel sorry for her. I feel sorry because she's never been able to be her authentic self.

When we were sixteen, Birdie convinced me to try out for the varsity volleyball team. Based on the fact that my parents didn't want me to try a new sport so that I could focus on "what really mattered," I ended up quitting halfway through tryouts when they found out what I was doing. Birdie was bummed to be without her best friend but because of her vivaciousness and charm, she adapted quickly and found friendships that she still holds to this day.

That being said, there was one person on that team who she didn't leave on the best of terms with: Cassie Banks.

Immediately upon meeting one another, Birdie and Cassie were close to inseparable. As a matter of fact, Cassie started hanging out with Birdie and I on a regular basis. Though her and I weren't as close, I still considered her to be one of my friends too.

It wasn't all that surprising when Birdie and Cassie started to hang out without me. Truthfully I never felt jealous, I only figured they were doing something volleyball related. Actually I almost encouraged them to hang out without me so that I didn't have to be Birdie's unwilling assistant when she wanted to try a new spike move.

It was a summer evening in July. I was staying in for the night watching reruns of The Golden Girls with a bowl of popcorn resting in my lap. Mom and Dad were at a friend's for the night and Patrick was at a sleepover, so I also treated myself to a glass of red wine from the already opened bottle on the counter. I remember taking pictures of myself holding the wineglass, making sure to send them to Birdie, who I knew was with Cassie.

But this time was different. While she would always reply to me within seconds— minutes at the most, it didn't happen that way. Actually, I never got a response to my silly photo at all.

Something else was happening around the corner from my house, and I never could have guessed it no matter how hard I tried.

The signs were never glaring, even now. I never had the slightest clue that the girl I'd known for more than half my life was attracted to girls. Of course, it didn't stand out to me because it didn't matter to me. Birdie was my best friend, and I didn't care who she loved as long as the person she was with loved her like she deserved.

Birdie and Cassie were having a sleepover that night. I remember asking if I could come, and Birdie was adamant that I'd be bored because they would be watching game tapes for their upcoming tournament.

I didn't know that they were sleeping together for several weeks.

I found out in the early morning hours of that same night. My phone buzzed erratically beside me at least a hundred times while I slept before I picked up, only to hear a hysterical Birdie on the other end of the phone.

Her mom caught her with Cassie.

Her mom kicked Cassie out.

Her mom threatened to disown her.

Flashes of that night still go through my brain. Her heavy, deep sobbing. The way she nearly gagged as she cried to me. How she begged me to come over so she could get out of the house. Her quiet, gentle weeping in my lap as she cried herself to sleep.

Birdie stayed with us for a few days. I remember my mom and dad asking me why, and I never told them. I knew they'd never ask her parents because at that point, they were no longer speaking.

Patrick asked too. I told him she'd be okay, and just to be kind to her, as if he really needed me to tell him that.

We never speak of that night. I've tried bringing it up to Birdie a couple of times, but she always brushes it off. And I never push too hard because it's not my place to push.

I'd never push her like that.