Liars Garden

Chapter 15

The door popped open sometime later in the day. I jumped up from my bed to find Chris walking in, looking confused.

"Mom said to come get you," he said with a reluctant tone. He glanced around, his eyebrows furrowed. "Why was the blanket trunk against your door?"

"Um..." I had no answer. The truth tied my tongue and I just couldn't do it.

"What's going on, Annie?"

I didn't know how to answer him. "What do you mean? Everything is fine."

Chris shook his head. "Fine, don't tell me. But things are weird and I don't like it. I'm not stupid, I know somethings up."

"Nothings up, Chris."

"Stop fucking lying, Annie."

I sucked in a breath. Chris's face was slightly red with anger. Heran his fingers threw his short hair before letting out a long breath.

"Sorry, Chris. I'll...tell you when I can. I just can't right now,okay?"

Chris went to say something but at that moment I glanced up past him. I could feel my heart nearly stop. Mom's well made up figure was in my door. Her hair was perfectly piled on her head, probably just done hours ago, and she was wearing her favorite red dress and black heels just slightly too tall for comfort. Her face was made up like she was going out and her expression told me she had heard every word.

I thought she had told me she had to work tonight. Why was she here?

I pushed Chris aside and quickly stood.

"I got birthday stuff down stairs for you, darling. Chris, why don't you go on down and get the candles lit for me?" Chris gave a severe look to me before heading out of the room. Mom fixed her sharp hawk eyes on me. "I would tread lightly, Annie. I don't stand for liars in this house and I won't tolerate you filling your brothers head with them. Somethings are left buried deep."

With that her heels clicked down the hallway and pierced each step with a loud clack as she descended. My heart was hammering. I felt the same I had the night dad died; like something horrible was about to happen.

Without thinking about it I grabbed my laptop and forced it to life again. Facebook flashed back onto my screen. Hanna's messages popped up instantly.

You weren't at school. Is everything okay? You don't seem okay.

What's going on, Annie?

Annie? Answer me.

I felt like crying all over again. It took everything in me to not closed my computer and go downstairs to whatever I was walking into. Instead I answered back.

Help. I think something bad is going to happen. My mom isn't agood person.

"Annie, we are waiting on you," mom's voice sounded sweet but I could hear the edge under it.

"Be right there, I'm just changing," I called back.

Leslie left and I should have gone with. I've lied for my mom too much. I'm so scared.

I hit send and slammed the lid down, not even looking to see if Hanna was on. I heard the bottom stair squeak. Quickly I threw off the clothes I slept in and switched into a little sundress I had crumpled on the floor and darted out of my room. Mom was standing on the bottom step, looking up at me.

"Jesus, I was just getting ready," I tried to laugh off as I passed her. "No need to get your panties in a twist." Mom's mouth was a thin line when I looked at her but she thawed as we both came into the kitchen.