CHASING THE LIGHT

CHAPTER 4

     DO YOU HATE ME?      
                  ★★★
'Do you know the sad part about perfect people? It's that they don't exist.'  ~Nia
                  ★★★

   I've always hated lies! That about me is undeniably true. Lies are delusions. People always find it easier to listen to kind words.

    Yes! Kind words that harm no one. Kind words that comforts one's aching heart and gives it satisfaction.  Exactly what one wants to hear. We all eat lies when our hearts are hungry. And maybe, the truth hurts too much to listen too.

   So I made a theory. If lies become cruel as well, then maybe people could finally listen to the truth right?

   Oh it's much more difficult than that Nia.

   "You didn't pick up your calls yesterday." Athena grumbles as she walks besides me. Flipping her red hair as she waves at occasional glances and glares thrown our way.

   "I lost my phone." I lie.

   "Really?" She says. Her voice sounding like she knows that's such an obvious lie. But I wanted her to. To know I was lying.

   "Nia!" I hear my voice from the hallway and I turn on impulse.

   "I've,...caught up to you." Ayana says out of breath.

   No she hasn't.

   "How are you Ayana?" Athena quickly gives her a once over and she fidgets aware of her gaze.

   "I'm good." She pulls at her Crop top.

   It's not like it could magically get longer.

   "You look, different." Athena says bluntly. To which she smiles softly.

   "Just wanted to try something different today."

   Athena makes a face. We all know that face. That, I'm jealous face.

   I examine Ayana's dress. White crop top and straight jeans. Her body doesn't exactly give out much. Her physic was okay hence, as one would describe it the 'means for jealousy'.

  "What do you think Nia?" Ayana turns to me. I know why she asks?

   "It's tacky." I say rudely. Afterall, that was the reason she asked. I was known to speak this way. Yes, the same  truth no one wants to hear. I make my words so cruel.

    Manytimes, even my lies are cruel. Eventually, the people near me will grow accustomed to hearing the truth.

  Ayana mouths a small 'oh ' and gives me that look of disappointment. "I thought you'd like it."

  "I don't like it," I say almost immediately. "But if I had told you I liked it. Would you believe me?"

   Everyone wants nice things.

   "Girls just forget it." Athena cuts in. She hated when the attention wasn't on her. "Where's Zeenat anyways?"

   Our heads all turn in search of huge square glasses. But that sight doesn't seem to be anywhere.

   "Think she's sick?" Athena asks.

   "But she never misses school." Worry is visible in Ayana's eyes as her forehead creases.

   "Don't worry," I pause. "She'll probably be here any minute."
They both nod reluctantly before rushing of to class.

   I was worried as well, Zeenat wasn't the type to be late to school. I wanted to find out what was wrong.