Lies

Chapter 5:

Colton was holding onto my hand as we walked to the park that was at the end of our neighborhood. Harper and Ryan were in front of us and Nolan was on Colton's hip. He was looking behind us as we walked, trailing our footsteps. It was another cloudy day and looked like it could rain at any moment. I held a red umbrella in my right hand, twirling it around in a circle.

"You are going to hit me with that if you keep doing that." Colton said, looking at me.

"It's not even close to you." I told him, smiling at his unguarded expression. I could tell he didn't mean it and that all he was capable of was love. Love poured from his eyes and his lips and it was why I fell in love with him in the first place. We had met in college. He was studying law and I teaching. It was a day when the weather was wet and rainy and I had went into a cafe to get some studying in. He walked in, all muscular and looking handsome, with a girl that was following him. I watched their interaction and the girl's reaction when Colton called it off. The girl stormed out and he ended up seeing me staring. He smiled at me and came to sit by me. Our relationship sparked from there.

"Yes, it is. You might hit Nolan too. So, be careful." Colton said, finally giving me a smile and then a peck on the cheek. His kisses still held meaning for me, each one still bringing butterflies into my stomach. His love was contagious and one of a kind. It was a wonder that we made it this far.

"Sorry, Nolan." I said, leaning over Colton to give Nolan a kiss. Nolan grabbed me; wanting for me to hold him. I picked him up from Colton and set him on my hip, letting go of Colton's hand. I heard Colton sigh. I giggled before looking over at him. His face was set into a pout and his shoulders were drooping. Nolan was laughing.

"You think that's funny, little buddy?" Colton asked, bringing his hands over to Nolan's little belly. Nolan laughed harder as Colton tickled him. He squirmed in my arms and almost fell.

"Now, you are going to hurt him." I scolded. Colton shrugged his shoulders and jogged up to where Harper and Ryan were in an intense conversation about a butterfly that had just flown by.

I took in the scenery around me. We were walking through a canopy that let in a little of the cloudy light. Green trees sprouted everywhere with their spring leaves all the way bloomed. Bikers rode past us with their helmets on and pedestrians waved hello as we passed them. The smaller houses came up at the end of the canopy. There was an opening that led to the next neighborhood which housed Tessa Bright and her family and also the family of Aubrey Drake. They lived by each other and were outside in the yard talking to each other as we passed.

"Hey, Iris!" Aubrey said, noticing us.

"Hey, guys!" I replied, waving. Harper caught sight of Claire and ran over to her. They hugged each other and started to engage in a conversation. I smiled.

"Going to the park?" Tessa asked, wiping something off on her jeans. It looked like she was weeding her garden. Plants and dirt were scattered around the lawn, waiting to be put in the right spot. Even Tessa had some dirt on her face.

"Yes. Does Claire want to come, Aubrey?" I asked, looking at the two best friends.

"Sure. She doesn't have anything else to do." Aubrey stated.

"Awesome. How about Noah?" I questioned.

"He is with Asher right now. But if he was here, I'm sure he would've loved to come!" Tessa replied.

"Ok, well we'll see you guys later. I want to get these kiddos to the park before it starts to rain." I answered, looking up at the nearly darkened sky. It even started to smell like it was going to rain. I looked back down at Tessa and Aubrey. They were nodding their heads and waving their arms.