Web of lies

Chapter 1

Three weeks ago

I was going to be late. Again. Mr. Giovanni would absolutely hate my guts now. I know I'm exaggerating about being late, but I've had a lot on my plate. Since my family and I recently moved to a bigger house, I still haven't figured out where half my stuff is.

 Everything is still in boxes, making it hard to find anything quickly. I picked up my backpack from the floor, took my shoes out of a carton moving box that I probably would have to organize later, and ran to the front door. 

As I left the house, I quickly tied my shoelaces and waved at my friend who had just arrived in her grey Mercedes. With a bunny-toothed smile, she waved back, her light brown hair fluttering.

Caitlyn and I had been friends for over five years, and we hadn't been separated since. It all started because her father, Mr. Donatella, owned the number one company in the city, where my parents both started working back then. When they picked us up, they became friends, and so did we. Her parents sadly passed away when Caitlyn and I were thirteen.

 She had to live with us for a while. We were the closest thing to family back then. Then her aunt came and took her in—not willingly, but because she was her goddaughter. I always thought the death of her parents would destroy her happiness, but she got really strong over the years.

"We will be toasted! We're like ten minutes late already!" Caitlyn screamed at me. "I know, I'm sorry. Moving sucks. I couldn't find anything in at least thirty minutes. I'll do better tomorrow, promise, bestie," I said, lifting my pinky finger to show her that it was a promise. She did the same and curled hers into mine, showing that she believed me.

 I stepped into the car as Caitlyn started blasting her favorite—well, our favorite—song by Taylor Swift, 'Gorgeous,' and we both started singing like weird hooligans.

"YOU'RE SO GORGEOUS

I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING TO YOUR FACE

'CAUSE LOOK AT YOUR FACE

GORGEOUS

AND I'M SO FURIOUS AT YOU FOR MAKING ME FEEL THIS WAY

BUT WHAT CAN I SAY YOU'RE GORGEOUS"

We always sang Taylor Swift on the way to school. It really was our thing. I always felt so safe when I was alone with Caitlyn. I knew I could be myself and just enjoy my time. 

But lately, I noticed how she wasn't as happy as she was a couple of months ago. She pretended everything was fine, but I could see right through her act. I didn't want to force a confession out of her. 

If she was ready, she would tell me. We always told each other everything anyway.

As we drove to school, a biker suddenly appeared in front of us, making us stop abruptly before we crashed into him. "WATCH WHERE YOU'RE DRIVING, YOU IDIOT!" the biker screamed.

 After the near accident, I noticed the color of the bike—it was neon green, just like Josh's. "Jesus, I can't believe that boy almost made us crash and then blamed us. He's the actual idiot," Caitlyn said as she tried to fix herself up.

 He is indeed a complete idiot. I would know because I've lived next to him since birth. He can be a real pain in the ass, that's for sure. We had been friends since we were toddlers, but ever since I started hanging out with Caitlyn, he kind of pushed me away. 

He does not like her. And as far as I know, she doesn't like him either. Which is rare because Caitlyn falls for every dude in Arlington, Washington, DC. 

She clearly has no self-respect, following every guy in our school on Instagram. I don't condemn her actions, but hey, she's guy crazy—what can I do?