Boys Are Liars

Chapter 6

When I get into the restroom I can barely breathe.

I bite down hard on my lip staring at the turquoise painted germ infested floor. There's a torn condom wrapper and an empty lip gloss container scattered on the floor. I've been on the toilet for hours.

I didn't know how I was going to explain to my parents why I missed the third and fourth periods. I was sitting slacked back, my shoulders slumped, humming to myself, hoping it could drown out the noise. My fingers were numb from the weight of my body but I couldn't move.

I would have to deep clean them later. This is what I do. Whenever I needed a break from everyone I would just sit in the bathroom and think.

It was easier that way. At home, I was bombarded with parents calling me down every five minutes, and at school, I had to be pretty, smile, and gossip, so no one thought I went crazy and snapped. No one ever tells you how exhausting it gets at school, to keep up a facade, and pay attention in class.

I cringe. Even thinking about it now feels so selfish.

A few days ago I had Theodore McKinley on my arm, madly into him. I had already picked out our outfits for when he was going to meet my parents at his family's dinner banquet. Now we were strangers.

I told him stuff I had never told anyone, not even Amelia. There was just something about his face, his sharp curves, and his dark chocolate brown eyes that you'd just get lost in. Then he stabbed me in the back.

They say when you fall fast that's when you're looking for trouble but doesn't your heart know something your mind doesn't?

The door swings open and I sigh. It was probably Amelia coming in to check on me. A girl giggles loudly, making a shhh sound as she drags someone else with her into another stall.

I hear a deep moan and crinkle my face in disgust. A pair of ruby red heels and sneakers clash in the stall next to me. I stand up quickly, flush the toilet, and walk out of the stall. I wash my hands in the sink slowly, tracing circles in the porcelain sink.

I head out of the restroom but freeze when the stall door swings open. The girl grabs the bottom of the door with a bright pink manicure, closing it shut and locking it this time. I recognized that deep blue vintage t-shirt.

Something wicked twisted in the pit of my stomach. I swallowed, storming back into the stalls and standing on top of the toilet. Something inside of me fractured.

I blinked, not wanting to believe what I was seeing. Micah was making out with Raven Monroe, the spoiled rich daughter of cosmetics mogul billionaire, Lance Monroe. They were deep into a hot kiss, Raven's fingers tangled inside Micah's hair.

Amelia was going to be pissed.

"What the hell Micah!" I said sharply.

His eyes go wide while Raven smirks at me, flipping her shiny auburn locks over her shoulder. He drew a startling breath. I hop off the toilet seat as they spill out of the stall.

"Sariah wait!" He says, grasping my wrists and forcing me to turn around. His pants were still hanging off of his waist, his belt dangling.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "How could you?!" I say between clenched teeth.

His throat was swollen, a lump lurching. Raven places a hand on his shoulder, planting a wet sloppy kiss on his cheek, and then walks out of the bathroom, her heels clicking against the tiles. Micah grabs my arm and I yank it out of his grasp.

"It's not what it looks like!" He sharply whispered, his voice low and rough.

I shove him, slamming my hands against his chest. "It's exactly what it looks like! I thought you loved her," I hissed.

"What am I going to tell Amelia?!" I snapped.

He runs his hands through his face, shutting his eyes. "Tell her nothing," he says.

"Nothing?" I scoffed. "I've never kept anything from her..and this, I would be betraying our friendship if I kept quiet,"

His eyes were bloodshot and teary. "Please Sariah, come on, don't say anything. Haven't you ever messed up before?" He says. "Besides you and I were friends long before you and Amelia met, what about our friendship?"

"That's not fair! How can you ask me that?!" I shout. I stepped away from him, clenching my fists. "What's going on with you? It's like I don't even know you anymore. Make this right, or I will,"

He nods numbly, sulking out of the bathroom. I'm right behind him, walking down the hallway, a new wave of thoughts trailing my mind. I would be betraying both of them whatever decision I decided to take.

I knew Micah was struggling right now with his family dealing with the lawsuit and the kidnapping but he didn't deserve Amelia if he could throw away their relationship like that for Raven Monroe. I stopped, turning to lean against the wall, sucking in a breath.

I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants and walk into the classroom. Most of my classmates are already finishing the rest of their notes as a documentary plays in the dark, my teacher sitting in his chair asleep. A few girls in the back where Amelia is sitting talking to each other in hushed tones, gushing about Emma's party this weekend.

I slide into the desk next to Amelia. She leans in close, her eyes bright. "Where were you? I was about ready to get a search party for you!" She whispers.

A sickening dread stirred in my bones. I swallowed. "Amelia, I have to tell you something," I whispered.

She furrowed her eyebrows, her shoulders tightening. "Don't tell me you ran into them,"

I shake my head, offering her an awkward laugh and taking her hands. "No, I didn't," I say.

"You're scaring me Sariah, what is it?" She says with a playful smile on her lips.

Time to rip the bandaid.

"Micah is cheating on you," I say, the words snagging in my throat.

She flinches, pulling her hands away from me. "What?"

"I saw Micah hooking up with..." I rasped.

She puts her hand up. "I heard what you said, I just don't believe you,"

"It's the truth. I saw him. Why would I lie about something like that!" I say, breathing heavily, my heart twisting in my chest.

Her lips were pressed in a thin line. "I know things didn't go the way you wanted with Theo but there's no point in trying to ruin my relationship so you could feel better about yourself," she snaps.

I bristled, gripping my desk. My knuckles strained under the pressure. I took a deep breath. "Fine, don't believe me. But I am your best friend, I would never want to hurt you. Ask him about it," I say.

She grabs her things slowly, avoiding making eye contact with me. I stare at her, searching her face. Panic rose in my chest.

"Amelia.." I start but she shoots out of her chair when the bell rings and stomps out of the room.

I sighed, walking towards my locker. I open it angrily, slamming my textbooks as I rummage through my things. This week just kept getting worse. I needed to just get away from this town.

I slammed my locker closed and the metal rattled, sending a ricochet of buzzing through my fingertips and bones.

"Someone's having a bad day," a deep voice says behind me.

"No kidding," I muttered.

I turned around and my heart leaped inside my stomach. Nolan Burns stands there, tall, sturdy shoulders, his muscles flexed under his black ribbed t-shirt, his eyes flickering like emeralds.