Beyond The Lie

Chapter 31: Who are you?

Adeline.

I silenced my phone, exhausted from seeing Eryx's texts. It wasn't like those obsessive 100+ messages some girls get from their boyfriends, but his few attempts at contact were enough. I'd said my piece, and I had nothing more to say or hear.

My mind was made up. I'd known Eryx for only a few weeks, but my friends were a different story. I'd known them forever, and their opinions mattered.

As I entered our apartment, Liv was recording something on her phone. She turned, caught my eye, and quickly ended the recording. "You should've come with us!" she teased.

"I couldn't work; I needed rest," I replied.

"Told you," Liv said with a smirk.

"Soph, Addie's here!" Liv called out. We headed to Soph's room, where she was typing away on her laptop.

"Shh, let me finish this," Soph whispered, not looking up.

We collapsed onto her bed, enjoying the comfortable silence.

Few minutes later, she spoke, "Done!"

"What was it?" I asked.

"A article on my research!" Soph said, a hint of pride in her voice.

I nodded. "Go freshen up first, girl!" Soph suggested, already heading towards the bathroom.

"Yeah... I will... But there's something," I began, my voice barely above a whisper.

Before I could continue, Liv and Soph were already staring at me with that look - you know, the one that says "spill the tea, girl!"

I sat up straight, my heart racing. "Are you guys free?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Liv raised an eyebrow. "Fucking spill it, Ads!"

I took a deep breath. "Okay, okay... So, there's a small edit to the story I told you before."

Soph's eyes narrowed. "Story?"

I winced. Of course, Soph would catch that.

"I mean... guys, don't get mad, but half of it is true!" I blurted, my face pleading.

Liv and Soph exchanged a weighted glance. I knew that look - it was the "we're not mad, but we're definitely disappointed" look.

If this were a TV series or movie, I'd be that girl - you know, the one who makes excuses, lies, and keeps secrets from her friends. The one whose friendships implode when the truth comes out.

Liv and Soph remained silent, their expressions unreadable. I knew they were mad, but I couldn't back down now. I'd already spilled the beans.

"That night... when I was coming home, I saw someone," Liv said, her eyes narrowing. "You already said that."

I took a deep breath. "And that someone didn't come to hurt me!" I emphasized.

Their expressions changed again, and Soph walked back to the bed, her interest piqued. "Okay..." I sighed, knowing I had to reveal the whole truth. "So, I saw someone beating up a man... and I was the witness."

The anger in their eyes dissipated, replaced by a look of intense interest. "And the man who was beating the person saw me," I continued. "I tried to run away, but he was too fast. He caught me, and I was trying to call the cops. I thought the beaten man would die... I don't know if he did. Okay? And then he told me I didn't see anything and I could leave."

Liv and Soph exchanged a stunned glance. "The heck?" Liv asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Soph's eyes were wide. "What?"