Bury my Heart (Larry Stylinson)

Chapter 22: Lies

Shelves were full of books and the room was full of aisles of shelves. The library was silent but not empty as one soul occupied a chair at the computers, the light lit the room with an electronic halo. Shane was at her computer planning something that looked to be a “to-do” list along with a visual of plans. She rubbed at her eyes diligently as the burning dryness itched at them and a sigh left her lips as she pinched the bridge of her nose once she had finished rubbing her eyes.

            “ . .time?” she muttered incoherently and peered open her eyes that had been squinted, she eyed the red numbers that seemed to lazer at her pupils with intensity. “Jesus, six?”

            “You’re up early.” A voice hit her ears and she abruptly closed her work from anyone that could look, and then looked to see who had snuck up on her. She thought about how tired she must have been because it was not usual for someone to have the ability to startle her.

           

            “Hey Zayn.” She greeted as she turned herself towards Zayn to look at his face. His perfectly structured face. Shane wanted to sigh blessingly at the sight but controlled her emotions as she smiled up at the being she had designated as a friend; Zayn was a good person and someone she wanted as an ally.

           

            “Mind telling me what you’re doing here so early?” Zayn asked as he helped himself to the seat beside Shane, whom felt a nervous chill run up her spine.

            “Oh you know, planning out my homework and projects,” Shane said. “School stuff.”

            “You’re lying.” Zayn pointed out smartly as he crossed his arms, the leather of his jacket rubbing at his bending elbows.

            “I am not.” Shane protested in a quiet gasp as a pout puckered her bottom lip in dismay. Although she hated to admit it, Zayn was right. She had done nothing but lie to him, it was a re-occurring thing and the times she didn’t lie probably began to stand out to Zayn. He was a smart kid and she was sure he had most certainly caught on to the times she had lied to him, and being the curious boy he was, he most certainly wondered why. Why would Shane be lying to him? He hadn’t done anything to lose her trust, right?

           

            “Yes, you are,” Zayn licked his lips as he took a moment to pause, and gazed at the woman in front of him. As his eyes rested on her, he could feel his heart beating at his chest exponentially and it had scared him in the beginning, but as of now, it reassured him. “Want to tell me the truth?”

            “They are plans.” Shane puffed out as she looked to the screen.

           

            “Just not homework or project plans.” Zayn finished and watched her shake her head yes, concluding his answer.

            “Plans that aren’t for school.” She looked at this rugged man and could feel the hunger behind her eyes. Therefore, she shielded her eyes with her lids to pinch the bridge of her nose. Shane felt that if she mentioned anything at all, she would be fired, or worse.

            “Alright, then what are they?” he didn’t mean to be so nosy, but he was beginning to feel irritated with all these lies. He only began to notice in February when she would lie. It was so subtle that he actually had to search for the signs, who would have known that such a cheerful girl was so talented at lying?