Embellished With Lies

Chapter Three

"See?" I said, throwing Tessa over my shoulder as she, Caitlyn, and I walked into the living room. "I told you Mom and Dad would take care of it."

Tessa nodded, smiling. "Thanks, Bubby."

I was amazed at quickly her mood had changed. She was happy one minute, upset the next and then happy again. I wish I  could be that optimistic. "Anytime, Patootie."

Tessa ran upstairs, leaving Cait and me alone.

"So..." I started, falling back on the couch.

"So..." Caitlyn repeated, sitting next to me.

"History awaits us," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Aww..." Caitlyn pressed multiple kisses into my cheek. "Do we have to?"

I pecked her lips. "Unless we want to fail that test tomorrow, then yes. We have to, babe."

She rolled her eyes and picked up her pink backpack, pulling out her heavy history textbook. "Okay, okay."

We studied for an hour or so before we both started growing bored and our brains tired.

"I don't think my brain can fit anything else in it," Caitlyn admitted, shutting her book.

"I know," I started, "but we have to keep going, Cait. We haven't even gotten to the final, most important chapter yet."

Caitlyn shrugged. "Do we have to?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"I don't think we do," she replied and moved closer to me. "I don't want to."

"But we have to," I told her.

She pressed her lips to mine. "No," she murmured. "Do something else... Please?"

She kissed me again.

I closed my eyes. "Fine," I murmured. "Fine."

She smiled victoriously and patted my chest. "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing," I shook my head, leaning it back against the backing of the couch.

"Babe," she started, "you can't lie to me. I know you too well. You're biting your lip... you always do that when you're stressed out. Is it the issue with Tessa? If so, don't worry about it. Girls threaten each other all the time. I've threatened girls, they've threatened me back, it's mutual."

"Yeah," I started, "but Tessa can't fend for herself. She's... Little."

"She's going to have to learn, Matt," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "You can't always protect her."

I ran a hand through my hair. "I know... But... Ugh. I don't know."

"I do," she said, embracing me tightly. "Do something other than study."

I chuckled. "Well... What's your suggestion?"

She shrugged. "Hang out?"

I nodded. "Sounds good to me."

Just as I leaned in to kiss her, someone popped up behind the couch.

And that someone was named Tessa.

"How ya doin'?" She giggled.