White lies.

Part 9

Chapter 9. Kim.

"You should talk to him," I say, watching as you crumple yet another phone number from boys.

"Who?" You ask, leaning against the seat and letting out a long sigh.

You know who I'm talking about, of course you do, so when I say nothing your fingers tighten at your sides and you say, "No, Kim, I'm not going to talk to him."

I sit up. "Why? You need to."

And you look tired. So utterly exhausted it hurts. "They're in love, Kim. I won't stand in their way."

"But... But..." I can't breathe in the narrow confines of the car. "You know you have to do something, right? Something big. Or your reputation'll go to shambles."

"I know. Don't worry, I've got it handled."

You don't look like you have it handled, but you seem to cling to your lie like a shield.

So I let you.

I sit back, crank the radio up, and say nothing more of the issue.

Your big event comes only two days later.

You blow up at him in front of the whole school. You slap him and you call him a cheater, a liar, and you say you can't believe that you ever trusted him.

You don't look all that upset, to be honest. When you're done you just look weary, not as angry as I'd expected you to be.

You take a tray of food and you drop some disgusting food on him. The crowd gasp.

I don't know why they are surprised. This is a show they wanted, after all.

Your boyfriend--ex boyfriend--looks almost pitiful under the lights. Then the nerd comes.

She yells at you, asks why are you doing this, and I sit at our table and watch. She runs a hand down his back and her eyes are soft when she looks at him.

When she yells a particular nasty remark at you and you rear back as if slapped and the crowd "ooh"s, that's when I know.

You're still in love with her.