I'll just pretend.

Deceived ~ (picture of Riley Moseley)

You know how it is when you have this candy in a colourful wrapper and it looks so good? The wrapper is so pretty, you dont wanna open it, you just wanna keep it. Then one day, after a long while of keeping and admiring the pretty candy, your curiousity gets the best of you and you decide that its time for its grand revealing, to taste it. Your excitement grows as you wonder what sort of pretty, yummy candy would be under this colourful wrapper as you slowly tear it off. The wrapper comes off. You stare at the candy before you. Its broken and chipped into a few pieces, an ugly shade of brown that looks like mud and when you taste it, you feel a strong urge to spit it out immediately. You throw it away disgustedly. "What on earth?!" You exclaim to yourself, hating the fact that you were decieved by a mere striking wrapper.

Well, its kinda the same scenario when I found out my parents were getting a divorce. Everything felt so good, so right. I had no idea what was really going on behind their charade of love- untterly, lovesick, fake love just for their daughter.

My parents are good at that. They used to sing, act and dance at Broadway before getting married and moving here, little Wapakoneta. I'm sure you've heard of it... Actually, no, of course you haven't. Wapakoneta is practically non-existent in America admist the other big cities known worldwide. But its really a lovely place, with low crime rates and friendly neighbourhood. 

Anyway, everything looked so good at home, right untl the day they dropped the bombshell, the D-word. Needless to say, I protested and yelled but they told me the papers were signed already -without my knowing!- and it was for the best (yeah, thats what they all say). I did not talk to them for a week, feeling betrayed and abandoned. Fortunately, I had Riley, my cousin to console me.

"DRACOE! Honey,you scared us!" mom cried, enveloping me in a huge bear hug. I sighed, not bothering to return the hug as my arms stayed limply by my sides. I looked at my father, standing in front. He looked tired, eyes pleading. 

"I went for a walk." I mumbled then slipped away from mom's embrace, heading to my room. Misery seeped through me, sending shivers of emotional pain through me. My vision blurred, I locked my room door as I do all the time. Another night after that announcement. I cried into my pillow. How I lasted throught a week of their divorce, I have no idea.

In the morning, I stumbled out of the house, half awake. Mom was soundly asleep and dad was now living in his old cabin. I walked my usual morning walks, talking to myself. "I miss them together. You know, not just acknowledging each other, nodding heads stiffly and all like strangers. No more family Christmases. No more love. Everyone thought they were the happiest couple. Well, then why this?" I sighed, bitterly hating my life. 

"You know, talking to yourself is an early symptom of insanity." A mocking voice called out. I half smiled and waited for Riley to catch up.

"Hey bud." she smiled when she reached me.

"Hi." I mumbled.

"So uh, I've got news." she said, a tinge of uncertainty in her voice.

"Yeah?" I prodded.

"I'm gonna move to New York tomorrow. To study medicine." she softly replied. My eyes widened.

"Tomorrow? NO! I cant lose you, I've already lost my parents slash family! "I panicked. Riley looked down guiltily.

"Sorry, I should've told you earlier but there wasn't really a good time.." she mumbled. I sighed. She was right. I've been in super emo mode full time since the D-word was revealed.

"Oh never mind." I replied, feeling guilty as well. We walked in uncomfortable silence, not knowing what to say to ease the tension. Finally, Riley stopped and hugged me, whispering that she had to go pack before leaving me alone at the pavement. 

Looking up at the pretty blue sky, I realized how alone i was. And how that has became my biggest fear.

Heart thumping loudly, I dashed towards Riley, not looking back for a second. 

I don't wanna be alone.