Our Mischievous Lie

Chapter One "Unexpected News"

<<Chapter 1 "Unexpected News">>

Song: Bad Blood - Taylor Swift

"Yes, darling, I understand...You know we'll always be here for you...Yeah, I know...As long as you want to! ... It's in three months... Yeah, no problem. I miss you so much."

My mother's voice echoed across the living room and due to her loud volume, I couldn't concentrate on the book I was reading. Suddenly, I could hear the sound of her footsteps coming towards me. When I looked up, she was standing directly in front of me with an enormous smile painted across her face.

"Darling, I need to tell you something."

I just stared at her, but she had awakened my curiosity. Blanca Stover was never cautious. She was more of the straight-forward kind of person.

"What is it, mom?" I asked.

Her face lit up like that of a little girl on Christmas.

"Jess, do you remember my friend, Anna Veltroni?"

I froze. Each one of my senses became alert. Of course I remembered that woman, but not because of her face or her charming personality.

"Uh... yeah, why?"

Keep calm, Jess. You can do this.

"Oh, nothing, it's just that..." She paused for a moment, as if to add suspense to the situation. "She's coming to my wedding!"

"What the fuck?!"

Oh my God. OH. MY. GOD.

"Jessica? What is wrong with you? You frightened me! God, I only said she's coming to my wedding, didn't know you hated her that much."

"No, no. I don't hate her. It's just that... W-why? I mean, she lives so far away and you haven't seen her in ages. Is she coming alone? Can't you... I don't know, withdraw the invitation?"

"Why would I do that? She's my best friend! Besides, you and Christopher were so close..."

At the mention of that name, my whole body tensed. Everything I had wanted to leave behind for so long, came back to me in storm of emotions that knocked me off my balance and made me look down to the book I held in my hands, which was nothing more than empty words scattered all over the yellow pages now.

That was a part of me that I had consciously wanted to keep locked in the back of my mind, in a drawer with a big sign that said "DO NOT OPEN". However, my mother, who remained oblivious to the battle I fought against myself, seemed to have discovered her own keys to the drawer. Did she really have to open it now? Three months before the wedding?

I had been fine. Hell, I had been eager for the special day to come.

Now, I could only fear it.

I needed a distraction. Now. I didn't think I could hide my misery from the woman who had given birth to me and who knew me better than I knew myself.

"Okay, mom. You've given me the news, now you can go. I need to read in peace."

"Do not play fool, Jess. We both know you had feelings for that boy. Actually, now that I think of it, he seemed really into you back then."

Oh, mother, you have no idea how wrong you are.

"Okay, fine, I did. But that was so long ago... I don't even remember his face, you know? Ha, ha. As if I cared about that sick family coming to visit us! Now, please, let me read my book."

I looked down, letting her know I was done talking to her, but she didn't go anywhere. I felt her disapproving gaze upon me and that made me very mad. I couldn't contain myself.

"What do you want, for God's sake? Let me read! I was perfectly fine before you came and ruined my quiet evening. The reason I decided to take this year off was because I wanted some peace in my life before going to college. What do you want?" I spat.

"Oh, it's nothing sweetheart... It's just that... You should start caring about that sick family coming to visit, because they are coming tomorrow. And they're staying with us."

And with those words, she walked out of the room, leaving me speechless and without any interest in the book I was supposed to be reading.

Author's note:

Hey everyone! This is the first chapter of my first novel ever :D The truth is that it's already written in Spanish so I'll only be translating it for you, english speakers, to see if you like it. I wrote this a while ago when I was in my teenage years, so a few things might sound a little off for more adult audiences, but I want to keep it the way it is. This story has a very special place in my heart. Please, don't be rude. English isn't my first language so I'm sure there are many mistakes everywhere. It would be awesome if you pointed out those awful crimes so I can improve my writing. Any criticism or advice is welcome ;) 

But please, don't be too harsh. My little heart is really sensitive. 

xoxo Dzoara. 

Oh! Btw I have a strange habit of attaching songs to every chapter, since I'm a firm believer that a good story is always accompanied by a soundtrack. Feel free to share, vote and comment!