No Lie

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

I really didn't have anything to pack.

I hadn't had anything with me besides my phone when I got here and that seemed to disappear.

I wiped the wetness off my cheeks as I looked around the room.

Cole had taken me upstairs and into Carter's room to get anything I needed for the trip while he waited outside the door.

I just kept looking around the room, not sure of what I was looking for.

I knew I should be excited to see my parents and go back home but it was hard actually saying goodbye.

A soft knock sounded on the door and it opened revealing Cole.

"You ready?" He asked, noticing I didn't have anything.

I nodded and followed him down the stairs.

"There's a vehicle waiting for you outside. You can call your parents on the way."

I nodded again, not sure what to say, when I spoke up.

"Wait, I need to say goodbye to Ava first." I began my way towards the kitchen.

Cole grabbed my arm and steered my back to the stairs.

"She's already outside, waiting to say goodbye."

Cole held the front door open for me and I couldn't help but search the area for Carter.

There was a black SUV parked by the fountains with a man in a black suit holding the back door open for me.

There was a small group of people crowding around the door and I could see Ava amongst them.

I walked towards her, tears threatening to fall once again. She was the nicest person I had met here and she made me feel at home. I would miss her a lot.

"-Oh honey!" Ava wrapped me in a hug.

I sniffed in her chest and pulled away.

"Bye Ava, I'll miss you."

"I think you'll be more missed here Hayden." She said with a sad smile. I noticed the worry creasing on her forehead.

"Ready? We need to make it to the airport in time." Cole said.

I said goodbye to Ava one last time and Cole lead me to the SUV.

On my way I passed by Liam, who seemed to be giving me a confused expression which I didn't understand, and Scott, who I had met earlier. He nodded respectfully at me and I quickly looked away.

I got in the vehicle and sat back once the man had shut the door. Cole went around and slid into the seat next to me rubbing his temples.

The SUV started driving and I glanced behind me one last time.

What I saw when I turned around, suddenly made me want to scream.

In the crowd, amongst the people, was Valerie.

She was grinning devilishly, her red hair blowing in the wind, and she winked at me just before we rounded a corner and then she was out of sight.

"Here, call your parents." Cole said momentarily distracting me. He handed me a cell phone.

I grabbed it from him and stared down at the screen.

"Wait."

I looked up at Cole.

"Your parents think you have been to an academy in California for schooling.

You were in town when the recruiters found you in Tennessee. There was a full scholarship and you couldn't decline. We called your parents as soon as we... brought you to Washington. They think you've been to West Coast Academy these last three weeks." Cole didn't hesitate the slightest as he sped through the excuse he had told to my parents. It was scary at how good of a liar he was. That's why my parents hadn't filed missing reports all over the US. They though I was going to school this whole time.