Life Of Lies

Chapter 2.

Melanie POV

Lucas: So, I'm Lucas, 20 years old since the 19th of July, I have one older brother Harry (he's 24, really old ;)) and a dog, Lewis. And who are you, Melanie?

I read the text and laugh a bit. "What are you laughing about, sis?" Eric's head appears from behind the door. "Nothing Ric, nothing." He nods and disappears again. My fingers fly over the screen.

Melanie: I'm Melanie, Mel for the friends, 19 years old since the 18th of July! I also have one older brother, Eric. And wait, 20 years old, are you going to college than or what?

I lock my phone and I look at the TV. There's already a fight in Ex On The Beach. Seriously, don't they have something else to do than fighting and drinking? "Eric, can you get me some water, please?" I yell. A few minutes later he gives me my glass of water. "Thanks, bro." He smiles. My phone makes a buzzing noice and Eric takes it out of my hands. "Hmm, who is Lucas? Your new lover? Do you need to tell me something, little sis?" he smirks. I feel that my cheeks are becoming red. "No, I'm not dating Lucas. We're just texting." He gives me my phone back and he smiles. "Good luck with your boyfriend, Mel," and he walks to his room. As soon as he's out of sight, I read the message of Lucas.

Lucas: I've been to college for two years and I graduated a while ago. Now I am working in KFC to have some money for an own house, because I am living in a little apartment. And you?

Melanie: I've never really had the chance to go to college. After highschool I started working in my parents restaurant. And I'm still working there actually. I live with my dad but now I'm living with my brother for a while :)

I look at the clock. 11:27PM. I should go to bed because tomorrow will be a big day. We will know if my stephdad can survive the cancer or not. I actually don't want to go to the hospital, but I have to be there for my dad. He has been through all of this without mom being here, so he will need Eric and me.

Lucas: Why have you never been to college?

Melanie: I'll tell you later, going to bed now.

Lucas: Goodnight Mel

Melanie: Goodnight Lucas

Lucas: I hope we will talk again soon

I smile about the text and I lock my phone. I run upstairs and put on my pyjamas. I also remove my make-up. After all these preperations, I climb into my bed. Just as I'm about to close my eyes, I hear a knock on the door. "Can I come in?" Eric says. "Come in." Eric walks in and takes a seat on my bed. "I just wanted to say goodnight," he smiles. He gives me a gentle kiss on the forehead and walks back to my door. "Goodnight, big brother," I whisper. "Goodnight little sister." He shuts the door and walks to his room. As soon as the light is out, my eyes can't stay open any longer.

3:15 AM, 18th of October

Eric POV

"Mom! Go away!" I hear. What the fuck is going on? I jump out of my bed and run to the voice. It's in Melanie's room. I open the door and look around. Melanie is still asleep. "No mom..." She's whispering. She must be dreaming about mom again. I walk to Melanie's bed and I sit on the side. "Shh, it's okay." My hands are making circles on her back, I know she calmes down when I do that. She opens her eyes slowly and tears are rolling down her cheeks. "What happened, sis?" She lays her head on my shoulder. "I was having a nightmare," she cries. "About?," I ask. "Mom.." I feel so sorry for her. Mom and Mel were extremely close. "What have you dreamt about her?" I ask. She takes my hand and plays a bit with my fingers. "Mel, I need to know. You've had so many nightmares lately. If they are getting worse, we have to fix it. But I can't help you if you don't let me. Just talk to me..." She looks up to me. Her eyes are filled with tears and I can see fear and anger in her eyes. This isn't good. "I saw the whole accident again.. Every single detail is coming back... It started last week, when I only saw that mom was walking out of the shop. But now, everything is there again. The shop, the blue car, the drunk man with a bottle of wine on his backseat, everything, Eric. These fucking nightmares won't stop. I don't know what I can do to stop them..." She cries again, really hard this time. I wrap my arms around her and I lie down on her bed. She stops crying after a while and she's breathing heavily. I close my eyes and I fall asleep too.

Melanie POV

The birds in the garden are singing and the sun is shining. I hate nature's optimism today. I always like it when I see a bright sun, but now I don't. I look beside me and see that Eric is sleeping next to me with his mouth a bit open. He's the best brother in the world. No one has ever calmed me down like he did last night. Just as I think that, he opens his eyes. "Goodmorning, sis." His hand goes through his hair. "I'm really lucky to have you, you know that?" I smile. He grabs my arm and pulls me closer. "Of course I know that, there's no guy better for you than me." I laugh. "I'm not marrying my own brother, I'm sorry." He pretends to be hurt and that makes me smile even more. "I'm glad you're laughing again, Mel," he says. I look at him. "Me too." I step out of the bed and I open my closet. It's the 19th of October now, so I don't think it's a good time to wear a dress or a skirt. Blue skinny jeans than. I take one of my sweaters and my underwear too. I close the closet and walk to the bathroom while Eric is still in bed. "Get up, you lazy." After yelling that, I close the door behind me. I wash myself a bit and put my clothes on. I also put a bit of eyeliner and mascara on. The last thing I have to do is brushing my hair. I take a hair band and I put my hair together. I walk out of the bathroom to the kitchen to make breakfast. I know Eric hates to do this. He likes to eat, but not to cook. I open the fridge. It's empty. Like seriously, I asked him to do the shopping yesterday. "Eric!" I yell. No answer. "Eric James Nores! Come downstairs in three seconds or you'll be a dead man!" I hear the stairs cracking. "What's wrong? Have you hurt yourself?" he says in panic. I cross my arms. "I thought I told you to do the shopping?" He looks confused. "I thought you were in pain! Why are you yelling like that because of something stupid like shopping?" He sits down on a chair. "Because, that stupid thing you say was supposed to be our breakfast. Now I have to go to the shop because you forgot. Thanks a lot, brother." He smiles. "I'm sorry, sis. Let me make it up to you. I'll take you out to dinner tonight." I laugh a bit. "That depends on what result dad will get today." He stands up and comes to me. "Hey, we're going to go through this together. You don't have to face your problems alone, I promise that," he says while hugging me tightly. I hug him back. "I guess I have to do some shopping first." Eric takes his wallet and gives me some money. "Here, because I forgot." I smile and take the money. "See you later, Ric." I put my shoes on, blue All Stars. I close the door behind me as I begin my walk to the shop.