Chapter 2: The Old Life
Exactly two years ago, Kaylin was 15. She was young and in love with her gorgeous Russian boyfriend Lerrance Roshekvicks. Lerrance transferred to Kaylin’s school two years ago as a foreign exchange student from Russia. It was her freshman year and they bumped into each other in the hallway. Just a normal classic run it like any other. Back then Kaylin was shy; she had short hair that she always wore in a bun. Her outfits always consisted of the usual dark pair of MUD jeans and a cute t-shirt. When they bumped into each other, her books hit the ground and they made eye contact. From then on they always made an effort to talk and associate with each other. Lerrance was tall, about 6’2 black hair, gray mysterious eyes with a deep, but soft voice. As time went on, they began to spend all their time together, just as friends of course. Soon they became more than friends, their love for each other grew and grew. The school year had passed and that meant it was time for Lerrance to return to Russia. Kaylin decided to throw Lerrance a going away party and that’s when everything changed. The party was great, and everyone was having fun. It wasn’t a big group people, because Kaylin wasn’t the best at socializing like she is today. Near the end of the party Lerrance was completely wasted off of cheap whiskey and high from blunts. Everyone left and Lerrance and Kaylin were left alone in the house. While Lerrance was falling over on the couch, Kaylin was busy cleaning up. Usually she would have been furious that he was so drunk and high, but since this was practically their last night together, she figured an argument would just ruin their last goodbye. Kaylin goes to sit with her heavily under the influence boyfriend. They sit in silence for a minute, snuggled underneath the blanket on the couch. Lerrance whispers in her ear that he loves her and has something important to tell her. Kaylin felt as if her fairy tale dream was coming true. Could this be the moment she’s been waiting and hoping for, the moment where Lerrance ask her to come with him back to Russia? She thinks to herself that since there is really not much left for her here and she will be graduating in two years; why not go back with him to Russia. She leans in closer and looks up at him waiting for him to tell her his urgent news. Lerrance speaks with a slur, but spills out that not only is he not really in high school, but he is working for the RCSG: Russian Communist Spy Government. Kaylin looks at him then laughs, she doesn’t believe a word he’s saying and thinks that it’s just some type of game. Lerrance laughs, but not because he’s lying, but rather because she doesn’t believe him. He gets up and walks over to his bag; he pulls out an envelope that has the words CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION PROPERTY OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT printed across the top. He hands her the hard copied envelope completely sealed and she opens it. Kaylin reads all of the information and planning that included sending Lerrance to the U.S. to spy on its government and help the Russian Communist. Still unable to believe it, Kaylin scans the rest of the information and reads at the bottom where it clearly states: Lerrance Roshekvicks is a spy for the Russian government that has pledge to defeat democracy and spread communism at all cost. Kaylin drops all of the information on the floor and stands up looking stunned. Lerrance still under the influence doesn’t realize that he has just gotten himself into trouble and completely destroyed his cover. Kaylin screams and pushes him away and leaves in tears. Lerrance completely unaware of what just happened tries to go after her, but collapses on the couch. Kaylin lives in silence for the next couple days; she ignores any of Lerrance calls and completely avoids him. Lerrance does not remember anything from that night, but assumes he messed up and he and Kaylin had a fight. He makes an unexpected visit to her house and Kaylin unwillingly opens the door. She yells at him to leave immediately, but Lerrance refused to do so until she tells him why she is upset. Kaylin looks at him with disgust. Lerrance explains that he remembers dancing, drinking, and smoking and having a good time. Kaylin looks at him and says one word that Lerrance did not expect to come out her mouth. Kaylin moves close to him and slowly pours out the word Communist from her lips. Lerrance stands looking shocked and confused. Kaylin decides to refresh his memory and tells him that he showed her the envelope from the RCSG. Lerrance quickly has a flashback of everything: the party, the drinking, the smoking, and the envelope that lead to Kaylin storming out the house that night. Kaylin informs him that she is glad that he remembers, but now it is time for him to leave and that they’re relationship is over. Lerrance tells Kaylin that she cannot tell anyone what she now knows. Kaylin rolls her eyes and tells Lerrance that she can do what she pleases, but he should be lucky that she does not care or have interest in the government of the U.S. or Russia and intends to do nothing with the information. Lerrance is skeptical to believe her, but decides to leave the issue alone in hopes that she will keep the information that she has learned a secret. Lerrance explains to Kaylin that despite everything that has happened and despite that secret he kept from her, he really does love her. Kaylin accepts his sincerity, but explains to Lerrance that after learning this information, they can no longer be together. Lerrance does not like this arrangement, he begins to argue with Kaylin and tell her that his job has nothing to do with their relationship. Kaylin shouts him down with her response that trying to overthrow the U.S. government and take over their country with communism in place of democracy does affect their relationship. Kaylin puts it in plain words to Lerrance that he is a lying, manipulating communist which is why she is glad to live in a society where democracy is in order. This really upsets Lerrance and he tries to justify his actions. To defend himself Lerrance tells Kaylin that he loves her and doesn’t want to lose her to something as small as politics. Kaylin shoots back by saying that if it’s so small then why is he trying to abolish it. Lerrance realizes that Kaylin is serious about ending the relationship; this sends fury into his eyes and pain into his heart. Lerrance is filled with anger, but knows he must stay calm if he wants Kaylin to remain quiet. Before he leaves, Lerrance makes it very clear that Kaylin ought to keep the information she has been informed of a secret. He explains to her how important that information is and how more important it is to keep that information quiet, for her sake. Kaylin is a little confused so Lerrance decides to elaborate. He informs her that the information she has learned is confidential information that should only be seen by the government of Russia. He explains to her that not only are they spies, but some of them are also Russian Assassins and if anyone ever finds out that she knows things that aren’t suppose to be publicly known in the U.S.; she could be hurt or killed along with her family and friends. Kaylin stands looking stunned, she tells Lerrance to leave and that this would be the last time they ever speak. Lerrance leaves in silence fearful of what will become of the information that he has let out to a U.S. citizen. Kaylin sits in the quiet thinking of her relationship with Lerrance and more of a huge secret that can never be told. Kaylin knows she can’t tell anyone or else it would cost her life along with the lives of her family, friends, and Lerrance. Despite everything she still cares for him. Her dad enters inside and tells her that he just saw Lerrance leave and he looked a little depressed. Kaylin agrees and tells her father that they broke up. Her father asks why, the question she was hoping to avoid. She thinks about telling her father, but then her 8 year old sister runs into the room and she thinks again. Kaylin realizes that she cannot tell anyone or else dreadful things will happen. She simply tells her father that he cheated on her and leaves it at that. Kaylin goes to her room and decides to forget and move on. She is starting a new life, one without Lerrance and the keeping of a shocking and corrupted secret.