Deception

Chapter 24

53 and 52 days before (part one)

"Yeah, I miss you too." I answered her, placing the cigarette back between my lips.

"It was hell today. This is like my fourth detention from Harden since the semester began." she growled. I concentrated on her voice as she explained what she did to get an hour after school, soaking in every syllable. "I don't think he understands that I handed it in two weeks ago."

"Why did you even take the class again? All you need is your last Calculus class." I had explained the benefits of being a senior almost five times to her but she insisted on keeping her classes.

She sighed. "Colleges don't like that." I bet she was crossing her arms as she went on about how dropping classes showed laziness and no ambition.

"I read the article too, Anna." I blew smoke rings into the air, well, more or less. They didn't quite resemble rings but they were close enough. "But you've already been accepted and doesn't getting off at noon sound better than staying the entire day."

"Does it sound better to you?" she laughed. It took me a while to understand her terrible innuendo but all I could do was roll my eyes.

"Oh God."

"You know it was funny." she giggled. "But how was your day?"

I took in the state of my temporary room at my father's house and decided not to tell her what really happened. "Considering it's been raining all day and my dad didn't force me to go anywhere with him, it was fine." The rain wasn't the only reason he hadn't spoken to me.

"Rain never stopped him before." she pointed out. She was right, but I had hoped she would let it go. "What really happened?"

"What makes you think something happened?" I fiddled with the lighter in my free hand.

"Because at first you had plans with him yesterday then an hour later I call back and you two aren't even speaking." Her ability to see through every lie I'd ever told scared me.

"I said something I shouldn't have. That's all." It was a partial truth. I guess. She hummed, pushing me to go on. "I mentioned Candy in front of his date."

"Candy the stripper?" she questioned.

"Sure." I usually played Fucking Candy off as just a stripper, instead of what she really was.

"Why?" She, of all people, should've understood why I did it. I knew she still loathed the mere presence of Micheal in her house.

"I couldn't help it." I shrugged, putting out the cigarette on the nightstand and lighting a new one. "Stop asking questions."

She sighed again, but didn't go on. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."

"Why?"

"I'm going out with Liam." she simply answered.

"Again." I asked, failing at another attempt at a smoke ring.

"Yes, again. And I have to get ready so,"

"I'll be back before midnight and I want to come over." I lit another cigarette beforehand and swapped them before my mouth could miss the taste of nicotine.

She was silent for a minute and I heard rustling in the background along with Liam's demands for her to hurry up. "The key is taped to the underside of the mailbox. Let yourself in. Bye." She rushed, hanging up. I took painfully long drags on what was my fifth or sixth cigarette, waiting until I could feel her in my arms again.

~

"I bet your dating life wasn't that great in high school." I heard her loud laugh as I pushed the door open. She was sprawled across Liam's lap with one hand in a bowl of popcorn and the other resting on top of his hand that was conveniently placed on her stomach, tracing circles above her belly button.