Lies of Livingston

Drama queen. And king.

LILLIAN:

    My eyes continued staring Victoria down from across the auditorium. By now, students focused all of their attention off of me and onto her. There was not a single soul still admiring my outfit which, once again, I spent weeks making and perfecting. It felt like patterns were once again repeating themselves as I found my spotlight getting stolen quite often when it comes to Victoria. While I was shooting daggers from across the room, my mind went back to that night and how Victoria showing up ruined everything.

    By now the party was filled to its maximum. There were around 30 kids here which, in Livingston, qualified as the smallest get-together you would ever see. Nathaniel did the best he could to put on a happy face and have a good time at my event. I knew he would've much rather spent the night alone with me, but a start of the year party was exactly what I needed.

I was proud of how he was choosing to behave himself. Normally he would have no problem walking away and being alone if he didn't like how things went. But, I also knew that with a bunch of people admiring the "perfect couple", he wouldn't dare make a scene. Maybe that's why I liked to keep other people around us: we have to continue being the couple that everyone so desperately wants to be.

    As we walked into the center of the room, more eyes continued to follow. I must admit, having everyone stare at me in my gold fitted dress that glimmered with every step made me feel powerful which is exactly what a good host should be.

    Nathaniel pushed my beautiful platinum locks out of my face and pulled me closer to him. Although hugs were rare to receive from Nathaniel Eldridge, a party qualifies as the right moment to get as much affection as he would allow. And I would take whatever I could get.

    I knew tonight meant more than the two of us were both giving off. While this party was about me and only me, it also doubled for Nathaniel as well.

     Our idea to take a vacation together came about a week earlier when Nathaniel claimed he needed a break from Livingston. As soon as I heard the word "break", I was sold.     I loved a good vacation and it would give me the perfect chance to show off all my cute summer clothes before fall came about. Our plan was simple yet effective. We would throw this killer back to school bash and then slip out in the middle, leaving everyone to mysteriously wonder where the two of us were. When we would show up to school in two weeks, everyone would not only be shocked to see us, but also thrilled, giving us the title of king and queen. Of course, Nathaniel's only part of the plan was to leave, but Lillian Summers couldn't just leave! I needed a grand plan of action to leave everyone wanting more and this party was the perfect time to do it.

    When Nathaniel let go of my hair and pulled away, I noticed a faint smile. I'm sure no one else would even realize that Nathaniel was smiling at all, but I was one to pick up on details. Especially ones concerning my boyfriend. I knew that my man was smiling and it was not because he was hugging me.

    I turned around to see the one and only Victoria Eldridge staring right back at me. Or I should I say Nathaniel. Every time she opened her mouth, I cringed. And this time, her mouth was wide open smiling at my man. Granted, I knew he was her brother, but that didn't stop me from still feeling the competition. Nathaniel always seemed to care more about Victoria and while he was supposed to be hugging and loving me, his mind was focused on his sister.

    "I see I'm not the only one you're staring at tonight." I said quietly, but with just enough venom to make Nathaniel turn my way.

    "You are acting paranoid. She's my sister, get over it." Nathaniel responded forcefully, not even bothering to make eye contact with me.