Chapter 3 - No Knives At This Gun Fight.
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c h a p t e r s o n g - Surrender - Natalie Taylor
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Movie night was hell because I constantly wasn't paying attention to half of the movies and when CJ would ask questions I would like and pretend like I was listening she eventually called me out on it and demanded to know what was wrong with me, which ended up with me telling another lie–saying that I was just stressed at home, which she believed. Before the night ended that day Alexis called to tell us that Josh happened to ask her out which was incredibly suspicious. Questions flooded through my head at that moment but I couldn't not pretend to be happy for her. I was lying to my closest friends to find out what they were lying about, what a hypocrite I am.
At some point I actually considered just telling them the truth in hopes that they would understand me but that would only make things worse. I was torn but I had to do what I had to do. I was currently in literature trying my best to concentrate it was hard to focus. PE wasn't really my thing deciding to skip it and head home.
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As soon as I drive into the gates CJ is seated on the stairs to the front door, I'm utterly confused by this she has a stern look on her face it worries me. "CJ....uhm what are you doing here?" I ask, "Layla we've been friends for 14 years, I know you and I know when something is bothering you–you can hide it from Alexis and Dylan but not from me" she says then takes a long pause while I stare at her. "Senior year started about 3 weeks ago, and out of nowhere you start talking to Dean" she states looking confused while I stare at her "Meeting Ethan at Blues?" she adds and my mouth falls.
"Ho...How did you find out about that" I question. "Just tell me the truth Layla" she presses and I almost start crying but I remember we're still outside, "Can we at least go in?" I ask her and she nods walking into the house with me following. "Charlotte! Is that you?" my mum asks and I roll my eyes "I'm surprised you remember her mostly because you weren't paying attention half the time she used to come here" I say to my mother and walk towards the stairs from the corner of my eye I see CJ giving her an apologetic smile before following me. I peel the blazer of my body leaving me in my white shirt and grey skirt.
CJ takes a sit on the bubble chair and I sit at my desk while she looks at me expectantly.
"At Ivy's party when you and Alexis were dancing I went to look for Dylan upstairs that's when Dean pulled me into a room" I say then cough knowing I'm about to cry "Theo, Clayton and Ethan were also in the room, they explained to me certain things and I threatened to call Dylan, turns out they had gotten him drunk"
"What did they explain to you?" she asks and I close my teary eyes letting one roll down my cheek.
"They told me I had to go out with Ethan or his dad won't save my family from bankruptcy" I say and I hear her gasp "I gave it some thought but I couldn't bring myself to betray Dylan like that" "So what did you do?"
"I met Ethan at Blues later that week, he gave me a second option, I don't even know if it's much worse–I'm like his messenger bringing him secrets that could ruin people's lives if they got in his hands".
The night went by like that. I should feel at peace now but I only felt worse because I didn't tell her the whole truth.
My phone rang interrupting my train of thoughts, As Dylan's picture flashed on my phone screen I started to consider not answering and when I don't he sends a text.
Dylan, 11:56- We need to talk.
The bile in my throat suddenly rises and I don't know what to do. What if Charlotte told him? What if Dean did? Another text appears just then.
