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white lies

white lies

I guess this whole series of twisted events started on May 13th in ancient civilization class. It had been exactly two weeks after my sixteenth birthday, so I was happy during that time. I felt more mature, school was about to end, and I was bound to ace all of my exams. I was on cloud nine, and nothing was going to bring me down. I thought my day had only gotten better when my friend, Aiden, threw a crumpled piece of paper on my desk. 

I looked up at her, my mind instantly forgetting about the worksheet I was working on, and gave her a confused look. Open it, Aiden mouthed. I threw Aiden one last curious glance before my trembling fingers smoothed out the neon orange paper. It was a flyer for a party. In big bold green letters at the top it read: Party at Matt Dyer's House! I didn't even bother reading the rest before I rolled my eyes and handed the flyer back to Aiden.

Of course, Aiden wanted to go to a party. I would expect no less from her. She was constantly going to any social gatherings as possible. She nearly participated in every club and team as possible, and when a part like this came up, Aiden felt like it was her duty to attend them. I had attended only one party with her, and regretted it. Aiden was also your definition of a party animal. She drank, danced on tables, and threw herself at all the guys in our grade. I would absolutely not go to a Matt Dyer party with her. 

There was no other way to describe Matt Dyer, but the word jerk. He was rude, obnoxious, and self-centered. Somehow, he was still the most popular boy in our sophomore class. I still suspect that the only reason that he has friends and girls lust after him is his money. Well, parent's money. He was dripping with it from his car, to clothes, to his house, and to his other house. 

"You can't say no," Aiden whispered roughly. "This is the party of the year, Cora, and you would be a loser to pass out on this opportunity." 

"Exams are coming up, and I need to use every moment to study."

Aiden let out a dramatic huff. "Do you know who gave me this invitation?" Aiden said, her eyes wide with excitement. 

"Oh no," I groaned. "Let me guess. Matt-"

"The Matt Dyer. He went to my locker, handed me this paper, and told me to come and bring whoever I wanted. He even told me he wanted to show me his new car."

"No," I said, my voice final. I turned my head back to the worksheet, and focused on gathering all my knowledge about the first Dynasty of Ancient China. 

I loved Aiden. She was my best friend, and we had known each other since kindergarten when I offered to share my crayons with her, but sometimes she was a handful. I had gotten into trouble because of her before, and won't let myself get dragged down because her one more time. I was putting my foot down. 

"Drew Esmond will be there," Aiden cooed. 

My death-like grip loosened considerably on my pencil. Of course, Aiden would know what my weakness would be. Drew Esmond. The Golden Boy. He was perfect in every sense with great grades, killer humour, and stunning looks. I felt my mouth go dry every time I was near him. Despite my total awkwardness around him, he would occasionally give me a smile when our eyes met in the hallway, and sometimes wave. 

"So," I mumbled, feigning my obvious crush on him. 

"Don't you dare try to ignore how you and Drew are made to be, Cora Elaine Reza. He always give you the look during Biology."

I laughed out loud, but instantly stifled it when Mr. Raymond sent me a glare from his desk. I gave him an apologetic smile, and bowed my head down towards my desk for a moment. 

"Please do enlighten me, Miss. Aiden Lopez. What is this look?"

Aiden beckoned me closer as if she was retelling a secret. I leaned in, a smirk playing at my lips. 

"The look that says he wants you in his bed."

I gasped, reeling away from Aiden, and playfully smacking her arm. "You are nasty."

"You know it's true."

"Okay," I said.

"Okay, what?"

"I'll go to Matt Dyer's party with you."

Aiden flashed me a huge smile, pumping her fists into the air as if she won a championship game. 

"Please calm yourself, Miss. Lopez," Mr. Raymond's monotone voice called, his eyes still scampering over the school newspaper, not bothering to even look up.

"Sorry, Mr. R. I'm just so excited about learning. Wu Wang is a great guy."

The whole class snickered, covering their mouths and furiously whispering to their friends. Mr. Raymond pointed towards the door, silently ordering Aiden to the principal's office. All of the snickers suddenly turned into dramatized oohs. Aiden threw her bag over her shoulder, and smirked, basking in all of the attention. She stood up, and flipped her perfectly straight platinum blonde hair. I rolled my eyes. 

"Tonight. Tell your mom you're spending the night at my house," Aiden said, not even attempting to be secretive anymore. She rubbed her perfectly glossed lips together before throwing a piece of bubblegum in her mouth, smacking it loudly. Aiden walked through the rows of desks like a model, sashaying her hips and acting as if all eyes should be on her. 

I never thought that would be her downfall. 

*

I was never a good liar.

Well, let me correct myself. Lying to my mother was a piece of cake, but to my father was a whole different story. He would notice the tremble of my voice, and how I constantly shift my weight from one foot to another. He would observe how I would tap my leg nervously. It was nearly impossible to get anything pass my father. 

Nearly. 

"Daddy," I said cautiously, peeking my head through the crack of his office door. 

He whirled around in his office chair, his glasses slipping off the bridge of his nose. Minus my father's nerd tendencies and looks, he was one of the most handsomest men I had ever laid eyes on. Despite his age, his hair continued to stay full and healthy. It was the most gorgeous shade of strawberry blonde, and I felt honored to inherit my hair qualities from him. His hair wasn't only what made him gorgeous, but it would take to long to spot and go into detail every little perfection of my father. No wonder my mother loved my father so much. 

"Yes, bunny," my father said, motioning me into his office. 

I smiled, and stepped in, shutting the door gingerly behind me. I drifted towards an empty chair, and lowered myself into it. He wouldn't notice my tapping and jitters if I was sitting down. 

" I was wondering," I began, keeping my voice strong. "If I could stay at Aiden's house tonight. I'm kind of stressed about finals, and she said we could stay at her house and watch a movie or something."

My father raised an eyebrow, and I felt for sure I was caught. 

"Will there be any boys over?" my dad interrogated. 

"Of course not!" I exclaimed, pretending to be shocked. "I'll keep my phone on me always to in case you want to call."

My father hesitated, inspecting me closely. I kept my breathing easy and steady though, praying not to be busted. 

"Fine."

A huge smile painted itself across my face. It was just a white lie. A white lie is harmless, right?

*

here is the next part. i hope you enjoyed, and please drop a comment below and tell me what you think. this is unedited. 

- sarah