My Double Life

2 Truths and a Lie

As complicated as it may seem, there are very few rules to staying unnoticed. When in high school, there's really only one rule. Don't flirt with the most popular guy in school, or make it seem like you're flirting with him.

 I'd know him from anywhere. Ryan Phillips. Star football player, movie star parents, amazing looks. Okay, so I added in that last extra detail myself. Before starting school at Madison High, my partner Ed and I thought it'd be best to do a few background checks on some of the more well known students. Hey, might as well know who you're going to be dealing with for a year. Part one of any good strategizing plan.

 Not part of a good strategizing plan. Running into said popular boy in front of (maybe) girlfriend Tinsley Donahue. Heir to a diamond fortune. You can tell by the obviously bleached hair and overpriced clothes. Not a good way to stay blended in on the first day. And you call yourself a spy Kaya!

 "Um, baby. What are you doing on the ground with... that?" One guess who said that.

 "Tins, be nice. This is just a misunderstanding." Ryan tells her calmingly. Which by the way is not working because Tinsley looks like she's about to explode.

 "And with that... I think I'll be going. I'm already late. Sorry about knocking you over." I say politely in my best American accent, which by the way is fantastic if I do say so myself. I've been practicing it all month. The word squirrel still gets me but I don't think that that's a word that pops up in everyday conversation.

 I quickly make my way to the office to get my schedule and then head towards my homeroom. Everyone's already sitting as the teacher begins talking about a get-to-know-each-other game. Great. I slip in the back so he doesn't notice and not to soon after he makes everyone get up and sit in a large circle. And with that, people begin telling "2 truths and a lie".

 I don't know what it is with teachers and icebreakers. By this point in our lives almost everyone already knows one other. Those of us on the outside are either there by choice, design, or we're just new. Those meant to have friends will find them on their own. The worst part of this particular game though, whoever goes gets to choose who goes next. It's like being picked last for a team except worse. At least in sports you can just run away and hide. Here, you have to face the people who made you go last.

 An annoying voice started squeaking. Tinsley. "I won't marry a guy unless the ring costs at least a mil." Truth. "People think I'm really shallow, but I'm really not." Lie, what was that about a ring costing a mil. At least make this challenging for me. "My boobs are totally real!" Surprisingly, true. Everyone said this one was the lie though. "I choose Ryan!"

 Ryan Phillips's turn. "I want to travel the word helping people in need." Truth. "I want to learn French." Truth. "I love playing football." Lie.

 "Baby, that's not fair! Your last statement is obviously true. It needs to be harder!" That was the moment some unseen guy decided to make a "that's what she said" joke, but all I cared about was Ryan's answer.

 "Yeah, you're right. My first one was the lie... I choose Kaya."

 I giggle to myself, until I realize he just said my name! Why would he say my name! I haven't had time to think of what to say that won't give anything away. Aw well, might as well have fun and make that Tinsley bitch regret calling me a "that" like I was a piece of trash. I know Ed is going to be upset that I'm blowing my "nerd girl" cover but I'll still be the sick girl.

 "I have five tattoos. I know a foreign language. I've killed people." There were a few gasps for that last one just as I had anticipated. And just as I was reigning in my brief moment of popularity as people tried guessing which was my lie, Tinsley decided to steal my spotlight.

 "It's called 2 truths and a lie. You're supposed to have 2 truths in there. Not all lies. Idiot."

 "Actually, I have two truths in there. Truth number one. I have five tattoos." I took this moment to show off my five tattoos; a double infinity sign on my wrist, an open bird cage on my left arm, a dove flying away on my right, a bow on my lower back, and a phoenix on my left side (this one was a bit awkward to show but I think I got my point across). "Truth number two... je saisune langue étrangère. Je suppose quevous feraitl'idiot."I was very tempted to tell the truth and admit to knowing more than a single language, but that would also mean admitting that I've killed people and that would have been a tough thing to have to explain. And with that, the bell rang. The best sound that I have ever heard!

 I quickly got my things together and slowly dashed towards the door when someone pulled me backwards. Remembering I was in a classroom, I didn't drop kick whoever thought it would be a good idea to pull me but I let them pull me back anyways. The teacher left to go to the restroom or something, so it was just me and my puller alone in the classroom. I turn around and am face to face to Ryan Phillips.

 Okay Kaya, act cool. He's just a boy. "Phillips, want to tell me why you assaulted me just now?"

 "Wait. What? I didn't... I mean... I just thought that maybe you could help me out or something. You were speaking French earlier and I'd really love to learn. Maybe we could hang out sometime and you could teach me some things?"

 "Are you hitting on me Phillips? Because I really have no interest in dating right now."

 "I get it, you have a boyfriend. I mean, why wouldn't you. It would be strictly teacher/student." He actually seemed to be nervous talking to me. Popular jock Ryan Phillips nervous around weird new girl?

 "Well, I feel kind of bad for you since you're stuck playing football so I guess I can help you learn French. I warn you though, I'm not very good at teaching it, just at learning it."

 "Thanks." He smiles at me before catching what I fully said. His smile quickly fades. I just laugh and walk out the door.

 "You don't have to pretend around me Phillips," I say back to him before walking into  a crowded hallway full of strange people.

 I can't help but smile thinking back at Ryan's smile. His laugh. His lips.... no Kaya. Bad Kaya. No thinking about the cute boy's lips. Wait, did I just make a date with Ryan Phillips. Oh no, this isn't going to help me lay low. I quickly get to my next class so I can sit in the back and reflect.

Ryan Phillips. Me and Ryan Phillips. No, it would never work. Keep focused Kaya. Your job comes first. It could put Ryan in danger. You don't want to hurt Ryan. But what about me? I don't want to get hurt either.

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I got the idea for some of the tattoos through Cher Lloyd. Specifically the ones on her arms of the cage and bird and the one on her lower back of a bow.

Also, I used google translate to do the French translation because I don't actually speak French so if it's wrong I apologize. It is suppose to say "I know a foreign language. I guess that would make you the idiot."

-Natalia