The Blackmail Dilemma

Dare Me To Lie

"I have to catch up on work during lunch. Sorry, Stac," I said. My nerves felt like they were on fire. I hated lying to people I trusted. At least, I was supposed to trust them. Lying just got easier and easier the more I realize what kind of people they were. I felt like they'd been lying to me for a long time; at least, lying about who they were.

Stacie pouted. "Oh, dear Kiley. Why don't you do your work in class?

I wanted to shout that it was her fault for distracting me during class. She made me cause scenes in the middle of class. Maybe she wanted to destroy my education.

"Oh, it's not as important as you guys," I giggled. Every part of that sentence was forced. It almost stung coming from my lips. I hated putting on an act, but I had to. Ever since the incident, I'd had to wear a mask of indifference.

Nina and Stacie waved their goodbyes. I watched them go, unsure of how to think.

"Hey!" Kalila chirped.

I jumped. "Oh, you scared me."

She laughed, then nudged her cousin. "You better not be grumpy."

He waved a hand. "Me? Never."

She rolled her eyes, then turned back to me. "Come on, let's go!"

"So, where are we going? Fast food?" I questioned, trailing behind them.

Kalila slowed down, matching my pace. "Of course not, silly."

"I don't want you to pay too much for me," I said sheepishly.

"You're paying for her?"August snorted.

"Oh, hush," his cousin laughed.

There was barely anyone left in the hallway. People were walking in the opposite direction, probably towards the cafeteria. A part of me wanted to shrink back and join the crowd. I wanted to go and join Stacie and Nina. Like the few people lingering, clustered in pairs of two or groups of at least three, I wanted to stick with what I knew. I wanted to cling to the only people I had. I needed someone, because I couldn't drift through the hallways of life alone.

Kalila smiled, chin held high. August rolled his eyes at his cousin. He seemed to study me out of the corner of his eye, and my anxiety kicked in. My heart hammered, and I kept my eyes straight in front of me. As we walked out to a cloudy sky, I considered having Kalila and August as friends. I quickly dismissed the thought. They wouldn't stay with a mess like me.

We crossed the street and kept walking straight down a new street. I somehow ended up in the middle of the two. The walk was surprisingly silent so far, and I enjoyed the hum of the city. I enjoyed the fresh breeze on my face, along with the clouds above taunting rain.

"Why did you let her slap you?"

I startled, stopping in my tracks.

"August!" Kalila scolded.

He held up a hand to her, his dark gaze fixed on me. "No. You burned a jersey like you own the world-"

"August!"
"-but you let your supposed friends push you around?"

I blinked at him. Anger rose within me. Maybe it was because I knew he was right. Yet, I didn't need anyone in my business. I didn't need someone trying to point out my problems. My fists clenched by my sides. The thing was, someone else had noticed. It wasn't just me being stupid and rash.

But they were all I had. They were all I'd ever have.

"What are you talking about?"

Kalila placed a hand on my shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. He's just being stupid."