Secrets and Lies

Chapter 7

I woke the next morning feeling absolutely giddy. The butterflies in my stomach were already active before I even opened my eyes. Peeking one eye open, I could see the sun was already up, streaming bright rays through my bedroom window.

I sat up in bed with a smile plastered on my face that I just couldn't get rid of, not that I really wanted to. I had a date with Josh Evers.

My first date in a long time and with a guy I really like. The last date I had been on was a blind double with Lexi, her crush at the time, and her crush's cousin. He was nice but he didn't go to our school and we had absolutely nothing in common. That was over two years ago.

I threw on my favorite blue hoodie and went downstairs to grab some breakfast. When I walked into the kitchen I was greeted by the entire household, all eating breakfast and drinking coffee and orange juice. Apparently I was the last one out of bed this morning, which I would've thought Emma would be the last one awake, because usually she was.

"Good morning," I greeted, not making eye contact with any of them as I scooted around the kitchen getting food for my breakfast.

"Good morning, sweetheart," my mom greeted back. "How was your night?"

"It was fun," I told her, being perfectly vague. I didn't really want to go into detail just yet. I knew I was going to have to tell her about my date but I wasn't ready for her to start fussing over me.

I grabbed a bowl of Fruit Loops and sat at the table with the rest of my family. I ate it without looking at anyone, especially Emma, who already knew about my date. I was afraid if they asked too many questions I would blurt it out and then a million more questions would follow.

After breakfast everyone dispersed to different rooms around the house. I went looking for my mom to tell her about my date and found her reading in her room. From what I could tell by the cover she was reading some sappy romance novel. She gently swayed back and forth in her favorite rocking chair, one of the few pieces of furniture we brought from our apartment.

I walked silently to the end of her bed and sat down.

"What's up?" My mom asked, putting her book down on the end table. Her face was etched slightly with concern.

I wasn't sure how to say it so I just blurted it out. "I have a date tonight?"

"With who?" She asked with both excitement and confusion in her voice.

"Courtney's brother, Josh."

"Is that an older brother or younger brother?" The concern returned to her face.

"Neither. He's her twin so he's the same age as me," I clarified. I decided I should tell her more to beat the questions I knew were coming. "I met him at school."

Okay, that was a lie, but I couldn't tell her I meet him at a party since she didn't know anything about it. Plus, I did meet him at school... the second time.

"Where are you going tonight?"

"I don't know. He didn't give any specifics." I could see the skepticism coming through her eyes. "Mom, please don't worry. He's a really nice guy, you'll see."

"Alright, but I want to meet him when he gets here," she stated with a smile.

I went and flung my arms around her neck. "Thank you!"

~*~

I stood in front of my closet staring at all of my clothes, unable to decide on an outfit. I hoped that if I stared long enough one might scream "wear me". Josh didn't help the situations by not telling me where he was taking me so I wasn't sure if I should wear something casual or nice.