LIE

Chapter 9

There were a few things at the beach that solidified my relationship with both Evie and Indra.

1) Eating until we threw up. 2) Getting kicked out of a restaurant. 3) A punch to the face.

What I learned about Indra by observing him in the car; he's quiet. Very quiet. He's kind of impartial too. The "in-between" man, the "problem solver" of the group.

Evie and I couldn't decide on which station to listen to, but Indra swooped in as the voice of logic and suggested we use the AUX cord. That way we each get to listen to what we wanted. Mrs. Jensin could do nothing but agree.

Evie is the spitting image of her mother. Mrs. Jensin has a thicker accent than Evie, and at times it was hard to understand her, but she was kind all in all.

My family followed behind us. Evie got her wish. In a way. She only got a "hello" in when we got to her house. Her mother wanted us to hurry and hit the road.

The ride would take a few hours. I like long car rides, but I hate how my butt gets numb after a while.

When we arrived at the beach house -- we went to Holden -- Evie was already jumping on Winn when we all got out of the car.

"You're really tall! I haven't met many tall people! Luc's really short!"

"Hey!" I snapped

"I'm tall!" Indra stated.

It's true. But he's not as tall as Winn.

Of course, she and her mother noticed all his injuries. Apparently, he got them in a "wrestling match."

Then she gravitated towards Monique. I like to think it was because of her hair. I guess Evie has never seen a white woman with black hair. Even if it is dyed.

Chet was nice.

Izzy hung back. Socializing isn't really her thing, and I firmly believe Evie scares her.

"Come on! Mush!" Evie ordered and laughed.

She was on Indra's back now. They were going up the stairs. Indra laughed. When did they get so close?

I kind of wondered about his parents. He was at Evie's house before I got there. I guess they were okay with him going. I try not to wonder too much.

I started to help unload the car.

By sundown we were all settled in. Mrs. Jensin and Monique were in the kitchen cooking. They seemed to make fast friends. I've never really seen Monique hang out with another woman, so it was obvious she liked her.

Mrs. Jensin was talking in Arabic. Don't know why. But it seemed like she could hold a conversation with anyone in the world in that kitchen.

If I stayed with Evie, Indra, or Mrs. Jensin, my family would mostly leave me alone.

At the time, the three of us were sitting downstairs playing card games.

Evie exclaimed in Arabic when Indra beat her. Again.

I chuckled lightly. We were playing Bullshit. Thankfully, no one minded us yelling "bullshit" every now and again.

Evie grumbled as she took the deck. I had two cards left: an eight and a two. We were only on "three" and it was almost my turn. At least I'd get more cards. 

Whelp, we both lost -- Evie and I -- Indra has no sense of mercy. 

"Hey, you guys," Winn called with an unlit cigarette hanging from his lips.

"Dinner's ready." He said.

The second he turned around to light his cigarette Mrs. Jensin pulled it from his mouth.