LIE

Chapter 18

"So if you had an itch, you couldn't feel it?" Rachel asked. She was talking about my eye.

Apparently after I knocked myself out, Wesley found me and carried me downstairs. I guess the way he carried me my eye showed.

And of course people had questions. Mrs. Carte told them to leave the topic alone, but I said it was fine. I knew it'd come out eventually, so why drag it out?

We sat on the floor in Rachel's room.

"I can't feel the entire right side of my face." I answered.

"Oh." Wesley and Rachel said.

I pushed my hair over my eye.

"You don't have to hide it anymore." Rachel stated.

"I know. I just don't want to scare the younger ones."

"Then you can just have it out around us." She said.

I shrugged. Good point.

"Hey Luc? Can I ask how that happened?" Wesley asked.

"I got into a fight with an iron." I answered.

Wesley snorted.

"Oh. You're serious." He realized.

Rachel swatted his arm. He swatted her back.

I chuckled, "You don't have to walk on eggshells around me. I don't mind comments."

"Just saying, you don't have to worry about the little ones. I think they've seen a lot worse." Wesley added.

"They've seen movies." Rachel chided.

"Alright fine." Wesley crossed his arms.

I chuckled again and pinned my hair behind my ear.

"This doesn't weird you guys out?" I asked.

"No." They said in unison.

"I think it's cool." Rachel said.

"Don't get me wrong; it sucks that that happened to you, but it's cool." She corrected.

Her saying that made me realize something for the first time.

A part of me is gone. And it's never coming back.

For once, I went to lunch. I sat with Rachel and Wesley.

With time, I eventually began to see the two -- and even though I'd never admit it, Hunter too -- as the older siblings I'd always wanted.

They treat me well, include me, help me. Care.

Rachel was tossing grapes in the air and Wesley would catch them in his mouth.

"Luc! Your turn!" She called suddenly.

I turned, "huh?"

A grape hit the bridge of my nose.

"Whoops. Sorry." She said as Wesley laughed.

"It's fine." I chuckled.

Then I laughed, and then I was crying.

"What's wrong?" Wesley asked.

"I just...used to do this kind of stuff with my friends!" I sobbed.

I reminisced throwing up in a restaurant because of a game. It was stupid, but fun.

Wesley pat my shoulder. "I think Hunter was right. You really should call them. Even if it's to tell them you're okay." He said.

"When did you last speak to them?" Rachel asked.