LIE

Chapter 20

I like it here. I like it with the Bensons. And I like them. Although, I haven't really let my guard down yet. It's only been a week. Give it some time.

"Come on, Luc!" Jeanette called.

I lagged behind them as I carried a plastic container of pineapples. We were going on a picnic.

Never been on one.

Jason helped Brian set down the blanket. It was a windy day, so they had to use rocks to keep the blanket down.

Luckily the weather worked in our favor today. It's fairly warm for the middle of October.

I set the pineapples down and sat on my knees. Jeanette sat down beside me. The other two were in front of us.

Jeanette opened the basket and passed out sandwiches.

"So Luc, how was your first week of school?" She asked.

"Okay." I answered.

"Just 'okay?' Have you made any friends?" She asked with a concerned look.

Jason scoffed then laughed, "He doesn't talk to anybody! He just walks around with his head down and hood on!"

I looked at Jeanette, "It's true."

She nodded.

"What about you, Jason?"

"The usual; nothing interesting." He answered.

"Really?" Jeanette sighed.

"Alright," Jason paused, "there was a fight in the lunchroom."

"Someone got thrown across a table." He finished with a confident nod.

It's true. I saw it.

Jeanette sighed and shook her head.

"Brian?" She questioned.

"Cut a guy open." He said simply.

I snapped my head up. "Did he live?"

"Yes." Brian answered.

With Brian, I found he's a man of few words, but when he feels like speaking he gets really deep. Or medical.

"Cool." I gasped quietly.

"Jeanette?" Brian asked.

"Not much. Just fixin' people up." She answered.

For doctors those two sure are very open.

I bit into my sandwich. Yay! Peanut butter and jelly!

I ate a small pineapple chunk. They taste good, but sting my tongue.

We chat amongst each other and enjoyed the picnic.

The next day Jeanette took me clothes shopping.

"It's okay! Really! I don't need any new clothes." I pleaded with her.

"A sweathood, shirt, pair of jeans, and shoes is not a wardrobe, my love."

"So just pick out anything you like and I'll get it for you." She said.

I'm not getting out of this, am I?

As I scanned aisles, Jeanette followed behind me.

I saw a black faux leather jacket that caught my eye.

I pulled on the sleeve to show it to Jeanette.

"No color?" She asked.

I looked at the jacket.