The Thanksgiving Lie

Chapter One

(1524 words)

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*1:25pm*
*school*
Today was the last day at school before Thanksgiving break kicked in. And because it was so close to the end of the day, Miss Bustier had decided to give them all an even earlier break, by sharing their plans for that week with the class.

Mylene raised her hand eagerly.
Chloe then jumped up and was about to lay her own plans out. But Miss Bustier waved her hand to signal her to sit down.

"But I was first!", Chloe pouted.

"Chloe, we've talked about this. You didn't raise your hand. Please take your seat.", the slim teacher replied soothingly.

Chloe sat down as she was told, but crossed her arms and tilted her nose up.

"Go ahead, Mylene."

Adrien stared wide-eyed at the chalk board. For the past few days, he had done everything he could to avoid this topic. And he had succeeded. Least ways, to the point where he wasn't having to share HIS plans.

He already knew what all of his friends were doing. It was the same oh same oh, really. A special meal that was shared with their immediate family. With a few minor details in between that would make for the differences.
But his would be... Well... The way he figured, it would be like last year. Except for last year, he had had the flu. So he had been able to skip out on any Thanksgiving discussions with his friends.

But last year, he had made sure to eat basically anything that was known to be eaten at Thanksgiving. That way he wouldn't be left out in speaking of the meals they all had.

Adrien felt his heart rate increase as Mylene started speaking.

What will I say?? What CAN I say?? That my father works every chance he gets?? That he won't join me even at regular meal times, let alone Thanksgiving?? WHAT??? That I intend to go catapulting through the city as Chat Noir??

He softly blew his pent up breath from the corner of his mouth.
Calm down. Panicking will get you nowhere.

He forcefully removed the expression of fear from his face and plastered a fake smile on. Then he gently turned to stare at Mylene, as though he was thoroughly enjoying listening to her. Ah. The benefits of being a model. He then shut the world out just enough so he could think.
The only ones that know how my father is, is Nino and Marinette and Alya and Chloe. Chloe.

He glanced over at her real quick. She was intentionally ignoring Mylene.
If I need to lie, all I have to do is involve Chloe. When it comes to trickery, shes always so reliable.

His eyes squinted ever so slightly, before his expression fell back to his modeling mode.
Do I really want to do that, though? Is it really worth risking Chloe's affection? The others. They would help. I know they would. They would be confused at first, but they would help. And the teacher- why should she question anything we have to say about our holiday plans?

A surge of reality washed over Adrien. Enough reality, that his modeling face fell away to be replaced by an anxious expression.

He turned away to stare at the chalk board again.
Who am I kidding?? If I'm willing to lie about my friends, then why not just lie without them being invloved?? What's the point???

He groaned internally.
Arghh!! But what could I say??

As strange as it was, he found it more difficult to lie about what he and his father would be "doing", then to lie about being with any of his friends. And to involve Nathalie and Gorilla? Oh joy. What wonderful family plans THAT would make.