Mr. I Don't Smile

29. broken facades

29. broken facades

Ciera

"Ciera, wake up," I hear a voice murmur in my ear.

I rubbed my eyes and stared up at the sky. "What time is it?"

"Ten. We need to go back to your house. Camila and Clara are both worried. They don't know where you are."

"Do we have to?"

"You can't run away from your problems. You have to talk to them. Wouldn't you rather have it to be now than later?"

"You're right. Okay, let's go. I have to call Brett again anyway and apologize." We board my car and I let Theo drive this time. I really didn't want to be at the wheel. "How'd you get here?"

"Took a bus. I have some money."

"Thank you for being here, Theo. I don't know what I'd do without you. Probably have an emotional breakdown, to be honest."

"You're strong. You don't need me."

"Still helps." We went the rest of silence and I fiddled with my fingers throughout. I was nervous about the answer to the question I was going to ask Clara. I would forgive her if she really did care. But what if she didn't?

I had opened up to her and if it was all a game, then everything was fake. We had rebuilt our relationship, but if it was on lies, everything was over.

"Ciera, we're here."

"Huh?" I shake my head, trying to recollect my thoughts. It was time.

"Do you want me to be with you when you talk to her?" He asks when I still haven't moved.

"No. I'm coming, just give me a second." Theo nodded and left me with the keys. I could do this. I could face the family that lied to me for years.

It wasn't the fact that I was adopted—it was that I was neglected and lied to all my life. Why pretend to be my parents? We could've had a good relationship, it didn't have to be this way.

With one last breath, I get out of my car. When I open the door, no one's downstairs except Theo and Rosalie, who is playing with my dog (who I still haven't named). "Hi, Rosalie," I greet her.

"Ciera!" She says with a smile. "What happened yesterday? I was worried. And then Theo disappeared after you–"

"You didn't tell your sister you were coming to meet me?"

He shrugs his shoulders. "I thought you didn't want anyone to know."

"Don't have her worried though. I'll tell you everything later, Rosalie, alright? I just have some things to handle. Where's Camila and Clara?"

"The backyard." I nod and go out the back exit. Time to face what I'm most scared of.

Being vulnerable.

)()(

Both of the girls were talking but when they saw me, they immediately stopped. "Don't stop your conversation just because I'm here."