The Exchange

Chapter 20- Seed of Deceit

Sasha appeared visibly shocked by Julien's question. Her mouth was slightly agape, and the end of her tongue partially visible. So now he wanted to take her to meet his friends? Or maybe that wasn't his main intention, but if she did decide to go with him to this gathering then she evidently would meet the other exchanges.

Licking her lips she was about to answer him when Annette shouted her name from the other room.

'Oh my god, she knows about last night' cried a voice in Sasha's head, echoing about her brain. Her heart fell into her stomach and her mouth felt dry.

 Standing up from the sofa for the first time in hours, her legs like strawberry laces, she wobbled past Julien. He watched her go before flopping himself down in Sasha's still warm seat next to Ben.

Annette was outside on the patio, holding a mug of tea and staring across the garden with a tranquil look on her face.

"Hi mum", greeted Sasha in a feeble voice as she wedged her body through the French doors and into the outdoor air.

Annette turned to smile at her daughter before taking a seat at the wooden table and motioning for Sasha to do the same.

'She doesn't look like she's angry', Sasha thought to herself warily. Her mothers face was calm and her composure collected, but Sasha had seen her flip emotions in a split second. And it was terrifying.

As Sasha met Annette's kohl lined eyes she felt a prick of guilt in her heart. They had always been so open with one another, and Sasha had never lied to her before. But as she sat down on the edge of her chair, she could feel an uncomfortable sensation constricting her ribcage. Her palms itched and she swallowed loudly.

Sasha's whole relationship with her mother was based on trust. But she already felt like she was deceiving Annette by sneaking around behind her back. This wasn't how meeting a boy was meant to be. Or at least not how Sasha had pictured it. In any other circumstance she would be talking to her mother and asking for advice. 

But now that she was starting to like Julien and spending more and more time with him she didn't want to tell anyone. Not yet anyway. At the moment it was their own little secret, just between them and no on else. It made her feel special, whatever it was.

Besides Sasha didn't like to think about Annette's reaction. Of course her mother wanted her to find someone. But an exchange who was living in their house, walking about with his shirt off half the time and sleeping in a room only 5 feet away from Sasha's, that could be pushing it.

"So where were you last night?" Annette asked, tapping the table with a finger as she waited for her daughters reply.

Attempting to keep a straight face, Sasha began to explain, "I went to the pub".

"With Julien?" Annette asked.

Sasha nodded, "Yes, he came too".

Annette leaned back in her chair and clasped her hands together so her fingers were interlocked. She smiled, "I'm glad you two are getting along so well. And it's very sweet of you to be showing him what life is like here. Did you two have a nice time?"

Sasha bit her lip. She was surprised at her mothers reaction even though she knew Annette would trust her no matter what she said. It made her feel even worse. Memories of the night hurtled through her mind; the amount of booze they'd consumed, their midnight shenanigans in the kitchen and the feeling of Julien's warm arms wrapped around her. Her heart swelled beneath her chest.

Sasha shrugged, "It was okay". She couldn't meet Annette's gaze, worried that her mother would be able to see straight through her. Worried that she would be able to see the cogs turning in her brain as she attempted to bat off each question with a casual reply.