The City of Lies

Chapter 3: Bad Luck

In this exact moment my heart was in my stomach. With every bite of food I could feel Eli looking at me with a hungry gaze. The last thing any of us needed was for Eli to say something to Stella and have her hate me. Eli is Stella's boyfriend... How did I not see this coming it all isn't quite clicking in my mind just yet. Throughout dinner everyone exchanged words and thoughts on different topics. We talked abut how school at Hills Prep was and how John and I were nervous but excited. Until all of a sudden Eli pitched in, "So John and Bailey, do you like museums?" Stella shot a look at me. She didn't seem too thrilled when he asked us this considering Stella noticed his gaze on me all night. I couldn't help but think are all guys in the Upper East side like this? 

"Um yeah I find them nice." John agreed. 

"I was just outside of the Metropolitan Museum the other day, it's a few blocks from my place. you should visit one day." 

I gave him a slight nod and continued eating. My mom could feel the discomfort in the room and changed the subject as soon as she could. The rest of the dinner went as planned and it was nice getting to know everyone a little better. 

"Will you please excuse me, I need to go to the ladies room." I announced politely. When I walked out of the bathroom I was in shock to see Eli standing right outside the bathroom door. 

"Oh, sorry bathroom's all yours." I said. 

"I never knew the reason you were clearing your head that one day was because you were moving in with the Clover's." 

"And I never knew your girlfriend was Stella." I retorted. 

"Theres a lot of things you don't know about me Bay but it's nice knowing you're staying around longer." 

"I don't know what you're trying to do. We had a good talk that one night and that's it." 

"Don't make things weird, I want Stella to like-." Before I could finish my sentence Stella walked in on our conversation. 

"Everything okay babe?" She asked. 

Eli responded, "Yeah was just waiting for Bailey to be done." 

Stella gave me the dirtiest look which would haunt me for the remainder of the dinner. Everyone was too full to get up and I took the time to grab everyone's plates. 

"Thank you Bailey." Dave says. 

"Please call me Bay." 

As I approach Stella her plate collides with my white dress and my eyes begin to water. 

"Oops." Stella says with a smirk. 

I knew she had done it on purpose after overhearing mine and Eli's conversation. Not the best way to start off this new life. I quickly bring the plates to the sink and rush to my bedroom to change while also trying to fight back my tears. I could hear everyone at the dinner table talking about what had happened before approaching my room. As I was changing into my comfortable clothes I couldn't help but let all of the tears out. I laid down on my bed and wished for the day to be over with. I missed my dad and I missed my old home and nothing would change that. After about 30 minutes I heard a knock on my door. 

I wiped away the tears and proceeded, "Come in." 

The door opens and Luke begins to speak, "Hey, I know we just met but I wanted to check in on you." 

"Thanks but I'm okay." 

"No really, I see this all the time. My sister is a lunatic and your not the first girl she's mistreated I'm just sorry you saw this side of her your first night."