The Truth Is.

Chapter 3

SADIE

I changed clothing, avoiding looking at myself in the mirror. I hadn't truly looked at myself since that night. It was another common task I couldn't manage without anxiety.

The large door to my room loomed over my head. I almost second guessed opening it, but then I realized I was being ridiculous.

I'm Sadie Gallagher, I'm happy, I'm perfect.

I scampered out of my room, and stepped down our grand stairwell. People scurried through-out the mansion, rushing things to and from. I found Melanie standing by the pair of double red doors.

Her long nails tapped away at the phone screen. It took her a few moments to notice me.

"Sadie." She startled, looking up from her phone. "I didn't see you."

I didn't answer her, only waited.

She slid her phone into her pocket and tapped her heels. Her eyes scoured my body from head to toe. "You look pleasant. Obviously not of your own accord." She mumbled the last part.

She pulled past the large doors, and stepped into our extravagant courtyard. Gold fountains depicted angels crying pools of water around us. Bushes curved around the driveway, decorated with flowers as colorful as my sundress; or more accurately, Mother's sundress. I followed Melanie into the garage, where she began logging into our security.

First voice recognition, and then her palm. I remember asking Father why he added both. He said it was so our dead bodies couldn't betray him.

I was never a Daddy's girl.

We stepped into the garage. Beside the entrance, was a safe chock-full of keys.

"Our first day back has to be grand, doesn't it?" Her dark hair twirled as she moved about, snatching a set of keys and veered towards the left; where our Father's personal favorites rested.

She walked past the cars. In this section alone were enough cars to last a lifetime. Ranging anywhere from modern day sports cars to rare classic trucks.

Melanie stopped in front of our Father's red Jaguar. She climbed into the drivers seat, and immediately began checking her makeup.

We'd walked maybe 30 feet. How could she have messed her lipstick up?

I climbed into shotgun and immediately rolled the window down. Melanie threw on a pair of rose-tinted sunglasses, and backed out.

I folded my hands over the open window, resting my chin on my biceps.

Melanie drove down out driveway, caution be screwed. I clung to the window and shot her look. She grinned, and pressed the pedal harder.

She slowed at security, just to burst off onto the highway when the towering spiked gates allowed it.

"You'll ruin your curls." She warned.

"I don't mind."

"Of course you don't." She rolled her eyes, switched on the radio, and blasted it till we reached Trillium High school.

The Jaguar tore into the parking lot full of students lounging before class, blasting Katy Perry. She veered to the front half of the lot where Magnates parked.

I peeked at the back half. Dark eyes paired with slick hair and leather jackets stared at us from their shaggy cars. I avoided the jealous and hateful looks in their eyes. Not many Magnates feared Scants, at least not until they actually got into a fight with one. I wasn't a Magnate. I didn't feel like one even if I do look the part.