The Enemy Beside Me + The Liar Beside Me (Book 1 and 2)

Chapter 1

Note for the book club members: Try to leave authentic comments. Just...be honest. Thank you and happy reading!

--------

IF THERE IS A GOD, I want Him to know I hate my life.

Staring at my packed suitcase, I contemplate one more time if I could convince Mum to let me stay here in Zone 3. There's no way I'll fly twelve or more hours and live in Zone 1 for a whole year!

I want to unzip my suitcase and tear all of my clothes. If only that could deter my mother. Knowing her, she'd nag me for a full five minutes and then brush it off and say, 'You're still a little boy, aren't you?'

I will not give her a chance to use that sentence against me ever again. Although, I do have a reason to throw a tantrum.

I don't hate Zone 1. I don't think I've got any reasons to. I just can't see myself living there and leaving my mates and my new girlfriend, Jessica. Try to imagine the hottest person you've ever met, and I'm sure they are ugly compared to her. Ever since Jessica agreed to be mine, my popularity has doubled. Even those who initially did not like me are now all smiling at me. I know it's all fake, but I don't care.

If I moved to another country, would I have another Jessica? I hope the ladies in that Zone can match her. But I've seen how they look like, at least on the internet—where else? They don't go on holiday here for some reason—and they look like they haven't graduated primary school yet. My mum didn't raise me to be a paedophile.

'Mum, do I have to do this?' I know I sound like whinging—well, I am whinging—but I tried everything to stop her craziness and yet here we are.

Her brown eyes widen, warning me to behave. Her lips form into a thin line as she leans her back on my doorway, which has a non-existing door. I used to have privacy, but ever since Mum had found me lying down on the floor with a weak pulse, she had removed it the next day. To this day, she has refused to bring it back.

That was two years ago. We don't touch that subject.

'Yes. We've already discussed this,' my mum says, pushing herself off the doorway as she stands up straight. She must have also remembered about that day as her eyes glide to the claw marks on the floor. 'It's for your own good,' she finishes.

For my own good. Mum always says that whenever we're arguing. It simply means I can't do anything.

'Imagine spending your last secondary school year in a Zone you're not even familiar with. Do you hear me, Mum?'

'So, what now? What's your point?'

'My point? Come on...'

She shakes her head. God, I love her, but sometimes she gets on my nerves. 'You'll be spending your uni years there too, so what's the fuss?'

'Whoa, whoa, wait, what? You've never said anything about that! Do you want me to rot in hell?'

'You're overreacting, my dear. And don't use that word. You know I hate it.' She means 'hell'. Her hand hovers on her forehead, but she then drops it. Mum has always been an Evangelical Christian, but she used to practice the sign of the cross when my father was still around. Dad has been gone for nine years now. I guess some old habits do die hard.

'Besides,' she continues, 'it's your fault. Well, mine too, since I don't have time to dote on you more. But it's going to be fine now. Your uncle and Haru will make sure to look after you. Now, stop whining and let's head over to the airport. We don't want to be late.'

'Pants...' I hoist my suitcase and glare at Mum, who's now smiling. I know what that smile means. Please be good. I'm begging you.

I don't want to admit it, but she's right. It's my fault. I've been a truant for as long as I can remember. No, I don't have any boohoo stories. I simply hate school, that's it. What could it offer me? Knowledge? There's the internet. You don't need to spend eight hours learning that mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell. And I certainly don't need a dull teacher to tell me why there are countries that are yet to open their borders—basically, nobody outside their territories has seen them for years, no thanks to the stupid war.