Ugly Secrets, Pretty Lies

Four

"You like him?!" I squealed.

"OMG, Harper!" Lily shrieked.

"When did you started liking him?"

"Have you two ever talk?"

"Wait, did you two ever kiss?"

"Come on, girlfriend, spill the beans!"

"Does he know you exist though?"

"What kind of question is that, Lily?" I said.

Lily shrugged, a twinkle in her green eyes. Harper buried her face in her arms and groaned. 

"I should never have told you two," she mumbled. 

Lily and I had identical grins. "But he is hot, isn't he?" Lily says slyly. 

Harper raised her head and glared at her, but her cheeks were blazing red. "Not just that." 

"What's his name?" I asked. 

"Justin Ashford. We're partnered together?"

 "Partnered together?" Lily half-screamed. 

I whacked her over the head as some people near us turn to look at us. She scowled at me, though her attention was entirely focused on Harper, whose cheeks, if possible, burned even redder. 

"Not like that!" she said, "We're just partnered for a History project." 

"Oooooohh," I sang. 

Lily giggled. "Sounds like a match made in heaven."

 "But he doesn't even like me though," Harper told us quickly, "The only time we ever talk is when we're doing our project."

 "Whatever you say," I mumbled through a mouthful of pizza. 

She gave me an annoyed look, in which I shrugged. 

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. I huffed, since I didn't even get to finish eating. I guess that's what I get for talking too much. I stuffed my Sprite in my pocket and stood up, taking my tray and putting it on the table next to the trash cans. Lily crammed the last of her salad in her mouth and she and Harper followed me, leaving their trays on top of mine. Then we followed the crowd of students out the lunchroom. 

"Next class?" Lily asked. 

"Physics." The class we all have together. 

"Let's hope the old bull doesn't flip again when we come in late," Harper muttered. The late bell had already rang and only several people were out in the halls, including us. I tugged them along, speed-walking. The afternoon was going to be a long time.

-

I threw my books in my locker and shut my locker door, slinging my backpack over my shoulder. Then I walked out the entrance doors of school and over to Lily's car. She and Harper were already there, waiting.

"Come on, girlfriend, hurry up!" Harper called. 

I rolled my eyes as Lily unlocked the car doors with her car keys. I opened the passenger seat door and scrambled in. Lily started the engine as soon as we were all ready. 

"Whose place?" she asked. 

"Mine," I said. 

Lily began driving. She pulled out of the school parking lot and out onto the street.

"Thank god we saw no more of Blake Anderson," I sighed, leaning back in my seat. 

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Lily remarked. 

"Yeah," Harper chimes in. 

I turned around and looked at her, arching an eyebrow. "I thought you like Justin?"

 She flushed and glared at me. I wiggles my eyebrows, stuck my tongue out and turned back around, facing the front.

 "Oh, Quinn, don't tease her," Lily told me. But she was grinning, so I don't think she really meant it. 

Lily pulled into an empty space in front of my house. My drab house. It was silent and dark, since no one was ever there during the day to take care of it. Who would, anyway? I got out of the car and Lily locked the doors after we were all out. Then, as we walked up to the door, I fished my key out and unlocked the front door. Harper and Lily followed me in and Harper shut the door behind her. 

I ran to the kitchen and pulled open the curtains. I did the same in the living room and ran up the stairs. I went into my room and opened the window a little before dropping my backpack. Lily and Harper did the same before plopping down on my bed. I took my shoes off and my sweater, revealing a tank top underneath. 

"So what's the plan?" I asked.

 "Well, the party starts at seven and goes on until whenever so we can just chill," Lily said. 

"Get some food. Let's eat and chat," Harper suggested.

 "Great idea," I yelled, walking out and dashing down the stairs. Lily and Harper followed in a similar manner, our feet in their socks sliding on the floor. We glided into the kitchen where I threw open the pantry doors. "Let's see what we have here."

Lily grabbed a pack of chocolate chip cookies and I grabbed 3 spoons. Harper fished out 3 tubs of ice cream in the freezer placed them on the counter. I found a large bag of spicy Cheetos. We carried the food up the stairs and back into my room. I opened the lights in my room and closed the window and pulled the curtains close too. Then we all plopped down on my carpeted floor. 

"We have mint chocolate chip, cookie dough, and strawberry," Harper said, gesturing to the ice cream. 

I immediately grabbed the tub of mint chocolate chip and hugged it to my chest. "Mine." 

Lily laughed, grabbing the cookie dough. Harper took the strawberry, which was her favorite. I tore open the bag of chips and lay it against my bed. The package of cookies were open as well, sitting in front of us all. I opened my tub of ice cream and dug my spoon in, starting to eat. 

"I'm in danger of dying from heaven," I moaned, savoring the cold and minty, chocolaty goodness. 

"Talk, talk, talk," Lily sang. 

We started talking, about random stuff and hit boys and mean bitches and the party tonight. I just hope tonight goes well.