Tell Me More Lies

Chapter 7: Sierra

The paint had gotten to my shoes and blazer vest.

I went by my locker after classes to get a few of my stuff before heading home only to find the inside drenched with paint. Everything was covered from top to bottom. Even between my notebooks. Paint had splattered to the floor making droplets splash to my uniform.

My cheeks were red with part anger and embarrassment. No doubt this was the work of Ayla. Who else would go through lengths to piss me off? 

Everything was going well so far, you can tell.

I scrub the wet paper towel hard against the stain on my vest, but it did more damage than help. Giving up, I sigh and discard the tissue on half-empty the bin. I open my stained notebook inspecting if the paint had gotten to the photo inside. 

It hadn’t, still the same the last five times I checked.

It was stupid of me to bring this to school, anyway.

She was still the same no matter how many times I wish she’d age with me, brunette hair spilling down her shoulders in long waves and a smile that hid a hundred problems. The only photo I have with my mother. On the photo, I sat on her lap completely oblivious to the illness that was eating at her.

Whenever I felt like I was starting to forget her face, this keeps reminding me how kind her eyes were. How toned her freckles were. How much I loved her.

I put the notebook back inside my bag along with my ruined vest and occupied a stall.

A hot sting came from the back of my eyes. Don’t cry. Do not cry.

This wasn’t a time to show weakness. They are not going to bully me into dropping out despite my mind telling me to cut and run.

The sound of chattering girls filled the echoing room before I could step out of the stall. But that wasn’t what made me stay rooted to my spot.

“That’s crazy. And they let her in?” a girl asked.

I hear the faucet running. “Yeah, that’s what they said. Even Ayla called her out on it and you know you have to be batshit crazy to spur her on. Haven’t seen her all worked up since Maddie, you remember that?”

“I don’t blame her, Maddie could be a bitch.”

I should go home but I don’t want to look like I was eavesdropping. Albeit, they weren't exactly being discrete either.

Screw it, I'm in no mood to listen to pointless gossip, not when I've gone this long in avoiding them. 

One of the girls makes a noise of what I’m assuming is in agreement. “Facts. Anyway, I still couldn’t believe they let a convict’s daughter enroll in our school.”

My hand froze on the lock.

I had hoped Ayla's little outburst would be long forgotten but I should've known better. This was RH, nothing goes by without a little story.

This time, it was about me.

My hands were shaking but they didn't stop. "I don't think my father would let me go to this school if he knew about it. Like, honestly? I don't know how I could show my face after that. And in front of the Pavlov brothers of all people."

"Me neither, I'd rather be shipped off to military school. Though, my nails aren't meant for service training."

"Tell me about it. Do you know what he was in for?"

"I heard he killed someone."

That was not true at all. My father was many things but a killer was not among them. I doubt they'd believe me considering I was biased. These days, rumors ware considered fact than the truth itself. And people always believe what they want to believe. Number was your biggest enemy in RH.

Something thuds on the sink and the girl groaned with disgust. "Have you seen the way she walked up to Julian like he was going to talk to her. Out of all people, she had to go for Charlotte's boyfriend. Talk about desperate," the girl said, humor lacing her tone.

Julian has a girlfriend? That shouldn't surprise me, Julian could have any girl he wanted if he tried.

Laughter fills the air. "I pity her, to be honest. Someone should've warned the new girl not to go for guys out of their league. I mean, did you see Julian completely ignoring her? I would've died."

"Hell, I would've let the new girl's father kill me instead."

A compact mirror snaps shut, startling me in the process. I was too intently focused on the conversation that I hadn't felt the sting of pain from my fingernails digging into my palm. "Wait 'till Charlotte hears about it. She's going to be pissed someone tried to make a move on her man. Hope someone at least warned her about Charlotte."

It couldn't possibly be the same Charlotte I had classes with in middle school? Like I said, Julian could have any girl he wanted and it was pretty clear to me when he used to stare at her boobs during lunch class that he had a thing for her even then.

I'm done listening to this.

I unlock the door and make a beeline to the sink next to the two girls. I make a show of washing my hands. Their laughter was gone replaced with shock. For a moment they stood there not knowing what to do. 

I can feel their gaze piercing through my back. 

Looking at one of the girls who I assumed spoke last, I can only hope my face didn't show that I was on the verge of tears. "Thanks for the warning."

I don't wait for their response and head straight for the door. I heard laughter before the bathroom door shut behind me.