Pretty Lies: A contemporary YA Romance (Astrid Scott Series Book 1)

by Blake Blessing

  I was going to kill him. It happened to me, and I needed to be the one to share it. He could screw everything up by not understanding my parents.

  “I said this isn’t a good time—”

  “I will come back with my father if you don’t want to talk to me now. I’ll let him know you weren’t interested in listening to what I had to say, even after I let you know it was important. He won’t be happy.” The hairs on my arms stood up with his threat.

  Did he know something about the church that I didn’t? Whatever it was, Dad heard him because he came rushing through the kitchen toward the front entrance without even sparing me a glance.

  “Rhys, it’s great to see you. Of course we’ll let you in.” All jolly, pretending he hadn’t heard me scream.

  There must have been a small scuffle as my dad forced the door open, but eventually my parents and Rhys entered the kitchen. When Rhys’ gaze found me, his fists balled up by his thighs and he broke eye contact. Other than that, there was no sign that he noticed anything. The handprint must be noticeable. I mean, my cheek was still on fire like a thousand suns burned under my skin.

  “Should we go to the living room?” My dad said as he turned to me, then stuttered. His gaze whipped to his wife, who had the good grace to look uncomfortable. Not remorseful, but uncomfortable.

  “You know what, let’s just chat here.” Dad took the seat on my right, and my mother immediately moved to take the seat across from me.

  These weren’t their usual spots, but the seating arrangements forced Rhys to sit on my left. My current good side.

  “Thank you for having me,” Rhys said like he hadn’t threatened them minutes ago. Although, he wasn’t doing a very good job of hiding his distaste of the situation. Or even my parents.

  “No problem, son. What did you need to tell us?” My mother stayed quiet, which was pretty unusual for her. She must have felt the displeasure rolling off Dad.

  I’d love to say it was because he hated seeing me abused. It was more like he hated that someone else saw me abused. Their reputation was now at risk. I was sure Mother Dearest would blame it on me.

  Rhys’ gaze burned into the side of my head, but I kept my own on the table. Counting the lines of the wood was actually kind of soothing in this tense situation. There were twenty rings around the knot in front of me.

  “Sir, there’s a group of girls targeting Astrid at school. Some kids pulled a really mean prank today and poured a cooler with live fish over Astrid’s head. I hope you don’t mind, I took her out of school to get her cleaned up. She was pretty shaken up.” Rhys’ voice was always cultured and smooth, but now it was distant and a little snotty. He truly sounded pretentious right then as he addressed my parents.

  I chanced a glance across the table to see my mother mew in concern. Fake. She was completely fake. She probably thought I slept with those girls’ boyfriends or something for them to retaliate.

  “That’s horrible! I can’t believe that happened. Were the teachers notified?” Dad’s hand grabbed mine and I looked up at him. He actually did look sorry. “Are you okay?”

  I nodded, not sure what I should or shouldn’t say with Rhys here.

  “I plan to go to the office tomorrow. Astrid was embarrassed and kids were laughing. It seemed like the best decision to get her out of there as quickly as possible.”

  Thanks, Rhys. You’re doing an excellent job of helping me relive it all over again.

  “Of course. Thank you for taking care of her. I’ll be sure to let your father know what kindness you’ve shown to my Astrid.”

  Rhys nodded. “No problem, sir. If it’s all right with you, me or one of my friends will take Astrid to school and bring her home. We plan to be with her in school as much as possible so she can’t be targeted again.”

  “That’s a very nice offer of you, but I don’t think that’s necessary.” My mother interjected.

  “Now dear. If they’re willing to look after Astrid, why not let them? If these girls are as serious as Rhys believes, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.” Dad gently chastised Mom.

  “You’re right,” she conceded but her eyes said he’d be sorry later.

  “I need to get back home, but can I have a minute with Astrid?” Rhys pushed back his chair.

  The tension that had slowly dissipated, thickened again. Dad squeezed the hand he still held and I looked at him. His eyes traced my cheek, probably to make sure it wasn’t very noticeable now. He nodded. It must have passed his inspection.

  “She can walk with you to the street. Thank you for coming.”

  Rhys stood and lightly touched my forearm as if he was helping me up. He followed me out and shut the door quietly behind him. Why had he come here? Was he really that concerned? He also deserved cookies for saving me, even if only temporarily. I kept walking until we were about ten feet from the house, then I turned and tipped my head back.

  “I don’t know whether to kiss you or kick you in the shin.”

  He smirked and glanced back at the house. The smirk was gone when he faced me again. “Are you okay?”

  I couldn’t lie to him. He’d seen the evidence of how my relationship with my mother was evolving. “I’m fine now. Thank you. I don’t think she would have listened to me if you hadn’t come over.”

  A car drove by and it took me a second to realize it was Thatcher. He nodded and kept driving. How had he known where I lived?

  “Give me your phone. Beck has called your rides to and from school.” He held his hand out, assuming I’d pass it over without a fight. I would have if I understood what he was saying.

  “What?” I couldn’t have heard that right.

  “Your number.”

  Another car drove by from the opposite direction, and Jonah waved. I laughed at the dorky gesture. It fit with his personality, but not, all at the same time.

  “Is Beck going to drive by next?” I smiled.

  “Probably. Phone?” This time it came as a request, so I gave it to him, and watched as he called himself and saved my info.

  “Beck will get you in the morning. When do your parents leave for work?”

  The curtains were still. No one was watching us. As nosy as my mother was, that was surprising. Dad must be having a word with her.

  “They’re usually sleeping still when I leave.”

  “Great. See you tomorrow.” He strolled off with his hands in his pockets.

  “Bye.” I called. For such a big guy, he had a swagger that other guys could only dream about. And he didn’t care. He really didn’t care that he was so hot, or wanted, or cool.

  Sighing, I jogged back up to the house.

  Raised voices filtered through the door.

  Fuck. Please don’t let it be about me. Please be about the mail, or the mortgage, or something that had nothing to do with me.

  I pushed the door open.

  “And I can’t go?” Mother Dearest was pacing around the kitchen, coming into sight every few seconds.

  “No, Trina. I already explained. This is a guys’ trip from the church. You wouldn’t have fun anyway. You hate being outdoors. It’s glorified camping.” Dad’s voice took on a reedy quality in his exasperation.

  They were clearly done with me, thankfully. I snuck past them toward the stairs on stealthy tiptoes.

  “What am I supposed to do?” She acted like she couldn’t survive without him.

  “Go see your friends back home. Stay here and make up to Astrid for the smack you landed on her.” He sounded like he didn’t care either way.

  “Right. Leave her here alone or make her think she wasn’t in the wrong when she clearly was.”

  I pressed my back against the wall when I reached the top of the stairs. Up here, their voices carried enough that I could make out their words, and get to my room if they started to come this way.

  “It sounds like you were in the wrong.” A cabinet slammed shut as someone moved around the kitchen. Probably Dad. I bet Mother Dearest was trailing behind him, fla
iling her hands wildly around her head.

  “You believe that boy? They’re probably having sex, and now you gave him free rein to spend more time with her.”

  “Trina! Give it up. Not everyone is after sex. You of all people should know that. I’m done with this conversation. Go see your friends. Who knows what you’d do if you were left alone with Astrid.”

  They’d always seemed solid growing up. Every once in a while, they’d have a shitty attitude toward each other, but not anymore. Arguments and angry hand gestures were the new norm. When had that changed? When we moved, or before? It was a sweet karma that they were doing a stellar job of making each other miserable.

  I edged down the hallway. Their conversation wound down, and I wanted to get caught like I wanted to spend quality time with my mother.

  Residual adrenaline thrummed through my body and I needed something to do. Too bad I was stuck in my room. There was always my laptop. With the portfolio review next week, I needed to get my stuff sorted anyway. At least now I didn’t have to worry about my parents and the guys were trying to help with the bitches at school. That allowed me enough headspace that I could spend the night looking through my collection of pictures, planning my portfolio and plotting my revenge.

  Balls of lead piled up in my stomach, and I seriously considered waking my parents and telling them I was sick. My fear of school was almost worse than my fear of my parentals. Almost.

  In the end, it was a text message that gave me the courage to leave the house.

  Beck: I’ll be there in ten, pretty girl.

  It was weird. There wasn’t any logic behind it, other than the fact he reminded me I wasn’t alone. I went down the checklist of things I couldn’t forget before I could go outside.

  My homework, my laptop, my camera.

  The hallway was quiet other than my dad’s snores. No noises floated up from the kitchen, so I was in the clear. I tiptoed down the stairs and out the front door to an empty driveway. Empty outside of Freda anyway. It had been at least ten minutes. Where was Beck?

  Pulling out my phone, I opened his text string.

  “Psst.”

  What was that? I surveyed the street for the noise, and finally my gaze caught onto Beck, hiding behind the huge aspen tree at the edge of our yard. Hiding might be the wrong word. He leaned against it, but on the other side.

  “What are you doing here?” I whispered when I reached his side.

  “I brought my bike. Rhys mentioned your parents were hardcore, so I didn’t want to get you in trouble. Come on.” He grabbed my hand and winked.

  Goosebumps trailed up my arm, lifting the tiny white hairs. The charm he exuded on the stage was much more subdued in the bright morning light, but he still had the power to turn me inside out with his attention.

  He led me over to a motorcycle. I wished I could describe it, but I had zero about motorcycles. At least I knew this was the part where he expected me to get on. Too bad for him I hadn’t ever ridden one before.

  “What are you waiting for?” He grinned and handed me a sparkly black helmet.

  “For a tutorial.”

  He laughed and started going over the basics. Don’t touch this, hold on to that, keep your mouth closed.

  “Got it.” I nodded and fixed my camera bag crossways so there was zero chance I would drop it.

  Beck swung on, holding out his hand for me. I slipped mine into his and climbed on behind him, using his shoulder to steady myself until I was situated. He paused and I waited for him to start up and get moving. Was he a meditator? It was like he was taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the early Colorado morning, as it gently caressed the street with strong fingers of light.

  “Astrid.”

  “Yes?”

  “Are you going to hold on to me or what?” His voice shook with laughter.

  I was waiting until he at least turned it on. Now he was making it awkward.

  “Sure.” I slid my arms around his waist and locked my hands together. It was a loose hold but still tight enough that my upper chest pressed against the thin white fabric of his T-shirt and his warmth seeped into me, rolling a shiver down my spine. If the helmet weren’t so big and clunky on my head I would have rested my cheek on his back, secretly sniffing his soft cotton shirt.

  “Astrid,” he sighed as if he were dealing with a misbehaving puppy.

  Beck separated my hands and tugged until I was completely flush against him, and he placed my hands over his chest. I gasped as a million butterflies started doing meth inside my stomach. Tingles shot down my arms and legs.

  If he noticed my reaction, he didn’t let on. We slowly eased onto the road, and the cool morning air coasted over my skin. Another, different taste of freedom, and it was glorious.

  By the time we were pulling into the school, I was so high on life, it wasn’t until he stopped right up front that I remembered to be anxious.

  Girls were openly gawking at Beck, and one girl started to walk toward us until her friend jerked her back.

  “Thanks for the ride,” my voice was low and revealing way too much of the emotion trickling its way back to the forefront of my mind.

  “No worries, pretty girl.” Beck grinned over his shoulder.

  “Hey.” Jonah appeared at my side, holding the straps to his backpack as he waited for me to get off.

  “Hey.” I smiled, ignoring the growing crowd. They weren’t there. I did not notice a forming group of gawkers.

  I took my helmet off and the whispers started. People were pointing and laughing. Okay, I was crap at pretending and I needed something different to focus on.

  “What are you all looking at?” Beck yelled at the crowd. “Pathetic. The lot of you.” He grumbled as he got off the bike too.

  He took the helmet from my hands and stepped close to Jonah. Anger rolled off him as Jonah sneered in the direction of the students clustered between us and the school entrance.

  “Do you need me to stay?” Beck whispered.

  Jonah shook his head and pushed his fingers under the strap of my bag, pulling me close. “No. These jerks are harmless. They’re sheep. Laughing and pointing because they think that’s the cool thing to do.” He looked down at me, and his glasses slipped down the bridge of his nose. “They’ll stop. You aren’t going to be this popular for long.” It was a promise. Only, he didn’t have the power to follow through with it.

  “I hope you’re right.” If this was my new norm, the twitch bitches would get a whole new normal too. One they would never see coming.

  “I am. Beck, see you this afternoon.” He pulled me toward the doors so fast, I didn’t have time to say goodbye.

  The hallway was just as bad. Jonah speed walked me to my locker and stood at my back, blocking the world out. Since I started watching Jonah, he never put on a friendly face. If anything, he mean mugged everyone because he knew he was smarter than they were. How did he get voted to Student Body President with that attitude? I was grateful for it now. If anyone thought about approaching me, they’d think twice. The intimidation vibes coming off Jonah were much stronger than I would have thought the school geek capable of. Quite the surprise.

  “I’m not going to break down and cry in the corner.” I spoke into my locker.

  “I know. But these assholes are pissing me off.” He was so much more crass than any other time we’d talked. I liked it. This was like the real him bleeding through.

  “What’s the plan? You and Rhys are going to shadow me every second of the day?” I smiled, amused their grand plan was to babysit me.

  “Yes.” Stern. Confident.

  “And when I have to go to the bathroom? You can’t follow me there.” I shut my locker and pivoted on my heel.

  There was so much determination in his eyes, my amusement changed into a different kind of warmth I didn’t want to examine too closely.

  “You can go in the boys. Rhys and I can both stand guard.” He was dead serious.

  They were being downright ridicu
lous. Now that I knew how dirty they were willing to play, I could be more careful, more observant. I wasn’t going to cower in the boys’ bathroom everything I had to pee.

  “Why do you both look like someone pissed in your shoes?” Rhys fell on the locker beside us.

  Great analogy, considering our bathroom talk.

  “Astrid thinks she can go to the girls’ bathroom on her own.” Jonah’s tone said I was poorly mistaken.

  “Absolutely not.” Rhys straightened up.

  “Whatever. We’ll play it your way for a while until it settles down.” But it wouldn’t, not until I did something about it.

  Satisfied with my answer, they both walked me to class. True to their word, one or both were always waiting outside my room, ready to escort me to the next one. Jonah was even my shadow during lunch. He invaded my favorite corner and started studying, not paying attention to me, but content to do his thing while glaring at anyone who came within ten feet of us.

  Any other time it would have been hilarious, but today, it was comforting. He provided a sense of safety in the bitch-infested waters of high school.

  Ryan about died when I entered the art room with Rhys on one side and Thatcher on the other. He was shocked enough; he didn’t say one word about how I ghosted him the night before.

  “Girl.” He said, but sealed his lips when Thatcher sat at our table.

  Ryan gave me big eyes continuously as Mr. Music opened class, until Thatcher and I were excused.

  “I’m calling you later. Make sure you answer.” Ryan pointed at me as I snatched my stuff and left.

  I loved Ryan, and he was the friend I needed when I had no one. But I wasn’t looking forward to the conversation he wanted to have. He’d want to rehash everything that happened, but I was happy to leave everything that had happened in the past. It might make me a bad friend, but I was going to push that particular conversation off for as long as I could. When it no longer stung to think about, then I’d retell my story.

  “How’s your day going so far?” Thatcher bumped me with his shoulder.

  “Fine. The worst offense has been pointing and laughing. It could be worse.” I shrugged.