His Unobtainable Mate

Chapter 3: Art of Lies

I was caught by my Mother, I forgot Feya is still annoyed at me for the reason that I stood up to his jerk s***h varsity crush. I can’t believe she refused to cover for me this time, ouch.

“Mom, I… uh…”

“No more lies, Dexy. Are you with…”

“I like him, Mom.”

It was the only thing I could think of.

“Chad? You like that boy? The exact boy I told you to stay away from?”

“We don’t choose who we are going to fall for Mom.”

“How about him, he likes you back?”

I must deny this, my Mother will spread this news instantly if she discovered we are dating.

“Mom, he’s straight, he likes me as a friend though, and that’s what we are, please don’t take it away from me.”

“But Dexy sweetheart, you deserve so much more than just settling for a friend just because it’s the only thing that he can give you.”

“It’s not about what I deserve Mom, it’s about what I want, and I want to be friends with him.”

My mother let out a small sigh, I knew she is very fond of love, she will understand me.

“Still, he lied in front of us Dexy, inside our house, I clearly heard him said that his Father’s work is here but then I went to our Town’s public records and found out he is in a wheelchair, that is no doubt a lie.”

I’m sorry Mom if I’m going to tell plenty of lies for now, but this is the only way.

“I already talked to Chad about that, he was just ashamed of the current situation they are in. The real reason they moved out… is because of financial problems.”

My mother seemed to be buying my story, I just genuinely hope she doesn’t go as far as literally interviewing the Andrews just for confirmation.

“Is that so? But whatever the context, lying is wrong. No matter the stakes, we as people have this moral to always tell the truth, you know what happened at the watermelon vendor near the Church? He lied to the Mayor and now look at him, he was exiled from his stall position.”

Bla bla.

“Chad wants to make it up to us. Can he visit again?”

“Hmmm, maybe I really did overjudge his family, but you know I was only looking out for you, okay, fine, your Father is coming home this Thursday, their project is currently on hold, Chad can come.”

“You sure? Should I really invite him when Dad is here?”

“He already knows about that Chad friend of yours, we talked about it over the phone, and you know, he agreed that Woodland Cove is an unsafe place, Just like what I told you.”

“So you and Dad are only going to press on Chad again?”

“No, I’ll make this right Dexy, maybe I was wrong, if you really like him, I want to see what it is about him that you saw.”

Everything about him, everything.

“Well, he got good looks Mom.”

“But Dexy, I still didn’t like that you hid it from me, you could have just told me you like him. Maybe I could have given more consideration, because anything that you love, I’ll try to love to, that’s how much I love you Dexy.”

“So you’re not going to tell me to stay away from him anymore?”

“For his character, not anymore, but their homeland origins are still making me worried. Those were true Dexy, the people who went missing but were never found again, maybe he knows something, let’s clear it out when he visits.”

Geez, it looked like I have to formulate lies with Chad again about why people disappeared in their town. But to think of it, Chad never answered that when I confronted him, maybe it was time for me too to get full answers this time.

“Okay, Mom.”

It was a tiring day as I embrace the soft cushions of my bed, I felt kind of guilty lying to my Mom, but maybe this is just right because everything will hopefully be fixed. Thanks to the art of lies, we can cover up the ugly truths that we can’t accept yet. I just wished that all of this will be worth it in the end.

I texted Chad that I am already home as I promised, I have to prepare him for Thursday, our statements should be flawless, it’s the only way to remove my Mother from our stack of problems.

The next day, I was eager to talk to Chad about the status of our situation with my Mother. After class, I went to him as fast as I can.

“Hey, we need to talk.”

“Actually, about that, my Father started building another barn for our animals, he needs my help today.”

“Is that so? Tomorrow then.”

“Of course at our tree, Dexy.”

I stared at him as he traced his way home, I got nothing to do I guess, Feya’s still mad, she will not be up for a cup of tea. But since I was still curious about the mysterious howl on the field, I decided to go there for a while.

The cheerleaders were having their cheering routine as usual, but I think their squad captain is missing. The one and only, the self-entitled queen of Starcade University, Cherry. I think for the record she almost dated all the hot guys in school, short story is, she’s a slut. Gazing out in the field, I am lost in thought about where could that sound came from, but I have no clue. Once more I explored the side of the field where the dumpster lies when I heard a different kind of strange sound. It was a sound of moaning and groaning, what the?

As I sneak in, a couple seemed to be having a good time in one of the abandoned cars, ew, how dirty, couldn’t think of a better place to have s*x? I was about to leave the scene when the car opened so I just hid in the pile of garbage. Cherry came out of it, that’s no surprise but the man…

It was Finn.

I knew they were dating before but they broke up because Cherry doesn’t want to be tied up to one man only.

“You were great, as always Cherry.”

“Don’t overdo it, I needed it to, I’m stressed at some of the dumb girls in my squad who can’t follow basic steps.”

“I hope they never get it right.”

“We’ll see.”

The two kissed one more time before finally leaving and parting in different ways. That was just so twisted, they were doing it as a stress reliever? Lol. I knew I have to tell this to Feya, I can’t just sit here knowing she’s being courted by someone who likes to have s*x with their ex at the untidy dumpster of the school, well, at least that’s one place where he belongs.

I texted Feya immediately to know where she is.

“Hey, where are you right now? Can we talk?”

But I got nothing, no reply. She’s still mad, I guess.

“Hey, Dex!”

I was startled when El-Jay called me from behind, he was with Lylia.

“Oh, Hi, what are you two doing here?”

“We are heading to Caleb’s, you want to join us?”

“No, thank you but do you happen to know where Feya could be?”

“Are you two finally okay?”

“No, but I’m trying to… make it okay.”

“Go Dex, I think she and Finn have a date today but the jerk canceled, so Feya just went home, that’s what she told me earlier.”

“Thank you so much El-Jay and Lylia, have fun.”

I headed to Feya’s house, I really needed to talk to her. As I rang the doorbell, she came out and we both pulled out a smile even if it was awkward.

“We need to talk.”

“What is it?”

“I saw Finn today he was with Cherry doing it in the school’s dumpster.”

“So this is about Finn again?”

“Feya I am not making this up, I saw them with my eyes, I am not a liar.”

“Oh, I think you are, you’ve used my name countless times as a reason to your Mother, just like yesterday, where did you really go huh?”

No, I can’t tell her I was with Chad, because why would I go there, I don’t need another person getting suspicious of us.

“I… can’t tell you.”

“Then I can’t trust you. If you don’t like Finn for me, just stay away, don’t’ go saying nasty things about him that aren't true.”

“Feya you have to believe me! He’s still having s*x with his ex, you don’t deserve that.”

“Are you done? If so, you can leave.”

“Fine, but don’t’ tell me I didn’t warn you when the truth comes out.”

She looked at me one last time and then got into her house. I should’ve taken videos of those two earlier if only I knew who they are when they were inside the car. My situation with Feya seemed to be deteriorating, all because of that jerk. I just went home to end the day, I don’t know to solve all my problems, it was just so frustrating and exhausting.

I was finally able to talk to Chad after class the next day at our favorite spot.

“Come to my house this Thursday.”

“Your Mother is finally cool with me again?”

“I told her I like you.”

It was evidently perceivable that Chad was shocked by what I said.

“But I didn’t tell her you like me too, it was the only way to get her to drop her rage against you.”

“And she wants me to come?”

“She still wants to ask questions, along with my Dad, he’s coming home this Thursday.”

“Questions about?”

“Questions that me myself would like some answers as well. You didn’t answer me last time, why did some people go missing in Woodland Cove?”

“What do you think? You think we ate them?”

“No, so tell me the truth.”

“We don’t eat people Dexy, only the animals that we are taking care of. But for those people who vanished… yes they were attacked by werewolves.”

“What!? I’m confus…”

“It was another pack, the one who drove us out of our territory. Although like us, they were able to practice eating live animals instead of people, sometimes they can’t resist their temptations for human blood, especially if they are celebrating something.”

Listening to Chad just gave me spine chills, realizing there are still those dangerous werewolves in our world.

“s**t, how could I explain that to my Mom…”

I need to think of believable stories I can feed to my Mother, telling her those people were eaten by werewolves would only worsen her worriedness towards Woodland Cove.

“How about it just stays a mystery? I’ll tell her I don’t know anything and that is one of the reasons why our family wanted to move out.”

“That would work, but it wouldn’t kill her curiousness, but at least you and your family will be out of the picture.”

“That’s it then?”

“Yeah, see you on Thursday.”

Thursday came and I was about to meet Chad at the back of our school for the reason that we realized if our friends will see us going somewhere together after school, they will get dubious.

On my way, I received a phone call from my Mother.

“Dexy! Come home now, someone’s already waiting for you here.”

“What? Is it…”

My Mother dropped the call, how rude. Did Chad already go there? Was he trying to surprise me or something? Either way, I don’t like to keep him waiting so I rushed to my house as fast as I could.

When I got home, Dad's car was parked outside so Dad must be already home.

“Hey Dexter.”

“Hey Dad.”

He gave me a hug, well, I am still his son, even if he doesn’t like some parts of me, I know he still loves me.

“Your friend is waiting in your room, go there and get down for lunch.”

Woah, they already let Chad in my room?

As I opened my room, I was surprised not to see Chad, but Feya sitting at my study chair looking at our picture.

“You’re here, haha, your parents let me in and told me to wait here for you.”

“Well… Wha… why are you here?”

Feya stood up and hugged me, I think she’s holding out her tears.

“I’m sorry Dex, you were right, Finn is an asshole, I’m sorry I didn’t believe you at first.”

“Oh, what happened?”

She assessed herself before speaking.

“The day you came to my house, Finn and I were supposed to meet each other, but I told him I am not feeling well, because… be…”

“Because what Feya?”

“He wants to do it, he told me he already reserved a room at the Shooting Star Hotel, but I just can’t, I am not ready for that.”

So that’s why he was banging another girl, because Feya didn’t want to, and thank God, she didn’t let him.

“You aren’t even officially dating yet right?”

“Yes, so when you told me that, I knew what you are saying can be true, I was just mad at you for not giving him any chance the other day, but that’s over.”

“So how did you know it was really true?”

“I asked Cherry, face to face.”

“Woah, that’s my girl right there.”

“Cherry confidently admitted it, saying Finn is only courting me for s*x so I ended everything with him, he was so furious about how I found out about it.”

“Come here.”

I hugged her one more time to make her calm, she must be hurting right now, that damn Finn better hide now.

“We’re good now?”

“Hell, we are, haha.”

Wait, if Feya is the one my parents were referring to, Chad must still be waiting for me at the back of the school, s**t.

“Oh s**t, Chad.”

“What about Chad?”

“Uhm, Chad… Chad is supposed to come over today.”

“Because?”

“Because I have a crush on him, remember I kissed him one time at our truth or dare?”

“Hahaha, you actually like him, why didn’t you tell me!? But wait, he is actually coming because he has a crush on you too?”

Geez, I guess I’m going to have to lie to Feya now.

“No, no, he made it clear that he is absolutely straight, but he is up to being friends, and we are friends so he is coming over.”

“So where is he?”

“He… uhm, he’s still at school but he’ll be here. Let’s go downstairs for now.”

On the way. Unbeknownst to Feya, I was texting Chad.

“Chad, I am so sorry can you just come over? I thought you were already here because my Mom told me, only she meant Feya, please I am sorry.”

He replied.

“Sure, be there in an hour I just went out to grab some food because I thought you dumped me.”

“I would never do that, I am so sorry, see you.”

The lunch is already served when we got down.

“Dexy, where is Chad by the way?”

Mom asked me while serving the juice.

“Oh, he just resolved something at school, but he’s on his way.”

“Looks like I won’t be able to meet that Chad guy, something came up at work, I need to go, I’ll just come home again next week.”

“That fast Dad?”

“Yup, it’s an emergency, let’s eat now so I can leave right after.”

As we engulfed our lunch, Dad hurriedly prepared and left, he was so invested in his job, which is very worth it for the record.

“Where’s your crush Dexy?”

Feya burst out in laughter.

“Looked like your son got ditched, Mrs. Greene.”

Now Feya and my Mother are both laughing, they have become this close because Feya occasionally comes here to either watch a movie or have a gossip with me all day long.

Just by then, our doorbell rang.

“Who got ditched now?”

I hurriedly go to our front door to meet Chad.

“Feya’s here, I told her exactly what I told my Mom, you have to act like you don’t like me, okay?”

“But Dexy, I do.”

“Geez.”

“You and Feya now okay?”

“Long story but the short answer is yes.”

They both greeted Chad on our way to the table.

“Good Afternoon, Mrs. Greene.”

“Good Afternoon Chad, I believed Chad told you everything, considering his enthusiasm about you.”

“Mom!”

I could see Feya preventing herself from grinning.

“Yes, Dex did, and I really truly sorry that I lied to both of you, I was just really ashamed.”

“I’m sure your family will carry on, don’t be ashamed of that, we all have problems, and actually kids, about the Diner’s owner we are starting to really believe that something is going off on between him and the Mayor, you know, the free meals.”

Feya seemed to be interested in the conversation upon hearing the Mayor.

“About that Mrs. Greene, I kind of dated… the Mayor’s son, and so, we ate at the Diner one time, the Owner refused to accept Finn’s payment, so Finn was just like, whatever.”

“Wow, that’s brand-new information Feya, come on tell me more.”

Geez, this is the real color of my Mother, she is thirsty for the town’s issues.

“There’s nothing more but judging from what I saw, the Owner seemed to be just naturally kind to Finn, he said, it’s on the house, just use your money for your studies, something like that.”

“Maybe he’s playing nice because he really has a huge debt to the Mayor, interesting.”

The talked went on sharing their thoughts about what is going, but that doesn’t fascinate me, I mean, that’s their own business.

“I almost forgot Chad, I got something to ask.”

Here came my Mother, Chad just needs to stick up to what we talked about.

“What is it, Mrs. Greene?”

“As I said last time, I’ve heard some rumors that were some people who went missing on the Woodland Cove, do you happen to anything about that?”

“Unfortunately, Mrs. Greene, it was also one of the reasons aside from our financial stability, why we left that town, it was still a mystery for everyone.”

“Is that so?”

“Maybe you were right Mrs. Greene, maybe that town was dangerous.”

“Then it’s a good thing you’re here now, I must leave you three now, we got a meeting at the town’s park.”

My mother winked at Feya, meaning she will spread the info Feya just told her.

“Can we have an overnight tonight Mrs. Greene?”

Chad and I were both surprised by Feya’s query, that was so unplanned.

“You three?”

“Yes, Chad here is also our friend.”

Feya then winked at my Mother, oh I know what she is trying to do.

“Okay, Fine, have fun kids.”

Just by then, my Mother left us.

“Why overnight Feya?”

“Well, I missed you of course, and so that Chad can have his first official overnight in the town of McVeron. You’re in, right?”

Chad looked at me confusingly.

“Uh, yes?”

“Yey, this is going to be fun Dexy.”

That night Feya went home for a while to get into her pajamas, her house is just near to us. Chad and I were left alone in my room.

“I already texted my Father, he just wants me to go home early in the morning so I can still prepare for school.”

“Then just use some of my clothes here, your home is quite far from here.”

I took my oversized shirt and short and gave them to him. He took it and undressed himself straightaway.

“We have a bathroom you know.”

“What for? You already saw my body before.”

I just looked away because I can feel that my cheeks are getting red.  After changing, he pounded at me, making us both lie in my bed.

“What are you doing?”

“Doing what I can’t later once Feya arrives.”

He was about to kiss me when someone knocked.

“Hey why are you two locked, what are you doing huh?”

Ugh, that was very fast Feya.

We fixed ourselves and let Feya in.

“I brought a movie! But no alcohol since we still have classes tomorrow. Sucks. Maybe next overnight.”

“What is the movie?”

“Uhm, romance, that title says, Tragical: A love so tragic yet magical.”

Couldn’t she picked horror instead, she’s really trying hard to make Chad like me, lol, if she only knew.

“I’m sleeping in the bed because I’m a girl, you two, lay out a cushion on the floor.”

“We used to sleep together in my bed before!”

“Yes, but Chad is here, it’s so pitiful if he sleeps alone on the floor.”

“It’s okay for me to sle...”

“It’s not! Dex you’re on the floor with Chad whether you do like it or not, which I doubt that you don’t.”

Wow, she’s the boss.

We watched the movie that Feya brought while having chips for snacks, it was a story of a boy and girl who are so in love but are forbidden because of their families’ rival business. It was sad, Feya cried of course, well, as for me, it did hurt, know this is the kind of love me and Chad have, one that is beautifully tragic, there’s just no way we could have that happy ending like in the fairytales.

After it ended, we talked about gossips, such as that if El-Jay and Lylia are finally going out, I did see them together the other day I remember. When it was past midnight, we all decided to sleep, turning off the lights. Chad is here with me, so close, yet I can’t call mine, at least not forever.

Secretly, he kissed me on my forehead before finally sleeping.