BAD LIARS.
1017 Words
I was close…so damn close…to kissing the s**t out of her. Her face was tilted just slightly, her lips trembling with something between sadness and desire. The air was heavy, like even the wind knew something forbidden was about to happen.
But then I saw him.
Zach.
He stood there like a storm cloud, jaw clenched, fists already coiled at his sides. His eyes locked on us…on me…and I saw it.
That death glare.
"Zach," I stammered, panic curling in my stomach, "it’s not what you think…I can ex–"
I didn’t finish.
His fist connected with my cheek so hard I lost balance. My back hit the stone path with a thud, pain exploding through my skull. The garden spun around me. I heard Shayla scream my name, her voice shaking, but before I could blink the dizziness away, Zach was on top of me, his fists slamming into my face over and over.
“ZACH! STOP!” Shayla screamed, trying to pull him back. “He was only consoling me! You’ve got it all wrong!”
But Zach wasn’t listening.
I tried to raise my arms to shield myself, but it was useless. His rage was too much. Shayla clawed at his shoulder, tears streaking her face. “You’re going to kill him!”
By now, voices filled the air—gasps, murmurs. The beach had drawn a crowd. I saw blurred figures standing around, stunned, silent, whispering.
Then the voice that silenced everything.
“Enough.”
Mr. Lockwood.
He stepped forward, tall and commanding, his face unreadable but laced with disappointment.
“The three of you,” he said coldly, “inside the car. Now.”
★★★★★
The silence in the grand room could suffocate a man.
Zach sat in a rigid stance beside Shayla. His face was red, knuckles bruised, and his breathing hadn’t settled. Shayla’s hair was messed up, her cheeks tear-stained. I sat furthest from them, clutching a wet towel to my split lip, eyes avoiding everyone.
Mr. Lockwood stood by the fireplace, his back to us, swirling a glass of bourbon like he needed it to steady himself. The air crackled with tension.
“Zach,” he finally said, not turning, “explain.”
Zach didn’t hesitate.
“I caught him kissing Shayla,” he said, venom in his voice. “He had her cornered behind the flower maze. It wasn’t just talking. I saw it.”
I swallowed, my mouth filled with the taste of blood and betrayal.
“That’s not true,” I croaked. My voice cracked from the blow. “I didn’t kiss her. I wouldn’t—”
“Shut up,” Zach snapped.
“Enough!” Mr. Lockwood bellowed, spinning around. “I will not have shouting matches under this roof.”
He turned to Shayla then. “Is this true?”
She blinked. Her lips parted. Then, slowly, she said, “No. He wasn’t kissing me. I—”
I looked at her, pleading silently. Don’t say something that’ll ruin you.
“He wasn’t kissing me,” she repeated, louder now. “I was crying. He found me crying and came to comfort me. I leaned into him. That’s when Zach showed up.”
Mr. Lockwood squinted at her. “So… you’re saying Zach misunderstood?”
She hesitated. And then she said it.
“Lucian… he saw me crying and hugged me. That’s all. I was the one leaning in.”
I froze.
She was… lying. Protecting me.
Mr. Lockwood turned to me, eyes narrowing. “Is this true?”
I hesitated. But then I nodded.
“Yes, sir. That’s exactly what happened.”
Zach scoffed, shoving his chair back as he walked away..
“This is bull…”
“Come back here!” his father snapped.
Zach ignored him and stormed out, slamming the door so hard it shook the frame.
Mr. Lockwood sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“You’re walking on thin ice, Lucian. You may be here on scholarship, but you’re still a servant in this house. You touch my daughter again…and I mean even if your shadow crosses hers…you’re out. No scholarship, no references, no favors. Understood?”
I nodded silently.
“Say it.”
“I understand, sir.”
“Good. Now get out of my sight.”
★★★★★
I found my duffle bag in the garden shed and began packing. My hands shook as I folded my shirts. My knuckles were scraped from trying to block Zach’s hits, and my jaw still ached from the first punch.
The sun was setting, casting long golden rays through the hedges.
Then I saw him.
Zach was leaning against the garden fence, jaw tight, arms folded across his chest. I knew I had to say something. I zipped my bag shut and walked over.
He noticed me and immediately turned to leave.
“Zach, wait.”
He paused but didn’t look at me.
I stepped closer. “I swear, man… nothing happened. Shayla was crying. I was trying to help.”
He turned, eyes blazing. “Don’t lie to me, Lucian. I saw the way you looked at her. I’ve seen it for years.”
I looked down. “I’ve never acted on it.”
“Bullshit.”
“I haven’t,” I said, louder now. “You’re my best friend, Zach. I would never disrespect you like that. Or your family.”
Zach exhaled harshly. “Then why were you that close to her?”
I shrugged. “Because… she was breaking. I couldn’t walk away.”
He stared at me, like he was trying to read every damn part of me.
“I need to hear you say it,” he said finally. “Say you won’t go near her again.”
My throat tightened.
“I promise. I’ll stay away.”
He nodded slowly. “Good. Because next time I see you even talking to her… I won’t just hit you. I’ll destroy you.”
I believed him.
He walked off, leaving me alone with the weight of promises I had no idea how to keep.
- Writer
