In His Sheet

Episode 007

This is going way worse than I thought!

Who knew that lying and keeping up with the lie would be this difficult?

“Grace, Taylor, Amber, meet Elizabeth. She’s new in town, and she’s Clara’s niece,” Elsie chirped as she pulled me into their circle.

Three perfectly styled heads turned toward me, two blondes and a redhead, each one looking like they stepped out of a luxury perfume ad.

Great. Just great.

“I never knew Clara had family who visited often,” one of the blondes said with a sharp little snort. Amber.

Definitely Amber. She looked at me like she’d already decided I didn’t belong here.

“Yes!” I forced out a laugh. “I’m just here for a few weeks, then I’ll be on my way. It took a lot of convincing for Clara to let me stay, though.”

God, could I sound any more fake?

"If you are her niece, then you shouldn't be in the same uniform as the other girls," Amber pointed out.

Obviously. I mentally roll my eyes at the girl who will most likely not be as welcoming as Elise.

"You know, Clara," I fake a laugh, "She is a rule follower, and I don't want to be thrown out onto the streets just yet.

“Don’t be snobby, Amber,” Elsie cut in, rolling her eyes. “You don’t know everything.”

Before I could cling to my tray like a lifeline, she plucked it from my hands and passed it to one of the servers walking by.

Now I had nothing to hide behind.

“So, tell us, Elizabeth,” the other blonde, Grace, I think, asked, her tone warm, but curious. “What brings you into town?”

My palms started sweating again. I curled my fingers against my thigh and prayed no one noticed.

“Um… just a break,” I said lightly. “Needed a new scenery.”

Simple. Safe. Rich people do that all the time, so hopefully it's believable.

Grace smiled. Amber didn’t. Taylor just sipped her champagne like this was the most entertaining thing she’d seen all night.

"If you are looking for a change of scenery, why don't you leave the country? Go on a vacation or something, have your daddy pay for everything. Sounds better than whatever it is you're doing here."

Amber, of course, it has to be her who has such freedom of choices would make such a statement.

Well horseshit.

I don't have a rich daddy like you, Amber. I have never left the country, so here I am lying and pretending to be who I'm not.

Then Elsie gasped and grabbed my hand. “Speaking of new scenery — my brother and his friends are hosting a party on his yacht tomorrow evening. Would you like to come?”

My heart stopped.

The other girls looked at me expectantly, waiting for my answer. A yacht party. Just like that. An open door into the exact world I wanted.

One wrong word… and they’d see right through me. One right word… and I’d be a step closer to everything I wanted.

I swallowed, meeting Elsie’s bright, trusting eyes.

“I’d love to,” I began, then paused just long enough to sound… important, busy, like someone who had things going on.

“But I already have something planned,” I finished smoothly.

Elsie’s face fell for half a second before she caught herself. “Oh! Of course. No problem at all.”

Amber raised a brow, like she was silently calling my bluff. Grace only nodded politely. Taylor didn’t look up from her drink.

I kept my smile soft, controlled. “Maybe next time?”

“Oh, definitely,” Elsie said immediately, her excitement returning. “My brother throws parties all the time. If you’re still around, I’d like to bring you along.”

I exhaled quietly, relieved. That gave me time, time to figure out how to keep this lie alive without stepping into something I wasn’t ready for.

I didn't want to look desperate, which was also another reason I declined, but on the good side, Elise was willing to invite me to another party.

STEP FOUR: MAKE A FRIEND. DONE!

I do a little happy dance in my head, mentally patting my back. You are doing great, Mara! An absolutely amazing liar.

A server passed holding a tray of sparkling water, and I reached for one, more for something to hold than to drink, but still brought it to my lips.

This sh*t tastes like depression in a bottle.

Is this really what rich people spend hundreds of dollars on?!

"Are you okay?" Elise asks, taking the bottle from me. "I never really enjoyed it either."

I guess my face said more than I intended for it to.

"Oh, yeah. It definitely tastes horrible. But I think I should leave and get back to business before Aunt Clara comes looking."

"Yeah! Okay, I don't want to keep you. Clara can be a bit scary most times. Don't tell her I said that," Elise said, laughing.

A prickling sensation slid up my spine.

Clara.

I could practically feel her eyes scanning the room, checking for me, wondering why I wasn’t at the bar. And the last thing I needed was her calling me out in front of them.

“Excuse me,” I murmured, giving her a small smile. I should...get back."

"Sure, bye Elizabeth. Hope to see you soon," Elise called as I walked towards the back door.

Sh*t. That was f*ck*ng closing. I rested my head on the wall, trying to calm my racing heart.

"Where the hell have you been?" Stella, I think her name is Stella or along the lines of Sarah, half-yelled at me.

She was one of the other servers, but more of a personal assistant to Clara. Short and well-figured, she would make for a good cuddle buddy.

"I, um, I had to use the bathroom. Stomach bug,"

"You left the tables unattended, and Clara will have my head if there are any complaints about her staff tonight."

"I'm sorry, I'll get back out there."

"You better!" She snorted, stomping her very healthy feet away.

I smiled, still giddy about my progress in one night.