Lies I Never Told You

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: BLAIR

“What do you think?” Shannon twirled around to show me her dress. She wore a purple knee-length dress with puffed sleeves.

I crinkled my nose as I looked at her. “You do remember that we’re going to watch a basketball game, right?” She looked disappointed. “You look so formal is what I’m saying,” I added. “Just dress casually. You’ll still be the prettiest in the room for sure.”

The frown didn’t leave her pretty face, but she still marched back to my closet. She pulled out a pair of blue jumper jeans and took a white shirt from her bag. She beamed at me while holding them up. “Matchy-matchy?” she said.

“Matchy-matchy!” I agreed. She put them on and we stood side by side in front of the full-body mirror. We’re both wearing white shirts inside a pair of ankle-length jumper jeans. She had a blue one on while mine was a black one. We were both wearing a matching pair of white sneakers. I had my hair up in a ponytail while she wore a simple clip on her shoulder-length jet-black hair. We giggled as we posed in front of the mirror.

“Wow, did I miss the memo?” Tyrone was standing by the door. “I didn’t know we were supposed to wear matching outfits,” I could feel the disappointment in his voice. He was wearing black jeans and a white shirt with “We love a high functioning sociopath” printed on it. He also wore the same sneakers that Shannon and I were wearing.

Shan and I exchanged looks. As if on cue, we both put down one shoulder strap of our jumpers – hers on the left and mine on the right. “Who missed the memo?” I said as the print on our shirts showed. Oh, we three love having matching stuff.

Tyrone smiled. “You two look cute in those jumpers,” he said. He glanced at his wrist watch. “Let’s get going? It’s already 3:30PM.”

We arrived at school by 3:45. We thought we had enough time to meet with Hunter in the gym. We didn’t expect the gym to be this packed this early. This really shows how popular the campus basketball team is. Good thing Hunter spotted us as we entered the gym and was invited into the dug-out. He has already saved front row seats for us. He just wanted us to meet with Elliot first. “Guys, meet my cousin, Elliot,” he introduced. “Elliot, this is Blair, Shannon and Tyrone.”

“The infamous Blair Gonzales,” Elliot said as he shook my hand. “I know I should be saying I’ve heard a lot about you, but my cousin here is a very secretive one.” He gave Hunter a subtle punch in the shoulder.

I smiled. “Yeah. Well, I wouldn't even be proud to be hanging out with the campus’ certified liar,” I said.

“I would be,” he replied confidently.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Really?”

“It’s not every day that I meet someone as interesting as you,” he added.

I tilted my head slightly and squinted at him. “You found being a liar interesting?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Nah, I don’t believe the rumors. What interests me is the truth behind your so-called lies.” He was staring straight into my eyes, and looking back at his eyes, I know he’s telling the truth. It made me smile. It’s rare to find someone who isn’t easily influenced by what they hear about a person. I think we’ll get along so well.

Tyrone cleared his throat beside me. “I’m Tyrone, Blair’s best friend.” He offered his hand, which Elliot took. “And this is Shannon, Blair’s best friend. Yeah, we’re a trio, and we’re inseparable.”

Elliot shook Shan’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you,” he said to Shan and Ty. “I love Sherlock too,” he added when he saw Tyrone’s shirt. “Where did you get the shirt?”

Tyrone was the one to answer. “We had it custom printed just for the three of us. Sorry, you wouldn’t find this anywhere.”

“Oh, I’d love to be part of your friendship,” he said. There was a hint of envy in his voice.

“Dude, it’s time for warm-up. I’ll just show them their seats,” Hunter said. Elliot nodded at us before going back to join his team.

“Hunter!” A familiar voice called as we went out of the dug-out. It was Kiera. Brian was standing behind her. The nerve of her to show up in Hunter’s game with the one she replaced him with.

“Hi Blair, it’s nice to see you again. You look cute in your outfit,” Brian said. “Hi Shan, pretty as always.” His smile was very broad. He looked like The Joker. “I love your shirt, Ty!”

Shan and Ty smiled back at him. I just rolled my eyes at him. I’ll just pretend he wasn’t here. I don’t want to ruin my weekend again because of him.

“I heard you have a game today. I figured I should come watch and give you some inspiration,” Kiera said.

Hunter scoffed. He looked at Kiera from head to toe and back up. “Inspiration? I have it here even if you don’t come.” He held my hand. I squeezed his hand to let him know we were here to support him. We proceeded to our seats – the only three seats vacant in the front row. Kiera and Brian followed. “I’ll see you later, guys!” Hunter said before turning his back to go back to the dugout.

I sat in the third seat from the aisle. “Uhm, Shannon, right?” I heard Kiera ask. “Maybe you and your friends can sit somewhere else? The front row is only for important people for the players.” Shannon, being the nice girl that she is, was willing to give up her seat.

I grabbed Shan’s arm as she was looking for a vacant seat at the back. “Yeah. And we are those important people. You can find empty seats at the back,” I said as I sat back. Kiera was about to protest but Brian walked past her and found the only empty seat on the other side just a few rows from the front. That’s what she got for feeling so entitled – a seat alone in the back row.

The game ended a little after five o’clock. Hunter talked to us first to tell us to wait since they still had a meeting with their coach. The other spectators had already left the gymnasium. The only ones left on the bleachers are the three of us, and Kiera and Brian.

“So, I take it you’re going somewhere with Hunter?” Kiera asked as she walked toward us. Brian was still sitting where he sat watching the game. “Would you mind if we join you?” She looked over her shoulder at Brian joined to join us.

How the hell did they know about the game? As far as I know, it wasn’t advertised for off-campus spectators. So how are they here? “Actually, we would,” I answered. “As much as possible, I want to spend this day without any hassle.” I glared at Brian, who was looking at me. I caught the sadness in his eyes before he could look away.

Tyrone pulled me aside – far enough from Kiera and Brian so they couldn’t hear what he had to say. Shan followed us. “I think it is fine that they came with us. You know, to convince Kiera that you and Hunter are serious about each other,” he said, giving emphasis to the word ‘serious’. If you think about it, he’s right. It’s a perfect opportunity to show her what she’s lost.

“And Brian likes these kinds of stuff too. Can we let him come? For old time’s sake?” Shannon asked. The pleading look in her eyes made it hard for me to say no.

I heaved a defeated sigh. “Yeah, sure. As if Kiera would come without him anyway.”

Shan’s eyes lit up. “It’s progress! Can’t wait for you two to get back together!”

“Who’s getting back together?” I was Elliot.

Ty was the one to answer. “No one. No one’s getting back together.” He started walking back to where Kiera and Brian were.

Elliot was shocked upon seeing Kiera. “Hi K! I didn’t know you liked watching the game? You never watched any of Hunter’s games. What changed?” Kiera was too stunned to respond to him. She just stood there, eyes wide.

Judging by Elliot’s tone, it’s safe to assume that he wasn’t amused seeing Kiera here. I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, though. Elliot is Hunter’s cousin and best friend. And who wouldn’t be mad at someone who hurt their cousin just because they got bored?

“So let’s go?” Hunter appeared from the dugout. “What are you still doing here?” he asked Kiera.

I touched his shoulder and told him that Kiera and Brian were coming with us. I also explained how it would help us with our goal. He wasn’t happy about it but he eventually agreed.