Hey! This is my first story, so please review!

1. Lies

MACY POV

Why did I even go to Brain Camp? Well, I guess it was complicated. But telling someone it was complicated is not an answer—it's just shielding yourself from the truth. I think the real reason I went was I kind of missed Jason—no matter how horrible he made me feel—and "accidentally" seeing him at Brain Camp seemed like a good way to do it.

But when my sister sat down with me at the beginning did I tell her that? No. Of course not. Caroline had a way of twisting things until it was something she recognized and was comfortable with. But my relationship and life was NOT going to be twisted until I no longer understood it. "Oh," I whimpered. "Wes will be busy. Packing. You know. I don't want to be alone all summer. Again, I mean."

"Really? What about Kristy … and what's her name? Monica. You spend time with them, don't you?" I should have known Caroline wouldn't accept that answer, so I continued the lie, adding more to the fire.

"Yeah, I know—it's just I want to be distracted while Wes is gone, okay?" I leaned onto my pillow and uncovered a textbook to promote the "of course I was studying" look. I pulled out the lined paper of columns for SAT words.

"Is this about you not trusting yourself? Because I don't want you to think like that ever. You're a strong, independent woman." I could expect Caroline to take it the wrong way, because how was she a "strong, independent woman" when she constantly depended on her husband? If I told her this, she would mutter, "He doesn't count, Macy."

"No—"

"Macy, I'm not your mom. I can't tell you that you can't go, but Mom can."

"I know that, okay? And I'm fine. I'm going to talk to her right now." I sat up. "Yeah. Right now." I stood up, and Caroline just sighed and shook her head.

"You do that."

"I will!" I shouted, running through the door down the hall and the stairs into my mom's office.

"No, no, NO. It has to be red. Pink and grey just won't look the same ... Do you want to sell this house? ... Of course I do. I need you to help me help you, okay? Red. Yes. Okay. 100 grand. All right. See you at five." She looked at me. "Hey, Mace."

"Mom. Hi. I. Just. Wanted to ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"Okay, well—this summer Wes is going to have an internship in California. So, I was thinking—Canigotobraincamp?"

"What?"

"Can I go to camp—it's not that much or anything."

"I'm not worried about the money, Mace, I'm worried about you. Are you sure?"

"100%. Please, Mom. It's only for three weeks. I'll be a counselor. It will look great on my résumé, you know." Suddenly I heard a ring from her phone so I turned around. In the pecking order, as I had come to think, the phone was above me.

"If you want to do this—sure. I'm totally for it." And for the first time ever—I was above the phone."

I smiled as she told me she had a conference call coming up and I left. My phone rang. A picture of Wes showed up and I grinned bigger and bigger. But what would I say to him?

So I clicked "Ignore".

And the lies started like a wildfire burning in my soul.

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