Chapter One:
There Are noSecrets
"Of course that's you, Lauren. How can you tell me that's not you? This isyou," Khloe said, as she paused the tape and got up from the couch, the other girls—other than Riley, who was standing just a few feet behind Khloe—stayed put.
"I mean, that's the Old Lauren. That's not me, not anymore." I ran my hand through my hair and let out a long sigh. "I'm sorry, I didn't want anyone to know about my past. Not even—you, Khloe. I was going to tell you about my accident and riding past after the sleepover, I swear. I never meant for you to find out like this."
Khloe stared at me and crossed her arms. "Lauren," she said, sweetly, "there are nosecrets at Canterwood."
"I-I, know." I stumbled to find the right word. "Please, Khloe. Please don't be mad. This was supposed to be my fresh start. Canterwood was supposed to be a place where I could… just start over, I guess, forget about my past and-and, I didn't want anyone to know about my past or the accident. I was so scared, thinking that someone might recognize me—or even know who I was. I didn't want people to treat me differently. I didn't want anyone to know."
Khloe shook her head. "I've made you feel at home and I've become your closest friend, and you can't even give me something in return like your BIGGEST secret? I've tried to help you Lauren, with everything. I guess you're just another wanna-be. Ugh, I can't take this in right now. I think I'm gonna go. I need to process this."
"Please, Khloe, don't do this. Don't end this friendship before it even started. Give me a chance, a chance to explain."
Khloe closed her eyes for a second and opened them. "I'm going on a ride with Ever. See you later Lauren."
All the girls followed, no one stared at me giving me a look of sympathy. They just left. Just like that.