Chapter 12 – The Truth Shall Set Ye Free

Part 1

Author's Note:

This chapter and the next is one big chapter, I am just breaking it down into two parts. Enjoy!

The sun was setting when Aonghus, Lara, Amanda, and Chloe all went back to the house. It was about 10 when Chloe and her parents went to bed. Right after they were asleep, Bryant came home.

"Hey, you guys. How was the beach?" he asked.

"Eh, it was fun until low tide came in," Amanda said. "And now, it's kind of boring."

"I know what will make it fun," Bryant said with a smirk. "Strip poker."

They all agreed to a game of strip poker and decided to order some pizza. About 20 minutes into the game, Amanda was winning, with extra clothes. Aonghus had his undershirt on, his pants, and his boxers. Lara had her bra on, her skirt on, and her panties still on. Bryant only had a pair on boxers on, and Amanda and Lara could not take their eyes off of him.

"This is not too much fun," Bryant said, as Amanda was shuffling the cards.

"You're only saying that because you are losing. Lighten up, you suggested this game," Lara said back, enjoy the view.

"Ok. That's enough goggling at my brother," Aonghus said to Amanda. "Could you just deal the card already?"

"Alright, alright. Keep the rest of your clothes on," Amanda said passing out the cards. The door bell rang, just as she dealt herself the last card.

"I'll get it," Bryant said. "It's probably the pizza." He got up and answered the door.

"Woa, guy!" the pizza delivery person said. "Your flap is open."

"Oops," Bryant said, fixing the problem. Aonghus, Lara and Amanda just roared with laughter as Bryant was dealing with pizza man.

"It's just a game of strip poker," Bryant said, handing the guy the money.

"Those people at the table look like minors. And you don't look 17," the pizza guys said.

"No, no. I am 17. I just went through puberty early," Bryant tried to say. "Yea they are all 16 at that table, except for Amanda, who is 16 and half."

Amanda leaned toward Aonghus and Lara and whispered, "Do you think he could pass for 17?"

Aonghus shook his head. "No way. He tried once, for reasons I won't get into. But the point is he tried, and failed miserably," Aonghus said.

"How old is he really?" Lara asked trying to figure out if it might work.

"He just turned 20 two months ago. Four years older than us," Aonghus whispered back.

"Yea. It might work if he just turned 19," Lara said.

"So you see," Bryant said, "I am not 18 for another year. We came up here to celebrate my 17th birthday. Trust me. NO illegal stuff is going on in here. Really. I swear. Besides, the guy at the table is my brother, and the girl to the left is his girlfriend. And Amanda is... uhh... my girlfriend."

"Yes," Amanda whispered to herself, "I got the hot one." Lara laughed, but Aonghus glared at her and tapped Amanda's foot with his.

"Ok. I guess I will have to take your word on it," the guy said. Bryant closed the door and shook his head.

"Another reason why I am not starting to like this game," Bryant said.

"Oh, boo-hoo. Just get back here and play the rest of the game," Amanda said. "You might get some more clothes." Bryant sat down as they played the hand, and lost. Amanda and Lara howled as Bryant removed his boxers, but before he could, they heard Amanda's parents moving, and they quickly put all their right clothes back on and ran to the living room and turned on the TV. It turned out only to be Chloe going to the bathroom. After that, they decided to stop the game and go to bed.

Aonghus thought this was the perfect time to confront Lara about everything. He walked over to Lara's room and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Lara said. Aonghus walked in and sat down on the bed, next to Lara who was putting her hair in a ponytail. "Hey," Lara said, awkwardly. "What's up?"

"I wanted to talk to you about what you said on the beach," Aonghus said.

"What did I say on the beach?" Lara asked, trying to think of a way to avoid the topic. She knew if she told Aonghus the truth now, it would ruin the whole vacation. She didn't want to do that. She had actually planned on telling Aonghus when they got home.

"Well, when I asked you about why you have been distant you said that you were afraid that you were getting sick," Aonghus said. He didn't realize it until he actually said something about it to Lara, but Aonghus was starting to get really mad that she lied to him. "We both know that is bull shit."

"No it's not," Lara said, half-pleading, "I really do think I am sick."

"No you are not sick," Aonghus said raising his voice, "and I know you are not sick. Just spill it. It's not hard to explain."

Amanda sitting and reading in her room as she heard voices coming form across the hall. She gets up and sees Lara's bedroom door open. She knew it was hard to hear through the doors, but lucky, Lara's door was left open. She put her back against the wall to hear what was going on in the room, and not be seen. The two of them were yelling at each other, and it was hard to put together some of the sentences, but she did the best she could

"Aonghus it's just-"

"Gimme a real-"

"-and I didn't want it to ruin-"

"-reason. None of the 'I'm sick' crap. That-"

"-the vacation. It's kinda a big thing, too."

"Was complete bullshit. I want a real reason."

"Aonghus?"

"What?"

"Aonghus?"

"WHAT?"

"I'm pregnant." Lara finally said. Aonghus jaw dropped and Amanda nearly collapsed. Aonghus and Amanda had the same thought going through their head. This can't be happening.