Chapter 6: Fabrications
"It's too bad about the snow, isn't it?" Edward asked.
"Not really…" I closed my notebook again. "Just finish it at home," I told myself, "No need to be rude."
"You don't like the cold," he guessed.
"I don't like anything in particular," I said curtly, not looking at him. My words came out a lot harsher than they'd meant to be.
"So, why did you come here?" he asked.
"It's… complicated," I winced at remembering the reason.
"I think I can keep up," he insisted. Stupid rules of courtesy… I had to lie through my teeth now.
"Before I came here, I was living with my aunt," I explained, leaving out as much detail as possible, "My parents" –wince– "became… ineligible to take care of me."
"What happened?" he sounded worried. I looked up at him, seeing my pained expression from his point of view.
"They… died in a car accident," I lied. I was an extremely bad liar, but my sad expression should be convincing enough. "They were… coming home from a party. Dad was drunk, mom refused to wear her seatbelt because it would ruin her dress… Well, you know the rest…"
"I'm so sorry," he empathized, "So… why didn't you stay with your aunt in Phoenix?"
"I was extremely depressed afterwards," I was telling the truth this time, "My aunt thought that I should come here, to forget." "She was wrong, of course," I wanted to say.
"But you're unhappy here," he said.
"I'd be unhappy anywhere," I frowned, "What I've gone through isn't exactly something you forget that easily… But coming here seems to make everything worse…"
"Why?" That word, that one simple word, struck a chord. I barely knew this person, and I was about to pour my heart out to him.
"Why does it matter to you?" I demanded, looking away.
"That's a good question," he seemed amused at his own answer. I became irritated. "Am I annoying, you?" Was I so obvious? An open book?
"No," I replied, "I'm annoyed at myself. I mean, here I am, telling a complete stranger about my personal history, which is probably boring you. And there you are, listening to my angst-filled rambling with more patience than any person I know, and at the same time able to get more out of me than what I'm actually telling you. Why am I such an open book?" I let my face fall into my hands. My feelings were mixed to a point that I confused even myself.
"You're actually quite interesting," he argued, "And on the contrary, I find you very difficult to read."
"You must be a good reader then," I guessed.
"Usually," he agreed, smiling. I smiled weakly in response. "Huh," he said abruptly, "That's the first time I've seen you smile." He noticed that, too. Ugh.
"I guess…" I said absentmindedly, "It isn't very easy to make me smile... Thank you." Suddenly, as I flipped my hair, Edward leaned as far away from me as possible.
Then the bell rung and he was no longer by my side. He was out the door before I had a chance to say goodbye.
"Bye…" I muttered. For a whole half hour, I had been lying to a person who was more innocent than I'd thought. A wave of guilt washed over me, undeniable.
It was time to go to Gym… Basketball, I think… I was still in no condition to play anyway, so I thought it pointless…
The rest of the day went passively. I faced everything with the stony indifference that had been penetrated by one boy alone. Edward.