Chapter 7 It Is A Lie
Ryland
WTF? How do you know I am in my pjs? Are you some creepy ass stalker? What is wrong with you?
I have made her paranoid enough.
Turn around xx
I move into full view just as Gracie turns around, and she looks straight at me. The shock on her face is priceless. I can’t help but look smug and wave. She turns her attention back to her cell, and I wait for what she is going to say next.
What the heck?????
Meet me outside, and I will tell you xx
Fine! I will be there in two minutes!
I set my cell aside, slip my shoes on and head outside. My mom is already in bed, sleeping. By the time I arrive, Gracie is pacing back and forth on the small piece of grass between our houses. An oversized hoodie covers her.
“Fancy running into you here.” I laugh.
“Why are you even here? Who do you know that stays in the house?” she asks, finally stopping her pacing and stands in front of me.
“I don’t know anyone in that house, well, except my mother. It is my house. I moved in today.”
“You are messing with me, right?” she whines.
I can’t work out if Gracie is mad or confused, maybe a mix of both. I don’t understand why she would be mad. I didn’t know she stayed here. I know she enjoys having me around, even if she will not admit it.
I step into her personal space. “No, I am being honest with you. I am your new neighbour. It looks like you are not getting rid of me so easily.”
She lets out a small giggle. “I guess I will have to get used to having you around.”
“Yes, you will. You will enjoy having me around.” I say and place my hand on her hip.
Gracie winces. It has nothing to do with the way I am touching her. It is the sort of noise you make when you are in pain.
“Gracie, are you okay? Have you hurt yourself?”
She quickly takes a step back from me. Panic floods her face. “Um, no, I am fine. I should get back inside.”
Gracie tries to rush away. I am not going to allow that. There is something wrong with her. I reach for her, grasping her hip gently and turn her back to me.
“Gracie, you are lying. Did someone hurt you?”
“I told you I am fine.” She states firmly.
She uses all her strength to pull away from me and rushes into her house. I didn’t have a chance to stop her this time. I stand here, watching as she disappears. I have a strong feeling that she is lying. She is hurt, but I don’t know if she had an accident or if someone hurt her.
Sighing, I head back inside and to my room. I look over at her place and see she has now closed the curtains. I strip down and climb into bed. I open a message to her again.
I am sorry if I was coming across as pushy outside, but I know you are lying. I know you are hurt. I also know you won’t tell me what happened since we barely know each other. Just know that if you need to talk, I am here, without judgment, brown eyes xx
I will be the first to admit I am an asshole, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have a heart. I hate knowing anyone is hurting in silence. I know first-hand what it is like.
Thank you, I appreciate that, but I am fine. I am clumsy at times. No one hurt me. I hurt myself by accident x
Somehow, I don’t believe it, not with the way she worded it. To me, those are works someone uses to hide what truly happened to them. It isn’t my place to push. If she doesn’t want to tell me, I can’t force her.
Okay. Can I give you a ride to school tomorrow? I know you have your own car, but what is the point in taking both? X
Yeah, that will be fine. I am going to try to sleep. See you in the morning. Goodnight xx
I will see you at 7:30 am? Goodnight, rest well x
I leave the conversation there and try to get myself settled down for the night. I am happy she has agreed to let us ride to school together. Maybe if we spend some time together, she will begin to open up to me. I knew from the moment I set my eyes on her that she was hiding something. Now, I have a bad feeling it is worse than I first thought. I hope I am wrong, but I don’t think I am.