The Perfect Lie

Chapter 13

September 2005, NYU

“You didn’t tell me those two are coming,” Chanty threw Angelica an accusing look as she murmured under her breath.

“Come on, Chanty. We’ve been going on a road trip for years, just the two of us. It’s refreshing to have some fun company.”

“Those two are not fun at all, Ange,” Chanty retorted fast, watching Zach and Liam walk toward them with their large backpacks.

“Hey, just give them a chance. And don’t tell Cameron.”

She wouldn’t dare tell Cameron. He’d freak out once he knew she’d be on a weekend getaway with his enemies.

 

2013

“What’s taking Liam so long?” Angelica whined, stumbling out the car. She tried to steady herself by leaning against the trunk of the car. “My husband might be home anytime.”

“I thought you said he’s on a mission?” asked Chanty, peering at her phone. The alcohol was still taking effect and it seemed that it would take a few hours before she could see things more clearly.

“He comes home without notice most of the time. And when he does, I should be home, especially after midnight.”

“You two should get back inside--oh God, Philip’s calling again. What should I do?” Cassandra said to them, opening the driver’s door. “He’ll kill me if he finds out we are trapped in the middle of the road. And then he’ll decide to bury me in the woods behind our house if he knew I was driving.”

No one paid her panic attack any attention because Angelica and Chanty were secretly trying not to throw up (which was the reason why they went out for some air).

“Where are we again?” asked Julianne, joining Chanty and Angelica at the rear. She looked around, but couldn’t see a thing, except the long empty road, thanks to the car’s headlights.

“We’re at freaking-I-don’t-know,” Angelica sighed, gulping. “I think I’m going to throw up.”

Chanty groaned, “Oh my God, me too.”

All of a sudden, the two of them jumped to the nearest tree and emptied everything on the bushes.

“Oh my God, my hair!” Angelica was shouting.

“Are you guys okay?” Julianne asked, not daring to come closer.

“Yes, we’re fine!” Chanty shouted, patting Angelica at the back. Her friend was doing the same thing with hers.

“You guys are a picture of true friendship,” Cassandra shouted from inside the car. Her laughter rang out in the dark, cold, silent night.

“Jules! Take my phone for a sec, Liam’s calling,” Chanty said, holding out her phone behind her back.

Julianne walked toward her and grabbed the ringing phone. “What should I tell him?”

“I don’t know. Just say something so he could get us the hell out of here,” she uttered before she bent over once more with a gag. Angelica was busy catching her breath while holding her hair out of her way.

“I’m never drinking again,” Chanty groaned.

“You always say that,” Angelica said. “Oh God, my hair!”

“Where are you?” Liam asked the moment Chanty answered the phone.

“This is Julianne.”