The Lies We Share ✔

Chapter 28

Laura was full of anticipation as the party was soon to start. Her friends were soon to arrive, both Marie and Todd were coming, as well as Todd's boyfriend, Mark, who had created an aura of mystery around him from the beginning. Though Mark was probably a secret of Todd's for good reason.

The other attendees were their neighbors who were lawyers, funnily enough, the Clifford's handled a case similar to Rachel's and them being her mother and father's closest friends they understood this was an occasion to celebrate. The Clifford's also had two very annoying and very small children. Most likely the kind of children to ruin party decorations, she smiled sadly at the temporal blue streamers she had just put on the stair railing, they'd have a lot of fun with her hard work.

Rachel was helping her mother in the kitchen who was preparing the pork for the sandwiches. It was nearly March, but the snow was relenting remarkably for that time of the year. The day was sunny, and the icicles sat melting off the gutters causing little puddles underneath them. She figured perhaps the party could eat out there, but most likely the wind would be too cold, she looked at the trees as they swayed in warning.

Laura was glad Todd felt safe with his boyfriend at their house, it was a good feeling to know that. Though Laura knew she had been the one to "out" him in the first place, she did it for what she thought was the best reason at the time, but she still felt that she was a burden. She couldn't shake that feeling, but she wasn't sure how badly Todd could be hurt if the fight had continued. At the time it was the only way Laura thought to stop Ryan. Todd still hadn't told his parents about his sexuality; he had told Laura that he had walked up and down the stairs to tell them a thousand times. But he said if they even paid a bit of attention to his emotional state, they would have asked him what was wrong they would have been curious, but clearly, he said they didn't feel the need to find more about their son. He knew his parents had old ideas about sexuality, that it is a fact that a man and woman had to be together. They would be disappointed in him at best.

The first guests to arrive were Marie, Todd, and Mark who all carpooled to the party, they greeted Laura's mom at the door.

"Come on in," she said leading the group in, they all take off their shoes, changed from the former winter boots due to the unseasonably warm weather.

"The pork sandwiches are almost done," Laura's mom said to them.

"Wonderful," Todd said, he looked at Laura and smiled. His face is still sad for her to look at, she can't help but stare at the bandages. The bruise he had was turning blacker now, she had to tell herself he wouldn't be like that forever.

"So, Todd when is your nose going to heal?" Laura asked.

"Well it'll stop hurting as bad in a week, but depending on if I need certain surgeries, I can't be sure, I'm a little confused on that part, but hopefully soon," Todd replied.

"Well, I hope so too," Laura said reassuring Todd.

Laura then stared at the familiar blonde hair boy; this would be the famed Mark. He certainly cost Todd a lot of heartbreak despite being such an excellent boyfriend and friend for that matter. It must have been frustrating for Todd to have loved him even when the world was against them.

"Hi, I am Mark, thanks for having me over," he said, as he smiled, his eyes got all squinty, it was cute.

"Well you are welcome, the more the merrier," Laura said happily, she knew the perfect task for the crew to take on.

"Hey Laura, look," Marie said pulling at her shirt, today she is wearing a peach-colored cardigan over a black top, seeing her in anything but purple made Laura smile, she was expanding to other colors of the rainbow.