Started With a Lie

Chapter Four

            “Honey, any man would be honored to date you.” She smiles genuinely at me. Mom stands up and gives me a hug. “Just explain things to him, I’m sure he’ll understand.”

            She picks up my plate with hers and brings it to the sink.

            “I hope,” I whisper. 

Today is the fieldtrip. The day I meet Lee Richardson, my so-called boyfriend. I look at myself in the long-view mirror in my bedroom. I am, surprisingly, wearing a skirt.

            I don’t know what brought me to do this.

            Maybe the facts that this guy could either humiliate me completely or help me until Karen believes I’m over Peter. I have come up with a plan. I’ll convince Lee to cooperate. I don’t know how. But I will. I need him for this to work.

            I pull down the black skirt until it stops inches above my knee. I’m wearing black stockings to cover up my legs and protect it from the freezing weather lately. I wear a green shirt with sleeves that stop near my elbows. My hair is pulled into a mature looking bun.

          I want to look older, not just some high-school student dating Lee Richardson. I don’t want him to mock me. This is also my chance to prove to my classmates that I really am dating him.

Applying some light mascara and a fresh coat of lip-gloss, I finish up and grab my suitcase and bag before heading downstairs. Mom is in her studio. I step inside her studio to say goodbye.

            “Mom, I’m leaving.”

            She turns to me, paint already on her hands even though it’s early in the morning. Mom beckons me to come over she’s standing. “Do you want me to drive you to school or something?”

            I shake my head. “No, it’s okay. I just wanted to say goodbye.” She opens her arms for a hug and I give in. “I’ll miss you, Mom.”

            “You too, sweetie.” She pulls back and smiles at me. “Make sure you stick with your group and don’t get lost. And make sure you call me before you go to sleep or text me. Oh! And be careful around strangers — New York City isn’t like Brownwood — tons of creeps.”

            “I will, I will,” I assure her. “And you shouldn’t skip too many meals. Make sure you clean the house too — it’s getting a little messy. Don’t get too lost in your artwork.”

            Mom laughs. “Of course, sweetie. I’m a mother — I was meant for this.” She looks at my appearance. “Why, don’t you look beautiful today. What’s the occasion? It couldn’t be because it’s just a field trip, right?”
            “I’m meeting Lee Richardson today,” I say. “I wanted to look appropriate.”

            “I see,” she says, moving around her studio, gathering some paintbrushes. “Are you going to clear things up with him?”

            Am I? I still need him for my lie, I think. “Yeah,” I lie. It feels terrible lying to Mom. “I’m going to clear everything out, Mom.”  I stare down at the handle of my suitcase, looking away from Mom’s eyes.

            “Good job, honey.” Mom comes over to give me hug, which I return. “I’ll miss you, Ivory. Call me when you get to your hotel room, okay?”

            I nod. “Love you, Mom.”

            “Love you too,” she replies. I say a final goodbye before I drag my suitcase and bags outside to my Honda. Placing all my things in the trunk, I climb in the driver’s seat and head to school.