Started With a Lie

Chapter Four

            The bus leaves at 8:30.

            It’s only eight o’clock. I get to school and drag my suitcase to homeroom. Candy is already there — chirpy and happy as usual. She has way more suitcases than me. There are three large suitcases around her and two pink duffle bags on her desk.

            “You do know we’re going for two-to-three days, right?” I ask her as I set my bags down next to her. “Why are you packed up for a year’s worth of clothes?”

            “What’re you talking about?” Candy innocently says. “I need all of these. I have my hair things in one bag, my clothes in the two suitcases, and shoes in the two duffle bags.”

            I roll my eyes. “Only you.”

            She grins. “I’m so excited! I can’t wait to see Times Square — and oh! I can’t wait to see the Statue of Liberty!” Candy starts jumping and squealing.

            “Settle down, class!” Mr. Hopkins yells from the front of the class as he sets his briefcase down on his desk. He has one duffle bag for the trip. I guess men pack light. “The buses are already here. It’s a two hour long ride so make sure you have everything you need. Bathrooms will not be available for the next three hours.”

            People start opening their bags and recounting all their necessities. Some girls leave to go to the bathroom to check their makeup. I stay in my seat and pull out a book to read.

            Candy nudges me arm and whispers, “Karen and Peter are here.”

            I ignore her and keep reading my book. How decent is it that I have the two people I hate the most in my homeroom. I roll my eyes as I continue reading, but two manicured hands slam against my desk.

            I sigh. Why can’t Karen just say something instead of slamming against my desk every single time? “Yes?” I ask without looking up.

                 “So, Ivory, I heard Lee Richardson — I mean — your “boyfriend” is in Times Square right now,” Karen says loudly on purpose so everyone can hear — which works because everyone turns our way. I feel the eyes burning against me.

                  Stay calm. Stay cool, I say to myself.

            “That’s true,” I say as calm as I can. “What about it?”

               “Well, since we’re all your friends here,” she says as I scoff, “shouldn’t you introduce us to him?”

               Ha, friends? Yeah, right. “Sure, why not?” I say. Karen’s eye twitches at my response. I guess she expected me to stutter and come up with an excuse. Not today. Especially not when Lee Richardson himself called me.

            “G-Great!” Karen exclaims and then stalks off to Peter’s side. He sends me a wry smile which I ignore completely before flipping him the finger. He looks a bit taken back before averting his eyes.

            I’m done with Peter. I need to get it in my head that he chose Karen over me.

            “Alright, kids!” Mr. Hopkins yells. “Time to load the buses! Get all your things!”

The bus ride is loud and annoying. I sit next to Candy, but she texts Kevin — a guy she’s currently interested in — the entire way to New York City. It’s fine because I read my book and listen to some music to block out the raucous chatter from my so-called classmates.

            New York City is beautiful.

            It’s bright and lively. People scatter the streets in busy hassles and every building has light spewing out of it. Mr. Hopkins signs us in into a hotel but there seems to be a problem because he keeps arguing with the man at the desk.

            Our class doesn’t help either — they’re still yapping loudly. I’m sure the desk man would love to kick us out.

            I inch closer to the front of the crowd so I can hear what Mr. Hopkins is arguing about. All I hear is, “Our classroom reserved thirty single rooms!”

            “Y-Yes, yes we know, sir,” the man replies. His name tag reads Larry. What an appropriate name for a man like him. He has too big glasses for his small face and he has a skinny body. “But there are only twenty-five single rooms and two double rooms available.”

            “Let me see your manager this instant!” Mr. Hopkin roars. I’ve never seen him so angry — it’s pretty scary looking. I feel bad for Larry.

            Larry phones someone and mutters something we can’t hear. “He is on his way, sir.”

            “Mr. Hopkins,” a girl from my class says, “I can share with Kelly. It’s no problem. We don’t mind using one of the double rooms.”

            “Yeah!” another girl named Lia says. “I’ll use the double room with Molly. We have no problem sharing.”

            “Thank you, girls,” Mr. Hopkins says. “But one student will have to still share with one of you. There’s enough rooms for twenty-nine students — but where will one extra student sleep?”

            It’s silent now. Nobody wants to have an extra in their room.

            “I’ll go,” I say. “I don’t mind sleeping on the floor of one of the rooms.” Everyone turns to me. “Really. It’s alright. I don’t need a high class bed to sleep on. I just need a blanket and a pillow or two.”
            “Are you sure?” Mr. Hopkins asks.

            “Yep, it’s okay.”

            “It’s not okay,” someone with a deep voice says. We all turn around. I gasp. “I would never want any of my customers to feel so uncomfortable at their stay at one of Richardson Hotels.”

            It’s him. It’s him. It’s Lee Richardson. I don’t listen to him anymore. I just stare at him. I can’t hear anyone. He’s so beautiful — like a doll. I don’t realize he’s talking to me until I hear my name.

            “Isn’t that right, miss Ivory Flores?” His eyes land on me, his face a cool mask. “You wouldn’t mind staying with me, right? All rooms are booked. My suite has an extra room, too.”

            Everyone stares at me with expectant eyes. This is supposed to be my boyfriend. I have to act like it. Karen’s watching me with observing eyes — waiting for my next moves.

            “Of course, I don’t mind.” I walk over to Lee with my bags. I loop my arm in his. “He is my boyfriend.” Everyone gasps — even Mr. Hopkins, who doesn’t dare say anything to such a billionaire like Lee. I look up at his face. He’s raising his eyebrow in amusement and I just smile at him — trying to tell him not to say anything with my eyes.

            He doesn’t say anything but, “Let’s go then, girlfriend.”

            Shit. I’m going to completely unguarded and alone with him. Nice job, Ivory. Smooth move, I compliment myself.

Anyways, here's Chapter Four! I love writing the scenes where Ivory rubs it in Karen's face! Oh joy... I think I'm having too much fun with this story... lol. :D

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