started with a lie ➳ raura revised

Chapter Two

She's perched on top of the island counter in the kitchen. "Let's go dance!"

I shake my head. "No way."

She pouts. "Please?" I shake my head. "Pretty please?" I still shake my head. "Fine. I'll go dance alone."

"I'll be over by the couches." I smile gratefully.

She glares at me before disappearing into the same place Sarah had gone to. I stalk away from the kitchen and squeeze my way through slimy bodies to get an open seat on the couch. I breath sigh in relief of being able to sit down.

I look around.

Girls are wearing dresses and skirts while guys wear casual clothes. At least I dressed appropriately, I think as I run my eyes over random people. I can't see Tess at all from where I'm sitting.

The music suddenly stops and feedback from the microphone echoes throughout the room. Everybody groans at the screech.

Someone taps the microphone. I look up. It's Cody. "Hey everyone! Hope you're having a good time! Thanks for coming out to my annual party! Enjoy you guys!"he says. "Alright, now I'm gonna let the DJ bring it back up."

Everybody shouts and cheers and screams Cody's name. He takes a dramatical theatrical bow and jumps off the DJ stand. The music pumps back up over the speakers. Cody looks over the crowd--to see if anyone has broken anything yet.

Then his gaze lands on me.

I don't realize i'm staring back until he's walking over to me. I dart my eyes in panic and sweat fills my hands. What do I do? What do I do?

"Hi," he says as he plops down on the seat next to me.

"Hi," I squeak like a mouse.

"I didn't know you'd be coming." he says, grinning. A grin that makes my insides turn. The same grin I used to fall for every time...and I still do.

"Well," I say, "Everyone was invited."

"Oh yeah, I didn't mean I was going to un-invite you," he rambles. "I just you know--forget it." He runs a hand through his hair. "Are you enjoying the party?"

I nod."It's great."

Suddenly, a pair of hands wraps around Cody's neck from behind and someone hugs him. She starts kissing up his neck.

It's Melody, of course.

I cough a little to let her now I'm sitting right there.

"Oh, hi, Laura." she says as if she just noticed I was there. "I didn't see you there."

Melody moves from behind Cody and sits on his lap. "Hi babe."

Cody looks uncomfortable. "H-Hey Melody."

She starts kissing up his neck again. Bile urges itself up my mouth. Cody doesn't respond to Melody, he just sits there. His eyes are darting everywhere but me and his cheeks are tinted red.

He looks really awkward and uncomfortable.

"Melody," I say, "I'm trying to have a conversation here. Or at least get a room."

She looks--glares--at me. "Maybe you should back off."

"Excuse me?" I say. "I haven't done anything. I'm pretty sure nobody wants to see you kissing up to Cody."

She sighs in a bored way then gets up. Karen hovers up. She almost stumbles over and I realize she's partly drunk. "Listen here, Laura," she says, dangling her index finger in the air. "Back off from my boyfriend."

I glare at her. "First of all, I'm not even touching your boyfriend. You're the one slobbering over him." I state.

Melody looks irritated. Suddenly she walks away. I'm confused for a moment. Why would she walk away? Melody never walks away without a fight.

"Attention everyone." The music stops and everyone turns to Melody who has stopped the music and holds the microphone in her hand. Now I get it. She walks over to me. "This bastard here thinks that I should back off from my boyfriend. Isn't she crazy?"

Everyone shouts in agreement. I glare at Melody.

"Not when you're basically licking him while he's sitting there." I mutter but my voice is caught on the microphone.

Everyone goes "Oooooh"

I feel more confident.

"Well, you're just jealous." Melody yells. "I mean, I know you liked Cody, but, those days are over, honey. He is not interested. He's with me." Cody looks cherry red in the corner.

I feel a small blush coming on as well.

I push it back. I grab the microphone. "Why would I be jealous?" I laugh as high and mighty as I can. I don't even know what I'm doing. I'm not even trying to speak. The words are just coming out. "I have the most perfect boyfriend. Even better than Cody."

Melody sneers and takes the microphone back. "Who?" She crosses her arms in disbelief.

...Okay, I didn't think this far into the plan. My mind goes blank and I try to to dig up any name. Any fake name. Any real name. Just anyone. The room is quite for a while and when a voice echoes off, I realize it's me.

"I'm dating Ross Lynch." I tell her, crossing my arms to hide my trembling fingers. My fingers always shake when I lie.

"You mean Ross Lynch, the worlds youngest billionaire, heir to Lynch Corporation and its long line of businesses?" She scoffs. "Sure you are."

"That's the one." I beam, trying to make myself sound firm and authentic.

Takes a moment for my mind to render what I've just done. WHAT HAVE I JUST DONE?! I mentally scold an yell at myself. This is even worse than humiliation. They're obviously not going to believe me. I curse at myself for being such an idiot.

How could I say I'm dating someone as hot and rich as Ross Lynch?

It doesn't even sound believable to my own ears.

I feel like slamming my head against the wall again and again. I have got to be the worlds largest idiot.

Melody's eyes are wide for a second--as is everyone else's--but then she quickly covers it up with a dull expression. She brings the microphone closer to her lips.

"Prove it."