It All Started with a Lie

Chapter 24

And he knows exactly what I mean. For a second, I worry he will not say it because how can you keep professing your love without reciprocation! But he does. He leans down, his lips brush against my ear and he whispers, "I love you."

Chills spill down my side and I bite my lip to keep the cheeky grin at bay. "I know." I kiss the his shoulder, the easiest place to reach without my heels.

Our moments of cuteness only last a moments as we start arguing about which place has the best French fries, the correct answer is Henry's diner with their shoestring fries but he claims it's steak fries from the place by my apartment.  As we are discussing, and I am trying my hardest to push him around, my teammates leave their glass cage, walking a bit in front of us. I don't notice at first, not until they turn and start heading towards me and Klaus. The urge to cower behind him is persuading but I will not bend to them, so I remain as I am, ignoring them.

The president meets us first, plastering on a smile. "Lexi," she greets.

"Regina."

She curls her lip at my nickname for her, clearly not understanding my clever reference, Klaus however does, and I can see him turn his head to the side so that she will not see as he tries to restrain his laughter. "We're going to dinner as a team, you coming?"

I can't help the face I make, loudly displaying my disbelief. "Excuse me?" Is all I can say.

She feigns a laugh, tossing her hand back to instruct her minions to do the same. They do, even Emma. "Dinner with the team. We wanted to make sure you came." She reaches her hand out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear but I jerk my head back, staring at her in horror.

She only plays it off, pretending to brush lint off of my—Richard's—shirt. I love stealing clothes. I have attempted to steal Klaus's shirt but his clothes were not a cute oversized, they were massive. I was practically swimming in loose fabric. I looked like a toddler an adults clothes. The sight made him laugh so hard I'm pretty sure he stopped breathing.

The president continues her speal, "We have some very important things to discuss with you about Beta Sigma Xi."

Another excuse for them to pour pigs blood over me? What's their game? Curiosity pulls me to say yes, but the boy with his arm still around me pulls me to say no. A dinner with him is a much more enjoyable way to spend my night. As if he can feel my conflict, he kisses the top of my hairline and tells me we can get dinner another night.

I know they say you can't start a relationship based on lies, but it seemed to work well for us. He knows me better than most.

I give him a thankful smile as I tell the girls I'll join them. They pretend to squeal and drag me into their group with claws, insisting we all carpool. For once, I do not argue, because I know Klaus or Richard will pick me up if they strand me somewhere.

When I get in the car, I have about forty messages from Richard asking if I am okay and alive since I did not call her back. I assure her I am and update her on the situation. I can imagine her reaction and it fills me with joy. She is going to flip when I tell her the whole story.

We go to a small pub on the side of campus. The President waits until we've ordered and the food has been served—I got a side salad—to discuss what they dragged me out for. "Carrie was caught fraternizing with a member of Kappa Theta Pi a few hours ago, meaning a spot in Beta Sigma Xi has opened up pending her termination."

My heart skips a beat and I sit up straighter, begging my hope is not showing. "Okay?" I prompt.

"And we wanted you to fill it. Emma has told us what really happened that night of rush and we've found it in our hearts to forgive you."