started with a lie ➳ raura revised

Chapter Twenty-Two

"Laura?" Her grumpiness is gone from her tone. "Laura? Is that you?" She still sounds sleepy so she clears her voice.

"Oh my God, are you okay? I've been worried sick since you left school abruptly after that overhead announcement? I thought you were in big trouble!"

I let her get it all out before I say anything. "Tess, I'm so sorry. I should've called you as soon as possible as soon as I heard the news."

"What happened?"

I took a deep breath, collecting myself. I will not cry on the phone with Zac next to me, and Ross who I swear is peeking at us through the window. "My mother," I say, "...got into a car accident."

Tess gasps. "Oh my god. Is she okay?"

My eyes tickle, a warning that tears are coming. I blink them back and try to make the lump in my throat disappear.

"Unfortunately, no. She's in a coma and I haven't seen her since she got in the accident. I wasn't allowed to. I'm seeing her today. Doctors don't know what's wrong with her yet."

"I can't believe I wasn't there for you," she says.

"What?" I say. "Tess! No, it's my fault. You're my best friend and you should've been the first person to know. Honestly, you should be the one mad."

"Me? No way. And yes, I am your best friend, which is exactly why I should've been there. I'm so sorry, Laura. Forgive me. I had no idea what was going on. I thought you were getting in trouble for punching Cody."

"That's what I thought, too." I wipe my eyes, sad for my mother but thankful that I have Tess as support. "Thank you so much for the support, Tess. I really need best friend support right now."

Tess sounds like she's crying. "I'm still sorry I couldn't be there for you. But, if you need anything and I mean anything, I'm your girl, Tess. I'll visit you next time – or any time you want me to go visit Mrs. Marano with you. Doesn't she like tulips? I'll even bring those."

"Thank you so much," I say again. Zac is staring at me with a warm look. "Listen, I have to go but I will call you as soon as I get an update. Sorry again for waking you up so early. I know you're not the best in the morning."

I get a laugh out of Tess. "It's fine. Call me, okay?"

"Of course," I promise. "Bye, Tess." She bids goodbye as I hang up. In the car mirror, I see my face is a mascara mess.

"Oh god, I look like a monster." I chuckle lightly.

Zac hands me a handkerchief. He always seems to be carrying one. I smile thankfully and take it in my hand and wipe my face. I wince at my make-up free face. I look like a mess. "You look fine, Ivory," Zac says.

"Thanks," I tell him, "for lying."

We both chuckle before someone taps against my window. I turn my head and jump, hitting my head on the car roof.

I scream in pain. Ross is bending over my window in a suit and scarf, smirking slightly. I roll down the windows. "What the hell, Ross?"

"Unlock the doors."

I rub my sore head. "No."

"Stop being immature for once, Laura and just open the doors," Ross says, crossing his arms. He has a smirk on his face. He's not even trying. Winning arguments is so easy for him. Well, I'm tired of his antics. I'm not giving in this time.

I start the engine and mirror his smirk. "I don't think so."

Ross looks a bit shocked but it flickers past and his face is back to the cold, same marble expression he always wears.

"Seriously, open the doors."

I put the car into reverse. "Not this time, Ross."

Zac chuckles beside me. We're a good team. I'm about to move the car when the engine suddenly dies. No, I think. Not now. Not when I'm finally showing Ross off for the first time. Ross starts to watch in amusement. I rev the engine up again. It dies quickly. I try again. And again.

"Shit," I cuss under my breath. I look over to Zac, his smile fading. There is no way I'm going to look like a loser in front of Ross. The engine has completely died. Probably because of the dead battery or the stupid weather. I cuss under my breath again, knowing we've lost this round.

Irritated, I avoid Ross's gleeful face and open my door, slamming it into Ross's balls. He stutters before bending down and clutching his goods. Zac barks out in laughter, clapping his thighs. At least I got to do that.

Now what? I still need to go grocery shopping.

Zac steps out of the car, chuckling to himself still, and stands next to me. "That was quite the feisty move. You never cease to surprise me," he says between chuckles. He wipes a tear away.

"Thanks," I smile but it falters. "But, what do we do now? There's basically no food in the house and Madam Jong is probably going to wake up and think I'm some broke poor girl that can't even feed her breakfast. I promised her gourmet food if she slept over. She's going to be so disappointed."

His arm is around my shoulder. Zac grins, "It'll be fine."

"I hope so," I say and we both walk back to my front door, leaving Ross in all his pain. I start unlocking the door but then Ross says to stop.

"Wait!" he cries, still bent over. His face is red and it lightens up my mood. Actually, him in pain always lightens up my mood. "We need food. We can use my car."

"Your car?" I repeat.

Hey guys! Loved editing the part when Laura slammed the car door into Ross's balls, ahaha! Anyways, girl in the picture is Carey Mulligan who plays Melody! SunHiSongxSlinci and adorkableraura thanks for voting xx