It All Started With A Lie

{11}

"Ethan Archer, isn't he the kid you've hated since birth?" 

"Preschool," my mom corrected. 

"That's the same thing," Cher rolled her eyes. 

I looked up at Ethan, smirking. "Yeah, I've hated him since preschool," I said, looking down at the screen. He rolled his eyes and sat down on the foot of the bed. 

"She doesn't really hate him, Cher. I don't think he hates her either," my mom said. 

He smirked at me. "Why don't I hate him?" I questioned. 

"You were with him the whole night at Mr. Thomas' party," she said. I let out a sigh. I can't explain that to them. 

"Point is, do you remember which hobby I picked up last time I came around?" Cher asked. 

"Photography," I nodded. 

"Right, last time I visited, you were..." 

"Fifteen," I answered. 

"Right, and if you remember, your neighborhood had this party and he was there as well, no?" 

I answered hesitantly, "Yeah." 

"And as always, you two were arguing?" I nodded in response. "And I snapped this," she said, holding up a photo. A printed picture of Ethan and me. We were both sitting on the porch of one of the houses in the neighborhood, both of us sat hugging our knees but facing each other. 

I don't know what I was doing or saying, probably rolling my eyes, but he was grinning, staring at me. 

"When did you take that?" I asked. 

"Screenshot it, I wanna see," Ethan whispered. 

"Mm, no you don't," I said to him, without realizing that my mom and aunt would hear me too. I facepalmed, grabbing a pillow and groaning into it. 

"Is someone with you, Olivia?" my mom asked. 

"Is it a boy, Olivia?" Cher taunted. 

I looked at them from the top of the pillow and then looked at Ethan. He shrugged, biting back a laugh. "Take that away from me," I said, glancing at the laptop. He shook his head. 

"Olivia, who's with you?" mom asked. 

"Nobody," I lied. 

"We're not stupid," Cher said, "It's the Archer kid, isn't it? Hi, Ethan!" she laughed. 

I looked at him, our eyes meeting. He shifted over and sat beside me, looking down at the laptop. "Hi," he smiled. 

"Oh, Olivia, good one," Cher nodded. 

"Cher!" I exclaimed. 

"Hi, Mrs. Carrington," he nodded. 

"Hello, Ethan, how have you been?" she asked. 

"I've been great, you?" 

"I've been great too. Can I ask what you're doing in my daughter's room?" she asked. 

"Maya, shut up. They're just hanging out, squashing whatever issues they have, no?" Cher looked at me. 

"Right," I nodded hesitantly. 

"Did they tell you about moving?" he mumbled, looking at me. 

I turned my head in his direction and answered, "Yeah, we're not leaving," I replied. 

"That's good, right? You should trust me more often," he whispered. 

"Trust you?" I lifted a brow at me. He nodded. We were staring at each other when we both snapped out of it and the sound of a screenshot. I turned to the screen, staring at aunt Cher in disbelief. 

"It would make for a good picture, anyway, we won't bother you two anymore." Cher waved her arm dismissively. "Bye!" my mom and her sang in sync. 

"Bye," Ethan and I replied before we disconnected. 

"Did she just screenshot us?" he chuckled. 

"Just don't ask," I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. 

"Anyway, I think the food will be here in-" 

"Were you talking to your mom about me?" he smirked. 

"No, my mom and aunt were talking to me about you," I argued. 

"Same difference," he shrugged. 

I turned to him, "Huge difference. I didn't even bring up your name, I didn't even think my aunt would remember you," I rolled my eyes. 

"Ouch, that's a little hurtful considering I made sure you weren't weeping in your unnecessary sorrows today after convincing yourself you were bidding goodbye to your ho- ow!" he exclaimed as I smacked a pillow at him. "Oliver!" I smacked him again. "Olive!" And again. "Olivia!" And I pushed him off the bed. He grunted, sitting up on the carpeted floor, looking at me. "That was rude," he stated, "And unnecessary," he said, sitting back on the bed. 

"I'll push you off again," I said warningly. 

"You caught me off guard last time," he scoffed. 

"Really?" I asked before pushing him again. He did move forward but I couldn't get him off the bed this time. I clicked my tongue in frustration before trying again. He pushed my hands off his arms and grabbed my wrists, yanking me forward. "Ow," I laughed, crawling forward on my knees. "You're so annoying," I groaned, pushing him back. 

What I didn't realize was that he was sitting on the very edge of the bed and when he fell back, he took me down with him. "Ethan!" I exclaimed, landing on top of him with an 'oomph.' 

"Fuck's sake," he grunted, closing his eyes. 

"Are you okay? I'm sorry," I laughed. 

"Yeah, you really look the part, you're looking really guilty over there," he mumbled, rolling his eyes. 

"Oh, I'm sorry, I don't make puppy eyes and pout at people to make them feel pity and forgive me so easily, is that a problem for you?" I asked sarcastically. 

"No, it's actually nice for a change to see a girl who doesn't beg for forgiveness," he smirked. 

"Even if I was guilty, I'd never beg you for anything, let alone forgiveness," I said, narrowing my eyes. 

"You don't have to beg me for anything, just ask," he smirked. 

"Just ask?" 

He nodded, "For anything. Help, someone to talk to, when you get lonely," he winked. 

"Asshole." 

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Chapter 11

Stuck In Paris is NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon as a kindle and by Monday, it should be available in the paperback form as well for people who want a physical copy. 

Just to let you guys know, EVERY SINGLE COPY is signed with a little hope you enjoy note so make sure you place your orders when the paperback is available. I'll be putting up the link in my bio and if you need it specifically or can't find it, just reach out to me and I'll send it to you

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