Lie A Little Better
Scarlett's POV
I turn the tap. The water rushes down and I grab a handful of it and splash it on my face. It's coldness, relishing some of my strain. I place my hands on the tiles beside the sink and look at my reflection in the mirror. But, all I see is a stressed anxious red head. Even my usually bright green eyes are dull and gloomy. I frown and try the method, Ashley once taught me for calming the nerves.
Close your eyes, Put your hands in the air, Light as a feather, Relax, Breathe, Keep calm, And talk to yourself, No matter how absurd that sounds.
And I do just that. Saying things like,
"Drew was a jerk."
"He didn't deserve my love."
"Just a crush."
"He is in Georgia. He won't send me red roses all the way here."
"He meant nothing. Those roses meant nothing. My friends and my mom are my only family."
I open my eyes. And yet, the doubt lingers. If not him, then who? I narrow my eyes in the mirror and a smile forms on my face. I shouldn't worry about things that won't affect me. And like, Michelle said, No harm would ever come to me. Because, I'm strong and I have support. I wipe my face and walk out of the restroom. And see all my friends lounging in my room. This. Is what should matter. I see the computer is all set up for the skype call.
Bree looks at me and says, "Scarlett, you're here? We searched the whole house for you. Are you okay, dove?" I give her a look. She's so full of it.
"Briana, drop the drama for once." Michelle grates. In return, she earns a look. "You know you love it, Mich. And it's Bree." She smiles slyly. Glares are exchanged. I roll my eyes. And they say I'm the youngest.
"Where's Tony?" I ask, hinting topic change and also because everyone is here, excluding him. "Oh, I completely forgot. He'd be wandering the house finding you." Bree says, slightly distracted by Ethan. "Ed, call Nista. I'll be back in a minute." He nods to what I say and gets busy.
I make my way down the stairs. Only to be caught by him in between.
"Tony?" I ask, acknowledging his presence. "Scarlett, where were you?" he says, looking distorted. "The restroom. I needed a little space." I say, my voice tense.
It's the air, it's suddenly so concentrated.
"You almost got me worried." He rubs his forehead as if for release. What's up with him lately? He seems too tense about everything, nowadays.
"Tony, is there something bothering you?" I ask.
"Me? I don't understand. Scarlett, I should be asking you that." He says, frowning.
"No, Tony. You've been acting really weird lately. You think, I didn't notice your side glances in between our classes together. Or how you are constantly there, when I fall. Or how you actually found out that Lionel is my fencing partner, when I'm sure, Hazel never told you. I mean, what's up? Do you know something, I don't? I've always remembered, you being protective over me. Because, Nista wanted you to look after me, but this. Is this really all for her?" I have never been this curious in my life. And I search his face, waiting for an answer.
Two years. It's been two years since, Nista left for Paris. I remember, how she ordered Tony to take care of me. I know, how efficient he is. But, all this check on me. It surely isn't some Nista command.
He rubs his forehead again. Takes his glasses off and throws them to the nearest step. I look too baffled at his reaction. And then, when he looks up. I could have sworn, I saw someone else. He takes a step forward and I gulp taking a step backward. His gaze darkens.
"Because, this isn't. It's something more." He says, his voice heavier than I've ever heard before.
He takes another step towards me and this time as I walk backwards, my back hits the railing.
"Tony?" I barely whisper, almost unsure if he's himself anymore.
"Scarlett, Scarlett.." He chants my name. His voice is like a song, a rhythm I'm not accustomed to.
"Scarlett." But this time, it's not his voice. It's Ethan.
And the feeling of startling was so overwhelming, I shiver as I lose my balance. I catch the railing behind me for support. Tony casts a very displeased glare towards Ethan, who in return gives a smirk for the disturbance. Did he do it on purpose? But, then Tony puts a hand on my elbow to steady me, as I take steady breaths. And Ethan's eyes zero on Tony's hand, and for once I don't understand Ethan's sudden change of expression. It's one of anger and fury. But, why?
Tony keeps his hand on me, as I climb the stairs to go to my bedroom. I shrug him off loosening his grip. He frowns and the smirk is back on Ethan's face.
These two have irritated me to no avail.
But, before entering my room. I turn around to look at both of them and surely they both are standing in front of each other, having a glare contest. What is this, a mental showdown? Oh, I know how to end this.
"Ethan, Bree is waiting for you." I say, to which Ethan doesn't move a muscle and just as casually replies with, "Let her." I frown. I try again.
"She's thinking of breaking up with you again." I say, as if it's completely normal. I fold my arms. That does the trick. He passes me a look, that I don't understand again. Gives a last glare to Tony and after purposely bumping his shoulder to mine, he leaves.
I sigh and settle myself beside Ashley on the couch. She takes a strand of my hair and twirl it around her finger.
"I love your hair." Ash says, tugging my hair delicately. I just snuggle into her warmth. Hmmm, I love her cologne. She laughs and says, "Control your love, Scar. Nista's going to freak, when she sees how much closure, we have." I laugh too. Because, I know how weird Florence gets, when I get too close to other people.
Speaking of her, she just picked up the call. The video isn't on air yet, it's just the audio. And all, we hear is muffled voices and shuffling in the back ground.
What's up with that? But, I try to ignore the voice in my head.
After sometime, she opens the webcam. And the first thing, my mind says is, Oh my Goodness! Her hair, that Katy Perry Shoulder Length Bob, looks downright gorgeous. And the way, they are messed up just adds up to the hotness. Her white shirt that has first three buttons open and is giving a one side off shoulder look. Only she can pull that messy, just-woke-up-from-a-slumber look strikingly. And let's not forget that perfect celebrity smile.
"Hey, guys. It's been a long time." She greets.
But, we are no longer looking at her. Because, at least my line of sight has found a bare male chest behind her. But, my expectation is confirmed, when Bree mutters, "Chest hair are so old school". I roll my eyes and suddenly Nista is aware of the situation. As she turns and uh oh, whoever the guy is, he's doomed.
1, 2, 3 and here we go..
"Nate! What the f**k. I told you! Not to come in this room! Leave, right now!" She shouts back to him. They are having a conversation and well how it seems like, nothing is private here.
"Chill, babe. I just wanted to get my shirt,man." He says, as if, this discussion is not live. Even the voice is weirdly familiar.
"Nate, shut up. Shut the f**k up!" She orders.
"Sexy, what's wrong?" He questions, as he bends down to meet her sitting level. That's when I get the best look on his face. Oh no, not him. Florence couldn't meet up with anybody else? Why does it have to be him? Why does it have to be the famous Nigel Reigns?
Even in this apprehensive situation, my inner self wanders to thoughts about, how hot he is, or how his clean shaven face gives him the boyish charm. No wonder, his fan club is enormous. My thoughts are cleared, when he speaks next.
"Did I go too fast?" About what? My naïve mind thinks.
She doesn't say a word and neither does the audience beside me. It's like, everyone has just accepted the phrase 'Pin drop silence'. But, how hasn't he noticed the skype call, till now?
"Darling, please say somethin'. You know, I don't like it, when you're like this." He says, like his life depends on her reply.
"Oh my God! Is that Nigel Reigns?" Bree asks, not too loud enough for Nista's hearing. I roll my eyes, we're screwed. Don't ask why.
"I know right. I thought my eyes were playing tricks with me." Ethan replies back. Deep in thought. "Who's that?" Michelle asks slash whispers, confused. At least, she doesn't know.
"He is someone, you will define as noisy. The most popular rockstar of Paris and rated sixth in the world." Ethan elaborates, gaining a look from Andrew.
"Okay, then. What is he doing with Florence?" She enquires. Crap, can this get any more obvious? I look towards Tony, just checking, how he's coping with this situation. He seems puzzled too. I feel horrible.
"Well, what can you hear and see? I guess, they just popped cherries." Ethan says, humor clear in his tone. They popped what? Then, realization hits me. Oh, that. The second wave is disgust.
At least, Edward has the courtesy to drop the call. I know, the both need to figure things out and for that they need space. No matter whatever the heck they just did. Oh, yeah. We all say, Shut Up to Ethan. Because, I know maybe the scenario potrayed that, whatever he just said. But, you can't just be sure. This is like questioning someone's character.
"So that possibly means, they're dating or was it just a one-night stand thing?" Ashley's the one to speak next. I remain dead silent.
"It can't be a one-night stand in the day." Ethan objects. I glare at him, if I'm not saying anything, that doesn't mean, my face won't give away anything too.
"And besides, Florence is not the one-night stand type." Michelle defends. My inner self smiles. That's like a true bestie. And just as the thought crosses my mind, my mood sours.
"I think, we should just let them settle their matter by themselves." Andrew gives his opinion. I'm genuinely on his side now. "I agree." Edward says, making his point. Great, now we're a team. I nod along with them, a little too eagerly. I stop, as I feel how awkward, I look. Thank goodness, nobody noticed.
I sigh inwardly, as this conversation ends. I gave nothing away. The cover is still up. Just how long? How long, can I zip it in me? And at that moment, Tony decides to break the silence, I crave for.
"We were so close. She told me everything. No matter how good or bad, it was. Because if it was bad, I'd fix it and if it was good, she couldn't keep it in her stomach and spill the beans." He says, a ghost of a smile on his face, as he recalls something in his mind. My insides twist.
He continues, "It's not like, I've never asked her. I did. And everytime, the answer was 'No'. I thought, we weren't like the regular order-the-sister-around-siblings. But, this. Why would she hide it from me?"Tony says, looking directly into my eyes. I forget to breathe. I open my mouth to console him and utter more lie. But, no words come out. He searches my face. Crap, he'll know that I know.
Close your mouth, Scarlett. Close your stupid mouth.
Bree places her hands on his shoulders and caresses him. A comforting gesture. A comfort, I can't give him. I take this as a chance to look away. The only words my mind is processing now are, Guilt and lie.
"People change, Tony. Michelle, maybe her type changed too." Bree says, ending the discussion.
Lie a little better. It's like, my silence is a rhythm to Lucy Hale's album's best.
My gaze drops to the floor. I wish, I never would have seen that magazine. That page, that had a printed picture of Nigel and Florence's secret relationship. Finding this out. I confronted her, and it turned out.
She gave me a promise. A promise, to keep a secret. A promise, to lie. A promise, to see everything and don't say anything. A promise, to feel guilt.
A promise, to break our oath. The Besties Oath.
"There would be no secrets between us."