Page 2 of Twisted Lies

Chapter 1

A Few Days Earlier

Astrid

Before the end of class, my English teacher says I’m wanted in Dr. Rawlins’ office. My shoulders sag, and I sigh a little too loudly as I gather my stuff together. What does she want with me now? Did Charlotte go running to her after she saw Bryce and me? How fucked up is that? And why is his bad behavior always my fault?

Alice shows me into Rawlins’ office as soon as I show my face. Dr. Rawlins looks up from her computer and motions for me to sit down. She studies me closely, and her gaze travels over my outfit. I unrolled my waistline, lowering my hem before entering Foxworth House, and I have my blazer on over Charlotte’s tight lavender sweater. At this point, I guess I have to buy my own clothes.

“Good, you’re here, and now we can talk,” she says, “After you stop glaring at me.”

I sit up straight and pull it together, but try as hard as I can, I can’t meet her stern gaze.

“You may not know, but Charlotte’s mother has lost her fight with cancer and has passed away.”

My gaze latches onto Dr. Rawlins. “I didn’t know she was that sick. I mean, I knew, but I had no idea it was that bad.”

Dr. Rawlins holds up a hand to halt my sputtering reply. “Charlotte only spoke to me about it in detail. And as you are aware, her father and I are in touch.”

All the times I sat in Charlotte’s room, we only focused on my problems. She offered smart advice on how to socially navigate Stonehaven, but Charlotte only mentioned her mother once. Now, I feel small. Charlotte would smile thoughtfully as I droned on about my life while hers was coming apart at the seams. I thought her life was all sunshine and unlimited spending, but there were storm clouds forming darkly overhead.

“Can I do anything?” I ask quietly.

Dr. Rawlins’ brow rises in surprise as if that was the last thing she expected to hear. She gazes into my face as if she’s considering what I’ve said.

I’m sincere, and my face shows how I honestly feel. I like Charlotte. She could have been a bitch, but she didn’t choose that route until now when I gave her reason to. I squirm as I picture her running toward the elevator again after catching Bryce and me. I should’ve told him no. I knew nothing was going to happen with him. But what I did hurt her, and then her mother went and died.

“I’m completely serious. I like Charlotte.” I offer the words weakly. My mother is the only person I fully trust with my feelings. If Dr. Rawlins knew how hard this is for me, she’d stop glaring.

Dr. Rawlins presses her palms against her desk and pauses. She’s at a loss for words. Her perfect nails tap the polished wood as she struggles to figure out what to say. Her gaze rises to mine, and I hold my breath.

“I like your sister too,” she says, “Charlotte has many characteristics that I like to see in a student, except willpower. Your sister has a weak support system, and without her mother, it’s about to become weaker. She’s always aligned herself with a certain type of female student that relies on materialistic values. Her appearance, her possessions, her friends, and her birthright—all give her status and purpose. She doesn’t depend enough on what’s inside her.”

Dr. Rawlins pauses again and stares hard into my eyes.

“So, you want me to be there for her?” I ask nervously.

Smirking, she shakes her head. “No, I want you to stop chasing after Bryce Shelton.”

My jaw drops as if someone shoved me in the back of my head. My voice catches in my throat, and I can’t even think of the words to describe the unfairness I’m feeling through my jittery nerves.

Rawlins taps her nails on the desk in a staccato beat. “The library has surveillance cameras near the elevators,” she continues, “I don’t waste my time watching the feed. I have enough to do without spying, but it has come to my attention that you’ve met him there for interludes.”

My mouth closes as my face heats up, and I wonder how much that nosy admin Alice has seen. Fuck. My mind races through what we did between the stacks when we thought we were hidden out of view. My legs start to fidget, and I tug at my skirt hem while I form my defense.

“He chases me,” I reply, reaching into my purse, “I have the notes that he tosses me in class. He promised to get me into the Investors Club.”

Dr. Rawlins frowns. “Why would he promise you that?”

“Because I want to be in it,” I reply hotly, “I paid my fee to join…well, I could’ve. They said they had to approve me.”

“Who are they?” she asks.

“Bryce, Justin, and Pierce,” I reply, glaring at her as if Dr. Rawlins should know the obvious.

Dr. Rawlins’ frown deepens as a line appears between her eyes. “The teacher advisor approves the members, not the students.”

The folded notes drop on her desk as my hand releases them in shock. They fooled me and used me. I didn’t have to perform their little tasks. Professor Getz never said I wasn’t in. Or did he? I wrack my brain, trying to remember who told me what. And it isn’t clear anymore.

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