Page 9 of The Lies We Tell Ourselves

“Oh.”

“Yeah. It was alright until he went through my browser history and saw that I’d been researching the Kinsey Scale and what it means to be ace.” He shook his head as if to get rid of the memory. “It all happened so quickly after that. I was told to pack my shit and get out. I’ve not seen or spoken to my parents or my twin sisters since that night.”

“Oh Malachi, I’m so sorry.” My heart broke for this sweet boy. I was horrified at how his family had treated him. I didn’t understand how someone who was meant to love you unconditionally could be so cruel.

“I didn’t raise no faggot,” Dad’s voice boomed behind me. I wrapped my arms tightly around my leg until it felt like I couldn’t breathe, and my heartbeat whooshing in my ears.

“Eh, it is what it is. I just hope in a few years when the girls are old enough to think for themselves, they’ll want me in their lives.” He shrugged and hopped up off the bed, extending his hand to me. I slipped mine into his, and he pulled me up off the bed with a light giggle that seemed so at odds with the heavy conversation we’d just been having. “Anyway, enough of that heavy talk. We’re new friends, and it’s much too early in our friendship to be sharing the deepest darkest secrets.” He cracked a smile.

“Not gonna argue with you there,” I snarked. “And I do believe you promised me coffee, Malachi.”

“Call me Mal, please. All my friends do.” He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek. “I can tell we’re gonna be besties, Jamie.”

“Cool. You can call me JJ, then,” I muttered, as Mal dragged me out the door that closed with a resounding bang by the time we reached the elevator.

Mal smirked as he pushed the button. “What? You wanna take the stairs?”

“Hell no.” The metal doors slid open and we stepped in before they could shut. I heard someone shout for us to hold the elevator and stuck my hand between the door, hoping the sensor was working and I wouldn’t end up losing a hand less than an hour after I started college.

“Thanks, new kid,” a girl with blond pigtails said. She had glitter in a band over her eyes, something I’d never seen before, but it looked stunning on her.

“I like your makeup,” I whispered.

“Awww, thanks, short stack.” She held out her hand. “I’m Lyssa. I’ve got every color of the rainbow if you ever want to try some.” She gave me a bright grin and exited the moment the door opened and disappeared into the crowd.

I followed behind Mal as he led me through the throng of bodies that were still filling the parking lot and sidewalk. Boxes were stacked haphazardly, while others lay on their sides, the contents covering the cement beneath my feet.

“Move in day is always nuts,” Mal said over his shoulder before linking our hands. I looked down to where his fingers were laced with mine, and a pang shot through my chest that I rubbed away with the knuckles of my free hand. “It’s just so I don’t lose you, JJ. I am not gonna maul you or nothing. Ace, remember. He winked. The pounding in my chest calmed slowly as the number of bodies around us started to thin. I wasn’t used to large crowds, and with Mal holding my hand, I felt like everyone was looking at me. I glanced around and realized everyone was so wrapped up in their own lives, that we were nothing but inconsequential strangers passing them on the street, but Dad’s words still echoed in my mind.

“Do you think you could give me a tour tomorrow so I don’t get lost when lectures start?”

“For sure! We’ll do it first thing in the morning. Actually—” He spun around so he was facing me and continued walking backward. “The person we’re going to meet is the best tour guide ever, and she knows all the gossip too. You okay if I ask her to tag along?”

“Don’t see why not?” I replied, my tone whisper soft.

Mal walked at a quick clip that made it impossible to take in the stunning grounds around me, but I was just glad to be outside stretching my legs. Anything was better than being stuck in that Honda. I wouldn’t have lasted another hour in that car. Thank god I chose Briar U instead of Board Lake, which was a further two hour drive. In no time at all, the smell of coffee permeated the air and the low buzz of chatter greeted my ears.

“Bean There, hands down, makes the best coffee on campus. There are other places you can get some, but it’s totally not worth it.”

“It could taste like crap for all I care. I’m super desperate.”

“Man after my own heart. I’ve only had two cups today!” Mal held the door open for me and as we stepped into Bean There, a wall of scents hit my face. I took a deep inhale, savoring the complex taste as it landed on my tongue. “What do you want, new roomie?”

“What?! No! I should get one for you since I’m invading your space and all.”

“Nonsense. It’s your first day. My treat.”

“Umm.” My eyes almost glazed over as I took in the drink options listed on the blackboards. “Wow.”

“Right?! This place is a caffeine lover’s heaven.”

“It sure is.” The weight of his stare on me made my heart thunder. I didn’t like being under pressure or the center of attention, and at the moment I was both. It was just too much for me to wrangle my mind into making any kind of decision. “How about you surprise me, and I’ll go grab a table?”

“Of course.” Mal’s smile was sweet and understanding. “If you head to the back and follow the rainbow, you’ll find my sister from another mister, Ava. She’s who we’re meeting.” I turned my head toward the back, followed the location Mal was pointing at, and saw the back of a rainbow head bobbing along to the music playing softly through hidden speakers.

“I see her. I’ll meet you there.” I swallowed down my fear, gritted my teeth, and headed over to the bobbing head. I cleared my throat and wrung my hands. “Hey, you must be Ava?”

“Oh. My. God. You must be the Jamie.” The pixie with a rainbow bob squealed as she launched herself out of her seat and clung to me like a koala. I chuckled and patted her back while trying to unlatch her from me.

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