Page 3 of One Lovely Lie

“Cradle to grave.”

Soon after we arrived at Armory Prep, we were all given our hall assignments. The hope that Magnus and I would be in the same hall was quickly shattered when he’d been relegated to Chancellor Hall, and I got sent to Monroe Hall.

It may be a tad bit melodramatic, but I immediately felt like something had been taken from me. I was distraught, to say the least.

Our first semester at our new school passed like a bullet and sadly, I rarely got to see Magnus at all. I was left with Avery as the sole person I knew in my hall.

He, unfortunately, was also the one I happened to be roomed with.

While I spent those first few months diligently studying, paying attention in all my classes, and making sure my grades were high, Magnus took a very different path. He’s already been busted twice for smoking weed on campus, drinking, and getting caught outside after hours. He’s taken to his newfound freedom with the wild intention I knew he would.

In fact, over this winter break, his parents received a warning letter that if his poor behavior continues, he’ll be kicked out.

“So tell me, how’d they react?” I ask through the phone line.

“Exactly how I expected them to. Mom was in hysterics; she cried so much I wouldn’t be surprised if great-grandfather rolled over in his grave. My dad…” his voice trails off and I can’t help but notice that he sounds distinctly tired and miles away, even though our townhouses are right next door to each other.

“Well, go on with it,” I urge, nervously tugging at a loose thread on my satin pajamas. “How’d he react?”

I hear him sigh. “He said one word. Disappointment. He hasn’t said anything to me since then. He’s barely been around the house, probably fucking his new arm candy this week while Mom pretends it isn’t happening.”

Even though Magnus claims not to give a shit what his parents think, I know better. I know that he’s rebelling, but he secretly wants their praise. His parents are cold, cruel, and calculating, and have never even given him an ounce of positive attention. And though he hates everything they stand for, they’re still his parents.

“Hey…”

“No, it’s fine. It’s not like I like hearing his tired old voice anyway. Tell me, how’s your mom?”

His deft change of subject doesn’t sit well with me—it doesn’t go unnoticed either—but I sigh as I answer. “Furious, for starters. You should have seen her face when she heard you got that letter. She says we have too many plans to stop by your place, but I think she doesn’t want me to see you.”

“Well, thank god for phones.” I can practically hear his smile.

I don’t know what else to say. How do I tell him that he’s acting like an idiot, and his recklessness has basically put a persona non grata on his head? How do I express how fucking furious I am that his choices have led to me not being allowed to see him over break?

So, I don’t say anything else and instead, hurl onto my bed, curling myself around the one connection I have to my best friend like a territorial fucking rhino.

“Daniel, you still there?”

“Yes.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong.”

“Liar. I can hear it in your voice. Tell me.”

I roll over onto my stomach, bashful even though Magnus isn’t here to see me.

“It’s just…” I pause and bite my bottom lip. The debate over whether to admit my feelings rages heavily within me, but my heart wins out in the end.

I can tell Magnus Black anything.

I close my eyes and hold the phone close to my lips. “It feels like…”

“Yeah?”

“I just don’t want you to forget about me.”

There. I said it. I said it and I feel the weight of the words lift off me.

---