Twisted Lies by Nora Cobb
Chapter 18
Astrid
Gossip spreads like the white fluff blowing off a dandelion. It floats away in all directions and is impossible to stop. By dinnertime, everyone knows that I left campus with Bryce, and we didn’t return for hours. Eventually, we order dinner, and it’s so good that I could’ve licked my plate until it shined. I’m stuffed by the time I make it back to the dorm, and I lie facedown on my bed, skipping the dining hall. Now, I hate going there to be stared at and continue to venture off campus for food.
The door creaks open, and I moan softly into my pillow as Roni enters. She apologized for the Halloween Ball, but I pointed out that I kept my costume a secret. If I had told her, I might have avoided being shamed. Roni laughed and told me she had heard plenty of good comments along with the bad. I’m being compared to a VS runway model, and my toned legs have every girl working out in the gym.
“You should change out of your uniform,” says a voice behind me.
My head flies off the pillow at the sound of Charlotte’s voice above me. Smiling, she sits at my desk, crossing her long legs and still dressed in her school uniform. The familiar little grin starts at one corner of her mouth. It’s a strategic change, a look guaranteed to persuade.
I sit up and look around the room for Roni, who isn’t here. I grab my pillow as if it were a shield to fend Charlotte off. It didn’t occur to me to be cautious of Charlotte.
“I saw her holding Terri Hamilton’s hand and leading him toward the hidden trail,” she replies sweetly, “It’s a bit cold to be out tonight, but they’ll keep each other warm.”
She could be here to get even, but I remember that I didn’t do anything wrong. I toss the pillow aside and get up in one swift move. I step toward Charlotte and tower over her, but she never loses her confidence. Not even for a second.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the dance?” I ask her harshly, “Why did you tell me you were dressing up like princesses?”
Charlotte tosses her perfect hair and smiles as if we’re both in a joking mood. “We were dressed as princesses with gloves and gowns. I thought you wanted to stand out like a slut. You should have shown me your costume, sweetie.”
“Don’t play me like I’m dumb,” I tell her, “You weren’t in a costume. And you purposely led me to believe that you would be.”
Charlotte watches me with her on-point matte red lips in a pout. She glances over at my closet and gets up, opening the door and looking inside. Her nose wrinkles when she sees the assortment of clothes I own, ranging from mom sweaters to a pleather jacket with spiked epaulets. Her lips curl when she sees her own clothes, but her search stops as her hand moves down the length of the camel coat.
“You only own one decent thing in your closet that I haven’t seen before,” she says, “Funny how Halloween has become an excuse to dress slutty.” She strides over, so we’re facing each other eye to eye. “I knew you wouldn’t have anything appropriate to wear, and I didn’t want to help you. This time I wanted to get even because of Bryce.”
“I don’t chase him,” I reply.
“I know that.” Her smile is stiffer than a plastic doll. “I made a comparison for Bryce. To make it clear what he would be missing if he threw me over for you. I thought you knew better until today. I don’t expect much from him, but I do from you.”
I take a step back and stare at Charlotte as the realization softens my face. The girls in the dorm have left me alone this week. I haven’t been deliberately talked about so I overhear as I pass by their open doors or slyly knocked in the shoulder by a member of the herd as they walk past. Sticky substances haven’t been left on my seat to sit in, and no one tried to trip me earlier as I hurried to class. All the petty bullshit has stopped.
Charlotte takes her phone out and swipes until she has a picture on the screen of Bryce and me leaving campus in his car. Each photo swipes by, showing us standing beside the car before we get in and drive away.
“How many spies do you have on campus?” I ask her dryly.
Charlotte shrugs her shoulders and sits down again. “So, tell me about your date with my boyfriend.”
I sit down slowly on the edge of the bed. I’m innocent, but no one will believe it. “It wasn’t a date. We went to eat and have a talk. He’s not as into me as you think.”
Charlotte scoffs. “Come on, Astrid. Where did he take you? You have to tell me. I’m your sister.”
I feel the daggers behind every word she says despite her light and silly comments.
“I’m not interested in him,” I insist. But I recall the conversation and how Bryce could tell I was interested in Wyatt and Justin but never Pierce. He sensed I was interested in Justin, and he told me I wanted Pierce. These people are crazy, and I don’t want to play their game, but Charlotte keeps pressing me with a steady glare.
“We went to some inn place that only serves food,” I quickly add, “and we ate soup and gossiped about school.”
“So, it was a date,” she replies.
“It wasn’t a date. Anyone could have been there and listened in.”
“Did he kiss you after?” She frowns and doesn’t wait for me to answer. “Of course he did.” Charlotte laughs like tiny bells shaking. “You have the worst poker face, Astrid. Have you slept with him yet?”
I stare at her, trying to figure out why she’s insisting on this torture. “I’m not doing that.”
“Why not?” Charlotte asks.
“I’m not!” I shout. In a second, I’m going to shake Charlotte until her brain updates. I didn’t want to lie, and it sounds unconvincing, even to my ears. I’m a fool, just like the other girls at Stonehaven who sweat over Bryce Shelton. There are plenty of reasons why Bryce is the prize of the school. And I’m not immune to what he possesses.
“You should,” replies Charlotte as if she’s telling me something as mundane as the time.
“Are you setting me up again?” I ask, wondering if distance might make our relationship good again.
“No, I’m not. Bryce needs to get you out of his system,” she replies. “Have a sweaty fling before graduation, and afterward, the two of you can move on. If Bryce doesn’t, he’ll always wonder about what he missed. I don’t want him thinking of you when he’s in bed with me.”
Frozen, I sit as Charlotte’s whacked logic rattles inside my head. She wants me to sleep with Bryce so he’ll stop thinking about me. Does she want me to get caught up in Bryce? What if I don’t want to give him back? Not even for Wyatt? What if the worst happens and I want him to stay with me?
I blink my eyes, slowly coming out of my daze. Charlotte wants me to use sex to turn him off.
“That is the worst plan I have ever heard in my life,” I tell her, “and I grew up around some very fucked-up people. I’m not doing it.”
Charlotte tosses her head as if I’m being unreasonable. “Oh, Astrid, sometimes you can be so middle class. You don’t play the virgin well. Let him have sex with you, and then he’ll come back to me. Men do these things.”
My jaw drops like the hinge popped, but Charlotte is unmoved by my reaction. The unspoken thought screams for notice in my head. Her father had an affair, but he didn’t leave her mother. Middle class? Try broke, bitch!
“There’s nothing wrong with it,” she continues, “Bryce knows he can’t marry you, and I don’t want to restrict him. If I restrict him, then he’ll restrict me. This has worked for many smart women. You two sex it out of your systems, and then when he’s bored, he’ll be ready to settle down with me.”
Charlotte smiles casually as if life wouldn’t dare spoil her plans. “By the way, you were hot in that costume. Every boy is still talking about it. Sleeping with Bryce would keep the curious away. Sleep with too many boys, Astrid, and you’ll ruin your reputation.”
Finally, my voice comes back. “What do you mean ruin my reputation?”
“What do you think I mean?” Charlotte stands, smoothing down her skirt. “You may not understand my advice, but you ought to take it anyway.”
