Masquerade of Lies Read Online Free PDF

I heard a scrunching noise behind me. I stopped walking and turned around, but nobody was there. I took heel-and-toe steps to the car as my heart pounded in my chest. When I reached my car, I fumbled in my pocket for the keys. Once the door was open, I jumped in and immediately locked it. I used the browser on my phone and searched her last name and found her address. I turned on the car, and the engine came to life. I put on my seatbelt and looked at my phone one more time before driving off.
    Within ten minutes I arrived at Brooke’s house. I pulled up to the curb in front of her house and put the car into park. It was dark, so I couldn’t see her house that well. Her car wasn’t in the driveway and all the lights in the house were off. I assumed she got held up with her mother at the airport or something, so I called her cell, but it went to voicemail. I decided to wait for her to come back. It was 8:45 PM. I turned off the ignition and decided to read Facebook status updates while I wait.
    I was jolted awake by a crash of thunder. I grabbed my phone and checked the time. It was 9:52 PM. Crap! I fell asleep! I had eight minutes to get home. I called my mother to let her know what happened and that I was on my way home. I put the car in drive and put on my seatbelt. I glanced at Brooke’s house and noticed that her car still wasn’t in the driveway. I checked my phone but there weren’t any text messages. What happened to Brooke?
    ***
    The next morning while my mother drove me to school, I tried calling Brooke’s phone, but she didn’t answer; instead, it went straight to her voicemail. When we reached the school, I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the door.
    “Bye, honey. I’ll see you after school.”
    “Bye, Mom,” I said, stepping out of the car. “By the way, thanks for trusting me with the car last night.”
    She smiled. “You’re welcome.” 
    I smiled back and closed the door.
    On my way into school, I saw Claire standing by the parking spaces reserved for popular seniors. She was leaning on her white punch buggy, and she was with Jessica and Katie. My plan was to avoid eye contact and keep walking, but she called out for me; she didn’t say my name, but I knew she was talking to me as she yelled, “New girl.” I stopped short and looked at her.
    “Get over here, new girl!” she yelled again.
    All of them were staring at me, so I bit my bottom lip and slowly walked toward them.
    “So, new girl, how do you know my boyfriend Josh?”
    “Well, I don’t really know him. I–”
    “But you added him as a friend on Facebook.”
    “Yeah, I was just adding random people, and we chat sometimes in geometry class.” Her eyes became hard. “Look, if it’s such a big deal, I’ll unfriend him.”
    “No need. It’s not like I should be threatened or anything.” She tossed her long streaked hair over her shoulder and gave me a fake smile. All of a sudden, I saw Josh walking towards us. My cheeks felt like they were on fire.
    “Hey, babe,” he said as he kissed Claire on the lips.
    “Hi, handsome,” she squealed as she wrapped her bony arms around his neck.
    “Hey, Hanna. How’s it going?”
    “Good, thanks,” I said.
    “Did you have fun at the bonfire last night?”
    “Yeah, I did, thanks.”
    “Hey jailbird!” a petite girl with long blonde hair blurted as she walked by. She was with a group of stuck up looking females. I recognized her from the bonfire last night. “Is it true that you served time?” I felt like I was being put on trial. I looked around fearful that everybody was staring at me. My heart hammered in my chest. Is this what the whole school thinks of me? I thought. That I’m a convicted felon? I opened my mouth but couldn’t speak.
    “Why don’t you mind your own business?” Claire shot. “Maybe you should spend a little more time waxing your upper lip and a little less time getting into my friends’ business.” Friend?
    She considered me a friend?
    “Whatever.