The Lies We Tell

The Lie of Embellishment (p10)

Where details are exaggerated for whatever purpose it serves the subject.

1 November 2015

Sunday

3:59 p.m

Rosé Harlow pecked her boyfriend's cheek and flashed him an adoring smile. "You sure you don't wanna join me?" He nodded, slipping his hand out of her to embrace her. "Unfortunately, I have to meet my dad."

Rosé watched as Charlie's expression hardened. They stood on common ground when it came to their parent; neither being too fond of them considering what their parents had put them through. "He's overworking me because of that damned scholarship." Rosé affectionately cupped his cheek. "I know better than anyone how difficult it is to be what you want to be, to be your own person. Trust me, Charlie, it'll get better. Just know, I'm right here." She soothingly traced the skin of his cheek, until he relaxed into her addicting touch.

His expression didn't falter but he forced a smile on his face. They both knew their relationship was breaking apart but neither wanted to address it. They were all they had and no one would willingly throw away support. Rosé waved her boyfriend goodbye and walked into her dorm, Locked the door behind her she collapsed on her bed, exhausted. She'd barely gotten a good night's rest with all the last-minute cramming she'd done.

Relieved to be home, she shut her eyes and let the darkness swallow her whole. The damned shower would wait.

Charlie on the other hand slid down the wall adjacent to his girlfriend's dorm door and sighed. He'd promised to tell her what he'd done the previous night. How he'd been blackmailed by her best friend, but he couldn't for she was watching him, right now.

She sauntered over, a measly smirk plastered across her caked face. He was sure if he rubbed her face with Kleenex 90% of her 'beauty' would come off. It's a shame getting on her wrong side would be the death of him.

"Afternoon Charles, ready?" She purred, running her index finger along his bicep and he let out a disgruntled groan. His eyes traced the flimsy excuse of clothing she'd adorned herself in. Why was she such a stupid bitch? Didn't she realize how much she was hurting her best friend?

Women were evil, sly bitches and she just proved that. "Elowen please", he begged, rebelling against the idea of being unfaithful to the only woman he loved. Dating her while hooking up with her best friend seemed like his only option for if he broke up with her and told her, he'd kill the last of her and if he didn't and simply dumped her, Elowen would make it her personal mission to destroy Rosé.

"You know what happens don't you, Charles?" She snickered and Charlie swallowed. She rubbed her manicured nails against his chest, "imagine the horror on your precious little Rosé's face when she sees nail marks that aren't hers."

Charlie shrugged her off, her touch burned his skin. Her touch wasn't the only thing repulsive about her; her laugh, her eyes, her cruel smile, just about everything. Charlie wondered why someone as pure and innocent as Rosé would befriend someone as devious, sly, and conniving as Elowen. "Charles?" She purred, pinching his chin and he smacked her hand away. His eyes burned with a ferocious hatred and he could do absolutely nothing except let her have her way with him, "I hope you burn in hell, bitch."

Elowen's expression hardened. How dare he? Didn't he realize he wasn't the one in control right now? He was a mere plaything, a pawn in her game. "You will meet me in the Biology lab tonight", she hissed, pressing her nails into the skin of his cheek until they left red crescents, "or you can kiss your father goodbye."

She blew him a kiss before sauntering out the hallway and Charlie sighed, burying his hands in his knees he groaned. Maybe he should just kill himself that'd way he wouldn't have to deal with anything. No pressure, betraying loved ones and making difficult choices.

How can you choose between the love of your life and your flesh and blood?

It's an impossible choice.

That's like trying to eat only one potato crisp.

If only his dad hadn't hooked up with the bitch, if only he'd snuck home that day and discussed the scholarship details with him, but no, he was so damned busy and Charles Knight just had to head to the bar and hook up with a teenager who became enamored with him and now harbors a sick infatuation for the pedo.

He's probably trying to claim a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the worst parent. "Charlie?" A voice remarked and his head snapped upwards only to face those beautiful eyes he'd dreamt about since he was five; pools of icy blue with golden specks. His angel bent down and cupped his cheek. Her curls were wild and untamed forming a red halo around her head and her eyes were wide with concern. The beautiful woman in front of him who stayed by his side and supported him and loved him was going to have her heartbroken by none other than the man she loved. She was his precious angel, the light in his dark world yet he was extinguishing the light and engulfing himself in darkness but what other choice did he have?

 Not all Knights are heroes, some are monsters.

"Why are you still here? Is something wrong?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into her chest, soothingly stroking his head as he broke down. Moments like this, Charlie felt like he was a child, not some hero the world thought he was. He didn't feel like the team's ace, a captain, or a leader. He didn't have the wight of the world on his shoulders. He felt normal, right here in her embrace. He felt loved and protected but he's lost her.

"I love you", he whispered before placing his lips on hers, "you're my everything, don't forget it. You're the reason I'm alive, you're the color in my dull world, the happiness to my gloom, you're the heart in my chest and the blood in my veins."

Rosé's brows furrowed in concern at his words, Charlie wasn't much of a sweet talker, he preferred to do things instead of saying things albeit their relationship never lacked communication. "Are you planning on killing yourself or something?" She intently searched his eyes and wiped away a stray tear rolling down his cheek. "I love you too, Charlie, and I would die without you."

It was true, he was her oxygen, her heart, and her world.

Her only weakness.

And Elowen brimming with enthusiasm to exploit it.