Daughter of Ogden

Chapter 14 - Half Truths

I momentarily regretted inviting him inside. He looked so awkward. He sat on the far end of the couch, leaving as much room as possible between us. One could swear that I was holding him hostage. Posture pin straight, grey eyes searched the living room as though accustomed to seeking out hidden weapons or cameras. The most he would find here was a misplaced Lego or Whoopee cushion.

      "So, how's the program?" my dad asked.

      It took every single ounce of willpower to still my face. I wanted to say awful and its long list of synonyms, alas for their own well-being, I settled with: "It's been alright."

      I wouldn't blatantly lie or exaggerate. They would see right through me.

     "It's a lot more work than I was expecting, but I want to give it go... That's part of the reason I'm here."

      Initially they were excited. They asked a handful of questions that one would expect. Questions about my dorm room, classes, teachers, and friends. The lies came surprisingly well. I knew exactly what they wanted to hear, and I delivered. As they brought out sandwiches and snacks for lunch, the boys running around upstairs, I painted the prettiest picture of my new life.

     "It's only been a few days, but we've sure missed you." Mom smiled. "The house is a lot quieter, but we're glad you're enjoying it."

      "I missed you all too." Uh oh, one sentence and she was going to crumble my façade. My throat was getting tight. I looked at Nathaniel for help, but he paid me no mind, lost somewhere in his own thoughts.

      "Only a few weeks left until summer," dad reassured. "You'll be back here in no time."

     I hesitated, muscles quivering as I tried to maintain my smile. "Actually, I may take a few summer classes to catch up, but the goal would be to jump back and forth from here and there."

      They both frowned then, straightening in their seats. My words may as well have signalled an alarm. Clearly, they knew me better than to believe I would ever want to take summer classes.

      "Are you sure that's what you want?" mom asked.

      "Don't feel pressured to stay," dad added. I shifted uncomfortably as they looked me up and down, internal lightbulbs finally turning on. They were finally starting to pick up on the strangeness of the situation. "It's only been a few days, but I've never seen you look as stressed as you do now."

      Mom nodded. "You look exhausted. You're missing your usual sparkle of energy."

      Teary eyes threatened to give me away. Just like an injured child cracks when someone asks if they're okay, I was cracking before them. I wanted to curl up in their arms and tell Nathaniel to plot my fake death. I looked at the blond again, for help but he was clueless and completely lacked interest in the conversation. His eyes roamed slowly over my family pictures on the wall, as though I wasn't drowning in distress.

      Looking at him was a mistake, because suddenly my parents were paying him entirely too much attention. Amid their growing suspicion, they found a target to blame. Narrowed eyes landed on my new fellow clan mate.

      "Nathaniel and Aadya have been my biggest allies," I reassured quickly. My only allies, in truth. Which was an even gloomier thought considering one of them was ready to topple over the side of the couch in attempt to maintain his distance. I wanted to throw a cushion at his head. He was not making this any easier, deadly silent despite the interrogatory eyes aimed his way. Although, speaking his name finally drew his attention to the conversation.