Flawless Lies

led like overcooked n

r until it was perfectly centered. She tucked a loose curl behind her ear an

wle

t's what everyon

re slicked back into a bun - neat, tight, not a single strand out of place. Her brows were brushed, her lips

e it c

art wasn't

house l

life li

hra

voice - a cup knocked over

a beat, letting the shou

ce called again. "Korede

Same chaos,

lack sneakers. The hallway walls were stained from years of rainy season leaks. A fad

ounter, her sleeves rolled up, face shiny with heat and frustration. She looked just like Zah

eriously?"

eside the mess, eyes downcast, arms cros

t their younger sister. Sade stood barefoot by the fridge, rubb

er. She grabbed a rag, crouched, and started c

flicking toward the hallway. "Mu

rse sh

oyo, the five-year-old, it was nearly 7:30. She repacked Sade's hair - again

dn't c

daughter

hing looked shini

ough like she always did - back straight, s

hoed in lit

t. Always

ever loo

a main cha

led - the kind that said she didn't hear them, even

ew how tight her chest got sometimes when she was alone, or how her legs

A role. She was the golden girl. The girl who alwa

n't affor

n he ap

head bent over his phone like this wasn't hi

an L

e. Her bigges

re his school shorts too big. Things were different now. Jordan had grown into his jawline, into h

t, Hart?" he asked, glancing

sterious, Lane?" she r

ent a jolt through he

oved

t even kn

more, someone brushed

le

ughed, never spoke unless called on. There was something sharp abou

tly as he passed.

raaa

ice cut through

li

t and silver hoop earrings, her curls bouncing w

o. Back before th

iyah asked, lin

ne," Za

look

d I'm

ice dipping lower. "Jordan'

heart

dn't a

dn't h

dn't fade. If anyt

something

er locker like i

n she s

pet

like a ritual.

d to her

wless gir

to watch

a fr

er hand reached for the note on instinct, but he

ike whoever wrote it wasn't in a rush.

he paper slowly. Behind her

tu

th

stood a few feet away, sipping her apple

down at the

ame. Or rathe

rd

yd

k? A t

idn't

told her this

and speeches. Someone saw past the perfect

one had just

to her bag, her hands

ipped - jus

hairli

t going to be l

eady begun