Chapter 7 - Lie

Zach's POV

It's been two days since my mom told me she was going off traveling for three weeks with Liiza's mom. She just dropped me off at my friend Logan's house. He's been looking for a roommate, and he offered to let me stay with him till he finds one. I still don't know who Liiza is staying with. I have to call her, but my phone's dead, and anyway, it's night time. She probably isn't even awake.

• • • •

I wake up to the sound of Logan knocking on my door. "Hey man get up! We got to go for our morning run!" He shouts.

I hardly slept last night. Logan and I spent the night binge watching the first three 'Fast and Furious' movies

"Give me 5 minutes." I yell back, rubbing my eyes and falling out of bed.

I walk down the hall to the bathroom, splashing my face with some water and getting rid of my morning breath. Then, I throw on a maroon tank top and sweatpants and walk out.

"Let's go."

After we're out the door, Logan and I look at each other mischievously.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" He grins.

"Race to the park. Whoever wins does the dishes for 3 days." I reply.

"Three," We say in unison.

"Two," I ready myself, looking down at the pavement.

"ONE!" We shout, taking off.

• • • •

Later, after our run, I flop down on the couch, exhausted. Unfortunately, our race was decided by a tie, meaning the dishes are both of our responsibilities.

I pull out my phone, curious about Liiza. I still don't know whether she is staying at home alone or maybe, with Rilee. Deciding against calling her, I ring Rilee instead.

After a few rings, she picks up.

"Hey Zach." She greets.

"Hey, Riles. How are you doing?" I ask.

"I'm so freaking bored. Why are you calling?" She replied.

"Is Liiza with you?"

"Uh, no. Why?"

"Just wondering where she is."

Rilee thinks for a moment. "Well, she said she's staying at her mom's friend's house for three weeks. Want me to call her?"

"No, it's okay. I'll call her. Meet me at 'Bulls N Barrels' in an hour. I've some homework to finish. I guess we can do it together?" I replied.

"Sure. What subject?"

"Chemistry."

"See you then." She replies, before hanging up.

After that workout, I really need a shower. In the washroom, I step into the shower and wait for the hot water to pour down my back.

• • • •

Later on, I put on a pale blue, casual, button-down shirt and some blue jeans.

"Hey Logan, I'm going out. Want anything?" I ask.

"Nah, I'm good. I'm going out vlogging anyway."

"See you later, man." I say as I leave..

Logan is a YouTuber and a prankster. He makes prank videos on his brother Ken and his friends. After walking out the door, I dial Liiza's number. After trying the second time, I finally hear a voice at the end of the phone.

"It's too early for this." A deep voice starts.

What?

"Is this Liiza's phone?"

"Huh?" The guy replies. "This is Andree...oh, shit." The guy laughs before continuing. "Yeah it is."

"Is this a joke?"

"Listen man, she just left her phone in my bed. Sorry." The guy disconnects the phone.

What just happened?

I call again, but no one picks up so I decide to message her.

Me: Who was the guy that answered the phone? Where are you? Text me back!

After I send the message, I slip my phone into my pocket and walk to 'Bulls N Barrels.'

'Bulls N Barrels' is my favorite restaurant. I have a lot of memories in that place, with Liiza and Rilee.

The owner knows us as her most precious customers. We always went there as kids.

When I arrive, Rilee is sitting in our usual place.

"Hey Riles" I say, and give her a quick hug.

"Hey! For a moment back there, I thought you weren't going to show up." She chuckles.

"Thanks for waiting for me." I frown, sliding into the booth. "Did Liz tell you that she was staying with Andree?"

"Andree? As in Andree Rodriguez?"

"Yeah, that's who I think she's staying with. That guy. The player in our school. The-"

"I get it. And no. That's crazy! Did she tell you?"

"Nah, but I called her and an 'Andree' picked up the phone, that sounded awfully like that dickhead." I roll my eyes. "He said she left her phone in his bed? Does that sound normal?"

Before she could say anything, my phone buzzes.

Princess: No one! Can't talk right now Zachy.

Me: Zachy, really? Now I'm sure you're up to something.

Princess: hahahaha you really think so??

Me: Liz I'm coming over.

"Who is it?"

"Liz."

Princess: No!

Princess: I'm not home right now. I'm out with Rilee!

Me: Are you Liz? Are you?

Princess: Yep. Let's talk later! Got to go...

Me: Liz, Rilee is right here. With me. We're at 'Bulls N Barrels'. We're waiting. You've got some explaining to do.

"Why would she lie like that?" Rilee murmurs, leaning across the table to read my messages.

"I don't know. But, she's hiding something. And whatever it is, it includes Andree" I say softly.

"She wouldn't sleep with him, would she?"

"She knows I hate him."

"Yeah, you're right. Liiza would never do something like that." Rilee defended Liiza.

• • • •

Liiza's POV

Zach sounded pissed. Over text. Maybe he actually was super happy and used all those periods to express his...happiness? Did he realize it was Andree on the phone? Will he hate me forever?

I get dressed hastily in a pale yellow crop top with sunflowers and some washed out, high waisted, ripped jeans and jog downstairs, where Cassandra is sipping a coffee and scrolling through her phone.

"Good morning." I acknowledge Cass quickly, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl.

"Good morning. Where are you off to?" She asks, putting down her phone.

"I'm meeting up with some friends." I reply awkwardly, playing with my necklace.

"Do you want breakfast?"

"I'm going out to eat with my friends."

"How are you getting there?"

"You don't have to worry. I can take a cab." I shrug.

"No, that's ridiculous! Andree will drop you." She smiles.

"No, really it's okay." I shake my head. I can't go meet them with Andree.

"No, you are my responsibility now." Cassandra walks over to the bottom of the stairs, calling out for Andree and telling him to drop me off.

Andree comes down the stairs and by the expression on his face, I can see that he's annoyed and doesn't want to drop me off.

"Are you coming or are you going to stand there?" He asks, sarcastically.

"Right. Sorry,"

He rolls his eyes and I follow him to the garage, where he unlocks a black Porsche. I've always wanted one, but my mom said I couldn't until I was older and more responsible.

I shift in the passenger seat, putting on my seat belt.

"Where to?" Andree was monotone.

"Bulls N Barrels," I reply, my voice almost a whisper.

He glances at me, sulky and starts the car.

Suddenly, my phone starts ringing. I answered it quickly.

"Hi sweetie!" My mom replies.

"Hey, mom. How are you?"

"I'm good dear. Are they treating you nicely? I mean, I know my Cass. She must be treating you like her own daughter. But, I just have to check, just in case." She blabbers.

"Yes Mom, everything is great. I'm being treated well too. I'm on my way to meet Zach and Rilee."

"Okay, have fun! I have to go now. I'll call you later. Love you!" She says, through the phone.

"Love you mom." I smile.

"Love you honey!" I hear my dad call out.

"Love you too dad."

With that, the call ends. I glance over at Andree and see him smirking.

"What?" I ask.

"Aren't you gonna tell her about last night?"

"What should I tell her about last night when nothing happened?" I frown.

"Never mind."

Yeah, never mind your face.

"We're here." He pulls up in the parking lot of the restaurant.

I get out and Andree does the same.

"You can go now." I turn to face him.

I don't want Zach to see him.

"Why? Don't you wanna be seen with me?"

I really don't.

"No, I just don't wanna waste your time."

All of a sudden, I hear Zach's voice behind me. "Liiza, what is he doing here with you?"

"Too late" I mumble to myself.