017 The Secret She Couldn't Hide

Lana

“What's going on here?” I said, walking closer to them.

Beatrice turned, surprise written all over her face.

She quickly pulled away from his grip. “Lana,” She gasped.

“Hi,” He said to me.

Looking at him now, I don't think that's Karl.

They do resemble each other, but Karl is taller, and this man in front of me has dark blonde hair, unlike Karl's black hair.

My eyes went back to Beatrice. “You haven’t answered my question,”

“Nothing, what are you doing here?” She asked instead.

Ohh… Trying to evade the question.

“I was with Jenna and Cole in the bar just across the street. Who is this?” I asked, and Beatrice drew in a sharp breath.

“Allow me to introduce myself, I am Ryan Moretti,” Ryan smiled at me.

Moretti? Oh God.

What on earth is Beatrice doing with Karl's brother?

“Lana!” I heard Jenna’s voice across the street, and I turned. She waved at me.

“Lana, we would talk when we get home,” Beatrice said, walking towards me.

“Yeah… because you obviously have a lot of explaining to do,” I said. “I guess it's nice meeting you, Ryan.” I turned to Ryan before hurrying across the street to meet Jenna.

“Where did you disappear too? I got scared” Jenna complained.

“Sorry, I have to go,” I said to her. “goodnight.”

“We barely had any drinks,” Jenna sighed. “Goodnight,” she replied. “I would let Cole know I found you.” she said and walked back into the bar.

“Lana,” I heard Beatrice’s voice.

“We would talk at home,” I replied and hailed a taxi, and then we got in.

_

Beatrice sat across from me on the couch, I stared at her intensely and she was quiet and nervous, fidgeting with her fingers and her eyes focused on her laps, not daring to say a word or look me in the eyes.

“Are we going to stay here all night before you speak?” I asked.

“Uhmm….” Beatrice bit her lips.

“Trixie,” I called, and she looked up at me. “You better not lie to me, I would know,” I told her, and she sighed.

“I won't lie,” Beatrice mumbled. “It's… complicated.”

“Complicated? Look who was warning me about Karl, and now you have a “complicated” relationship with his brother.” I scoffed.

“It's not like that” Beatrice defended.

“Go on, speak, I honestly don't have all night,” I urged.

“I know I owe you an explanation, but can we talk about this some other time?” She asked, and I rubbed my temples.

“Remember when you were crying in the bathroom and I didn't pressure you to tell me why? Remember when you came back earlier than you should and I still didn't question you? Don't you think I've been patient enough?” I sighed. “I know you're always closed up, but at least let me know you're doing okay? I deserve to know a little bit of truth, right?” I raised an eyebrow, and Beatrice nodded.

“Yeah… I'm sorry,” she apologized. “That day I was crying, I went out with my friends after classes after we aced our test and I had a lot to drink and I….” Beatrice trailed.

“You what?” I asked, eager to know what she did.

Beatrice rubbed her thighs together nervously and sighed. “I ended up having sex with Ryan,”

My jaw literally dropped.

What in the actual hell?

“You what?!” I asked, and she covered her face with her palm.

“I was drunk, I met him at the bar, and things just happened, I left immediately, and I became sober,” Beatrice said hurriedly.

“You better fuçking tell me he was also drunk,” I frowned.

“I don’t know, maybe?” she replied. “He came to look for me at the school, and I was running away from him. That's why I came back early that day,” she added.

“Something like this happened, and you didn't tell me?” I snapped, getting up from the couch.

“You already had a lot to deal with, I didn’t want to bother you,” Beatrice answered.

“I need to speak with Ryan. You were crying, Trixie!” I said, fishing out my phone in an attempt to call Karl.

“No, it wasn't Ryan's fault, it was a mistake and yes, I cried because well… that sort of thing isn't my style but I already put all of it behind me,” Beatrice assured.

I sighed and pulled my sister into a hug. “You have to tell me everything from now on, no matter what, I am you elder sister,” I said, and she nodded. “He asked you to meet with him today?” I asked.

“No, I asked to see him to see me so we can settle things properly,” she replied.

“It didn't look like it was going well,” I said.

“It doesn't matter,” Beatrice mumbled, and I sighed.

I have been so caught up in my shìt, I didn't pay enough attention to my younger sister.

The world truly doesn't wait for your problems.

_

After Beatrice fell asleep, I walked into the living room and turned on my phone.

1:00 am.

I went to Karl's message, and my hands hovered over the keyboard, wondering if I should send a message to him or not.

Beatrice clearly doesn't want me talking to Ryan, but I have to.

I took a deep breath and typed out a message before sending it.

Definitely wouldn't be seeing a reply till it's day break, but to my surprise, Karl’s message came almost immediately.

“Not ignoring me anymore, love?”

I sighed before replying. “You didn't answer my question,”

I had told him I wanted us to meet for something important.

He replied immediately. “If it means seeing your face, why not?”

“Alright, why are you awake by this time?” I asked, it's 1:00am doesn't he have work at day break or is work keeping him this late.

“Worried about my sleep schedule, love?”

I sighed, I always wondered why he always calls me love but never had the courage to ask.

“Goodnight,” I typed and turned off my phone, laying on the couch.

_

The next morning wasn't friendly, I know I have been looking like shit recently, but today felt worse for some reason.

Maybe because I slept late? Or because I slept on the couch.

I really need to fix my sleep schedule.

I sighed as I sipped from my coffee and walked out of the bus.

I said hi to Harper and walked into the changing room, I threw the empty coffee container in the trash bin and dropped my bag.

My phone pinged inside, and I pulled it out of the bag, staring at the message from an unknown number again.

Isn't Ethan tired yet?

I thought about just ignoring it, but I wanted to know what he had to say again.

Stupid. I know.

I tapped on the message, and I blinked. It

was something different this time, and I don't think this message is from Ethan because my mother was mentioned.