Lies

English class was so boring, the teacher's voice had a soft lull mixed with it and it took all my energy not to lay my head on the desk and move to Dreamland.

  Thankfully, Luciana had taken the chance to introduce me to the whole class, that, I was thankful for and the teacher didn't hesitate to sign my slip of paper. Apart from that, I could felt some students eyes drilling holes behind my head, Luciana had made me sit in the empty seat besides her which was located in the middle of the classroom, I really wanted to sit at the backseat row which was very empty but I couldn't voice it out.

  "Hey are you okay?" She asked me, looking very concerned.

  I felt really sick from the stares that I was receiving but I still wrote down some key points.

  I nodded and looked at the clock, only a few minutes to go.

  Few minutes later,

  As the bell rang, she stood up excitedly and started pulling me through the hallways, students naturally paved way from the firecracker queen /yes that's what I'm calling her/ "Come on"

  "Let's slow down, I feel a little motion sick" she had a lot of energy, that running had tire me out thanks to my bruises and I tried not to flinch whenever she grabbed me sharply or hugged me.

  Mathematics class was so great! I literally zones out on the teacher. Note the sarcasm. I suck at maths and just managed to keep an average grade in it. As usual Luciana introduced me to the teacher and he signed the slip withouts questions. The bell rang and I looked forward to my favorite subject

  Spanish.

  She was a bubbly red haired lady, I instantly took a liking to her.

  "Hola clase" (Hello class) she said with a smooth tone

  "Hola señorita Camila"(Hello Miss Camilla). Most students including Luciana replied enthusiastically, I take it that she had a good relationship with the class.

  Miss Camilla scanned the whole class until her eyes found mine, I stared back for a bit, somewhat bewildered. "Parece que hay un nuevo estudiante en clase hoy. Por favor presentate (it seems that there is a new student in class today, please introduce yourself)"

  I stood up quiet confidently and didn't miss the words 'slank' ' slut' 'i bet she doesn't know Spanish' said in my direction, I couldn't take it to heart as Miss Camilla seemed truly happy about my presence and I was eager to prove them wrong.

"Hola a todos, mi nombre es Renée McCartney. tengo diecisiete años (Hello everyone, my name is Renée McCartney, I'm seventeen years old)" I replied in fluent Spanish.

Lunch

  As we walked back to our lockers, Luciana was still gushing over the fact that I could speak Spanish. "Ohmigod. You can speak it fluently. Did you see how suprised Miss Camilla looked and the rest of the students. How did you do it, I'm not as fluent as you, I can speak Italian, Portuguese, French but not perfect Spanish"

  It was my turn to be stunned, she could speak about five languages including English but is excited that I could speak Spanish. "My mother taught me for a bit and I had to study it more".

"I would really love to meet her".

  I gave a sad smile "well, she died a long time ago".

  "I'm so sorry" she hugged me and I tried to to excape her grasp hurried as she unintentionally touches some of my bruises, I was feeling a slight pain in my ribs... probably cracked or broken.

  "It's fine, it happened a long time ago".

  "Come on, let's get lunch...then it's time for MAKEOVER!!".

 

  The cafeteria was stunning, the lights, tables and chairs were arranges in a beautiful manner. I didn't have time to stare as Luciana started pulling me to a table, thankfully an empty one

"Luciana! Sit with us".

"Luciana have lunch with me".

"Luciana who's your new friend!".

......and so on.

  It was as if everyone was familiar with Luciana and wanted her to sit with them but she say on an empty spot with me. I felt stares from all around me, some were confused, some were curious, others were angry. But why?. Soon the incessant chattering in the cafeteria continued

  "Ignore them"

  "You're quite popular, why would you want to be with me instead of them" I looked and played with my nails which were plain compared to luciana's which were painted blue with small scattered star shapes on them.

  She followed my gaze and placed both hands over mine "I really want to be friends with you. You're quite an interesting person. I'm not so popular, my brother and ma- boyfriend are the most popular in the whole town hence the reason everyone knows me... including my parents are quite a popular figure".

  "So where are they now?" I tried looking around with hopes to find the most popular guys which might end up being eye catching figures but no one seems to fit in that category.

  "They had some matters to deal with so they didn't come today. So wipe that look on your face, I'm hungry".

  Knowing fully well how poor I am, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to afford even the cheapest sandwich on the menu "uhh I'm fine. I won't have anything, I'm not hungry" I forced a smile on my face trying to reassure her and myself.

  "No way! You have to eat something". I'm not sure if she could see through my act. "Please, you have to eat something or I might have to shove it down your throat. It's my treat!" She walked away to the counter probably to get lunch for us.

'At least she'll be paying' I thought inwardly, trying to suppress my hunger.

  She was back few minutes later with a girl who was trying to balance two trays on both hands.

  I faceplamed as the girl left.

  "What?" She had this innocent look on her face "I couldn't ask any of the males for help and she offered to help"

  "Why couldn't you ask a guy for help, I'm sure a lot of them would have fought to help"

  She giggled "that would have been quite a scene, but my ma-boyfriend can get do jealous over this things, he prefer that he does it and no one else except by brother.... Well since it's my brother".

  I notice how she always made a slip when trying to mention boyfriend. It's probably nothing.

  She nudged me lightly "come on eat up so that I can get started with your makeover. I'm still gonna ask about the boy on your life" she winked.

  I was taking a drink out of a small carton of milk and almost spluttered "What?! There's no one in my life ".

  " I'll pretend to believe you" she muttered in between bites of her sandwich.

  I smiled. In an attempt to change the topic "Why don't you tell me about your love life".

  A dreamy expression was on her face "He is everything I ever wanted in a guy, he is my prince charming and always Mays my heart flutter, his kisses-"

  Now this is going to get awkward soon

  "-his kisses are like sugar, the sex-"

  I coughed loudly, my face heated up "No, I don't want to know about that aspect"

  She laughed at me "you're so innocent, I could almost believe that you have not had your first kiss yet"

  "I haven't" I shrugged like it's completely normal.

  "No way! You need to loosen up girl! You need to eat more, you're too skinny for my liking. Stop dieting and flaunt that body that ya momma gave ya" she placed her hands around my chest region and gave me a little shake.

  Little does she know that I'm malnutrited and not diet, I tried to laugh and not sigh at her funny actions. "Stop!" I gently slapped her hands away.

  She giggled at my flustered face "you're in need of a wardrobe advisor and that's me!. We're going shopping tomorrow"

  I started to shake my head to decline but she wasn't taking no for an answer.

  "It's fine. You need a total make over that would make every guy turn and stare. Who knows, you might meet the right person soon".

  What! I just got to this town, this school and she's trying to draw guys attention to me. I have to look for a way to prevent myself from going shopping, if my father finds out, I'll get in so much trouble.

  First, prevent her from seeing the bruises on my face.

  "Luciana, could we have a complete makeover tomorrow".

  " I thought you wouldn't ask!" She almost screamed. "What about a sleepover, my place! Tomorrow"

  "I'll have to speak to my father about it. He worries about me a lot and wouldn't want me out of his sights for too long" I lied.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll agree or I'll have to make him, the hard way or the easy way". A frown could be seen on her forehead.

  I sighed. This is gonna be difficult. "Don't worry I can convince him on my own just fine". I lied, again