Not Everything Is As It Seems Novels & Stories

Perhaps it was because behind the facade, I noticed something deeper, something that echoed within every one of us. Everything I had ever known was a lie; no, not a lie, but a reality kept carefully away from us – a masterpiece of deception and dark surprises behind velvety drapes. Nothing, I realized, was as it seemed. All of those little things I’d noticed which had made no sense at the time, they had accrued. Those things now became a well of knowledge from which to draw upon. What was it Dornell had once said to me? ‘You notice things too; you just don’t see it yet.’

A piece of paper fell on the ground and she raised an eyebrow. It states, "Be wary of those you trust. It's not always as it seems. I'm sorry."

We need to keep up appearances, remember? I nodded, though the words sounded hollow in my mouth. Appearances. That's all this was, wasn't it? A carefully crafted lie, a show for everyone to believe. But I knew the truth. I knew that when the cameras weren't rolling and the guests weren't clapping, I was just a pawn in a game I didn't fully understand.

“She seems nice, though. A little rough around the edges, but... nice.” Eleanor doesn’t say anything for a moment; she just looks at me like she’s trying to decide whether to push the subject or let it drop. Finally, she nods. “Good. Just remember, not everyone has good intentions, even if they seem like they do at first.” I can’t argue with that. In the time I’ve been here, I’ve seen enough to know that people are complicated. Sometimes they’re not who they say they are, and other times they’re hiding.

"Dad, let me explain. This is all a misunderstanding!" Grandpa sneered. "A misunderstanding? You have Madison steal Phoebe's trophy and take her place. Who gave you the courage to do that? "You thought I was too busy working on pottery in the mountains to notice your tricks? Phoebe protected you before, but now that she doesn't want you as her father anymore, I'm going to settle the score with you today!"

Stella, Kai looks so handsome tonight.... I don’t know how lucky I am to have someone like him interested in me. My mind is so messed up, I can’t distinguish between reality and imagination anymore. I’m seeing that asshole everywhere, even when he’s not really there, and my dreams are getting worse... and worse. Nowadays, I cry more than I smile. I just want this nightmare to be over so I can move on with my life and be a normal teenager again.

"Everything isn’t what it seems. Be careful." She nodded subtly, understanding enough to stay quiet. We mingled with Samantha and Arabella, laughing and dancing. I tried to act normal, pretending that I was enjoying myself, but my heart wasn’t fooled. Every smile felt forced, every laugh hollow. Beneath the glittering chandeliers and music, something dark lingered in the air—an unease I couldn’t shake.

“Not everything is what it seems.” Sienna’s heart pounded. “Who are you? What do you want?” The woman’s gaze hardened. “Let’s just say I’m someone who’s been watching this story unfold for a long time. Sometimes the truth is buried so deep it’s hard to find.” As the woman left abruptly, Sienna’s mind raced. Who was she really? What secrets did she hold? Dominic leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Question everything, Sienna. Nothing is as simple as it looks.”