The Truth About Lying

d as she unpacked the food

g a shower," Sarah says

mumbles as he sluggis

ten and Sarah g

entrance hearing Kirsten's voic

unning errands, doing D.I.Y. projects that, surprisingly, were s

she was talking about too. If it weren't for the dark basement and Grandma Em storming in when she saw her up on the roof with the carpenter, who

hs, "Real su

hing?" He asks, taking ou

ay

e here? Cause I have no plans of d

smirked, "he manages the

en set a plate in front of him. "So

project," Sarah says, "it's all going to be delivered tomorrow.

meeting her?" Seba

ekend at their beach house, so she wants one san

't make it in the morning." Kir

e." Sarah smiled, "Mayb

head, "I swear unless I forced her to

e her salads.

he wasn't the only one to noti

hat he drank on the sink, Sebastian snaps and chec

ly the water July

tox

erve it at the restaurant." Sarah waves a

is." Spilling the water down the

to be a size or two smaller than the next girl, but the detoxing drink

work herself, alright? I'll try my

through her meal, her phone rings. "Oh

t as well. I know you've been distractin

ind." Sarah smiled, "I'

ched her jog out the door

an the last time I s

rcise." Sebastian nods, taking a

heat July's food, "Unfortunately, not out of people's radar. I heard the latest. The

talked t

e likes July. He said she was nice and sweet but not in any way that people a

tian murmured,

ten sighed. "What do you think we should do? After she

d be

r arms over her chest, annoyed wit

was also beautiful to watch when she was lost in whatever she was busy with. For a couple of days, she showed how passionate she coul

he house that it felt natural, like she

me she went to the diner.

t continued with his breakfast—no se

d into the door. But July is different. It's not just because she had paid in advance. There's more to it. She shares the

hat do you th

ok, I

n says, "I think you can give

ou and Sarah probably know her more now,

es she shares a h

ne to ask about

on her hips, a stance that Sebastian was familiar with but rarely was at

was sure that that would get the woman to stop nosin

she had gone beyond her duty as a tenant. I know she doesn't deserve the gossip, but what can I do?" Sebastian mumbles, "

pping her hair and

n a short time or forever or knowing the most intimate

red at the wo

d the cold shoul

m n

e sees this as her home away from home, and whether you like it or not, you're part of that. Sh

leaves the kitche

love the view, you are in the dining ro

iving her a disapproving look t

t her third great music event she missed this year. The two-time Grammy Award winner was said to have gone off

Sebastian handed over the change to

hool cheerleader, groaned

ian frowned, wondering

Sebastian; you're

she was thirteen, five years later, still comes by fo

r Haywood High School, Gina is a girl with dreams of becoming a

dn't prefer his sister to be at home, but he should put a gap between the two, a vast continental-size

reasons for making her stay. He practically lost a day

is eyes and chuckl

points at t

to be her signature look of a band tee, torn pants, and bo

O

e industry, and she has been on hiatus for,

sing you'

she says in a

bout her. Sebastian jokes as

t's squad," She says with a tone of giving up, "Storm had written son

r idol. He couldn't care less about a diva; in her opinion, b

to hear one o

ing over her drink. "I'm still on

s, "If you become famous, you

ghs, "Anythin

rever and ever an

already." Sebas

he world," Gina says flatly. "But you deser

and half of the

o the tip box and whispered, "Anyway, I heard from the Green-Valley-sisterh

ys and her attempt at an English accent. "Your m

t remind me.

ter. It would be nice for July to give her an idea about the industry, and with S

ging out at home the last couple of days, sh

't she

home." H

busy making changes in the house. It was small, though, like how July buil

s in the house, dozens of fluffy towels, and things that Sebastian had

cause he did. The house now looked much

s of new throw pillows in the living room, going home to July

day night." Gina mumbled, "I swear, it's lik

they had nothing to do. She has a spare key for the house;

u said she wo

but she's been busy playing fix-it-Felix. T

you even checked if she made actual

ab a flight out of her country, G." Se

lse do you kn

July Bennet

east, know wh

my dad, he w

them down the drain, he was just as lost as when

ing for a new perspe

a gave him a flat look, "If she gets abducted, I'll tell the police

seen that she seems

of thing nowadays." The teenager si

counter, "You deserve better,

ocri

me." He says, "Unless

cut short when a group of me

n, "I'd leave them to your capable, capable hands. Sarah and I would be han

don't get

him another of her award-winning perform

rough estimate. Now, the ones

to leave, saying, "I

ing her emails and looking for any deadlines. She was yet to get any work done

oallergenic like she asked, and it was. She tucked it back aga

writing, aside from Sebastian's alarm that made her smile every morning and even hums a

at was happening at the headquarters, who had finished the

of stories to tell and emotions that needed to be removed, thus the release of Pandora. She didn't expect s

to the coffee table

ite about. She tried to fill it with

ing the piano and guitar, she had heard Sarah play, and she is better

umbles, bringing her laptop along

y set up against the wall beside the door so it wasn't visible outside. She then

s time to write something. It's been weeks since she ha

g as her warm-up song. Seeing everything she needed was work

just got back from cheer camp, but the popular girl had to cancel their meet-up when Gina's mom wanted her to stay home and pa

show July the photo of a dress she wanted to make for herself, and she was sure that Ju

ew girl. July was precisely the woman she wanted to be in a few years. Brave and su

e made for the living

e was sure he was beginning to accept the idea that there was a new add

while since the house was filled with melody, and from the vibration

housands of times. Sarah could sing it in her sleep too. Gina had been telling her that she'd like the artist, but at that time, she was

e song from July. Seeing she liked this version better, she was

hair up, headphones on, strumming away and singing with her all her heart, a smile gracing her lips as she

the house, she had never really been in July's roo

e a laugh tapping he

I want some

e me a jacket

g love even w

I want someone

pull me clos

ve you ti

produced almost magical soft music. The sound was

such a thing?

r bedroom door, with her dropped jaw and wide eyes, until she slipped off her headset and

my

magazine against her chest, which was long forgotten if

th your friends." July quickly says, sl

who yo

, you

my prayers." The teena

?"

als, "Once Sebastian hears you play like tha

vous chuckle before

ted to hear him play? You sa

if she said it's not like that anymore. From what she learned so far, Seba

her has a reason for not playing. I won't force h

g your voice would make him g

e young woman sigh behind her. "And you can't tell him that I play either, 'cause rea

to which July responded with arms crossing ov

if you record that version. My best friend is a fan o

ed and tur

s a cover of the ori

wift could, but to each their own." Sarah mutters, "But if she he

a slow no

July tells herself, contin

rent from Swift's, but I like a little change in my playlist, and it would be so cool if I made

he bottom of the stairs an

." She says, "I w

that equipment if y

ng water from the fridge

thing to do with wha

do with what she was writing. "Anyway,

ing her pack for a weekend at their beach h

at

ade a face, "I'm tired of being here. Let

of orange, "It does, I guess,

hy

and make new memories having people in the backgro

es, "Maybe perfect to

es as she laughed

. Looking around, he assumed that the house was empty and July had p

a rest day,

he sees July pouring soil inside a huge seedbox lining the fence, and from the looks of her sweaty shirt, she has been at it for quite some time. Her messy

he soil. Taking another glass of water, he q

her humming a familiar song unt

unk again… I'll be drunk again, I'll b

g his song, but her voice was a whole different agenda, unorthodo

m enough times to catch the

us a pool…" He stood outside the box a

oulder with a smile. "

t's the last thing we need."

edb

n see

ntinues digging, "Fewer maintenance ones, so it woul

earlier, he looks at the wood

to town fo

for me." She excitedly says,

ough to keep her out of range from the gos

ato, some car

ese and croutons in th

. And it's not just going to be for salads. I know that's what you're

e, like, sea

some that can survi

ive heavy rain and

ghs, "We

at, I brought you water.

but then raised her soil-dirty hands and

Uhm,

water escaped at the edge of her lips and down her chin past her neck and lower. Sebastian had to swallow the lum

r that went from the middle of her chest down halfway to her stomach, it's

he glass back, and sm

y, "Thought you neede

already past

issed

es

chuckled

ere

always has foo

m a grown woma

preferably now. So, come on, I'll help you out with the

"I'll take yo

," he adde

f the gigantic seedbox and walked

Gina saw you were gett

left for lunch. Her friend had to cancel, thoug

, "She did say t

girl," July admitted, "Sarah has

as all he could say as h

e that official, like hazing in a frat house. She didn't deserve it, and like him, she escaped from the t

t his tenant. Sebastian had never been so relieved to be home. Half a day with Harry and a sulking Moe was too much even for him. In his opinion,

in as their guest,

ouse, he had the night off and decided to get his clothes p

aughing, which he was

which annoyed him for some reason that he didn't know. He's sure they have use

r, remembering the last time he forgot; his grandmother

Sarah, I

live across the street."

his grandmother; if any, she's a whole lev

an average 80-year-old. But despite all the moments at the I.C.U. and the emergency room, the blonde girl had

e while suffering from her sickness; she kept her grades up with th

d her for why Sebastian stayed in Green Valley, but Sarah knew better. She knew w

there were very few things in her life that made her happy, and when something came along

hing football games and cheering on their team. Sebastian was thankful enough that s

unger until he had to watch over his sister. To go exclusive with anyone wasn't on hi

e we still

were supposed to mov

t it! Grandma made a valid point that the rent would help us a lot, a

bers moments that mattered, mostly with their dad, since their m

c of their pity parties, and had enough of it. She is well and getting bett

ce. If only she were just as talente

rned with the tears she held bac

y, but they were a damn better family than most, and tha

n knelt before her, "We

tears and chuckled,

ave him a look, "Well, if it makes you feel better, I w

he shook

Sebastian a

he keeps remembering the events of the day, like how she handled the

oo strong, too

sks, "I would like to be like

t that my

just a backpack in the middle of a storm; she's like freakin' Dorothy in Oz. Gina even called me from Cheer C

washed my shirt, her underwear got mixed in, and she turne

attention, and she's n

s the good kind of

malfunctioning kidney anymore." She grumbled, "I

e for his sister to sound so weak; it was next to never; usually, it happens

na know that, the people you love and care for

rested her head

ne ever wants to be a charact

away her tears, leani

than Gina." Sebastian secretly agrees. "Gina wan

m Green Valley talks about nothing but getting out

July." Sarah smiled, "You know ho

intuition

arah gave him a sad look and n

im puppy dog eyes, "maybe we can invit

its up, "I can make bake mac

u prepare her." He kiss

invite

stian stands, happy to have settled it with

with big brown eyes, "Since you're moving bac

never mad, were you? You were practically praying for m

laughing. "I just ran out of space, and you

r, "Ok, ok, we'll fix it on Sunday, y

you!" She says,

ed, "Anyway, I need to get

our jobs?" She says slowly. "You did say

sad smile, "We'll see

realized he was still at his grandmother's house; guessing he must have fallen as

e was greeted by singing an

oking, two dancing along to

god-given name i

and both girls' faces

he radio, "You are just in t

glanced at the timer on th

nutes," Sar

different she was, her wild hair beside Sarah's straight black hair, her sun-kissed skin against S

h, honey, you know that when you invite someone for

fine. She saw the people from the phone compan

, I f

er head, "I wouldn't mind

y day, when you say nine am, they are at the door at eight fifty-nine with one minute t

ng ones

andma made her garlic bread,

ready; you ladies put your fe

." Grandma Em says and makes

says, to which the older lady responds with

cking to Tay's music," Sara

to other music." Sebastian start

to other m

ne Direction an

Jason Mraz and John Mayer. I ju

hed, "Where d

pushed him playfully and turne

the lettuce. "Its diversity holds the unspoken truth

oman who had now moved to sl

ys, shortening the silence. "Y

o of your song choices.

o much for the l

f music do you lis

ys, "I have an

be trusted," Seba

ike Michael Bublé, and at the same time, I like Fall Out Boy. I listen to R. Kelly and Usher but have littl

ee." Sebastian guesse

rtoire at the beginning; I particularly enjoyed th

Sarah tells her broth

on't hear Taylo

when I'm

ere, which I'm guessing

, sir." July teased as she dropped the sliced

bastian plays g

Sebastian, who was hidi

. He's perfect, good

is sister and hands her the u

t, Sarah cleaned the ut

for their money last night; I think you acquired s

"Meh, you get us

? What do you do for

she clears her t

e no

econd and makes a face, "St

it under a pen name? That's why you don't w

ng, "I wish it's as popular as t

ou." Sarah excitedly says,

was saying. She had always been lively, even when stuck in the hospital bed. Countless times, Sebastian arrived at th

the right moments, which made the younger woman more excited, and from the looks of it, July was g

ng he was passionate about. Everything he learned from his dad and what he taught Sarah. She could play and read

asti

to the girls stari

seconds," Sarah laughs, "you're jus

e is not

, it

similar

h asks July, "Do we

ou deal with this the way you deal with th

ah stuck out her ton

with that." She picked up the salad bowl and handed it t

she and Sebastian walk to the dining room,

, Sebastian

personal detail out; conversation kept flowing along with the laughter. Grandma Em even took o

don was like and what was men there were like, that part Sebastian had to draw t

ons to deal with the dishes, much to July's disagreement,

the day started; he needed that to change before the

into the kitchen for a glass of water. "Your sister

his hand inside his pock

ys, "She's a lively little thing

the island across from her. "

ho

" He asked, "It's alright if you don't tell me;

eping it a secret or anything; it

do tend to sp

y smiled, "Anyway, I'm

mil

ing lik

he finds whoever she's looking for, she'd leave, it

have lived her

e, "someone told me a mention of his nam

ooking fo

oung when he left Green Valley, and honestly, I don't know anything about

and a few people a few towns over." Sebastian insisted.

ughed, embarrassed, "I don't have

t's

ze at the mention of th

throat, confused. "Why

"That part I want to keep t

" He nod

; it had been long si

om his life a little over a decade ago. Maybe she knows where he is an

sound f

e

aybe he's from the other side of town. I'll ask aroun

some rest. I have another day of cleaning to do. Your grandmother pointed out som

n do

hand, "You are busy as it is. Let

ut

t for Sarah; I'll do wha

r glass in the sink. He wanted her out of th

why she was lookin

s you said, this is our home; I guess you threatened me. I know it's probably too

nks, I appreciate

ou can ask me for help anytime, carrying your box

k at you,

fter Grandma Em told her stories of when he would play in the town hall

." She teased, making her

houlder. "You said someone told you that mentio

ea

old yo

letop tightened. "I don't know why she would say t

now hi

stry as I am," then she made

n, lost for words at hea

She winked at him, "G

, July." He

of his sight, Sebasti

or making