Pretty, Twisted Lies: A friends to lovers standalone by Emily Bowie

Author:Emily Bowie [Bowie, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Emily Bowie
Published: 2020-06-16T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 27

January

18 years old

Graduation

Our house is packed with people I don’t know, all for me. They’re here to celebrate me graduating. My parents playing the dutiful parents who love their daughter, while I play the beautiful but silent daughter who’s agreeable. It’s boring and stuffy as hell.

“Kellie, come play the piano for us,” my mother requests, showing off for her friends.

I smile, nodding while I get pats of congratulations as I walk over. Everyone has stopped, and their attention is gathered at the piano, the focal point of the room.

Sitting at the white and black keys, I play my parents’ favorite piece, knowing it will make them happy. The happier they are, the less they focus on me. I’m hoping I can sneak out of here before the party ends.

When I stop, the room breaks out in clapping before my father silences everyone with the ting of his glass. “We wanted to say we are so honored for all of you to share in our celebration of Kellie.” He looks around the room, every eye on him. My father thrives in atmospheres like this. I prefer to stay on the outskirts and blend in.

“Kellie.” He looks now to me. “Your mother and I are so proud of you. Not only did you finish with honors, but you finished before the year ended.” His hands go into his pocket, producing a set of car keys.

Every gift comes with compromises. This isn’t a free gift because my parents love me. But no one else knows this. The crowd gasps, and I fake my eyes widening and gasp before I come to hug my parents. They walk me out of the house with the rest of the crowd. It’s like one of those ridiculous scenes from my big Sweet Sixteen television episodes that show outrageous birthday parties, but this is for my graduation. A beautiful red vintage Corvette is waiting for me. The funny thing is, I have no idea how to drive standard, not that they put any thought of that into their gift.

I do my part, sitting in the driver seat, looking excited for a car I’ll never drive.

“Kellie,” Mr. Preston’s deep voice comes out strong. I step out of the car. Noah and his parents are in front of the crowd. “We have seen you grow up in front of our own eyes. You are like the daughter we never had.” Noah walks toward me with a small gift-wrapped box. “We just want you to know how proud we are of you.”

As I take the box from Noah, he gives me a kiss on the cheek. Unwrapping it in front of everyone, because that’s what this crowd does, there is a beautiful thin gold chain with a music note on it, encrusted with diamonds.

Noah takes it from me, placing it around my naked neck. Now I know why my mother made me take my necklace off before the party.

“Thank you,” I say loud enough for everyone to hear before going to give the Prestons a hug.

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