The Lies You Tell

by Jamila Allen

  Prologue

  Jason's mother died when he was four years old. From then on, he and his father Aaron had lived alone for three years before he met his wonderful new wife Lisa. Lisa had a daughter named Aaliyah before she and her husband divorced. They had gotten married right out of high school and while they have remained friends it just didn't work. At first, Jason was thrilled to have a new mother. Although he missed his biological mom, he loved Lisa and welcomed her with open arms. However, the thought of having to share everything with a new step sister never once crossed his mind. The same with Aaliyah, she was used to being the only child, and being spoiled rotten. Her mom and dad gave her an allowance to shop, get her hair done and mainly whatever else she enjoyed doing. She never had to do a chore, but the moment she and her mother moved in with Aaron and Jason, both of their worlds changed forever.

  Aaliyah and Jason have always been good kids. They never got into any real trouble, mostly followed all the rules, made excellent grades and, their parents were very proud of them. It's the very reason they allowed their youngest son, Cameron, to move in with them when he began to act out. They hoped that how responsible and mature Aaliyah and Jason were would rub off on him, and he would soon follow in their footsteps. Aaliyah and Jason lived in a quiet little apartment not far from the College they both attended.

  After graduating high school, they both received full scholarships and decided to find a place together to save money since neither wanted to live in the dorms or at home. After all, they had always gotten along pretty well as children; aside from in the beginning learning to be a blended family and, the usual occasional little spat that any two siblings would have. Over time, Jason and Aaliyah had practically become best friends. There weren't many times you would see one without the other. They were both even studying to become Teachers. They knew that being in college and trying to take care of their fifteen-year-old little brother and, with them only being twenty and twenty-one themselves, wouldn't be an easy task but, they loved their parents and their little brother, and wanted to help.

  Cameron had made the deal that he would go to school every day and do his best as long as he could live there. Cameron mostly was just in the stage of " I'm almost sixteen, I can make my own decisions." He just wanted to feel that he had his freedom. Although he still had to go to school and he still had to help keep the house clean, somehow he got that feeling at Jason and Aaliyah's house.

  Chapter 1

  It was bright and early Monday morning, Jason had already left for class, but Aaliyah's first class didn't start until ten. She went in the kitchen to fix herself and Cameron some breakfast. Soon she heard footsteps coming down the hallway of the beautiful two-bedroom apartment they lived in.

  " Good Morning Cam," Aaliyah said as her brother entered the room "Sleep well?"

  " I guess, but I still could stand at least another hour or two."

  "Come on Cam, breakfast is almost ready; go wash up so you can eat and get to school on time."

  "Can't you just write a note and say I'm sick, just for today?"

  "Cameron Amahaud Davis, you know the deal."

  Cameron chuckled. "Ok mom; you can't blame a guy for tryin' "

  "Don't play with me, you already know I have no problem turning into Lisa Renea Peirce Davis at any time needed."

  "Don't we all." Said Jason, walking in after realizing that his first class had been canceled for the day. Everyone laughed and sat down to eat the big breakfast Aaliyah had prepared. Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, fruit, and fresh orange juice. Somehow she always cooked way too much. More than likely because her mom had always taught her to cook extra just in case someone happened to stop by. In reality, this was something that wasn't much heard of anymore but, her mom was a sweet southern bell and raised Aaliyah to be the same. Furthermore, some habits are just too hard to break.

  "Alright man let's get you to school," Jason commented

  "See ya later Cam."

  "See ya later Sis."

  Jason and Cameron drove to the High school while listening to the radio. Cameron began to sing along with the lyrics and bobbing his head as they drove.

  "Why didn't you sign up for the talent show at your school man?" Said Jason

  "To have all the guys talking about me for singing gospel?” “You know I could never sing anything but something from the church if I want mom and dad to come.” “Nobody at school is trying to hear that."

  "Man do you hear yourself right now?"

  "There are plenty of people that want to hear that."

  " I bet the guys won't be saying a word if you have a swarm of girls after you because they heard your skills."

  " Besides, you know Brandon and Terrance aren't even like that." "You guys have been boys for years."

  "What about Amber, I bet Amber will come support you," Jason said with a smile on his face, teasing his little brother. The beautiful Amber, the girl Cameron had been infatuated with since she first moved there two years ago.

  "Yeah whatever J, see ya later.” “Don't forget I have basketball practice so I won't be ready until 6:30."

  “Alright man, see you after practice.”

  Jason drove back home and found Aaliyah now in the living room with books open.

  "Getting a little last minute studying in Lele?" Jason asked, using the nickname Aaliyah had gotten years ago before Cameron could say her name.

  "Yeah just rereading to make sure I understand this material for Dr. Briggs’s class."

  "I love philosophy, but there are so many things that can be questioned, so many different points of view."

  "I know how you feel," says Jason

  Aaliyah finally left for her class and decided to stay on campus to go to the library. Jason didn't have another class until noon, so he figured why not catch up on a little tv. It wasn't often that he actually got to watch anything anymore since most of his time was spent studying. He flipped through the channels that were mostly filled with relentless "reality" shows until he came across one of his all-time favorites, Family matters. He knew he had seen every episode so many times he could almost recite each one, word for word but, for Jason, this was one show that would never get old. After an hour and a half of laughing at back to back episodes, it was time for him to get to class.

  "Good afternoon class," said Dr. Jackson

  Good afternoon responses rang through the air from the room full of students.

  "I expect that you all read your chapters."

  Some nodded their heads while others tried not to be seen.

  "We're having a quiz over the material." "I have printed out one question, with three parts.” “You must answer correctly all three parts for full credit." "Once you're finished, place your quiz in one stack and, pick up a copy of the power point and, you're free to go for today." “We will pick up on Wednesday with the new chapters outlined in the PowerPoint." Be ready for open discussion and a group project."

  Jason was too excited. “Anytime he knew he could get an easy A, it put a grand smile on his face. As Dr. Jackson put the paper on his desk, he began to read and his expectations were confirmed. Name the first two aspects of humanistic psychology, give their definitions and, examples of both; was written on the paper. Jason was able to finish his quiz within a matter of five minutes and was quickly out the door. He was very surprised at how easy his day had gone but, was more than thankful for it.

  Chapter 2

  While sitting on the grass against a tree on the campus quad, Aaliyah's phone began to ring. She smiled when she saw it was her mother calling.

  "Hey mom, how are you?"

  "I'm blessed and highly favored honey, how are you?"

  Aaliyah laughed and said, " I'm right as rain mama right as rain."<
br />
  Aaliyah couldn't help but giggle because, before she even asked her mom how she was doing, she already knew what the answer would be. Her mom was a devoted, old school, Christian woman. It's one of the very things Aaliyah admired about her mom. No matter what was going on she never seemed to let anything get her down. She always prayed in the middle of trouble, and rarely complained about anything. Aaliyah felt like her mom was the true epitome of what a Proverbs 31 woman is and, desired with all her heart to be like her.

  "How's cam doing, he's not giving you and Jason too much trouble is he?" Lisa asked

  "No, he's doing really good, although he did try to get out of going to school today but, once I reminded him of our little deal he quickly changed his mind," Aaliyah said; assuring her mother everything was ok.

  "Good, if he begins to become too much don't you hesitate to send him back home but, as long as all is well."

  "Aaron and I are debating on whether to get him that car he wants for his birthday, so yours and Jason's reports will definitely weigh in on our decision."

  "What time is his basketball practice over?" I want to give him a call."

  "Aaliyah?" "Aaliyah?" "Hello?" "AALIYAH? HELLO!"

  "Oh yeah mom sure, sure, of course."

  "Aaliyah Diane Pierce, did you hear anything I just said?"

  "Sure mom, Cam, car, birthday, got it."

  "For your info, little girl, I asked you what time is Cam's practice over?"

  "Oh, sorry mom, yeah, he gets out at 6:30." "J is picking him up today." "I'm going to the campus library to study for my philosophy class,"

  "mmm hmm, seems like philosophy isn't the only thing you're studying."

  The truth was while Lisa was talking, the most gorgeous guy Aaliyah had ever seen had just walked by and smiled at her. He stood about six foot and obviously worked out regularly. This man, with arms like actor Dwayne Johnson, and chocolaty brown skin, the most mesmerizing green eyes, a beaming smile and, to top it all off, he had dimples as deep as the ocean. She couldn't have asked for a better looking man to pass her way if she could've created him herself. All Aaliyah could think at that moment was...

  " Lord help me."

  "Child, I'll talk to you later but, we're going to discuss this man that has your mind all in the sky."

  "Ok mom bye"

  Aaliyah hung up with her mother and came back to reality. She looked at the time and realized it was starting to get late and that maybe she should get to the library. It was almost time for Cameron to be out of practice so Jason got up and headed to the high school to wait.

  "Hey J"

  "Hey, how was practice?"

  "Man, it was fine but, Xavier was late and coach made us do twenty-five extra suicides for warm up.”

  "Ahh man, that sucks but, you know how it is play as a team, practice as a team."

  "I'm thinkin' Chinese food tonight, what are you feelin’?" asked Jason

  "Sounds good to me I just want to pass out really."

  "I feel you, bro. Have you thought any more about what we talked about this morning?"

  "What?"

  "The talent show."

  " Nope didn't intend to."

  "I'm tellin you, you should do it, bro. Come on you know you'd love to have a hundred dollars in your pocket."

  "Yeah but not at the cost of embarrassing myself; besides you know Blaine does the show every year and wins, I can't go up against him.

  "Bro, you sound better than that weak dude any day."

  "J, just let it go."

  The guys finally make it to the Woo Chung buffet and fill up three plates to take home.

  " Hey, Cam, text Lele and let her know we got dinner."

  "Aiight"

  After getting her reading done for her philosophy class, Aaliyah decided to go sit in one of the private booths on the second floor of the library to do research for her logistics paper she had due in a few days. Things had gone relatively well and she had gathered quite a bit of material and was getting kind of hungry. Since the boys had gotten Chinese and she noticed it was now a little after seven, she figured she might as well go home. While she liked Chinese food, it just wasn't something she preferred to eat cold if it wasn't supposed to be that way. To her surprise, when she went over to the printer to get her info, low and behold there he was. The mystery man that had smiled at her earlier was now in the library. How had she missed him, she wondered?

  "Hi, I'm Ray, you're Aaliyah right?"

  "Yeah, but, how'd you know my name?"

  "I have my sources," Ray said with a smile

  Aaliyah stood there with a puzzled look on her face until he finally said...

  "No, the truth is I saw you when you walked in and I asked the library clerk for the book you just turned in so I could look at the checkout slip."

  "Smooth, although I'm not sure I would've admitted that." Aaliyah giggled.

  "Hey but, at least I'm honest and since we're being so straightforward, I was wondering would it be possible for me to get your number and text you sometime."

  "No."

  Ray had a defeated look on his face until Aaliyah continued to say...

  "But, I suppose you could give me yours and when I have time I might text you."

  In all reality, Aaliyah couldn't have been more excited that he had asked for her number but, she was trying to keep her cool. Ray gave her his number and she left making sure she walked away as gracefully as possible. Aaliyah walked in the house with a huge smile on her face; it was as if she was floating.

  "What's wrong with you?" Cameron commented

  "What's his name?" Jason followed

  He knew that look, it was the same look Aaliyah had on her face when she first met her ex-boyfriend Chris but, this one was worse.

  "Ray, such a simple name, for such an extraordinary man."

  "Oh brother, and y’all tease me really?" sighed Cameron

  "Tease all you want; this might just be your future brother-n-law," Aaliyah said

  Jason and Cameron laughed and kept eating.

  "I'm serious, I'm just waiting for the right time to text him."

  Aaliyah sat down with the guys to eat and kept thinking about Ray. After dinner, she went straight to her room where she had put her phone on the charger. She went into her message center and clicked new message. After five minutes of contemplating whether it was too soon or not, Aaliyah closed her text messages and laid down. Beginning to toss and turn, toss and turn, suddenly there was a loud scream. Jason burst into Aaliyah's room,

  "Lele are you ok?"

  Sitting up slightly groggy,

  "Yeah I'm good J, sorry I was dreaming."

  "That must have been one bad dream"

  "Not exactly," she said under her breath

  "Huh?"

  "Nothing J, good night."

  After a dream like that, she knew she had to text Ray soon. Aaliyah had envisioned the two of them, all alone, making rough passionate love to one another. It was almost as if she could taste his smooth full lips, and feel his body gently nestled into hers. If Jason hadn't come in and woken her, she wouldn't have realized it was just a dream. They hadn’t even been on a date yet and her mind was racing like crazy.

  Chapter 3

  "Hey Ray, this is Aaliyah.” “Hope you're having a good day; on my way to class; talk with you later."

  Finally getting up the courage to at least text Ray, Aaliyah was still a little nervous but, that dream of hers had gotten her curiosities flowing.

  "Hey, my day is going pretty well; meet me for lunch after class?"

  "Sure, see you then."

  Aaliyah was so excited she could barely pay attention to her professor. As far as she was concerned this was their first date. The man she barely knew already had a hold over her that she just didn't understand. The clock struck 11:50a.m., professor Lawrence gave the homework assignment and Aaliyah darted out the door. Of course, she had to stop in the lady’s room to make sure she looked her best. When she finally made it
to the campus cafe, she was greeted with a smile.

  "Hello Beautiful,"

  Aaliyah truly was beautiful, she stood at five foot four; seven with the three-inch heels she had worn to class. She used to dance and still held her coke bottle frame, with her caramel complected skin and pretty hazel eyes that'd make any man look twice. To top it all off, she had long flowing jet black hair that seemed to fall just right, just above the mid of her back. Ray pulled Aaliyah's chair out for her and she sat down.

  "Thank you, you're such a gentleman."

  “That’s just how my mom always taught me to be.”

  “Sounds like a great woman.”

  “Oh, she most certainly is.”

  Aaliyah couldn’t help but to smile. She began to wonder if this was too good to be true. Smart, handsome, a gentleman, and single? There was no way.

  “I have to admit after you didn’t text me yesterday, I thought you weren’t interested,” Ray Said

  “I’m sorry I was just busy last night.”

  “Well, I’m glad that was the case.” “So, Ms. Aaliyah, tell me about yourself.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Anything; Everything.”

  Smiling Aaliyah says, “Ok, I’m twenty years old, I am studying to become a teacher, and I love to read, sing, and shop.”

  Ray chuckles, “A lady as gorgeous as you have got to love shopping; so what kind of teacher do you want to be?”

  “Well, I want to teach English but, I’m not sure what grade yet.”

  “Ok, ok, cool.”

  “Aaliyah looks at Ray and says, “What do you want to do?”

  “Sports medicine.”

  “Wow, nice!”

  Ray and Aaliyah talked for hours, asking each other everything under the sun. They talked for so long Aaliyah didn’t even realize that it was way past time for her to pick Cam up from school. The only thing that got her attention was the fact that her phone began to ring.

  “Oh shoot!” “I have to go.” “My little brother is waiting on me.” Aaliyah darted off.

  “Ok, well Call me….” Ray tried to hurry and say, but Aaliyah was too far gone to hear him.

  “Cam!” “I am so sorry, I got caught up at school,” Aaliyah said as Cam got in the Car.