The Lies You Tell

by Jamila Allen

  A few weeks later, Lisa thought her life was surely over. She found out she was pregnant. She cried alone for hours on top of hours. She and Johnathan hadn’t spoken a word to each other since that night. She wasn’t sure what he told his parents about why she had driven his car and, why he had gotten home so late and, frankly she didn’t care. She knew she had to do something, so she gathered up all the money she had saved and went to the clinic for an abortion. Abortion was something Lisa never, ever, thought that she’d ever do. However, she just couldn’t bare it. She couldn’t bare having to tell anyone what had happened, let alone that she was pregnant. So, she did what she had to do. The doctor at the clinic gave her a full work up before the procedure. Her parents just thought she had gotten the flu or something. A few days later Lisa got a call.

  “Hi, May I speak to Lisa Anderson?”

  “Yes, this is she.”

  “Hi Lisa, this is Mary from the Women’s health clinic.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, we got the results back from your labs, and we have some information we need to discuss with you.” “Can you come down here as soon as possible, please?”

  “Sure, I can be there after school today.”

  “Perfect, we’ll see you then.”

  Lisa couldn’t imagine what they would have to tell her. She felt fine. The school day had finally ended and Lisa made it to the clinic and asked for the nurse. The nurse came out and took Lisa back to a private room.

  “Ok Lisa, there’s no easy way to tell you this, so here it is.” “Well, the reason I called is because the labs that we did on you came back and showed that you have an STD called gonorrhea.”

  “What!” “But, but I’ve only been with one person.”

  “Well, maybe you have but, looks as if your partner hasn’t, or he could have been born with it but, it is unlikely.”

  Lisa broke down in tears. She didn’t know what to do or what to think.

  “The good news sweetie is that we caught it in time and, it is curable.” Said the nurse. “We will put you on some antibiotics, and then have you follow up with us to retest in a few weeks,” “Ok?”

  “Ok.” Said Lisa

  “We do however need you to contact your partner and get him in here for treatment as well.”

  That was the last thing Lisa wanted to do but, later that day she called Jon and, sure enough, he admitted to sleeping with someone else. Lisa was absolutely distraught. The only guy she had ever loved, had raped her, cheated on her, and lied to her. So you can see why exactly she was always so desperately concerned about Aaliyah. She had never told her this story but, she was determined not to let anything like that to ever happen to her daughter.

  Chapter 9

  A couple of days had gone by with Aaliyah, avoiding Ray.

  “Hey Beautiful It’s Ray, I was just thinking about you.” “Hope everything is ok.” “Talk to you soon.”

  “Hey Aaliyah, I hope I didn’t do anything to offend you.” “If so, I’m sorry.” “I really would like to see you again.”

  “Hey, umm, I guess you’re busy, hope to hear from you soon.”

  He had sent her text after text, call after call. She just hadn’t figured out how to have the waiting until marriage conversation with him yet. Every scenario in her head ended with him saying nice knowing ya. It was the end of the day and Ray was determined to find out why Aaliyah was ignoring him. He knew that Aaliyah liked to go to the Library on Tuesday’s, so he gathered his stuff and went upstairs, and there she was. Aaliyah was sitting in the same spot as when they first met. The thing is she wasn’t alone today.

  “So this is why you couldn’t return my text or calls.” “You got someone else.” “You could’ve just told me, Aaliyah, instead of hiding it.”

  “Ray, No!” “You have it all wrong.” “This is my brother Jason.”

  “Jason this is Ray; the guy I’ve been telling you all about.”

  “Nice to meet you man, but uh, next time you

  insinuate my sister is shady, we might have a problem, my dude.”

  “I’m sorry man, I feel so stupid, I jumped to conclusions, I should have known better.” “I just, never mind, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize to me, apologize to Lele.”

  “I’m sorry Aaliyah.”

  “It’s ok.”

  “Yeah well looks like y’all have some stuff to work out, but uh, Lele I’ll be right over here if you need me.” Said Jason

  “I’ll be fine J,”

  “I’m just saying.”

  “You want to sit down?” Aaliyah asked Ray.

  “Sure.” Replied Ray.

  “I should apologize.” Said Aaliyah.

  “Ray, I didn’t mean to make you feel like I had someone else or that I didn’t want to see you, it’s just, I have something I need to talk to you about and, I’m not sure how you’re going to take it.”

  “Well just tell me.” “I’m sure it can’t be any worse than what I was imagining on my own.”

  “Well, I’m not sure about that but, ok here it goes.”

  “I’m celibate Ray.” I’m really trying to wait until I get married to have sex.” “No, I’m not a virgin.” “My ex I told you about was my first but, I thought we were getting married and, well he turned out to be a jerk.” “So, I promised myself and God, ever since then that, that I’d wait for my husband.”

  Ray began to laugh.

  “It’s not funny Ray.” “I’m serious.”

  “Oh no, I’m sorry for laughing but, that’s it?”

  “That the big secret?”

  “That’s the reason you’ve been avoiding me all this time.”

  “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

  “Well, I thought that you may not want to see me if I told you.” “I was afraid.” Said Aaliyah

  “and I really like you.”

  “Seriously Aaliyah, after all, the time we’ve spent together that’s what you think of me?” “I know we’re still getting to know each other but, still, I thought we were better than that.”

  “Look, I like you too, and if you want to wait, then we’ll wait,” said Ray.

  Aaliyah was so relieved she didn’t know what to do.

  “Wow, you really are perfect huh?”

  “Yeah well, you know.”

  Ray and Aaliyah laughed and talked until Jason finally got up and decided he was ready to go.

  “Hey, I’m tired, let’s get home Lele.” Said Jason

  “Come on J, just a few more minutes.”

  “No, I want to go to bed.”

  “I’ll take you home if you want to stay.”

  “Ok, so are you staying or coming with me?”

  “I’ll stay.” Said Aaliyah

  “Whatever man, I’ll see you at home.”

  “Ok.”

  After Jason left, Ray and Aaliyah gathered up their things and took a walk around campus. They talked, and laughed, laughed and talked for the next three hours. It was only when they ran into campus security that they realized it was almost midnight. The conversation between them just seemed to flow so naturally that they never wanted it to end. Ray drove Aaliyah home and walked her to the door, gave her a kiss goodnight, waited for her to go inside and, drove off. Aaliyah was so spell bound she didn’t even realize that Jason was sitting on the couch watching her every move. When Aaliyah finally turned around…

  “What’s up?”

  Aaliyah jumped and Jason turned the lamp on.

  “Jason, you scared the living day lights out of me.”

  “Yeah well, something needs to scare you.” “Do you have any idea what time it is?”

  “Yes, and I’m grown Jason, I can stay out as late as I want.”

  “Aaliyah, you don’t even know this guy.” “Why do you trust him so much?”

  “I know all I need to know.”

  “You don’t know that Aaliyah.”

  “Yes, I do J.” “Why can’t you just trust me?”

 
“Why can’t you just listen to the people that love you?”

  “Because you’re being paranoid.”

  “Well, maybe you should try it sometimes and stop being so reckless.”

  “Goodnight, Jason.” “I’m done talking.”

  Chapter 10

  The next morning Aaliyah got up and out of the house before the boys. She just didn’t feel like dealing with Jason so early in the morning. She text Ray to meet her at the campus café for breakfast. Of course, he happily obliged.

  “Hey beautiful,”

  “Hey.”

  “Everything ok.”

  “Yeah. Sort of.” “Jason and I got into a big fight last night.” Said Aaliyah

  “Let me guess, he’s upset I brought you home so late last night.”

  “You got it.”

  “Let me talk to him.” “I’ll smooth things over.”

  “No, not with Jason.” “It’ll just make things worse, trust me.” “It’s ok I got it.”

  “Ok, whatever you think is best.” Said Ray

  “Enough about my problems with my overbearing brother.” “What are your plans for today?”

  “Well, I have class this morning, and hopefully, I get to spend more time with my beautiful lady after.”

  “Oh really?” “Do I know this beautiful lady?”

  “Look in the mirror and you’ll find her.”

  They both laughed.

  “Oh! So I’m your lady now?”

  “Yes, and you better not forget it.”

  “Come on, let’s get to class.” “Who do you have?” “I’ll meet you there after it’s over, and we’ll go to lunch.” Said Ray.

  “Professor Lawrence, Adams building, room 1304.”

  “Ok, cool, see you then

  Chapter 11

  “Good morning class.” Said Professor Lawrence.

  “Good morning.” The class responded in unison.

  “Today we’ll be discussing the class project.” “I’m going to put you all in groups of three.” “Everyone in the group will get the same grade, so you might want to make sure you hold each other accountable.” “Ok, First group, Aaliyah, Leslie, and Elliot.” “Second group, Ashely, Amanda, and Katelyn.” “Third group, Sarah, Bradly, and Brittney.” “Next will be Brandon, Asher, and Madeline, and last but not least, Gary, Samantha, and Andrew.” “The topic of your project will be, should social media presence be considered in college admittance selection?” “You must choose to be for or against and you must have supporting evidence as to why.” “You also have to come up with a list of pros and cons, and decide what the rules would be concerning this policy.” “Lastly, you must put together a presentation to explain your ideas to the class.” “You may use the rest of today’s class time to start discussing with your teams and come up with a game plan.” “Alright, get to it.”

  Everyone began moving into the respective groups chatting about ideas, and who was going to do what; when they were going to meet etc. After a while, the clock struck 11:50 and everyone began gathering their things to leave. As Aaliyah began to walk towards the door to wait for Ray, Professor Lawrence stopped her.

  “Umm Ms. Peirce, may I speak with you for a moment?” he said.

  “Well, actually I’m on my way…” Aaliyah began to say.

  “It’ll only take a moment.” He interrupted her.

  “Ok, sure.” Said Aaliyah

  “I saw you and I’m guessing your family Sunday at Golden Corral and, the other lady that was there looked so familiar to me.” “Was that your mom?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Oh ok, What’s her name?” “I know this is probably weird but, it’s just been bugging me because I think I know her from somewhere.”

  “Oh, it’s fine; her name is Lisa Davis; used to be Anderson if that helps.” “Do you know her?”

  “No, no, I guess not.” “Maybe she has a twin out here.”

  Professor Lawrence laughed.

  “Oh, ok,” Aaliyah said

  At that moment, Ray peeked in the door.

  “You ready Lele?”

  “Was that all Professor Lawrence?”

  “Oh, yeah, sure, go ahead.”

  Aaliyah and Ray left, and Professor Lawrence began scurrying through his bookshelf.

  “Where is it?” “Where is it?” “I know it’s in here somewhere.” “Where is it damn it!” “Where is that book?” “Got it!”

  He began flipping the pages and low and behold there she was.

  “Well, well, well, there you are.” “It’s been a long time.”

  “And my, my, my, how the tables have turned.”

  Chapter 12

  “So how was your class miss lady?” Asked Ray

  “It was fine. Professor Lawrence is a little strange, though.” Said Aaliyah

  “How so?”

  “Well, when you walked in, he had just finished asking me about my mom.” “Apparently he saw us out to eat after church Sunday and thought he knew her.” “It turns out he didn’t and, it wasn’t so much what he said, just the look he had on his face as we were talking.”

  “Oh, well babe, maybe he was just thinking or something, who knows?” Ray said smiling

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

  “Ok, enough about your professor, where would you like to go to dinner tonight?”

  “I don’t know, surprise me.”

  “Oh, you shouldn’t have said that.”

  Ray and Aaliyah laughed.

  “Ugh, what am I going to do with you?”

  “Kiss me and keep letting me see that beautiful smile,” Ray said with a grin.

  “Deal.” Said Aaliyah

  “Alright then.” “Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.

  “Oh, Crap, I left my keys on professor Lawrence’s desk, when we were talking!!

  “Ok, well let’s go see if he’s still there.”

  “It’s ok, I’ll go, you go ahead, I’ll see you tonight.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah, it’s fine.” “You know you need your beauty rest before tonight,” Aaliyah said chuckling.

  “Oh, ok, you got jokes?” “We all can’t be naturally stunning like you.” “Ok, I’ll see you later.”

  “Alright babe, later.”

  Aaliyah walked back across campus to Professor Lawrence’s classroom only to find an empty room. Thankfully the door was open, so she walked in and went over to the desk and found no keys. She started looking all over the room frantically saying to herself; “I know I had to leave those keys here.” She finally decided to see if maybe Professor Lawrence had put them inside the desk. She walked around the desk and began opening drawers to search through them. No sooner did she lean over to check the last drawer, she felt a hand caress her. Without looking around she said…

  “Ray, you were supposed to be gone.” “I told you, I’d be fine.”

  “I’m not sure who Ray is, but fine you certainly are.” “Looking for these?” A voice said while jingling keys.

  At that moment, Aaliyah stood up and turned around to Professor Lawrence standing so close to her she could feel his breath on her face. She attempted to step back and he grabbed her and pulled her close.

  “Professor Lawrence, what are you doing?” Aaliyah exclaimed

  “I should’ve known all this time.” “You look just like her, but, last I heard from that hoe she had aborted my baby and, called me about some bull the doctor told her.”

  “You’re crazy! What are you talking about?” Screamed Aaliyah as she fought his hold.

  “oh, sweetheart, I’m far from crazy.” “After we’re done, you can ask your hoe ass mama what I’m talking about.” Said Lawrence.

  “Get off of me!” Screamed Aaliyah

  He didn’t listen. Before Aaliyah knew it, her professor had pushed her on the desk, using one arm to hold her down, while using the other to slide her panties down.

  “Please don’t do this.”

  “Oh, but I have to.
”

  At that moment Aaliyah closed her eyes and tears began streaming down Aaliyah’s face when all of a sudden, Lawrence fell to the ground. She opened her eyes to see Ray standing there reaching for her.

  “Babe, are you ok, did he hurt you?” Asked Ray

  “I’m ok, but how did you know?”

  “Your phone pocket dialed me.” “When I realized what was going on I rushed back.” “Come on, let's get out of here before he wakes up.” “We’ll call the police from my car.”

  “The police?” “They will lock you up for hitting him, Ray.”

  “So what, I was defending you.” “I’ll take that.”

  “No Ray I won’t let you go to jail.”

  “I won’t go anywhere.” “I was defending you.”

  “Who’s to say they will believe that?”

  “Evidence, We’re calling and that's that.”

  “What evidence?” “It's our word against his.”

  “Yes sir, I’d like to report a sexual assault,” Ray told the dispatcher completely ignoring Aaliyah at this point.

  “No, not me, I am a witness.”

  “My name is Ray Winston.”

  “We’re in the parking lot next to the Adam’s building.”

  “Yes, she’s here.” “They want to speak with you,” Ray told Aaliyah

  “Hello?” “My name?” “Aaliyah Pierce.”

  “Yes.” “I will.”

  “Ok,” Aaliyah said and hung up the phone.

  “What’d they say?” Asked Ray

  “They asked if I was willing to give a statement, and to stay put; an officer is on the way.”

  “Ok, good.”

  While they were waiting for the police, Aaliyah's phone rang.

  “Oh no, it's Jason.” Said Aaliyah

  “Ok, answer it,” Ray replied

  “No, because if I do, he's going to ask where I am, and I can’t lie to him.” “He always knows.” “I'm a horrible liar.”