Chapter 71

We went back home and Nick stood outside with Uche talking while I went in. I opened the front door leisurely and was about to head in when I got startled to meet my aunt arranging the dining table.

"Aunt," I held my chest when I called. "You're home early."

"I am." She sighed and kept the towel she was using to wipe her hands down on the table.

"Okay," I just said and wanted to go up the stairs but she called me back.

"Julie?"

"Yes Aunt?"

"Why..." She exhaled with pause before proceeding to ask what she wanted to. "Why did you lie to your principal today?"

"What?" I laughed guiltily but when I turned, she wasn't smiling, not to speak of laughing.

"Julie, I know you lied. You're terrible at lying, has no one ever told you?" 

Fuck. I think Uche once told me that; how terrible I was at lying.

"I could tell you where lying, I think Nate's parents could too. I had to defend you because I figured out there must be a reason