Chapter 40: TERRIBLE LIAR

" Are you okay?" Natasha said, taking up the space on the empty chair on the patio.

"Of course" I leaned into the chair, giving me a better view of the sky. It's a good thing I had my sunglasses on, it's is easier than furrowing my brows at the bright blue sky.

"Are you sure?" Waving her hands in front of my face, she snapped her fingers to bring me 'down to earth'.

"Yes, why do you keep asking?" Removing my sunglasses, I facepalmed at her consistent disturbance.

"Well, you have been extremely grumpy. Even the grinch has more spirit than you do." She crossed her arms, huffing loudly.

"Is this about me not participating in all the Easter activities?" I insisted on not getting myself wrapped up in their celebrations. It wasn't a big of a deal, I was simply uninterested.

"Majorly yeah, but also because I noticed you sulking and mopping around. Most of the time you keep to yourself and you have also been making extra efforts n to avoid Mike."

"Aren't you an observant little fella?" I reached out to pat her gently on her head, just because I knew how much she hated it. I might have a dampened mood, but never too upset to be the best jerk I can be.

"So, I am right after all."

"Kinda, but I haven't been avoiding Mike as much as you think." How do I explain that Mike is the reason I have been very upset in the past few days without having to discuss about Hannah. Yup, it's absolutely impossible. Maybe I have been grumpier because I stalked her Facebook page and saw how much fun she's having celebrating. She even got into the Easter bunny suit, unlike Stacey it actually looked cool.

"Yes, you have. Last night's dinner, you sat across the table and made sure you didn't make eye contact throughout the entire meal. When Cyril brought up the idea of him, Mike, and yourself going to watch the baseball game you refused with a very silly excuse. " Flicking my forehead, she reminded me what I've been trying so hard to forget. Yesterday during dinner, Cyril invited me and Mike over to watch a baseball match. Yes, I tried to politely refuse but he wasn't having any of it so I came up with an excuse.

"I didn't, I have things to do." Avoiding her eyes, I wished I was six feet under.

"Other than sitting on the front porch and staying locked up in your bedroom? I'll like to hear it."

"I have places to go to"

"Like?"

"Like... I was planning on taking you sightseeing." I mentally patted myself on the back before seeing the look of excitement on her face.

"A tour?" She bounced in her seat, just what she told Lucy not to do. Geez, who knew she would be this happy over an excuse to get out of another excuse.

"I wouldn't exactly call it a tour since this isn't a center of tourist attraction."

"And I'm just knowing about this tour?" wiggling her brows, she shook her head in disbelief.

"Yes, it was supposed to be a surprise."

"Really Jeremy?" Crossing her arms, she clicked her tongue at me.

"What? I am saying the truth. I had this planned for a while. Coincidentally, they had plans for the exact same day."

"You sprang up an idea to take me sightseeing? All on your own? Are you sure?" Wearing doubt over her face, she shook her head disapprovingly. How hard is it to believe that I can be nice?

"Yes. I wanted to get into your good books and bury previous hatchets." Only part of that was a lie. I do want to get into her good books but this wasn't the idea I had in mind. I didn't even have any idea in mind to begin with.

"You don't say"

"I do say."

"Just so you know, you're a terrible liar."

"That's because I am not lying. I speak the truth." I defended, serectly crossing my fingers. Maybe she won't put too much thought into it and forget I ever said anything regarding a tour. Hopefully, till we get back home.

"Okay then. How about you give me a tour of your hometown then, right now." This time, she stood over me blocking out my perfect view.

... And I was wrong.....

"Right now? As in today?"

"Yup, or do you have something else to do."

"Not really but I ha-"

"I thought so. Give me a sec to tell your mum to help me watch over Lucy for a while." As Natasha walked inside, I ran my hand through my hair groaning in frustration. When are things going to happen the way I plan?

Soon she joined me in the car, buckling the belt of the passenger's seat.

"Aren't you excited?"

"Of course I am"

"You should be. If you get this out of the way now, you wouldn't have any need to miss out on your guys' night out."

"Yes, that's why I'm super excited."

"I have seen a happier face on a dead fish though."

"I'm just not feeling well." I avoided taking my eyes off the road so she doesn't freak out this time. It's for the best if it doesn't happen.

"Oh, I didn't know that."

"We can go back" It's never too late to turn back at least to have time to clear my head.

"You already started the car, why bother to go back now?"

"Yeah, we can just continue."

"Do you want me to turn on the radio?"

"NO!"

"Geez"

"Anything but road trip 3.0"

"It isn't a road trip this time." She tried pouting sheepishly, it wasn't working on me.

"Regardless"

"You don't want me to listen to your perfect playlist?"

"Shush"

"Look who is shushing me up now. Oh, how the tables have turned."

"Very funny."

"I know right? I can't stop laughing really.".

"I see you enjoy my discomfort."

"Not as much as you enjoy seeing mine."

"True though, but just overlook my taste in music."

"I can't do that. Research says that you can tell a person from his taste in music. Even before getting to know a person just ask about his favorite song. "

"Whose research said that?"

"Natasha's"

"No wonder I haven't heard about that before. My taste in music isn't bad"

"Yes, it's just slow and boring. Nothing like you"

"That's not true"

"You are loud and obnoxious. Definitely a hip hop guy."

"Yuck."

"I wonder what those ladies swooning over you will say if they find out their favorite bachelor listens to slow music to put himself to sleep."

"I can just throw you out of the window." I used the same line as I did with Lucy. It might be an interesting prospect to throw someone out of the car's window when it's in motion.

" I would like to see how that's going to end for you."

"You wouldn't see it. You would probably be in a coma or something."

"But seriously, classical music? Why please?" Groaning In frustration she tapped her fingers on the dashboard.

"Hannah" I scrunched my nose in disgust as the words left my mouth.

"Who is Hannah?"