Perfect Lies

Chapter One: The Mirror Lies

Beep. Beep. Beep.

“Ugh, kill me now.” I smack my alarm and instantly regret it. Pain rips down my left side like fire, turning my breath into knives. For a second, I can’t remember why it hurts. Then it hits me, slamming into me so hard I nearly fall out of bed.

Last night.

The bathroom tiles are cold under my knees as I vomit, clutching the sink with shaking hands, trying to keep the memories from ripping me apart.

Bang. Bang.

“You okay, honey?” Uncle Dave’s voice drifts through the door.

I clear my throat. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You sure? You’re gonna be late.”

“I’ll be down in five.”

His footsteps fade. I force myself to stand, gripping the counter. When I finally look up, I wish I hadn’t.

My reflection stares back at me, pale, eyes ringed in purple shadows, a bruise blooming across my cheek like a dark flower. Blood crusts at the corner of my lip. I look like a ghost, like someone who has given up.

But I haven’t. Not yet.

I open my makeup drawer and start the daily ritual: layer after layer, brush after brush, lie after lie. When I’m done, no one would know.

I grab my bag, sling it over my shoulder, and walk downstairs.

“Hey, everything okay this morning?” Uncle Dave asks, concern lining his tired eyes.

“Yeah.” I avoid his gaze, grabbing an apple and a water bottle. “Gotta go.”

“Avery—”

“Bye!”

The door slams behind me before he can finish. I breathe in the morning air, letting the quiet sink into my bones. Walking to school is the only time I feel normal, where the world feels just big enough to swallow my problems.

Hannah is waiting for me at the gate, twirling her hair like she’s in a teen movie.

“Hey, babe, you good?” she asks, studying me.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You walked today?”

I nod.

“Cool, let’s go before we’re late.”

“See you at recess.”

“Catch ya later.”

I’m too busy scrolling through my phone to watch where I’m going and slam into what feels like a brick wall.

Pain explodes through me, and I drop to my knees, biting back a cry.

“Oh, shit, I’m so sorry!” A hand appears in front of me, strong and warm. “Here, let me help you up.”

I let him pull me up, my eyes meeting warm hazel ones that flicker with concern.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, just startled.”

He looks at me like he’s searching for the truth. “Pretty sure I didn’t do all that damage.”

“I’m fine.”

“If you say so. I’m Luke, by the way.”

“Avery. You’re new, huh?”

“Yeah. First day.”

“Welcome to Highbrooke High.”

“Thanks.” The bell rings, sharp and unwelcome. “Gotta go.”

We head inside, and I can feel his eyes on me as I sit down.

For a second, I wonder if he sees through the mask.

Physics drags. Mr. Watkins’ voice is a drone in the background while my mind drifts to last night.

The bruise on my side pulses, reminding me I can’t escape what happened.

The bell rings, and I exhale. Luke is already surrounded by a crowd of guys, fitting in like he’s been here forever.

I slip out before he can catch my eye.

Hannah finds me at lunch, a tray in hand, gossip already spilling from her lips.

“Are you even listening?” she asks, snapping her fingers in front of my face.

“Sorry, what?”

“I said, are you coming to my party tonight?”

I force a smile. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

“Good.” She leans in, eyes glinting. “But what’s up with you today? You’re zoning out.”

“Thought I felt someone watching me, that’s all.”

She laughs, tossing her hair back. “Girl, you’re paranoid.”

“Maybe.”

But when I glance across the courtyard, Luke’s eyes are on me again. And for a moment, I don’t feel alone. For a moment, I’m terrified he sees everything.