I could always tell when people were lying to me. Those simple lies everyone told me, I saw through them all. I saw the shrug of the shoulder. That distant look in their eyes. The fake smile they always gave me. Nothing ever changed.

Dad always said "It's only human for people to lie."

I would always answer. "Even when it hurts other people?"

"Yes even when it hurts."

I would stay quite. It would only hurt dad to talk about it.

When I was little my mom and dad would always tuck me in. Dad would always stand by the door and smile while my mom would sing me to sleep.

Then that night after my mom tucked me in she forgot to sing to me. I reached over and grabbed her dress.

"What is it Namine?"

"Where are you going mommy?"

"Don't worry I'll be back soon." She smiled at me.

I knew she was lying.

Eight years later…….

"Namine! You're going to be late for school!"

"Oh no! I promised Olette I'd get there on time today!" Namine jumped up from the couch and headed for the door. Nearly running over her dog Kira, Namine bolted out the door, grabbing her backpack.

Olette will kill me if I don't save her a seat. Namine thought dodging traffic and heading towards school.

Olette checked her watch 7:28. Namine would be late again.

"Hey Hayner. Looks like you won the bet….again." Olette sighed.

"Yes! Looks like I'm getting that hot tub!" Hayner grinned. "Don't feel bad Olette. I'm sure you'll find another way to pay for college."

"7:29. that girl has a lot of explaining to do!" Olette growled

"Sorry Hayner." Pence pointed in the distance. "Your little victory dance will soon be meaningless. Look whose coming."

Namine had just rounded the street corner to see her friends waiting in the courtyard. "Hey guys!" She called waving her hands. "I made it!"

"Not yet you haven't." Hayner called. He narrowed his eyes and aimed for his target. "Dodge this!"

Hayner kicked his skateboard, and sent it flying at Namine.

Namine smiled and without missing a beat did a double front flip in the air. Landing perfectly she dodged the passing skateboard.

"Ah man! I was sure I could get you that time." Hayner cried racing after his skateboard.

Olette shook her head. "When will the boy learn that he can't beat a district champion in gymnastics?"

Namine smiled. "Sorry I was reading my book couldn't keep track of the time."

Olette wrinkled her nose. "You're always reading that thing. Haven't your read that at least 50 times?"

"Hey!" Namine cried. "It's a really good story and for your information I've read it 83 times!"

Bring! The morning bell blasted from the speakers.

Hayner raced ahead of the gang. "If I'm late for Geometry again Ms. Tucker will have my butt for a door stop."

Olette sighed. "Let's go Namine. Don't want to be late for French."

"Yep!" Namine giggled. "Let's go ponder the mysteries of life."

"Like what's the meaning of the universe." Pence said striking his best intelligent pose.

"Like what we'll be having for lunch." Olette added.

"And what Hayner would do with a hot tub."