▽ Lexi's Cover Of Fools Gold

               ➣ six

''I don't wanna keep doing this mommy'' Ariella grumbled as she sat on the floor, set between my legs whereas I sat on the couch doing a simple side braid for her.

It was 7:38 Am and we were both still getting ready for school.

''I know sweetie, but your gonna have to keep doing it a little longer'' I begged. Ariella's always been the one to obey but since she's young, she can't help but be a little curious.

"'But why? You never told me why?'' She asked, slapping both of her hands on her lap as she sat criss cross.

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. How was I going to explain to a 3 year old that if everyone knows you're not my sister but instead my daughter, things will go to hell?

''Do you trust me?'' I asked instead.

''Of course'' She replied simply.

''Then trust me when I say you have nothing to worry about if you continue to pretend in being my sister'' I stated. She nodded and we spent the next few minutes in silence as I was finishing off her hair.

''Don-''. I was interrupted by a knock unexpectedly on my front door. I got up, finding it oddly peculiar that someone would be knocking at my door at 7 in the morning.

Majority of my neighbors aren't the one's to be labeled social, and nobody from school actually knows where I live, except for Lydia. Only she doesn't know my apartment number.

Once I answered the door, it was as if all color's on my face was nonexistent.

"'Surprise'' Lydia squealed as she hugged me, as Scott and Kira stood behind.

''Good morning to you all too'' I stated as I moved to the side to let everyone in.

'How come Stiles isn't up here?', I wondered as Ariella grinned brightly with joy.

''So uh, this is Ariella, and Ariella this is Scott and Kira''. I didn't bother to bring up Lydia because she couldn't stop talking about her last night.

''Nice to meet ya'' She greeted as she held her hand out for Scott. He laughed as he shook her hand, Ariella doing the same for Kira.

''Lydia!'' She screamed as she held her arms up in the air for her to be carried. Lydia smiled, fond to know how excited she got to see her again.

''Hello my little friend'' Lydia greeted as she picked her up, placing her by her side.

''Are we ready to go?'' Kira asked as she looked around.

''Yes, yes we are right mo- Juliet?'' She questioned, almost forgetting the name she should be calling me.

This could take some getting use to.

''Yeah'' I replied, grabbing not only my bag but Ariella's. We then left my apartment.

''Just so we don't have any tension, you'll be riding with me'' Lydia whispered as we walked behind Scott and Kira.

I turned to her, inquisitive of what she had meant by that. Tension, what tension?

Once we were outside, a Jeep, Mercedes and a green dirt bike was parked in front of the building.

Inside the Jeep was Malia and Stiles.

''Come on, class start in a few minutes'' Malia stated as everyone was getting on and or in their vehicle.

Maybe Malia was the 'tension' Lydia was talking about.

× × ×

None the more, Malia was right. Dropping off Ariella took off more of the time we had left to get to school before the bell rang.

Of course we got off with a slap on the wrist, but that doesn't mean we didn't get a little lecture for being late.

It was currently lunch and I was searching for Lydia, being that my last class had no one I knew also involved in it.

''Juliet!''. I quickly turned around with my tray in my grip to spot Lydia waving her arm wildly. I laughed as I walked towards her.

''Where is everyone?'' I questioned as I sat down next to her, noticing the seats in front of us were directly empty.

''Most likely getting a warning for the next time they're late by Mr. Yukimira'' She predicted as she stomped the bottom of her fork into her salad.

''And you're eating salad?'' I asked with a sly smirk forming as one of my eyebrows raised.

She nodded, swallowing a piece of lettuce before saying, ''It's always good to stay healthy''.

I ripped a piece off of the chicken tenders the school decided to serve today, popping the piece into my mouth.

''Hey this morning, I noticed your parents weren't home..'' Lydia trailed off, but she knew that I knew what she was pretty much asking.

''My parent's work a lot to pay for the bills and apartment and the little that we have so they're barely home'' I lied.

''I wish you and Ariella were my sisters. You guys deserve so much better'' She mumbled as she chewed on a piece of tomato.

'Maybe Ariella, but not me', I thought as I continued to eat my lunch. That's when Scott, Maila, Stiles, and Kira came in.

After they gotten their lunch, they finally came over and sat down.

Everyone was pretty much deep in conversation, whereas I sat by, laughing every once in a while.

I was honestly glad to have these people as my friends. I glanced at Stiles and smiled as he laughed at a joke Scott made.

'I wonder how he would react if he ever found out about Ariella?'.

''Hey, are you okay?'' Lydia whispered in my ear. I nodded trying to reassure her and myself that everything's okay, but was it really?

I have to struggle into keeping a secret from not only Lydia, Scott, Kira, Malia and more importantly Stiles, but from my own daughter.

× × ×

''Mo-Juliet!'' Ariella screamed with joy once she saw me, and even if she sort of messed up -again- on the new name to call me, it didn't stop the smile on her face as she ran towards me. I smiled and held my hand out, letting her grab it once she approached me.

''Is Lydia in the car?'' She asked, looking up at me as we started walking. I nodded and she frowned.

''I dont like calling y-'' I stopped her from speaking as we were so close to Lydia's car, she would be able to hear us.

Once we got to her car, I opened her passenger door, picking Ariella up in the process as we both got in the car.

''So, Juliet, Ariella, I was thinking that we should have a girls day with Kira and Malia. You in?'' She asked, playfully squinting her eye's at Ariella before tuning her attention back on the road.

I looked at Ariella who was looking at me.

''Well little muppet..''. I paused to rub her arm with a small smile.

''What do you think?'' I asked. She wiggled her nose before planting her index finger on her chin, pretending to think.

''I think we should go'' She answered.

''That's your answer'' I stated towards Lydia.

''Yay-ya'' She stated childishly before pulling up in front of my apartment.

''Save the date. Friday'' She informed as Ariella and I got out the car.

''Affirmative'' I replied, placing my index and middle finger on my forehead, saluting. She laughed as I walked towards my apartment with Ariella by my side.