Ally's pov:

Claire and I sit in silence as I wait for her to digest what has been said. 

I had to hold my hand down on my lap to stop from nervously picking at my nails from the anxiety of her utter silence. 

I had told her everything from the beginning, even the parts that were difficult to admit out loud. A real-life Rapunzel scenario is what I threw in as a joke, even though my insides felt like they were crippling inside me. 

Is this what pathological liars feel like when they get caught? 

Not that I would consider myself one at the moment, more like an extender of the truth. 

Which still isn't right, but at least it makes me feel a bit better. 

I had told myself to let her think before saying anything, but I couldn't stop myself from asking, "Are you mad?" after ten minutes of silence. 

I watch her as she turns on her side, looking at me with a wide-eyed expression, the same one she's given me since I started my little admission. 

"I'm not sure, it's a lot to take in." She says, and I don't know if that's supposed to make me feel better or not. 

I could tell she tried her best to sympathize with me when I talked about how life was like for Ella and I growing up. 

She couldn't believe how strict our mother was on us through the years, nor the fact that Ella and I were sheltered so intensely that the farthest we'd been from home was no further than an hour from our house. 

We simply didn't have friends growing up except each other, and I could tell that the specific piece of information triggered something in Claire, because the way her face fell was one of the worst parts of it. 

I hated pity, but it wasn't Claire's fault. That's the usual response we get when people meet our mother. It's unfortunately something we've gotten used to over the years. 

What Claire had trouble believing though was the fact that I am the daughter of one of the richest CEOs in the country. I hated admitting it out loud because no matter how hard I try, that title will follow me wherever I go. 

As much as I am grateful for my dad's success, it can also be a bit of a burden as well. For instance, no one will ever see you as your own person knowing that you had a father who could pay the way to exactly where you are. 

It makes you look undeserving of your own success, no matter if you did it on your own. 

This is exactly the reason why I kept my mouth shut when moving here at the start of the semester. I didn't want to be undervalued as a human being before they had the chance to see me for who I truly was. 

Little did I know that would backfire on me sooner or later. 

I could have kept it a secret and made my life a whole lot easier with this false persona I've been leading on with my friends, but I'm sure they would have just figured it out sooner or later. 

"I know, and I understand if you need some space these next few days to think about it." I hated saying that, because I don't know what I'd do with myself if Claire stopped talking to me. 

She's my best friend, and quite frankly, my life support here. 

As embarrassing as it is to admit, I could count the number of friends that I've made here on one hand, give or take. 

I mean sure, I've made some small talk with plenty of students here, but that's just about how far that goes. 

"No, we will figure this out here." She says, holding a hand up in the air to stop me from saying more. 

I give her some more time to think before she finally takes a deep breath, before clasping her hands together. 

"Okay, I'm not mad at you... but finding out my best friend has been living a double life this whole time is a bit hurtful." She says, giving me a look. 

I nod my head, "I understand, and you have every right to feel that." 

"At least I was right about a few things."

I tilt my head, not understanding the meaning behind her words, "What do you mean?"

She chuckles, "That you have expensive taste, for one," she says, motioning to my closet. 

My face heats as I rub the back of my neck, "Yeah, you weren't wrong about that."

"And you being an actual model? You gave me that crazy look every time I said it, even though it was true all along," she says, pointing a finger at me accusingly. But it wasn't in a mean way, more like a teasing way, which made me breathe a bit easier. 

If Claire could still joke and tease at a time like this, then maybe she's not as mad as I thought she'd be. 

"Technically, a retired model, but I get what you mean," I say, watching as she puts a hand under her chin, looking at me with her undivided attention. 

"And I'm the only one who knows?" She asks. 

I nod my head once more, "I wanted you, Zoe, and Sophia to be the first to know. I haven't even decided if I wanted to tell anyone more than you three." I say, which earns a shocked look from her. 

"You wouldn't tell Axel?" She asks. 

I shrug my shoulders, "Maybe... Probably... I don't know. Everything is happening so fast." I say, stumbling over my words. 

Obviously, I would have to tell him if we were to get into a relationship. But something tells me it won't be as easy as this. 

Unexpectedly, Claire jumps from her bed and comes to sit beside me on mine, "I'm sure he will be just as understanding." She says, putting a comforting hand on my shoulder. 

"So does that mean you're not mad?" I can't help but ask again, praying that her words were her way of saying that she's understanding of what I just told her. 

She nods, and the simple action restores the air in my lungs. 

"My best friend is a hot, rich bitch. If anything, I'm winning." She says, nudging my shoulder with hers. 

I roll my eyes, hiding the grin on my face before pushing her away, "I'm never going to hear the end of it, will I?" I ask, watching as she nods her head mischievously. 

"Nope, but I hope you know that I will be expecting a grand tour of tu casa, as well as a ride on your obviously expensive yacht drinking mojitos and margaritas, " she says, laughing at her attempt at a rich accent. 

"Consider it done," I say, looking at her with a deadpan expression. 

"Wait, are you serious? I was just joking..." she says, looking at me with her jaw dropped. 

I laugh, shutting her mouth with my hand, "I'm serious, it will be fun."

Next thing I know, she is squeezing me in a gigantic bear hug, "Consider yourself forgiven,"

I hug her back with the same intensity, "Thank you,"

She pulls away, but keeps her hands on my arms, "On a serious note though, I promise I won't tell a soul, but I would reconsider who you're going to tell."

"What do you mean?" I ask, not understanding where the sudden seriousness is coming from. 

She bites her lip as if she was trying to think of a better way to say what she was about to admit. 

"Just say it," I say after a few seconds of waiting for her response. 

She sighs, "This might make me sound like a terrible friend, but I don't think you should tell Sophia about this one."

"Why?" I ask. 

"I just-... I don't know if I trust her keeping her mouth shut around her boyfriend. Don't get me wrong, I am really glad you told me, but you don't want the wrong people to find out. Not that I think your mom is right at all for isolating you guys, I believe she still did have a bit of a point about watching out for dangerous people." Claire says. This was probably the most serious I've ever seen her, and I know it's because she cares. 

"You're... right. Okay, I won't tell her." Even if it does make me feel like an awful person, Claire has made a good point. Unfortunately, some people will do anything for money, and as well as Claire, I don't know if I can trust Sophia to not tell her boyfriend. 

Maybe, when the time is right, I will tell her. It just won't be today.

Claire and I continue to talk for a bit before deciding that each of us could use a nap after that intense conversation. Knowing that I'll have to repeat everything to Zoe, as well as the events of last night, I fully intend on having the best nap of my life to prepare for round two of deep conversations. 

Once the lights are off and we are both in our beds, I hear Claire moving around in her bed. 

"I have a question." She says out of the blue, causing me to turn towards her. 

"Hmmm?" I ask, already beginning to be pulled into sleep. 

 "How old is your father?" She asks a question that I was definitely not expecting. 

"Why?" I ask, squinting my eyes to try and see her through the darkness of the room.

"Just wondering..." She draws out, but I could hear the hint of a giggle in her voice, which didn't mean good.

"Claire..." 

"You said billion with a B, right?" She asks, and I swear, I can now hear her laughing. 

"Yes..." 

"Is he, perhaps, you know..."

"Just say it," I say, wishing that she could see me giving the look that I'm giving her now. 

"Young looking, as in, good looking." She says, slowly. 

My jaw drops, "Claire!"

"I'm just curious!!!" She says, before bursting into a fit of laughter. 

"You're talking about my father!!!" I say, slightly horrified, even if she was just joking. 

"I'm just keeping my options open..." She teases. 

"Claire!!"

She doesn't say anything else, but I can still hear her continuing to laugh uncontrollably under her blanket. 

I couldn't imagine being a brain cell in that head of hers. 

It would be a traumatic experience, I'm sure. 

A few minutes of silence welcomes us, and just as I'm about to fall asleep, I hear her one last time. 

"And your parents are still together?"

"CLAIRE!"

Hey everyone!!

There might be some spelling mistakes in this chapter because I literally start work in an hour, so I had to rush a little bit (AHHH)

I hope everyone is doing well! My week has been nothing but summer classes and work (Yay me :D)

Love all of you!!

~juls