All You Have To Do Is Lie

Prologue

Some people will do anything for love. They’ll sacrifice friends, family and sometimes even their own happiness for love. I used to think it was crazy what some people would do, even if it was for the one person who they never had a chance with. Now I can understand it, I can understand what drives people to do it and it no longer seems crazy.

That’s why I’m standing in the mirror, fixing my tie. That’s why I’m checking my reflection at every angle to make sure there are no giveaways to how I’m really feeling. I look deep into the reflection of my own eyes. I can see the sadness hidden deep within them, the dull apathy staring straight back at me as if trying to drag me into it. I tear my gaze away knowing that this won’t do any good, it won’t change anything. I run my hands down the front of the expensive tux to straighten out any creases I may have missed the ten other times I’ve done it.

I walk out slowly to the car, taking my time. Anyone watching would probably assume it’s so I don’t ruin the shoes or the suit but it’s not, it’s because deep down inside, I hope if I take long enough then this will all be over and I won’t have to deal with it. I climb into the drivers’ side and it’s a task in itself just to get to the apartment without crashing or hitting some innocent pedestrian. I stop in the parking lot and exit the car before looking up at the second floor window. I see his face looking down at me anxiously, my baby brother. I snap out of my thoughts and hurry to the main doors before heading up the stairs. I wait outside the door for a second before plastering a fake smile on my face because no matter how I’m feeling deep inside, I can’t ruin his day.

Within a matter of minutes we’re both back in the car and headed towards our destination. He’s shifting around anxiously in his seat and I know I should be comforting him, offering him some words of support but I can’t. I’m too consumed in the fight between my head and my heart. I stop the car and look over at him with a small smile. He smiles back before getting out of the car and waiting for me to follow. I sigh inwardly as I open my door and once more adorn my fake smile to again mask my true feelings. I look up at the building in front of us and part of me wants to turn and run right now but I can’t. I fall into step slightly behind him and feel my heart shatter with every step I take because today more than ever, I realise doing things out of love isn’t so crazy and today is the day I make my sacrifice. Today I’m sacrificing my happiness.