Lies

Part one

"And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…the winner of the Miss America Pageant is…Miss Ali -"

The announcer was interrupted by my mother’s acute voice floating through my doorway.

"Honey! Time to get up. We’ve got a big day ahead of us!"

I mumbled something like, "Just five more minutes, Mommy," but it was too late. I was oblivious to the figments that were left of my wonderful dream.

Oh well, I told myself. Another day, another dream.

I’m Aliy Malyssa Wihte. I live in a small town no one’s ever heard of called Booringsville, Ohio. The name suits it because it’s the most boring place ever. The mayor is omnipotent.

I mean, anyone who disagrees is automatically a pariah! If anyone were to put together a group it would be genocide immediately.

"Aliy!"

She was in my room now, coming to see what was wrong.

"Aliy," she said again, this time with a euphemistic look on her face.

"I know, Mommy. I’m getting up," I said in a tired sort of way.

"Well I know that honey. It’s just that you don’t usually remiss like this. You normally just hop right up…are you ok?"

She sounded so worried to me. I felt sorry for her so I just had to explain.

"I’m sorry, Mommy. I was having a good dream and was trying to remember it. I didn’t mean to forget my responsibilities. I’ll get up now."

She seemed to construe what I was saying, for she asked," Did you almost win the contest again?"

I hung my head low so she couldn’t see the shame on my face when I answered.

"I have no right to be thinking of myself in such a time of dilemma."

"Oh, honey, no. I’m not mad at you. Remember when I told you not to be mercenary or selfish? Well, don’t be too nice either. People will start to take advantage of it. You don’t want that to happen, do you, honey?"

"No, Mommy," I answered dutifully, though I was astounded that she thought people would actually do that to me, the nicest girl in the universe.

"Ok," she sighed. "Get up and get dressed. And remember, we’re going shopping today, so wear something easy to slip on and off."

As if I needed to be reminded! I love shopping with my mother. She has such good taste in everything. I love all her clothe -

Bring bring!!!

The phone tugged me out of my thoughts.

"I’ll get it!" I screamed to my mother in her room.

"Hello?" I asked in a calmer voice.

"Hello." A beautiful voice flowed from the receiver and into my ears like a soft melodic tune that I couldn’t help but feeling I had heard it before.

But that was ridiculous, I told myself. I have never seen or heard this woman in my life, let alone met her.

"Hello," the wonderful voice said again, this time with some trepidation.

"Yes?" I answered." who is this?"

"Is this Aliy Malyssa Wihte?" The strange woman questioned, completely ignored my question.