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Tully could barely maintain eye contact, she was so ashamed "I didnt mean to "

"People dont lie accidentally Its not like tripping over a crack in the sidewalk "

"You dont kno it feels to be embarrassed by your mom "

"Are you kidding? You should have seen what my mom wore out to dinner last—"

"No," Tully said "You dont know "

"Tell me "

Tully knehat Kate was asking of her; she wanted the truth that had spawned the lie, but Tully didnt know if she could do it, turn all her pain into words and pass them out like cards All her life shed kept these secrets close If she told Kate the reality and then lost her as a friend, it would be unbearable

Then again, if she didnt tell the truth, shed lose the friendship for sure

"I o years old," she finally said, "when randparents house She went to town for milk and caain and I thought it o of rans letting us live in this house and sending us ain—which she will do "

"I dont understand "

"Of course you dont My est aet bored and move on without me "

"How can a mother do that?"

Tully shrugged "I think theres so with me "

"Theres nothing wrong with you Shes the loser But I still dont get why you lied to me "

Tully finally looked at her "I wanted you to like me "