My Life in a Lie

Dedicated to my best friends Anja and Elena 

Table of Contents

1.       This is me

2.       What are you trying to tell me

3.       We can’t find anything

4.       Other people can help

5.       My info in an Orphanage?

6.       You kept this from me!

7.       It’s time to move

8.       I fell in love

9.       So what

10.   Thirteenth Birthday

Chapter 1 

This is Me

Hello, this is me, Corinne Smith; my life is great, for now at least. I am 12 years old, in a couple of weeks I will be turning 13, when I will finally be a teenager. I am so rejoiced. I am not really into things girls are supposed to be in, in fact, I know everything about being a detective. I know how to solve mysteries, to disclose people and to defend myself from the same dangerous people. I know when things are peculiar and when not. Well, this is normal for me since this is what I want to be when I grow up, a detective.

My parents got divorced when I was a  couple of months old, that is what they told me anyway, that is why I have a different last name than my step mom. Her last name is Bender, Clair Bender, and I really wished that I stayed with my mother, and today I don’t even know her name. I mean, even if I stay with my father, he is almost never home; he is always at work, and sometimes out of the country. I really wish sometimes we had some father- daughter time, I would really love that. Every time I would clasp my step mothers arm hoping to connect with my real mom, but it never worked.  I love to do all kinds of things, usually crazy things. Of course one of my favorite things to do is being outside and pretending I am a cop, and pretend to be a detective, I think you could have guessed that, I wish I could just transport myself to where ever my father is.

 I am in middle school now and I am not that wildly popular there; I love all my friends, excluding my younger 6 year old brother Jonny. He can sometimes be a real pain, and he tries to beat me up, but he never succeeds. My brother is very skeptic. However, he still is a cute little brother, I do tease him, but he always forgives me, just like I forgive him, even though I have to admit there is not much things I can forgive him for. But let’s get back to my friends, I have a best friend, Sarah, she is the best person I know, when I am with her, I just can’t stop smiling. She makes me elated all the time, even if I hear the worst news of my life. My parents, well there is not much to say really, they are like parents of all kids, annoying, weird, UN- cool, embarrassing, but at the same time caring, nice and wonderful. Sometimes parents pretend that they are nice and then leave their child on the streets or something worse, but I will never be in that situation, because I love my parents and they  love me.

My family and I have immigrated to Germany only 1 week ago, but even though; I already made friends, but not that much. The town I was in is practically isolated from all the other towns; I don’t know why we are living here anyway. After my mom and dad got divorced which was when I was a baby, I was living with a different mom and my real father, we moved from Germany to Canada, then Russia, and now we live in Germany again. When we went from Canada to Russia, we practically went around the world, I kept asking my father why we traveled so far. He would never answer me, sometimes just say : “for business”, but I knew he was hiding something, I felt he is hiding something from me. But that does not bother me at all right now, because we are not traveling as much anymore.

 This is me in few words, and my life, more like an adventure really, since I have seen and experienced so many things, fights, traveling, and many others. I think that I have experienced enough, but my mom is always telling me, “Your adventures are just beginning, and getting trickier.” I am not sure really what that means by “getting trickier”, but I guess I will find out soon, I hope, soon enough so they don’t get too tricky, if they do, I won’t know what to do? 

Chapter 2
What are you Trying to Tell me

It’s the weekend, and I can’t wait to go to my best friend’s house for the whole Saturday, it’s going to be so much fun, and a good time to celebrate for my birthday that is coming soon. I am turning thirteen this year, or should I say, in a couple of days. It is so incredible that I will finally be a teenager.  This is the best day of my life since I am turning thirteen, and when you turn thirteen, you are finally a teenager. The way I know that is simple fact: twelve and eleven don’t have a TEEN on the end, but thirteen sure does. I would not want anything to spoil it; even a little brother can embarrass you, and I don’t want to go down that road again. I felt rejoice all over me, and was so exited that I started dancing on the street. I was so conspicuous but I didn’t care.

Today is the day I will be going to my best friend’s Sarah’s house. It will probably be the most exciting thing that happened all week. But before I went out of the house, my mom and dad called me and asked me to “sit down”, the first thing I am thinking is of course, I AM IN TROUBLE. But then my heart rate slows down a bit, since I am not in trouble. She said she had something important to tell me, I listened very carefully, but then they say “have a good day honey at your friend’s house”. I was absolutely sure they were hiding something. While I was at my friend’s house they kept on calling me to check up on me, to ask if I am fine, if I have food to eat, all that boring stuff, it’s like Sarah is living in poverty, but I did not believe that they cared about that. That question haunted me for the rest of the day, and the rest of the sleep over. And me, as a detective, I needed to find out what they were hiding. When I came home they hugged me and said to me, “oh sweety, we missed you so much”, I mean of course they missed me; they have been calling me all day long. Once my step mom hugged me, I felt a strong connection, like I was hugging my real mom.  And tomorrow they did the same thing, called me to the living room, and all they said was, “we love you sweetie no matter what happens, we will always keep you in our hearts”. I was like, ok, that is a dead giveaway, and I knew something was going on at that time, I could not start the mission yet though, I needed some more evidence. I also start realizing what she meant by saying, “your adventures are just beginning, and getting trickier.” I don’t know if I have a good future ahead of me, but I will just have to go with it, and see. 

It looked as if this mystery needed a detective, and I just know a best detective that can help me; that’s right, it is me. The first thing I need to do was to get an assistant for being the lookout and to give me assistance in many ways. I know exactly who I needed to find, by BFF/best friend forever. I knew she would want to do that because she always has my back. And the next step is night spy. What I will do is go through all of my dad’s contracts, papers and desk drawers to find some evidence of what is going on. And also I have to go through my mom’s contacts, papers and desk drawers, I wanted to seeif I could find find some things there, if not, than we have to look through all of her baggage, like purses bags and all that junk. “That is the plan Sarah, you got it, ok, time to accomplish a mission. Let’s go and hope to find something!!!”           

Chapter 3
We can't Find Anything

“Come on Sarah, there must be some kind of record of my life or anything” I was so worried that we would not find anything. “No, all these bags and drawers are empty, no paper, not even a speck of dust in these drawers”. My father works all day, he must have some papers, anything, I knew there must be some papers somewhere, perhaps not in drawers but at a special place where I would not be able to see, reach, and find them. I heard someone coming, Sarah and I had to vacate immediately, and we had to be very elude.

But then it’s like a miracle happened, I just had an idea that will include my father actually showing me where the thing and papers are, I don’t know if It will work, but there is just one way to find out. What we will do is first to ask him to play a little game with us, it’s called finding dads papers. First I will pretend to be the cop and he is the person I will have to capture, than I will ask him to give me his contracts and papers about his child, and then he will say, “of course, here you go” and then in my head I will say, “bingo”, we will get the papers. “So let’s go Sarah, we have a quest to complete!!!” I knew it was futile, but we had to try.

ONE HOUR LATER

            “I can’t believe that we still have nothing Sarah.” “I know, all the effort we put in this, we fail, again.” My friend and I could not believe that we got absolutely no information about my childhood, or anything about me, and we were very diligent. But I decided to keep on going, I felt that somehow, I needed that piece of information that they are hiding and everything would be ok. Since we did not get anything from my dad, we will get something from my mom, well, at least we will try. 

So, I was thinking that may be if I ask her about my past, and she knows everything, she might be my real mother, but just lying to me that she is not, but if she does not know anything, than that means she is not lying and I could get more info from my real dad.

But again, she said that she does not know anything about my past, mostly because my father did not want to tell her about me, and I also asked about my real mom, but she said the same thing. Anything I ask her, her answer is the same, I don’t know, I don’t know. But I am not giving up, I know they are hiding something from me and I will find out whatever it is. But after all the talks and stuff, I have realized something. Since all of the questions I ask them about my past they answer, “I don’t know”. Maybe the answer is that they really don’t know anything about my past, but I can’t be so sure yet, I will need to search a bit more. I knew that spying on my parents and tricking them was not the right thing to do since they are affectionate to me, but I had to find that lie that is flipping my world.

 Chapter 4
Other people can help

I was really getting frustrated with me and my family. I just can’t believe that I did not find one single clue. I was trying to find their lie for 2 weeks now and I can’t find anything. Those 2 weeks were the most hectic weeks of my life. I was so mad I just wanted to yell at them and ask them for the answer, but then I realized that would not be fun, and I wouldn’t prove to myself that I am a good detective. And I really wanted to prove to myself that. So I invited a crew/ friend, to help me. They started spying on my family and contacting me if they find any type of information. I knew that spying on my family was wrong, but I was not the only person that did something bad, my parents are hiding something from me which is also bad. So they were spying in our house for 24 hours a day, so the whole day. But we had a system, one day they come, one day they don’t, so they don’t get too tired. I knew that spying was wrong, but had to do it, for mine, and my families good.

After a couple of days we did get a little bit of information. We realized that my parents kept on going to an orphanage; it was very humid outside that day so we didn’t stay long. But we wondered, well they wanted to adopt another child, that’s not that bad, well I thought. I could not bear asking them, but if I ask and they say maybe, it might be right or wrong. So I decided to research a bit more so we get more evidence that they are going to adopt another child. First if we were right, I wanted to know if it is a girl or boy that they are getting. I needed to find out before my birthday party, I could not have them telling me the truth and ruining my birthday party. I was so anxious and happy for my birthday party I don’t want anything to spoil it.

I finally found out a way to see if my parents are adopting someone or not. I realized that if I go to the orphanage that I saw them enter, and ask the people that work there, and ask them for my parent name, if they are on the list, than they are adopting someone, then I did not figure it out. But on the end they wore not on the list, I realized that I still don’t know what they are hiding. I was so mad, I worked very hard and then on the end, I don’t get anything out of that hard work. But if mom and dad are not adopting anyone, than what is there secret, and the thing they don’t want to tell me. I was haunted by that question inside, but outside, I was so mad, I put on one of my worst faces I have ever had, and once my friends saw it, they all ran a way, and me too because there was a horrible stench in that orphanage. But I just wanted them to tell me what they are hiding.           

Chapter 5
My info in an Orphanage?

I really did not know what else I could do, I was sitting on the bench thinking that I need to find this out; I need to figure out that stupid with lie before they ruin my birthday party. But right know I could not think about that, I needed to plan my birthday party with Sarah. I decided to call everyone from my grade. And it will be at a disco down town. The cake will be huge. But then, I changed my mind, I did plan the whole party, but after that I continued to search for the answer to the mystery. I decided to continue my research in the orphanage where my mother and father went. But once I came there, the line was huge, I did not waste all that time by standing, but I called people to my party. Even this is not something that will lull me.  

30 MINUTES LATER

            Finally, it became my turn, this time I looked for my name in the book, I mean who knows maybe I was adopted, I did not think that, I was actually a bit scared to find out that I was adopted, but my friend Sarah did, she was scared for me. But I looked anyway. While I was looking, a lady asked me for my name. I said my name is Corinne, and then she said, I remember you, you were a cute baby. I wondered, how does this woman know me, I quickly took a peak in the list of adopted babies, and, my name was there, Corinne Smith. I asked the lady how my picture got up there, and then she told me, “well you were adopted”. My eyes started to water, I ran off with enough tears going down my face to make a poodle. I was depressed, angry; I felt more than 1 thing at once. I knew that I never met my parents, I don’t have anyone from my family, I am alone, and my brother, he was not adopted, in this family, only I was, ADOPTED!

 Chapter 6
You kept this from me!

I continued running somewhere, I did not know where I was going. I did not know where to go. I did not want to go home because I didn’t belong there; I was alone in the world. I decided to go to my friend Sarah, because she would understand me since she was adopted too. While I was walking slowly to her house, many things went through my mind. One thought that came shrew was that there was a girl with the same name as me, so that made me feel better. But I couldn’t stop thinking about me being adopted. After I found out I was adopted, Sarah ran back home. I felt like I was the only one in this world, not having anywhere to go, no family, no friends, just monsters stabbing me in the back, and it is so painful, I wish I was dreaming. When I arrived to my friend’s house I ran and hugged her, she was the only one I could trust. Not even my brother, I could not trust him. He still kept this from me; well I could forgive him because I don’t think he knew. I had to go back home and clear things out. As I was walking home I was more nervous, my friend Sarah came with me, I felt better with her by my side. As I was opening the door I froze, it’s like a freezing cold breeze of wind froze we to the spot. But my friend Sarah pushed me to go on, and not to be scared. My parents ran to me to hug me, they were so worried for me. But I did not bother to hug them back; a rushed to my room fell on the bed and cried. My parents knew what was going on, they knew I found out.  They went up to me and said, “Honey we couldn’t tell you”. The only question that was going through my mind was why, why couldn’t they tell me. But I was too heart I couldn’t say one thing to them, but I could say something to my brother. I asked him if he knew that I was adopted. But he just said no, and walked away, one part of me believed him, but one part didn’t. I also realized that I never knew my father, all these years he lied to me, and he was not my real dad. He lied to me the most, and that’s why I will never talk to him in my whole life. Ok maybe I am exaggerating, but I won’t talk to him until he does something about my situation.

After a couple of days my family was worried for me, they really thought that I will run away from home, hoping to find my real family, that was what I was think about, I didn’t know if my real parents are even alive, or if they will have enough money to take care of me, there are good and bad things about running away. I had to get advice; I couldn’t run away just now, I need to have a home to run away to. But first, I need to find out if my brother knew any of this. If he didn’t, I really wouldn’t like to leave my brother who is the most incent person in my family. But I also don’t want to forget my birthday, my 13^th birthday. I wouldn’t miss it in the world; it is the time when I become a teenager. I would never celebrate it alone; it is the best day of my life and my super sweet sixteen. But then I decided not to run away, but to move to my friend Sarah’s house. Moving to Sarah’s house was treacherous, but I didn’t realize it.           

Chapter 7
Its time to move

My mom and dad did not mind me moving to Sarah’s house, that just showed how much they cared about me, well actually they were a bit worried if I was going to fit in. But they let me do what I want if that makes me happy. They were good parents, but its time I go my own way. This is a big step in my life, but I am ready to risk it. I don’t know if I will fit in, or if I will get used to their lifestyle, I don’t know my future of living with them, but I will have to try, and see.  Looks like I will never be a normal girl. I know that I won’t have my thirteenth birthday party, but at least I will have a family that will really love me. They won’t really be my family, but I hope they will treat me like their own children.

            Once I moved, everyone was so nice to me, treated me so well, it’s like I was one of their own children, even Sarah’s brother Josh that is just 1 year older than me, was even nicer to me than Sarah which was weird, but I did not take much notice to it. He was mostly kind to me, but Sarah’s and Joshs relationship was not very good. But anyway, the weirdest part of all is that 2 months ago, I drew a dream boy in my journal, and Sarah’s brother had all these qualities, but I guess that is just a coincidence.

As the time went by my school work was so good, I went to competitions, won medals, without my best friend Sarah. That is probably what made everyone so grumpy and mean to me. I guess if I am not born in that family, they will never be my family. But Josh was the only one that kept being nice and kind to me. Every time at lunch he would get mad if he is not sitting next to me. And every time he tried to hold my hand, I felt a special connection for one second. My heart starts beating so fast I can’t slow it down, and my palms start sweating. But I didn’t do any similar things. I did not believe that love between me and my best friend’s brother will be true. Even though I started realizing that I fell in his love trap.

Chapter 8 

I fell in love                      

    I fell in love with the wrong guy. He was not meant to be the one, even if he is identical to my dream guy that I drew in my journal, he shouldn’t be the one, and he can’t be the one. But I couldn’t help it; my emotions took over my body. As he extended his hand to get mine, I took it away; I couldn’t let him do that. I knew that might ruin my life even more, and it might ruin my best friend’s life, which I couldn’t risk happening, I already have no one. One part of me new we belong together, but the other just does not believe in love between us. I didn’t know what to do, but to turn to my step mom. Now I just realized that moving here was a horrible idea, so I moved back. I apologize to my mom and my mum apologizes to me for lying all these years. I was so happy to see my little brother. I usually don’t say this, but I missed him. I missed my whole family, and especially my dad that took the most care of me in my younger age.

            After I moved back with my real family that won’t get jealous of my accomplishments, I talked to my mom about Josh. And of course, it was useless, she said to give him a chance, and listen to your heart. What does “listen to your heart” mean, but I decided to listen to her and give him a chance. He got one, and just one. We had one date. And it was bowling. All the time he was sweet kind and charming. He showed the way to play bowling, it was perfect, and it was the best evening of my life, the only one I didn’t cry. But then, he extended his hand and held mine, this time I didn’t take it away because it just felt right. I felt like I belong in this world again and I belonged with him. I knew that my friendship with Sarah was at risk, but I couldn’t care less, because I had Josh now. But I guess it won’t hurt her much.

 Chapter 9
So What

I was secretly dating Josh; the only person that knew was my mom. Why didn’t I tell Sarah you may ask, well, I think she would be mad, so in case she would, I decided to keep it a secret. But I didn’t know until when I should keep it a secret, and when I should tell her. I didn’t really plan this; I know that if I tell her I was keeping it a secret she would be mad at me. So I really didn’t know what to do. I did not tell her right away, I wanted to find the right moment. It’s like I was lost, she was my only friend and I didn’t want to lose her, she was my only hope to happiness. You are wondering, well l you have Josh, but friends are forever, but boyfriends are not.

            I kept it a secret for 1 whole month, but then I knew that it was time for the truth to come out, I couldn’t keep it from her anymore. I just had to pick the right moment. She needs to be watching her favorite show which is girls plus boys, eating popcorn, and having her favorite dinner, macaroni with cheese. So on Wednesday is when I will tell her.

WEDNESDAY

It’s time to tell her, she is watching her favorite show while eating popcorn, and has her favorite meal for diner. As I approached her, I got more nervous. I started talking; it was hard to pronounce the words since I was lost and alone in my world. As I told her face swell up un was red like a tomato. She was so mad, I did not want to go through the really mad part, but I got it anyway. I know why she was mad. I know how she felt because I already felt that once, and I did not mind her being mad at me. I left her alone. She decided to forgive me, she knew that a world without me in it, is not a happy and wonderful kind world to her.

 Chapter 10
Thirteenth Birthday

Finally, it’s my thirteenth birthday, the first most important birthday of my life. I am not throwing a big party. That is just because I want it to be just for my family and my closest friends. I am not alone anymore, this world is not black anymore, the sun is up and I am ready for another step in my wonderful life.  My birthday was so special, normal kids would have fun on their birthday, but to me, this one was special. I got so close to my family, boyfriend, and my friend, even me and Sarah learned a lot. We decided that we will always trust each other, and we will never let each other feel like we don’t have anyone, because we always do.

            I realized having so much cloths and expensive stiff is no mach to family. Family will always be with and near you, but attire will come and fade. But on my birthday, I got some shocking news. I was alone again, the sun went down and the stars stopped shining. WE WERE MOVING.

            I was so mad and sad, I couldn’t figure out what I was thinking and feeling at that time. I had the craziest ideas going through my mind. One great idea that just dried all my tears away is that Josh and Sarah move to Los Vegas with us.  But I knew her parents would not let her. The only way to bring out the sun again is to have them with me, so I asked them.

            When I asked - it wasn’t very hard to get them say yes, because there answer was “they don’t have to, we are also moving there”.  Then sun rose, the stars are glowing and I am not alone, I knew that in many more situations I will be alone, and then feel better, but there is not a better feeling then that.

A girl and a lie that will turn her life up-side down???

 

 About the Aurthor

Name: Miona Milenkovic

Age: 11

Born: 10^th august 1999

Born in: Serbia

Wrote book in: Belgrade, Serbia

Lived in: Switzerland for 3 years and Serbia so far

This is me

Thank you to Google images

Blurb

This girl was a happy girl who as everything she ever wanted, but something is about to turn he life upside down. Something that caused her to move to her friend’s house, and fall in love with her best friend’s brother