White Lie

College student Katie Arneson begins her duplicitous life by pretending to have cancer. She fakes her illness for nearly ten months, using placebos, shaving her head, and intentionally losing weight to appear more convincing.

Katie's manipulation turns her into a minor celebrity on campus, where she gains emotional and financial support from peers. With her charm, she successfully crowdsources money while keeping her friends, including her girlfriend Jennifer, in the dark about her lies.

Katie discovers that a critical university bursary is under threat as she must provide valid medical records by the week's end. This realization sends her into a panic, knowing her deception is at risk of being uncovered.

In desperation, Katie turns to a medical resident to forge the necessary medical documents. However, she is faced with the challenge of coming up with $2,000, putting her further in a difficult position without raising suspicions.

Katie reaches out to her estranged father, requesting funds under the guise of attending a special treatment clinic. Upon realizing her deception, he confronts Katie, refusing to give her the money and stirring painful memories of her past lies.

Despite her father's plea to confess, Katie remains determined to continue her fraudulent act. This decision intensifies the pressure she feels as she struggles to maintain her facade and keep the support of those around her.

Desperate for financial help, Katie turns to her girlfriend Jennifer, who comes from an affluent family. Jennifer readily offers her assistance, but Katie's paranoia escalates when she learns of her father's warning message to Jennifer.

In a state of panic, Katie deletes her father's message to Jennifer and blocks him from contacting her girlfriend again. This act reflects her desperation to maintain control over her constructed reality.

After submitting the forged medical documents, Katie feels a brief moment of relief. This solace is shattered when she later discovers that her father has exposed her lies on social media, compounding her troubles.

In an attempt to salvage her reputation, Katie consults a friend whose mother is a lawyer. She learns that if proven to be lying, she could face severe legal consequences, leaving her feeling more trapped than ever.

As Katie's support system begins to dwindle with the exposure of her deception, she spirals deeper into a web of lies. Instead of admitting the truth, she becomes increasingly desperate to preserve her relationship with Jennifer.

To further manipulate Jennifer, Katie proposes marriage, claiming that if they wed, she will stop lying and no longer be sick. This proposal reflects her troubled mindset and the lengths she is willing to go to maintain her false identity.

Katie prepares for a radio segment intended to restore her public image, showcasing her determination to regain control. However, this moment also reveals the emotional turmoil she has caused for Jennifer in the process.

As Katie steps into the studio, she leaves a stunned Jennifer behind, where the full impact of the betrayal comes to light. Emotions run high as Jennifer struggles to understand the depths of Katie's deception.