A hickey could be disguised as a mark from a clumsy moment with a hair straightener or curling iron. You can say, 'I was in a hurry this morning and accidentally touched my neck with my hot hair straightener. It hurt so much and now this mark is here.' This is a common enough accident that people are likely to believe it.
Another good cover - up story is that it's a reaction to a new skincare product. Say something like, 'I tried this new lotion and I think I might be allergic to it. It made this red mark on my skin.' This can be quite believable as many people do have skin reactions to products. You can even show the 'hickey' as evidence of the 'bad reaction' if someone asks further.
One idea is to have a cover with a ship sailing through rough seas. The waves are huge and crashing against the ship, and there are dark clouds overhead. This is perfect for adventure novels that involve sea voyages and facing the perils of the ocean.
A common 'black eye cover up story' might be claiming that you hit your eye on a cabinet door while looking for something in a hurry. But actually, you got the black eye from an altercation with a neighbor that you don't want to disclose.
A couple I know had a hickey story from their first anniversary dinner. They were so in love and lost in the moment that the guy left a hickey on the girl's collarbone. She had to wear a scarf for a few days to cover it at work, but every time she saw the scarf, she would smile, remembering the wonderful evening.
You can start by considering the context of what you need to cover up. If it's related to time, then think of time - consuming events that are believable like getting lost while trying to find a new place. Listen to other people's excuses too, not to copy but to get inspiration. For example, if someone says they were held up at the bank, you can think of a similar public place like the post office. Also, make sure your emotions match the story. If you're supposed to be sad in the cover up story, show the right signs.
Windsor. It has an air of royalty and grandeur. It could be used for a character from a noble family in a historical or fantasy story, where the name itself can convey power and privilege.
Friendship. Stories about the bond between friends can be really engaging. For example, two friends who support each other through thick and thin, like when one friend is going through a tough time at school or work and the other is always there to cheer them up.
Survival is a powerful theme. It can involve characters struggling to survive in a post - apocalyptic world, or in a harsh natural environment. 'The Hunger Games' is based on this theme, where the characters have to fight for their survival in a brutal game.
Sure. One time, my friend got a hickey right before a family photo session. She tried to cover it up with makeup but it just looked like a big red blotch. It was so obvious and everyone kept asking what happened. She was so embarrassed.
One good cover up story could be saying you were late because your car had a flat tire. Another is claiming that you missed a call because your phone was on silent and you were in an important meeting. Also, you can say you didn't eat the last piece of cake because you thought someone else was saving it.