With a curious face, Rose puts her hand into the bag and pulls out a pink hoodie. She opens it and there’s a quote on the front that makes her smile.
“You wrote my favorite line, and there are sparkles and stars too. They match the book perfectly.”
Marie wears a smug expression. “I know.”
Rose hugs Marie and thanks her.
Next up is Sebastian who gets her a lot of reading supplies like bookmarks, tabs, highlighters and pens. Rose gushes over them and thanks him with a hug.
I’m the last.
“What did you get, Hope?” Marie asks.
I ignore her and slip my hand into my jacket pocket, where her present is tucked away. Taking it out, I hand it to Rose who gasps.
“You made me a bracelet on my birthday so I thought I should do the same.”
“But how did you make it?”
I shrug. “I was always watching you when you made them.”
She examines the bracelet, its blue and white beads and star charms that I added because they remind me of her. It was tough making it without her noticing—I'd skip gym hours to work on it. A few times, I’d slip the string, and the beads would scatter everywhere, forcing me to start over. But when I was done with it, I knew she’d love it.
Rose slips it on and grins. “It looks pretty,” she whispers.
Looking up, she cups my cheek and pulls me in for a kiss. “Thank you so much.”
Gratitude shines in her eyes because she knows how much time and effort it takes for one to make it.
“You don’t — ”
A loud noise comes from downstairs, grabbing my attention. Moments later, shouting follows.
“What’s going on?” Marie whispers.
I know for a fact that it isn’t my parents. They’ve never raised their voices at each other.
“Wait here.” I get up to check.
“I’ll come.” Sebastian gets up too.
We both step outside my room and hurry downstairs.
As we both turn, we see a familiar face in the foyer, standing toe to toe with my father.
Alex Hanson.
“Call my daughter down. I know she is here!” Alex shouts at my with a sharp look.
Dad looks down at him with a cold stare that sends a chill down my spine. Seeing it, Alex backs up a little. “I assume you’re the asshole who made my son spend a night in cell.”
“He shouldn’t have interfered in my family mattters.”
“You mean, protect your daughter from you,” Dad retorts calmly.
“She’s my daughter. I can do whatever I want with her.”
Sebastian puts his hand on my chest to keep me from going over and pummeling his face.
