Naomi and Sam never had that problem. Aside from looking nothing like our older brother, they also adored him. Everyone did, I suppose.
“Fine,” I sigh. “Do my mascara. It’s… probably better if you do.”
She grins, holding up the wand like she’s won a prize, and starts swiping it onto my lashes. “And some concealer,” she mutters, tapping the skin under my eyes. “These bags are something else
today.”
I don’t tell her it’s because I barely slept last night. Not just because I couldn’t stop thinking about that weird feeling, like someone was watching me. But because bills keep piling up, and it feels like I’m constantly counting money, trying to figure out how I’ll pay everything on time.
We onlyjustgot the boiler fixed.
“Sure,” I say, managing a small smile.
She glows a little at that, concentrating on my face, perfecting every line and swipe. It’s easy for her, everything seems to come naturally—people, places, all of it. She doesn’t have to try to fit in. Sam and Naomi always just… belong. Compliments quite literally follow them, and people respect them, or maybe they just don’t have a reason not to. As for me? I’ve always been just a little too quiet, a little too awkward. Usually when people would talk to me, I would always say something completely stupid which would earn me some not-so-friendly glances. Somehow, I always manage to say the wrong thing.
Not that I mind. I’ve always preferred to stay in the background. I’m quite used to being left out: that comes with being the youngest sibling, I guess. And so, I have always just been the outsider. Watching, waiting, but never truly belonging.
“Oh, and Adeline, please trynotto embarrass me with your clumsiness or… how can I put this? Your lack of social grace? You’re entering a different world, you can’t afford to make a fool of
yourself,” she says out of nowhere, while swiping on the mascara.
I don’t flinch at her words. I don’t even react, simply nod. I knew as much.
“Only if you promise to help me this time. If things get bad again at this new school,” I say, looking at her concentrating face with hopeful eyes.
Naomi pauses, just for a second, her brown eyes darting to meet mine. She lets out a small sigh. “Adeline, you know I have my own things going on. But… fine, I promise. I’ll have your back.”
It’s not exactly a promise, I know that, but it’s enough. I force a smile. “Thanks, Naomi.”
She finally steps back, inspecting her work with pride.
“All done,” she announces.
I look at myself in the mirror. She is indeed a master at this. I don’t look so bland anymore. Although, I make sure to sneak more concealer onto my cheeks to cover up my freckles.
FIVE
Rule Number Two ofAdeline’s Guide to Overcoming Loneliness:Adeline, find a quiet spot and listen. Sometimes the quietest things can speak the loudest, so let them speak, because there are more answers in the stillness than you know. Take time to hear it. You’ll be surprised how much you can find out.
Just as I fasten the last button of my blazer, a chill runs down my spine. As much as I tried to rid my mind of yesterday’s encounter, memories just keep creeping back. It’s enough to make my skin crawl. I try to brush off the unease as Sam bursts into the room, her short, dirty-blonde hair swinging just above her shoulders.
“We’re going to be late!” she exclaims, wide-eyed and breathless.
I glance at the clock. “Sam, we’ve still got two whole hours before college. Relax!” I reassure her, turning back to the mirror.
Sam shakes her head frantically. “I just checked the schedule: it starts in forty minutes!”
“Oh, bloody hell,” Naomi mutters, stuffing her bag with books. “Addie?” She glares. “Didn’t you think to check the schedule?”
“I thought it started later. I’m so sorry,” I stammer, unable to prevent the guilt from flooding through me. I should have double-checked. I didn’t mean to mess this up.
“Well, apologies won’t fix it now. We have to move,” Sam cuts in, already heading for the stairs.
I nod quickly, fumbling to gather my things, mortified. This was supposed to be an exciting day, but somehow, I’ve already managed to ruin everything. Stupid,stupid.
I pick up my backpack, struggling to adjust the straps. This poor backpack has been in this sorry state for a while. Its straps are frayed and on the verge of snapping, and the zipper… I don’t even want to get into that. It’s about one wrong tug away from splitting.
Naomi and I rush downstairs, where Sam is already standing at the door waiting for us. I quickly slip on my battered shoes and run out the door. Clearly the nice, generous, rich man hadn’t thought about the footwear part of this agreement.
