Even now, the thought is painful to my bone. I shove it away.
This is why I have to leave. Go to an actual city. Somewhere I can blend into a crowd, knowing no one’s looking my way. Not because they’re avoiding me, but because they simply don’t care. That’s my happy place, and I’m only out of sorts now because I’ve been stuck here for far too long.
I increase my pace.
Gia’s house is less than a mile’s walk, but I’m still surprised how fast I arrive. My steps stutter when I see Mara’s car parked in the driveway—she’d come over for a movie night with Gia and Lizzie. A quick glance at my watch tells me Lizzie’s been asleep for at least half an hour.
I’m suddenly embarrassed at being back so early. Probably, Gia didn’t expect me home at all tonight.
Maybe I could enter through the back?I quickly reject the idea. Gia’s open floor plan wouldn’t give me any coveranyway.
Listen to yourself. I sound like a paranoid lunatic. What’s happening to me? Why am I trying to hide from my sisters now, too?
Determinedly, I march up to the front door and let myself in.
The chatter in the kitchen stops as I step into view. My sisters are standing on opposite sides of the island. Mara, taller than I am with soft curves and sweet features, smiles and waves over her glass of wine. Gia, shorter than me with sharp elbows and a sharper jawline, tilts her head, eyes darting to the clock then back at me.
“Hey, Sis,” Mara says. “How was bowling?”
“It was good,” I say. “I’m going to bed.”
Hurt flashes across my little sister’s features, and it echoes in my entire body. My feet automatically take me to her. Old habits die hard.
“I’ll hang for a bit,” I hear myself say as I sidle up beside her. “What movie did you watch?”
Gia folds her arms, wine glass hanging from one hand. A glint of emerald flashes on the shell of her ear, and I notice it’s inflamed.
“Is that new?”
When our older sister continues to, not exactly glare, but watch me with quiet intensity, Mara cuts in. “Lizzie finally decided she wanted her ears pierced. Gia got one too! Sweet, huh?”
“Yeah, super sweet?—”
Gia silences me with one arch of her eyebrow.
This is worse than when my fourth grade teacher sent home a note saying I wasn’t turning in my homework.
My mouth opens, then closes, then opens again. “What?”
She takes a sip of her wine. “You know what.”
A flush crawls up my chest.
Her other eyebrow joins the first.
Instantly, I feel prickles in the back of my nose. “I don’t really know,” I say, voice lilting up. “I just walked out tonight. I just had to get out of there.”
Mara puts her hand on mine, but it’s Gia we’re both looking at.
“What happened before you walked out?” Gia asks.
Hesitating, I shake my head and say, “You know what? It doesn’t matter.” I pull in a deep breath and give them a wan smile. “I think I’m just tired. Lots going on, you know?”
Something changes in Gia’s eyes. They turn piercing, the way I’ve seen her do when a kid under her care steps out of line.
“Oh, shit,” Mara mutters under her breath, and I couldn’t agree more.
It’s a Mom Look, but I’ve never had one directed at me before. Ever. The full force of it has my skin crawling. I turn my head, trying to avoid it, but my eyes stay locked on hers. There’s definite witchcraft happening here.
