He leans down, bringing his gorgeous face close to mine, and I forget how to breathe. “I think you’re the one who’s inspirational, Firefly.” Very carefully, he tucks some stray strands of my hair behind my ear, and my cheeks inflame. But I refuse to be embarrassed, holding his gaze as he smiles adoringly at me. “Never change.”
“Uh, I won’t,” I croak, disappointed when he straightens up and steps back.
“I thought I might find you here,” Saskia says, and I jump at the unexpected sound of her voice, emitting a high-pitched shriek.
“Oh my God. You frightened me.”
She narrows her eyes. “It’s not nice when people eavesdrop on private conversations, is it?” she asks, making it clear she knew I was spying on her earlier.
“Ben brought me a cupcake,” I retort, waving the box at her.
“You’ll get fat,” she drawls, her gaze roaming me from head to toe. “And it’s not like you can get away with packing on the pounds. You’re already looking pudgy around the middle.”
My face explodes, popping bright red with burning embarrassment. I fight tears, not wanting her to see how much she has upset me. How could she say that in front of Ben?
“Saskia. Don’t be so cruel,” Ben says, and I love how quickly he always comes to my defense. He’s my hero, and I will always worship the ground he walks on. He turns to me, his features softening. “You’re perfect just the way you are.” He pats the top of my head, and my embarrassment puffs into thin air.
“I’m just trying to educate my little sister. The world is a cruel place,” Saskia says, stalking across the room. She threads her fingers through Ben’s, and I grind my teeth to the molars. “And only ugly old dudes want to fuck fat chicks.” She pats me on the head, but her gesture is completely condescending. “So, eat your calorie-laden cupcake,Firefly, but don’t blame me when you end up fat and alone.”
Ben yanks his hand from Saskia’s, but it only gives me a tiny bit of joy because her hurtful words and scathing look pierce the walls I hide behind, and her strike hits deep.
I know I have put on some weight lately, only because I haven’t hit my growth spurt yet. I’m the smallest in my class with most of my friends towering over me. Mom said shouldn’t worry about it since the weight will fall off when I grow taller. I usually pride myself on not being obsessed with my appearance, unlike Saskia and Serena who spend hours in front of the mirror, but I’m not strong enough to protect myself from such a horrid attack. I thought older sisters were supposed to protect their little sisters, not be mean and cruel for no reason.
“You are way out of line, Saskia,” Ben says through gritted teeth. “Apologize to Sierra.”
She huffs out a laugh. “You’re my boyfriend, not my father, and I won’t apologize for being honest. God knows Sierra doesn’t stop to consider anyone else’s feelings when she speaks her mind.”
Ben opens his mouth, to defend me again, I assume, but I cut across him this time. “It’s fine, Ben. I’m used to Saskia’s personal brand of education. And I don’t care what she says,” I lie, stuffing the cupcake into my mouth while I spit fire at my sister through my eyes.
She pins me with a disgusted look, opening her mouth to insult me, I’m sure, but she stops, mouth open like a fish out of water, when Ben levels her with a dark look that is kinda scary.
“Can we be done with this?” she asks a few seconds later when she’s composed herself.
Ben mutters under his breath, his chest heaving, before nodding.
Swallowing the delicious light spongy texture, I race to the table, snatch the painting I had set aside, and dash to the door before they leave. “Thank you for the cupcake,” I tell him, thrusting the drawing at him. “I painted this for you.”
He smiles as he takes the painting, his eyes carefully examining the picture I created especially for him. “A firefly, glowing with light and energy just like the little girl who drew it,” he says.
I try not to feel disappointment at his “little girl” comment, but it’s hard not to feel dejected. I know my feelings will never be returned, and comments like that shatter the illusion. Yet I’d rather dwell in blissful ignorance when it comes to Bennett Carver.
“Thank you, Sierra. I love it.” He bends down, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek, and my legs almost go out from under me. Behind him, Saskia smirks, her haughty expression telling me she knows all about my crush on her boyfriend. “I will treasure it always.”
Saskia rolls her eyes. “It’s a stupid painting from an impressionable kid with a crush. Please don’t pretend like it’s some masterpiece.”
“You’re being a complete bitch, and my patience is in limited supply,” Ben tells her, looking like he’s two seconds away from snapping her neck.
I’m not sure I’d care if he did.
“Oh, relax.” Saskia attempts to laugh it off. “You’re so tense tonight.” She grabs his shoulders, digging her hands in. “But I can help with that after dinner,” she purrs, and my stomach lurches painfully.
“Would it kill you to be nice?” he asks, his eyes darting between Saskia and me.
“Iamnice,” she protests, and I barely resist another eyeroll. “And I really don’t get why you bother. It’s not like she’syourlittle sister.”
A muscle pops in his jaw, and I inwardly rejoice at the fact my sister appears to have foot-in-mouth disease tonight. Maybe Ben has finally wised up. Maybe he’s planning to break up with her. God, I hope so, because he deserves so much better.
My joy is short-lived though as I contemplate what it would mean. I wouldn’t see him anymore. He wouldn’t bring me cupcakes from the Mountainview Bakery, and he wouldn’t talk to me about my art or ask how school is, and I’d have one less person who seems to care about me in my life.
