And I completely understand her shock now and that’s why I jump to reassure her.
“No, no, no. I’m at St. Mary’s, I swear. I’mhere.” I splay a hand on my chest for emphasis like she can see it, like she can see me standing here, inside this reject, dusty bathroom.
“Then, how the heck are you calling me?” Her voice becomes shrill.
“Look –”
“I know the rules, Salem. I had Leah email me the entire welcome packet. Iknowyou’re not allowed to call so think very carefully before you answer me.”
All right, everyone.Thisis my sister.
She doesn’t even go to St. Mary’s and she’s read the entire welcome packet. Whereas I never made it past the table of contents.
If there was any doubt in my mind – which there wasn’t – that Arrow and my sister belong together, it would be banished at this very second.
This gives me the strength to push through.
“I know I’m not allowed to call. Not until I earn the privilege by showing up to classes and completing my homework assignments on time. I know the rules, Sarah.”
She scoffs. “If you know the rules, then what’s your excuse for being stupid and breaking them this time?”
I clench my teeth. “I wanted to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“About…”Arrow.“Your boyfriend.”
She doesn’t respond to that but I don’t get deterred. This is my only chance of finding out what the hell is going on.
“I know about the breakup, Sarah,” I say with a slight tremble in my voice. “I know you’re not together anymore. I –”
“How do you know?”
He told me.
And I still can’t believe it.
“It doesn’t matter,” I say, clearing my throat. “I… What happened? Gosh. I’m sorry, Sarah. Are you okay?”
Another stretch of silence and I know I’ve said the wrong thing.
“Is that why you called me? To find out if I’m okay?” She sighs sharply. “You’re… impossible. You steal money from Leah. The woman who was there for us. She doesn’t press charges but takes pity on you and sends you to a school that might fix you, and you’re breaking the rules again.”
“I –”
“I’m fine, all right? It’s a breakup. No one died. Anything else you want from me before I hang up?”
And I know she’ll do it.
She’ll hang up so I blurt out the rest of it. “Is it because of his injury?”
“What?”
“Your breakup.”
I grimace after I say it but I’ve thought about it.
It can’t be a coincidence, right?
