I wish her outsides were as messed up as her insides, but even I have to admit she looks unfairly gorgeous.
Her makeup is flawless, her shiny golden waves perfectly styled, and her outfit—while not my style—fits like it was made for her. The barely-there skirt and nude heels make her long, sun-kissed legs look incredible. Huge, fake pearls she insists are real to anyone who will listen sit in her earlobes to complete the look.
“I was just telling everyone how much I hoped you’d come. I’ve barely seen you all week,” she says,all soft-eyed sincerity. She takes my hand in both of hers and gives it a gentle squeeze. “I’ve missed you.”
Right.
What a load of crap.
Amber has been avoiding me just as much as I’ve been avoiding her, and we both know it. If she really wanted to see me, it wouldn’t be hard. We share the same tiny apartment.
“I live right down the hall, Ambrosia.”
Hayes chokes on a laugh.
Amber’s expression darkens, just for a second, but she recovers quickly, brushing invisible lint off my shoulder like I’m the one who’s ruffled.
“You’re hilarious, Ally,” she says with an exaggerated smile. “I just wanted to say, I really am sorry about Megara. You’re such a great singer, but I can’t help it if the director liked me better. What was I supposed to do? Not take the role?” She sighs softly, as if the whole thing has been so hard on her. “And besides, it’s not like you told me how much you wanted it. You never tell me anything anymore. I didn’t even know you were applying to NYU.” She pauses, then adds one word sharp as a knife. “Again.”
I wince, the cut landing right where she wants it.
“Forget it,” I say, all casual, biting back the reaction I know she’s fishing for—a scream, a shove, something unhinged for her and her friends to laugh about. But I stay cool, giving her nothing. “I don’t have time for a silly play anyway.”
“You sure?” Hayes cuts in. “Because Ambs told me a role just opened up.”
“Wait, really?” I step back. “I thought they were fully cast.”
Amber nods eagerly, all glossy hair and confidence. “Someone dropped out last minute. It’s not public yet, but I can put in a good word for you if you want.”
I blink, genuinely surprised. “You’d really do that for me?”
“Of course I would. You’re my sister, Ally.”
For a second, I falter. She looks so genuine, I almost second-guess everything.
Maybe I’ve been too hard on her. Maybe she really didn’t steal Megara just to spite me. Maybe—for once—Amber actually wants to help.
“What do you think?” Hayes offers a small smile, one of those careful, noncommittal ones that says he’s watching this play out. “It’d look great on your NYU app. Could be the thing that gets you in.”
“That’s so sweet of you, Ambs,” Tiffany says. “You’re such a good sister.”
“So good,” Brooke echoes.
I know I should be grateful. Accept the offer. Say thank you. But all I can focus on is the way Amber shifts closer to Hayes, fingers trailing along his arm like they’ve done it a thousand times. She keeps glancing at me from the corner of her eye, like she’s watching a game she already knows she’s won. Measuring. Calculating.
And that’s when I get it.
This isn’t for me.
It never was.
This is all a well-timed gesture to polish her image, to look generous in front of Hayes and her friends. She’s performing, tossing me crumbs just so she can shine. It all makes my stomach turn.
Or maybe that’s just her nauseatingly sweet perfume.
“Thanks,” I say. “But I’m going to pass.”
Silence falls like a dropped glass.
