“Relax, okay?” She lifts her hands in surrender. “I come in peace.”
“What do you want, Ambrosia? To rub it in some more? I get it—you’re going to Hayes’s party. And I’m not.”
She ducks her head, surprisingly meek.
“I just… wanted to see if you wanted to come with me tonight.”
I stare at her, thrown. Did Mom bribe her with another gift card to guilt-trip me out of bed?
“Why? What’s in it for you?”
Amber rolls her eyes. “You really think I need a reason to do something nice?”
“Yes. Absolutely.”
“You’re my sister, Ally,” she says, almost sounding wounded. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe I don’t like seeing you upset?”
“No.”
I burrow deeper under my covers, pulling them uplike a shield. Wishing—begging—for her to take the hint and leave.
She doesn’t.
“Why do you hate me so much? What did I do?” she asks quietly. “We used to be friends, remember?”
I glance over, ready to snap again—but then I see her expression. Her eyes are glassy. She blinks quickly, and I see she’s practically on the verge of tears.
“I don’t hate you, dummy.” I let out a frustrated breath. “I’m just… angry with Hayes.”
“I’m sorry you guys are fighting. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“It’s okay. It’s not your fault.”
She nods, a flicker of relief crossing her face. It almost feels like we’re having a moment, like we’re real sisters again. Like we used to be.
“I didn’t tell him to pick me—he just did,” she adds with a little shrug. “You can’t be mad at me for that.”
The words hit like a gunshot.
Of course.
Even when she’s trying to be nice, she still has to win.
“Out!” I point at the door.
“Ally, come on. You know what I meant?—”
I throw one of my balled-up socks, hitting her shoulder with absolutely zero force but maximum attitude.
“NOW.”
She stumbles back, then finally leaves, probably off to find Mom and play the victim again.
Time passes slowly.
I lie in bed, fists clenched, staring at the ceiling.
How did things get so tangled between me and Hayes? I’ve replayed it a hundred times and still can’t make sense of it. He’s at a party right now, surrounded by half of LHU’s campus. I’m the only person he’s avoiding.
