"I have to."
Tears spill down her cheeks. She looks so young. Nineteen years old and still so innocent. Still believing the world is fair. That good things happen to good people.
I used to believe that too.
"I don't want you to go," she says.
"I know."
"I don't want you to marry some stranger."
"I know."
"I want everything to go back to how it was. Before Mama died. Before Papa—" She stops. Chokes on a sob.
I pull her into my arms. Hold her tight. Feel her shoulders shake against my chest.
Over her head, I meet Oliver's eyes.
He looks as helpless as I feel.
"Okay," Oliver says. He stands up. Claps his hands together. "I have an idea."
Gianna pulls back from my arms. Wipes her cheeks with the back of her hand. "What?"
"Go get dressed."
She blinks at him. "What?"
"Dressed. You know. Clothes that aren't pajamas." He gestures at her oversized t-shirt and sweatpants. "Something cute. We're going out."
"Out where?" I ask.
"The movies." Oliver grins. That easy, charming smile that's gotten him out of trouble since we were kids. "There's a new horror film playing at the theater on Fifth. The one with the possessed doll. Gianna's been talking about it for weeks."
Gianna's eyes widen. "The Dollmaker sequel?"
"That's the one."
"I've been dying to see it." She looks at me. Then back at Oliver. "But Nell's packing. And tomorrow is?—"
"Tomorrow is tomorrow," Oliver cuts in. "Tonight, we're watching a creepy doll murder people for two hours. Then we're getting ice cream."
"Oliver." I shake my head. "I can't. I have to finish packing. And I need to?—"
"You need to what?" He raises an eyebrow. "Fold more sweaters? Stare at your suitcase and spiral into panic?"
"I wasn't spiraling."
"You were absolutely spiraling."
"I was organizing."
"Same thing." He points at Gianna. "Go. Get dressed. I'll wait in the car."
Gianna hesitates. Looks at me.
I want to say no. I want to tell them both that I have responsibilities. That I can't waste time on movies and ice cream when my entire life is about to change. When everything I know is about to disappear.
