She shrugs. Just like Eden, Jenna scratches the back of her neck. “I usually stay in the library.”
“Do you not want your parents to know?” I ask quietly.
She sighs, and I swear to God I see some of the tension she carries around with her drain away.
“I’m not like them,” she begins. “Mum, Dad, and Eden are all these artsy fartsy people who like alternative music and band t-shirts. I…I like pop music and dancing. I’m not artistic at all.”
“And you don’t think they’d understand if you wanted to be a cheerleader?”
“I don’t know. Probably. I don’t want them making fun of me.”
Oh, there is a lot more going on with this girl than I think anyone is aware of.
“Hey,” I say, bumping into her shoulder. “I don’t think they would. But if you want, you can talk to me.”
Jenna visibly relaxes. “Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
Laughter comes from the kitchen, breaking our little tête-à-tête. Jenna gives me a small smile. I give her a wink before Eden and her parents spill in.
15
Eden
Ifeel like we walked in on something. Sloane and Jenna are sitting right next to each other, and there’s no hissing or growling from my sibling. Weird.
Sloane gives me a wink. I’m not sure what it’s supposed to mean. The fact she is so close to Lucifer and isn’t burned to a crisp is interesting. Jenna’s fuse is at an all-time low at the minute. None of us have been able to get within ten feet of her lately without a full meltdown or screaming match. Mealtimes are the only safe space, and that’s because we’re all too busy munching to really pester her. That’s what she calls her family taking an interest in her day, fyi.
I go to ask what they’ve been talking about, but Sloane subtly shakes her head. Mum and Dad haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. They’re too busy bickering over what music to put on.
Jenna watches them and rolls her eyes before leaving the room without a word. Oddly, Sloane stands up, pecks me on the cheek and follows my sister out. Yeah, I’ve definitely missed something.
Ten minutes later, Sloane comes back into the living room. She’s got her paint-stained clothes bundled up in her arms and a small smile on her face.
“Hey, are you leaving?”
I was hoping to whisk her up to my room for a little while. Maybe do a little bit of that exploring we touched on earlier.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. Mom messaged. Becca’s in my room crying.”
“Is she okay?”
“I don’t know. I think I know what it’s about, but I can’t be one hundred percent. I’m sorry,” she says quietly.
Looking over my shoulder, I catch my parents not so subtly watching us. Rolling my eyes, I walk Sloane to the front door. I’d like just two minutes of privacy.
Pulling her to me by the hips, I brush our noses together. “Will you let me know when you get home?”
“Of course. I’m really sorry to be running out like this. I was kinda hoping we’d spend a little more time together…alone.”
Yeah, you and me both, darling.
“Me too, but it’s cool. Becca needs you.” Then I remember Jenna. “Something I should know about you and my sister?”
She grins. “Just some girl talk. Nothing to worry about.”
Girl talk? That seems like something Iabsolutelyshould be worried about.
