Episode 5

Catherine Howland:

I come back to life as my feet touch the ground, the glorious and steadfast earth.

"Happy birthday, Cath," Fanny embraces me without delay. She's never been much for affection, but on special days she allows it, knowing how much it means to me.

"Thank you," I hug her back.

She is tall compared to the other girls in our class but still shorter than her brother, who nearly matches Landon in height.

"Is what Matt said true?" Her hands rest on my shoulders, brows furrowed, her green eyes locking onto mine, blue in contrast.

"There's an explanation."

"What could possibly explain locking up your daughter on her birthday?" she asks. "Don't answer, I don't want to see you play devil's advocate."

"Mom and Dad aren't that bad."

"Then who did this to you?" She indicates the scratch on my face from Mom's slap.

"Allegedly, a cat," I hear Matt chime in for me.

Fanny snorts. "Of course, a cat that's running out of lives if it keeps risking them by hurting my pretty doll."

I adore Fanny's protective nature; it makes me feel cherished and safe by her side.

"Anyway, we should get going now if we don't want to be late for your party." My friend takes my hand and leads me across the street to the parked car.

"A party? What party?"

"Your birthday party, genius," she rolls her eyes. "Mom made your favorite cake."

"But..."

"I know what you are going to say," she cuts me off. "You're supposed to be sick and not leave the house, but hey, we threw a party anyway because you don't turn 15 every day. The plan was to kidnap you, and that's what we did."

I feel like crying, think I might, because I was so lonely and sad just a moment ago, feeling neglected and worthless, but now all that fades because I feel so loved by her, by the rebellious girl who could easily get into a fight for me.

I want to hug her and say thank you, but she doesn't give me the chance as she ushers me into the car, sitting next to me.

Matt takes the driver's seat, strapping into the seatbelt before starting the car.

"Your brother knows how to drive?" It's a silly question, seeing that I'm witnessing it right now.

"He got his driver's license at 16, which is legal," Fanny responds. "Dad gave us the car keys to come get you."

"Woah," I'm surprised.

"Yeah, woah. Pity he's such a stick-in-the-mud and refuses to take me on a drive to the beach."

"It's a 12-hour drive," Matt remarks.

"Excuses," my friend gestures dismissively to her brother's defense.

I'm laughing at Fanny and Matt as they bicker like they always do.

They have the typical sibling relationship where they argue about everything, though I'm pretty sure Fanny starts at least 80% of all their fights.

We're drifting from my turmoil when my gaze settles on Amy.

My brother's girlfriend looks shocked to see me in someone else's car, her blue eyes, darker than mine, focus on Matt.

I hope she doesn't get the wrong idea because she didn't have time to spot Fanny as we left her behind.

If she tells my parents she saw me in a car with my best friend's 'psychopath' brother, I'll be in deep trouble, but then I reassure myself by thinking Amy isn't the gossiping type.

She's been incredibly kind to me thus far, and I don't think she needs to discuss me with Mom since she can probably sense the thick tension over appearances in my family.

That's why I believe Amy is perfect for my brother; not only is she stunning with her black hair and oceanic eyes, but she's also really smart and sensible.

She's so unlike me.

Landon and I have a nine-year gap, while she's just two years older than him.

I try to push away the ache seeping into my heart, joining in on Fanny and Matt's conversation.

I spend the rest of the afternoon smiling and celebrating with my best friend's family, forgetting the sharp twinges in my chest whenever I think of my parents, but especially when I think of my older brother.

Landon is always the one who ends up wounding my heart, though it's not his fault, it can't be, because he never demanded the love of my heart.

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