Episode 12

Amy Howland:

Mom's friend convinced her to force me into attending her nephew's seventeenth birthday celebration.

It seems they're quite set on the idea of matching me up with this boy.

And now here I am, at the dreaded event—or rather, leaving it—since some jerk decided to grab Fanny's rear, whom I brought along because I didn't want to be stranded among strangers. Naturally, she had to bring her brother since she isn't allowed to go to parties without him. So her brother, Matt, ended up knocking a couple of teeth out of the guy who got handsy with my friend.

We were promptly kicked out of the party after that.

Calls to the police weren't made because the guy at the party was of age and had made an advance on Fanny, who's just sixteen like me.

"I've got no money to get us home," Matt announces, wiping away the last of the blood on his hands—not his own, of course—with a moist towelette he must've snagged on his way out.

"My dress is pocketless and I despise carrying purses," Fanny folds her arms. "Cath's mom was supposed to pick us up, so I didn't bring my wallet."

"Maybe I should call Mom..."

"Hell no," my friend interrupts, her green almost-black eyes piercing under the starlight. "You'll be in deep trouble if she finds out about our little incident."

"We could call Dad?" Matt suggests.

"That's a good idea." Fanny smiles. "Do it."

"My phone isn't on me."

"Why the hell not?" She scowls.

"It hit the ground when I punched that guy, then I saw someone step on it by mistake and shatter the screen."

"And you didn't think to pick it up?"

"I was planning on getting a new one anyway, so this felt like the right moment to get rid of it," Matt says coolly, a stark contrast to Fanny, who seems rather upset.

"Fine, we'll use Cath's phone," Fanny turns to me.

"Oh, I don't..." I shake my head.

I'm in the same boat, no pockets, and like my friend, I’m not fond of carrying purses either.

"Right, lesson learned to always keep your phone with you, no matter where you're going," Fanny nods.

Our only choice now is to walk back to our homes, but they aren't close by, and it's dangerous to traverse the streets at night.

"Landon's apartment is a half-hour walk from here," I say with a hint of reluctance. "We could crash there."

"That's a great idea," Fanny agrees eagerly. "Let's go see the elder brother; it's been a while."

So the three of us begin our trek towards Landon's place, a heaviness in my chest because I have been dodging his texts and calls.

He must be aggravated by my childish behavior, yet I recall my own irritation at him for lying about his relationship with Amy.

I'm only his sister, and I shouldn't meddle in his private life, but I can’t shake the feeling of betrayal.

Seeing him with Amy was...

Painful.

Fanny knocks on the door when we finally get there.

Landon opens after the fifth knock, wearing a plain white shirt with the top buttons undone and a stubble gracing his jaw.

His hair, a shade darker than mine, seems longer since the last time I saw him.

My heart clenches in sorrow and longing, torn between running into his arms and fleeing from his presence.

"Are you going to let us in, or should we camp in the hallway?" Fanny inquires.

Landon steps aside, allowing my friend and her brother inside. They walk into the apartment and start a conversation, leaving me frozen at the doorstep, unable to move under his gaze.

"Were you working?" I'm the one to break the silence.

"Just had some free time, I was looking through some old case files."

Heat rises in my cheeks under his scrutinizing eyes, resentful that Mom made me wear a dress that's far too tight.

"Sorry, we didn't mean to intrude. We ran into a bit of trouble and didn't have our phones to call..."

"You look beautiful," he cuts me off.

My heart does somersaults, yearning for the one it loves.

Remember, you're mad at him.

He lied to us.

He lied to me, to my heart.

"Thanks," I mumble, summoning all the bravery in me not to break eye contact with those bewitching, traitorous brown eyes.

"Were you at a party?"

"Yes," I confirm with a nod.

"I thought you weren’t into those things."

I'm not. I detest them, just as much as Fanny does. They're too loud for my liking.

"People change, interests evolve."

"And what about boys?"

I only have eyes for you, but I won't confess that because the feeling isn’t mutual.

"There's no one in particular catching my eye, but I'm curious and want to explore life. You once told me to go ahead, that it's my life, my body, my choice," I remind him. "I think I’ll start taking your advice."

My words seem to strike a chord; I see his jaw tense as he fights back a frown.

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