Page 67

“Then why are you so resistant to anyone finding out about us?”

“Because I can’t make any promises to you.”

“I’m not asking you to.”

“Maybe not today, but you will.”

“And that’s so appalling to you, is it?” She sneers, misunderstanding.

“That’s not what I—”

“Please don’t.”

“Where is all this coming from?” I ask instead.

“I don’t know.” She throws her hands up in defeat. “I guess hearing you tell Lyric that we were dating made me want it to be real.”

“Itisreal.”

“No, it’s not. We’re pretending. We’re hiding in this bubble, shutting out the rest of the world. What we have isn’t real. It’s a fantasy.”

“What’s wrong with that?” I tug on my pants before quickly slipping on my shirt.

“If you don’t know, then we’re further apart than I realized.”

“Just say what you want, Red.”

“You!” She erupts, emotion filling her eyes with unshed tears. “I want you.”

“You have me.” I step toward her, but she instantly steps back.

“No, I don’t. I have what small sliver you’re willing to give me. It’s not enough.”

“What are you saying?”

“If you feel even a fraction for me of what I feel for you, you’ll tell your sister about us.”

“And if I don’t?” I pick up my shoes off the floor, sensing the direction this is going.

“Then I’ll have my answer.” She crosses toward the door and tugs it open.

We both freeze at the sight of Lyric standing in the doorway, her hand raised like she was about to knock.

Her eyes widen in surprise, her gaze darting from Char, standing in her bra and underwear, to me, clenching my shoes to my chest.

“What the—”

“Lyric, I can explain,” I say, calmly stepping toward her.

“I had a feeling...” She shakes her head, turning her attention to Charlotte. “You two must think me really stupid.” Tears prick my sister’s eyes.

“No, Lyric...” Char starts, only to be cut off by Lyric.

“Please do not disrespect me by lying further. I knew something was going on. I could tell by how weird you two were acting. The way you kept looking at each other at lunch. But then I thought, no, it’s just my imagination. But then you left with her.” She looks directly at me. “I tried to convince myself that it was nothing, but the longer you were gone, the more I couldn’t deny the truth that’s been staring me in the face for some time now.” She squares her shoulders. “So, which one of you wants to tell me what the hell is going on here and just how long you’ve actually been lying to me.”

I open my mouth, fully prepared to say this was a one-time thing, but Charlotte beats me to the punch.

“We started talking after the glow party last year,” she admits, turning to grab her sundress off the back of her desk chair before pulling it over her head, allowing Lyric the space tostep fully into the room. “But it didn’t become physical until the week I visited you over summer break.”