Page 36 of HER SISTER

"I'm studying right now."

Mya let out a dramatic sigh, "You've been studying for the past few weeks—I'm sure you can take one break to go out with us."

And she had a point.

I had been using studying as an excuse since October.

But now it's December and finals are actually this week.

"It's finals week," I pointed out, turning in my chair to face Mya who had a shot in one hand and a chaser in the other.

Mya smiled, "All the more reason to take a night off and give your brain a break," she said, clearly trying to convince me.

I forced a smile, "Sorry Mya, but I can't tonight," I said, and it felt like we both knew what my answer would be at the end of this conversation.

Mya sighed dramatically, but inevitably nodded, respecting my answer as she took her shot.

"Well, if you do decide to come out, you know where we'll all be at," Mya said, flashing me a smile as she turned on her heel, "Love you—have fun studying."

I turned back around in my chair, "Love you more," I called over my shoulder as Mya's heels clicked out of my room.

And just like that I was left alone—hearing the front door to our apartment gently close shut as I focused back in on my notes.

Yet, all I could do was sigh to myself, feeling completely drained—and not just from schoolwork.

It felt nice to leave LA for a moment to head back home over Thanksgiving break—but now that I've been back for a few weeks, I feel that same hollow feeling in my stomach.

And I know exactly what the cause was.

Or should I say who?

I suddenly looked up when I heard a few knocks at the door.

And I wanted to assume it was Mya, but she had a key—which easily made me wonder who it could be.

My brows furrowed as I stood from my chair and walked out of my room to the door.

And as soon as I opened it, my furrowed brows raised.

"Arielle?"

The redhead smiled, holding up the two bags in her hands as she said, "Surprise!"

I tilted my head, "Aren't you supposed to be out with everyone?" I questioned in confusion.

Arielle shrugged, "I told them that I wanted to study with you," she explained, walking past me into the apartment, "Although, Damon wants me back at his place by the end of the night."

I slowly closed the door, clearly confused as I turned to Arielle who was setting the grocery bags down.

"I hope you like Christmas tree cakes," she said as she began grabbing bowls and plates.

I carefully watched her, "I thought we were studying?" I said, clearly wanting to know what she was up to.

Arielle suddenly looked at me, "You know we're not studying," she retorted as she began plating all the different snacks, "We're doing a girl's night—Christmas theme of course."

And even if I wanted to be alone, I couldn't help but find the idea to be fun, "Okay—" I suddenly tilted my head, "It's a little bit random though," I pointed out, knowing that her surprise pop by was a little odd.

I mean, we've talked over the last couple of months, but that was whenever I managed to join the group for coffee or something.

Luckily, it hasn't been weird with Cam—of course, I had to sit her down and have a conversation with her.

Now we've fallen into a friend dynamic, especially since she knows I don't want a relationship right now.

Well...

You know what, I'm not even going to get into that.

"You've been cooped up in your room since Halloween, Ana," Arielle pointed out as she opened the bag of barbecue chips, "Something had to happen that night with—"

"Yeah," I cut her short, clearly not even wanting to say her name.

Arielle pursed her lips, "I just hate seeing you like this," she admitted, grabbing the bowls as I walked over to grab the plates.

And as I followed her into the living room, we both set the bowls and plates down before sitting down on the soft couch.

"Tonight we're going to binge-watch Christmas movies and gorge on snacks," Arielle declared as she grabbed the remote.

And even hearing anything about a holiday-themed movie was enough to make my stomach double over with nausea.

It easily reminded me of the Halloween movie that I watched with her.

It was the same night that we decorated cookies—that I smoked for the first time, and even...

Had another first time.

I wonder if she misses me as much as I miss her.

Or maybe she's moved on better than me.

Maybe she's going out and living her best life.

Apart of me hopes she is—she deserves to be happy.

"Or maybe we don't watch a Christmas movie?" Arielle suddenly said, easily snapping me from my thoughts.

I let out a deep breath as I shook my head, "No-no, we can," I said, even if watching a holiday movie was the last thing I wanted to do right now.

Who knew healing would be so hard?

Arielle gave me a narrowed look, "See, that's your issue—you're in denial," she pointed out.

I only shook my head, "No-no, I've come to terms with everything," I said, and it wasn't a lie—for once.

"Just because you've come to terms doesn't mean you've addressed it—you need to allow yourself to feel it and move on, Ana," Arielle said, and I couldn't lie and say she didn't make a good point.

I hadn't exactly cried about it since Halloween night.

God, was I mess that night.

I can recall stumbling into my room before quite literally sitting down in the middle of my floor and crying.

Well, more like sobbing.

But then the next morning, I was forcing myself out of my bed to head over to the library.

That was my first step towards distracting myself with school.

But hey, my grades look amazing so...

"Maybe we can talk about it?" Arielle suggested, easily pulling me from my thoughts.

I gave her a narrowed look, "I thought you didn't want to be involved?" I said, knowing she had specified that.

Arielle smiled slightly, "Good point—but I want to be here for you, especially since no one else knows," she said as she grabbed the bowl of chips, "I just don't want to be involved when it comes to Mya—that's going to have to be between you two."

I nodded, knowing I wouldn't throw Arielle's name in the mix of all this—that would probably make it worse for Mya, knowing that her other friend knew.

Then again, Mya's never even going to find out.

Well, not now.

Maybe one day—years from now, I'll spill all of this over a bottle of wine, or maybe even on my deathbed.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't mention your name in any of this," I reassured Arielle as we both began eating the chips, "But it's not like Mya's ever going to find out—everything is over now."

Arielle frowned slightly, "I'm sorry about that," she said.

And I couldn't help but shake my head, "Don't be, it's probably better this way."

Arielle gave me a tilted look, "Is it? Because you seemed like you really liked her," she pointed out.

I hummed weakly, "Yeah," I forced out, shaking my head to myself as I chewed on the chips that I didn't even have the appetite for.

Arielle sighed, "So let's talk about it—you know, feel all the messy emotions so you can fully move on."

I nodded hesitantly, "Okay," I forced out, feeling slightly intimidated by even the idea of fully addressing all of this.

Arielle hummed, "Okay, let's start with Halloween night—walk me through everything," she said before she suddenly stood from the couch, "Actually, I think we need some wine to even begin discussing this."

I laughed—for what felt like the first time in a while.

"Wine sounds amazing," I said as Arielle grabbed a wine bottle and two glasses.

Arielle hummed happily as she walked back over toward me, "Now, we can get into the details," she determined as she began opening the bottle of wine.