Page 58 of HER SISTER

After what felt like hours of contemplation and avoidance, I finally managed to force myself to walk over to Mya.

Even if it seemed to be the last thing I wanted to do.

All I could imagine was her yelling at me and then dropping me as a friend.

She'd probably even make a scene in the gallery.

And between all the assumptions that I possibly could have, I never found myself blaming her for any type of reaction she did have.

Not after what both me and Mili had done.

Mya almost instantly looked over, sensing my sudden presence.

And when she managed to smile, I immediately felt confused.

"She did really good on this one," Mya said as she motioned to the picture.

I forcefully smiled, even if I felt as confused as ever, "Yeah it does look really good," I forced out.

Mya looked back to the picture, "You were definitely a better replacement than me honestly," she said, and I couldn't help but feel even more guilty as soon as it all clicked in my head.

It's not that Mya isn't seeing what felt obvious.

It's that she trusted me.

She trusted that I wouldn't sneak behind her back with her sister.

She never expected us to be together.

And how could I blame her, I mean, I had lied to her from the start—there weren't exactly any signs that pointed to me and Mili.

Well, except for the picture in front of us, but even that occurred because Mya couldn't do the planned shoot—because Mya offered me instead.

There wasn't much to go off of, and that seemed to make me feel worse.

We somehow lied too well.

And if we didn't, then Arielle or Akeyla was for us.

I mean, I can't even believe this all turned into something like this.

It felt like one small decision to not tell her about a kiss with her sister—who I didn't know was her sister at the time—has now become a full-on lie, which now involved other people.

Really, was there any explanation for this?

Because even after spreading out all the details from the beginning to end, it still felt like Mya would never forgive me for something like this.

And maybe I'm saying that because I personally wouldn't—which again, makes this even worse.

I just wish I could go back and tell Mya from the start, even if she got upset—it wouldn't be nearly as close as she would be now that we've lied for this long.

I mean, I'm officially dating her sister—where in the explanation do I throw that in subtly?

"Ana, did you hear me?"

I suddenly looked away from the picture.

Mya smiled, "I swear you're always in your own little world girl," she joked with me as she tapped on her phone a few times.

I laughed slightly, "It feels like that honestly," I forced out.

Mya only laughed, "Yeah, well my parents are about to be here—which is perfect timing since the ball is about to drop," she informed me, clearly texting someone before she looked up from her phone, "I'm going to call Damon really fast and have them all come back in since they all took a quick trip outside to spark the blunt," she said, and I didn't hesitate to nod.

I definitely needed a moment to get my head together.

And talk to Mili.

That picture should not be on display whatsoever.

At least not with our circumstances.

"I'm so excited to be spending the New Year with everyone," Mya suddenly said, clearly excited as she pulled me into a brief hug that I didn't hesitate to reciprocate, "I'll see you in a few," she said, dialing up Damon's number on her phone as she walked away.

And as soon as she walked away, my search for Mili was on.

Since I was on the second floor, I started my search there, looking around for her familiar face.

But as soon as I came up short, I was down on the first level, searching for her.

And with the event growing even more packed, I felt a little hopeless, wondering if I'd ever even find her.

I let out a deep breath of relief as soon as I pinpointed her near the windows, clearly having a deep conversation with a group of people.

I pursed my lips, deciding that I was definitely not about to interrupt her conversation.

But that decision seemed to be taken from me as soon as Mili's dark eyes met mine.

And almost immediately, her face managed to morph into concern.

Within seconds, she was respectfully excusing herself from their conversation before walking over toward me.

"Hey, what's going on? Is everything okay?" Mili didn't hesitate to ask, clearly noticing my distress.

Then again, I probably couldn't hide it if I wanted to.

I shook my head as we walked over to a secluded corner, "That picture from the cave is upstairs—Mya just saw it," I said, not even bothering to hold my explanation back.

Mili's brows shot up, and it was clear that she was a little shocked, "What did she say? Is she upset?" she questioned, suddenly reaching a reassuring hand out for me, but almost instantly lowering it back down as she took a brief glance of our current surroundings.

And I couldn't help but feel even worse, wishing she could touch me like that in public without being worried about getting caught.

I sighed to myself, "She didn't even assume anything, she just thought you captured it really well, which somehow makes this all worse. She trusts that we wouldn't be together, Mili," I practically ranted, feeling my face grow hot with guilt.

Mili frowned, "Hey-hey, take a deep breath. Everything is okay, we're telling her tomorrow remember?" she said, clearly trying to calm me down.

But I swear I could cry right now.

I nodded once, looking away from Mili to help push back my sudden tears, "Why was it on display?" I managed to force out as I blinked away my tears.

Mili sighed, "I worked with a gallery team—someone must've cleared it for display," she determined as I continued to avoid her concerned dark eyes, "Atiana, I'm really sorry—I didn't realize it was cleared for the event," she suddenly said, clearly bothered by the state I was in.

I only shook my head, "Don't apologize, it's not your fault—I think this is all just starting to really get to me," I admitted, sucking in a deep breath as I pushed away the urge to cry.

Mili's frown grew as soon as my eyes met hers again, "I really wish I could hug you right now," she whispered, clearly hating our circumstances.

I let out a stressful breath, "Me too," I whispered back.

And I couldn't help but feel bad, hating that I was taking up Mili's gallery event with this.

She needs to bask this all in and talk to all the people here.

I mean we're in LA, god only knows who could be at this event.

"You need to focus back on your show," I suddenly said.

Mili only shook her head, "Not when you're feeling like thi—"

"Milan, seriously, this is important," I cut her short, knowing how big of a deal this event was.

"You will always be more important than anything else, Atiana," she reminded me, carefully looking between my eyes before she said, "Don't ever put yourself under my work again."

And just like that, I was completely quiet—feeling a sudden warm glow hug me from the inside out.

Especially by just her careful and serious tone, like she had never meant anything more in her life.

It honestly made me forget what we were previously talking about.

I smiled slightly, but before I could say anything, Mili was instinctively looking over—easily forcing me to follow her line of sight.

And as soon as my eyes landed on Mya, I felt nervousness swallow me whole.

Now I have to lie to her again or play this conversation off as something casual.

However, before I got even a chance to dig myself into a deeper hole, Mya managed to say, "Is there something you guys want to tell me?"

And I couldn't stop my brows from furrowing, wondering why she was asking us that.

Did someone tell her?

Or maybe she overheard our conversation?

Mya suddenly looked past us, easily causing both Mili and I to turn around.

And almost instantly it clicked.

The picture displayed... It was a specific one.

Mili had taken it of me in her bed on Christmas morning.

The glowing sunrise and the beautiful mountainscapes practically glowed while I remained facing the view—displaying my slightly bare back.

And while it was beautifully aesthetic—I couldn't help but feel dreadful by just looking at it.

Now our secret really is out.