Page 39 of Hide and Seek

Myles: he’s going to Paris?

My sister has been a bit boy crazy for the past few years, but she confessed to me while we were home for Christmas break that she has a boyfriend and doesn’t want to tell our parents about him because they forbid all of us from dating until we’re sixteen, and Lily is only fifteen.

In her defense, she’s turning sixteen in eight weeks, and the boy in question is a few months younger than her. I wouldn’t have been so open to keeping her secret if I thought her crush was taking advantage of her, but this guy doesn’t seem too bad. A bit of an egotistical asshole, but that’s typical for boys her age and tax bracket.

And I’m really glad she’s coming to me for advice instead of trusting her vapid, trophy-wife-in-training friends, but finding a balance between being her older brother and her friend hasn’t been easy.

I’m not exactly an expert on teen dating, considering I’ve never dated anyone or even been on a date, and unlike most people in my position, I don’t feel the need to change that or feel like I’m missing anything.

At least spending the past week focusing on her issues gave me a break from obsessing about my own, and it was nice to spend time with her like we used to.

Lily: for the summer

Myles: and he said he doesn’t want you to wait for him while he’s gone?

Lily: yeah. what does that mean?

Lily: that’s a good thing right?

Myles: I’m not sure

Lily: what?

Lily: why not?

Myles: if he doesn’t expect you to wait, then it sounds like he’s not planning on waiting either

Lily: wdym

Myles: from a guys perspective, it sounds like he’s saying he doesn’t want to be exclusive when he’s gone, even if you are now

Lily: really???

Myles: yeah

Lily: do you think it could mean something else?

Myles: it’s possible. You could ask him if you’re not sure

Lily: yeah, I’ll ask later. I’m sure it’s nothing

Lily: he just texted, gotta go

Tiredly, I toss my phone onto the bed and strip off my jacket. Outside of his age appropriateness, I’m not a huge fan of this Thomas guy, but I know my sister, and she needs to figure out that he’s bad news on her own. With any luck, that will happen before she falls too hard for him.

With another deep sigh, I stand and stretch my arms over my head. My back pops a few times, and I drop my arms assome of the stiffness fades. A yawn creeps up on me, and I cover my mouth as I let it out. Hopefully this means I’ll actually sleep tonight.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and that feeling of being watched settles over me for the first time in two weeks.

I glance at my window and at the curtains I closed before I left for the break, but my gaze lands on the chess set on my dresser.

One of the pawns has been moved.

“What the fuck?” I cross the room with long strides and stare at the chessboard.

Iknowall the pieces were lined up before I left, the same as they’ve always been, but right now, one of the white pawns has been pushed forward two spaces.

Instinctively, I look around the room.