Page 122 of Reasons We Break

“Onflash drives? You’re so old-school.” Kiran grins. “Well, at least it got you up.”

Of course it did. The last thing Simran needs is her busybody sister plugging one in. Now that Simran’s up, she notes Kiran’s already fully dressed in a pink lehenga, her bangs artfully styled to frame her face. TJ’s in a tank top and jeans, arms crossed tightly, avoiding Simran’s gaze.

Kiran shoves Simran into the chair. “God, you look awful.”

Simran yawns, leaning her face into her hand and closing her eyes. Kiran flicks her cheek.

She bolts back upright. “Would you stop that?”

“Wake up.”Kiran’s voice is commanding, but there’s a hint of worry in her eyes. “One of your closest friends is engaged and you’re not even going topretendyou’re excited?”

What’s there to be excited about? Being tonight’s source of gossip after the disastrous backyard party? “Just tired. From yesterday. You’re the one who told me to go out on a Friday night.”

“Simmi, you came home at eight p.m., I know you didn’t do anything interesting.” Kiran turns to TJ. “I’m going to get her something to eat. Do her hair, don’t let her stop you.”

And then she’s gone. TJ shoves a bunch of other things off the table. “Your room is a pigsty.”

“You say that—”

“Every time, I know.” TJ starts brushing her hair robotically. Like it’s a job she just has to get through.

Simran sighs. “TJ, I’m—”

“Don’t say you’re sorry.” TJ’s voice is tight. “That’s what you always say. It doesn’t mean anything if you’re not going to explain.”

“I understand why you’re angry,” Simran begins, but TJ slams down the hairbrush.

“Angry? I’mfrustrated. Every time I see you, you’re more hollowed out on the inside. I’m watching you fade away and I don’t know why.”

Her voice cracks slightly. That shocks Simran into silence for a moment. She thought TJ was just mad. This is almost worse. “I’m doing better now. The stuff I was dealing with...it’s over, pretty much.”

“Really? Because until now, you were doing a bang-up job pretending there wasn’tanystuff you were dealing with.”

Simran chews her trembling lip. And gives up. She can never seem to say the right thing anyway. “It’s not my secret to tell, TJ. I understand why you can’t forgive me. I wouldn’t either.” She brushes dust off the dresser. “You should go before Kiran comes back. Take the makeup, too. You spent way too much on it, and I never use it.”

She keeps her gaze lowered until TJ says quietly, “See, that’s the most honest you’ve been in a long time.”

Simran raises her eyes to see TJ watching in the mirror. TJ sighs.

“But you’re wrong.”

Simran blinks. “About...?”

“I can forgive you. Ido.” Simran’s heart drops. “I can’t stay mad at you. Not when I feel sad for you most of the time.”

“I don’t need your pity.”

“I know. You don’t need anything, do you?” TJ smiles humourlessly. “You spend so much time on your own, I think sometimes you forget you don’t have to be.”

Simran’s chest aches, remembering her father’s fears that she would end up isolating herself. And that’s exactly what she’s done. “I don’twantto be on my own,” she whispers. Tears prick at her eyes. “That’s the last thing I want. But I don’t know how to stop.”

TJ’s eyes soften. After a moment of quiet, she picks up her curling wand. Simran thinks that’s it, the conversation is over, but then TJ abruptly says, “Kiran didn’t ask me to come, you know. I offered. I wanted to check on you before the reception.”

Simran stares at her through the mirror. “Why?”

“I heard what happened at Neetu’s.”

Ah. “What did you hear?”