“I just don’t want her to get hurt or to sacrifice her future over some boy drama.” Aunt shoots back.
My phone dings.
Kim: I’m here.
Thank God.
I stand up and sling my backpack over my shoulders. “Kim is here. I have to go.”
“Take care, hon.” Aunt smothers my hair back. “Teamwork.”
Uncle gives me a tight smile, apparently still angry with Aunt.
“Teamwork,” I echo back, kiss them each on the cheek and head out.
Aunt and Uncle’s voices rise as soon as I’m at the front door.
“She’s not a child, stop treating her like one,” Uncle says.
“I don’t want her making mistakes, okay?”
“Mistakes? Come the fuck on, Blair. Are we going down that road?”
“She’s my niece, okay? Mine! You wouldn’t be in her life if it weren’t for me so stop interfering, Jaxon.”
“Eighteen is right around the corner. I can’t wait to see what happens when the other shoe drops.”
My feet falter at the last sentence. What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Kim texts again. I open the door and step into the windy air. My ponytail blows in front of my face.
“Morning, Ellie.” She’s smiling wide, appearing in a good mood.
“Hey, Kim.”
Her smile drops. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I’m fine.”
“Hell to the no.” Her expression softens. “Tell me.”
Where do I even start? I was ditched after giving up my virginity? My nightmares are becoming terrifying? Aunt and Uncle are fighting because of me?
Everything is tumbling over my head, and I can’t seem to find a way out. I want to cry so hard, but that will ruin Kim’s good mood.
Due to her own family and school drama, she rarely has a good mood. I don’t want to ruin it for her.
“Menstrual cramps,” I say. “I think I’m getting my period soon.”
“Aww, that sucks!” Kim drives out of the driveway.
It isn’t completely a lie, but it isn’t menstrual cramps that hurt with every move. I’m still sore from Saturday.
I haven’t been able to move without feeling Aiden inside me.
I try to listen to Kim talking about her family dinner, but my mind keeps drifting back to how Aiden left without a word.
At first, I was ashamed to be abandoned like that.