The rest of mine has sat untouched after that first bite. Her bizarre cheeriness unsettling my stomach.
Not that she notices. Taking a full bite that’s drowned in syrup as she moans her approval. Proud of herself.
“I think we should spend the day pampering ourselves,” she says, cutting into another bite. “I think we’ve earned it.”
The muscles in my cheeks strain. Who is this woman, and what has replaced her body with a functioning adult?
“Maybe go to a spa, get our nails done. Go shopping. Hair too, if we have time? You know, the works.” Listing off the items between bites.
I debate on running the back of my hand across her forehead but refrain. Peering out the window for the school bus that has yet to show.
“So, what do you think?” Lillian asks with more persistence. Her skin looks like it’s almost glowing and it’s disturbing.
Where was this the first seven years of my life?
I don’t answer her right away, spotting the bright-yellow vehicle below.
I have about a thirty-second gap to decide to run out and catch it or agree to spend the day with my mother.
Time passes too quickly and before I can make a decision, it’s made for me. The bus leaves too soon and I’m stranded.
I plaster on a smile, this one more genuine than the last. “Whelp, let’s do it.”
Lillian bites down, pulling the fork between her teeth, beaming.
I am so going to regret this.
If only I’d known ahead of time how right I was…
eighteen
Rory
Idonothingtohide my displeasure as Eli and I pull up to the Casper mansion.
“What’s wrong, didn’t you have fun?” Eli asks as I lower myself farther down in his bucket seat.
I did have fun, which is why I’m more restless since we’re back. I know what’s coming, or at least an idea of suspicion.
Today was great. Eli showed up this morning, and I’d been a ball of nerves, even then expecting someone to jump out. The worrying fragments dissipated the deeper we went into the day.
Eli took me downtown and we explored a few bookstores before grabbing a late lunch. It was nice to spend some alone time with him. Joking and laughing because we never get the opportunity.
We should have sooner; we just never did.
He had been my first friend here as a kid, and after today I remembered why. Unlike the other hellhounds, Eli is thoughtful and considerate.
Where Finn is laid back, he is straightforward and while Cole is insensitive, he’s mindful. Eli can be combative but that’s only when provoked.
“You want to go inside or talk about it?” Eli grills, turning off his car.
He can tell something is up. I haven’t tried hard to hide it, not from him at least. It’s probably not hard to guess what it’s about, but I chicken out and go for the easier option anyway.
“It’s kind of stupid,” I admit because it is.
He shifts his weight, angling his back to the window. Not in a hurry to leave. “Try me.”
I look down at my hands, suddenly shy and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because this is Eli, and our connection has always felt more personal. Close. I can’t explain it, but I don’t want to look at him or… I don’t want him to see me.