The pool hall was in downeren Minneapolis, all exposed bri
Í neon signs. Two prys were already chalking op their men when we walked in.
One were a Hawaiian shirt so lend it practically screamed, while the other had a betreut and thouldert like a linebacker.
Hawaiian Shirt spotted Jax and was about to call out when he noticed me trailing behind. His face broke into that univeral “dude’s got a girl” sok “Damn, Xavier finally brought his girlfriend around!“.
Jax walked over and put him in a playful beadlock. “Jesus Christ, shut your fore. She’s basically my little time.”
Buzzcul raised an eyebrow. “Sinur when do you have a sister, but
Jas released his friend with a shove “Sister doesn’t have to mean blood, genom.”
Hawaiian Short turned out to be a non–stop talker, while Buzzcut mostly stayed quiet hat dropped these perfectly camed ones that made everyone crack up
Jax was surprisingly patient teaching me how to play pool,
His voice stayed calm and encouraging, reminding me of when he used to give those student council speeches that had all the garbaghing
I kept my emotions locked d down tight, playing the “neighborhood kad sister” role with Oscar–worthy dedication even as my skin cingled every tune leaned over to adjust my stance. The smell of his cologne–something woodsy and expensive–made my head swim, but I forced myself to for the coe hall instead of how close he was standing,
I even managed to keep my gaze casual and sisterly, though it took every ounce of willpower I possessed
After demolishing us all afternoon while pretending my terrible shots were “almost there“), Jax drove me home as the summer sky turned pink
Just as I was sliding out of his car, he suddenly said. “Hold up”
He hopped out and popped the trunk, pulling out a glossy shopping bag.
“This is for you.”
My brain short–circuited “What is it
“A skirt,” Jax explained with that half smile that always made my stomach flip. “My mom bought matching ones for you and Rosalia. Already gave her the park one.”
Of course, Not from him. From his mom
I swallowed the ridiculous disappointment and accepted the bag, keeping my face carefully blank. “Thanks”
After his taillights disappeared down the street. I couldn’t stop myself from peeking inside the bag as entered my building. It was a black pleated
-identical to Rusalia’s pink one.
Always matched sets. Always complementary pieces. Never the same.
When I got home, it was like walking into an intervention. My parents and Rosalia were arranged in the living room like a table of family concern.
Rosalia was curled on the carpet
et against Men’s legs, looking like a tragic heroine from some teen drama
Dad sat across from them, his face set in that rare serious family business” expression he usually reserved for when bills were tight.
All three heads swiveled toward me when the door clicked shut
Dad frowned, his voice dropping to that hornative register, “Liana. Come here.
My chest tightened as I pressed my lips together and approached the family tribunal, feeling like a defendant with aitorney
Dad didn’t waste time: “What did you do to your sister?”
Mom gestured at Renalia’s face. “She’s been crying for hours.”
On rior, Rosalia gave a picture perfect miffle, nesting deeper into Mom embrace while täring
“I didn’t do anything to her,” I said. Eighting in keepi
my voice wendy
while my insides churned with a toate mix of anger and hort
“Mom, she’s been lying this whole time.” Rosalia sat up straighter, her voice trembling with manufactured intrape
Dad fixed me with that disappointed look that always made me feel two inches tall. “What exactly did you lie abo
I opened my mouth to explain, but Rosalia cut me off with a dramatic inde “That’s not even the points) The point is the’s a total liar, and lying i
Mom quickly patted her shoulder. “Sweetie, tryto calm down.”
“I never lied.” I said, my nails digging into my palms as I struggled to maintain composure. “Since scones came out, none of you actually asked what my score was–you only asked if I got above the minimum, which I did. You all just decided on your own that barely scraped by with like a 1905–
The unfairness of at all burned in my throat. For years I’d been imisible in my own home, and the one time Fachieved mething extraordinary. I was being treated like a criminal for it
Rosalia’s chest heaved dramatically, her eyes darting between our parents. She clearly wanted to call me a liar again but couldn’t figure out how without digging herself deeper.
Mom looked genuinely confused. “If you didn’t get around 1010, what did you get?”
Both my parents stared at me with expressions I rarely saw directed my way–actual interest.
I kept my voice deliberately even, though my heart was pounding: “1500”
My parents froze like they’d been hit with a stun gun, then their faces transformed with that particular shock joy combo reserved for respected lottery wins
Mom: “Are you serious?
Dad: “That’s–isn’t that the highest in Minnesota?”
“Yes I just finished an interview with WCCO this afternoon. Rosalia walked in on it and decided I’d been lying to everyone
Mom turned to Rosalsa, her tone gentler than it had any right to be “Honey, looks like you misunderstood the situation.”
Rosalia’s face darkened like a storm cloud before she bolted to her room, the perfect dramatic exit.
My parents were practically vibrating with excitement. Dad immediately started calling relatives to brag about his suddenly valuable daughter
Mom moved toward me with her arms slightly raised–a rare offering of physical affection–but I stood up abruptly, the anger still summering beneath
skin have homework. Going to my room.
She awkwardly dropped her arms. “Okay”
Back in my room, Texamined the black skirt carefully before repacking it, planning to wash it tomorrow. Despite everything, I couldn’t help wondering if Jax would notice me wearing it
Mom knocked and entered without waiting for a response–a privilege apparently only reserved for parents
softeenagers
“Liana,” she started in that placating tone that always preceded some unfair request, “your sister didn’t do well on her SAT, so she’s really struggling right now. I’m sure she didn’t mean to accuse you like that. Try to see it from her perspective.”
My blood pressure skyrocketed. “But I didn’t do anything wrong”
Mom nodded quickly, “Of course you dute’u Your sister was wrong, but she’s hurting because of her scores You did amanegly well–can’t you be the bigger person‘? Just this once
The justice of it made my voice crack. “Why is it always me who has to forgive her? Why am I always the one who has to be the bigger person
Mom sighed like I was being diffical. “We’re family, Lina. You can just never speak to each other again.”
Chapter 12
I went silent, a lifetime of swallowed words fmrning in my throat
Mom, mistaking my silence for agreement, ramdded on alimat “asterly bonds for a feve more minores before finally leaving, probably in goromfort
I stared at the ceiling, wondering if there would ever be a day when being Liana Frost selda’t mean heing second plans fry definal.
