re's

le, opened the drawer, and pulled ou

r, and I have kept it to myself all these years. I don't know how long I can continue acting like I don't care about him. What should I do? Should I tell him? But Vanessa w

ighed. "Why do I have s

, and my eyes widened.

ought. That was

here?" she asked again, an

d rushed to the door, but I stopped

uick guess on where to put it. "Claire, what's taking

iend? Open up. I want to see him. Pretty please," she begge

cked the drawer. I exha

I gre

eled through the open space and push

the room. She moved the curtains a

who?" I

ding. Your boyfriend. W

"Vanessa, are you

nd Dad won't kill him," I responded.

tell me what the hell was taking

y. "I was sleeping. I didn't h

ed. "I had this nice

edly. "Who is he? Your crush?

was about, or she'd kill me. How do I tell my best friend

. She looked at me, waiting f

I heard footsteps climb up

Vanessa,"

ed. I watched Richmond bl

y," my br

inging him back fro

Dad wants you down for

too, Van. We made ex

eyes sparkled, which I didn't like eithe

feelings, and I could only imagine his pain when he found out sh

ied and walked t

Claire?" she aske

there. I just need a

continued walki

r, but I pulled him

h you?" he asked, strug

crossed my arms

sked, notici

king at her like that?" I aske

t on it. There's no harm if she realiz

t would be the end of you being all coz

on't care," Rich

on't know why you want to end up heartbroken. She's totally no

t being a pain. She's no

u know my friend better

his head. "What do you w

oulder. "Just play it cool. Don't expect

We should go now. The

I need to clean

atic. "Now that I think of it, you stink.

t you dare,

. "I'm just saying, sister. It does

athed. "You'r

a slipper, missing every throw bec

I can hit you

want me to sme

the broomstick beside my bed,

chased him and flew do

d from my room. "I'm

oo; I almost saw Grandma, and she wasn

alone," I heard Dad say

, smiling wickedly. He was going t

later after washing up and

kfast. I had everyone wait until you

rned to smile at me, and I fr