n Ga

had just done. I couldn't believe she actually had the

my nose. I even forgot my dad was there, until he grabbed my

she's out of line." I yanked my arm free and stepped toward

God, I'll break that hand of yours." I wasn't just threatening her-I actually mea

elled at her, mocking, "Get up and stop acting. I know you're just

ssed me off even more. I reached for her arm to pull her up, and realized

Isn't it enough that my broth

I felt bad for

as I adjusted her, and I felt her whole body trembling. "Dad, go ahe

soul," Dad said, his words weighing on me. Honestly, I'd suddenly calmed down towar

ring her home with me once I'm sure she's

y shoulder and asked,

your life and Mom's." That reassured

ght Dad in my car. He must have

nd flashed back to burying her parents, rememberi

ke I was carrying an angel. But I snapped myself out of it,

nts where it was. I laid her gently on the bed and

elf, but still-why would a rich girl sleep in such a small bed? And everything was pink. I almost laughed at all the ted

eper, "Bring her some water to drink." Then I heard her voice-she was still unconsc

at her words. "Dad, come on, Dad. I got firs

I'll work an

early crushed her against my chest. Her w

in with the water, and I quickly took the glass from her. I pour

told the housekeeper,

tor, or...?" sh

d, "I sa

alling. Suddenly, I found myself leaning closer to her, drawn in by somethi

Malika opened her eyes

d, "What are

know why or ho

vealing. But her body was clearly something else-curves in all the right places. Not pale, not dark-sort of honey-colored skin, with big eyes. Not a trace o

o idea what ma

doing? Are you okay?" I put my hand on her

blanket up over herself. "I d

to call the doctor. Still, that doesn't change the fact that you

die." That

if I should comfort her, apolog

ct-honestly, I was curious.

arted

tted her shoulder. "Oka

s I'd said the word "sorry" t

ad's. We used to go to the book fair every year together, si

ng at her as she spoke.

slowly. "Al

impr

a voracious reader, and cultured, bu

I realized she was thirsty and handed it to her.

ied to get up. I helped her, holding h

widene

girls are like the ones you know, and you think you can force me to ma

with my left, and kissed her hard, even though she was fully awake. She started hitting me, trying

y!" The pain

y head, my shoulders, my stomach-everywhere.

my mother, I'll marry you

s just like the rest. I was convinced that after we got

I grabbed it-figured I'd find all sorts of dirt. Photos

to grab her phone. "Give

, holding both her wrists as

her with her friends in school uniforms, pictures with her

I'll find guys' names

"Let go of m

e guy's nam

abeled "My Love." I knew

and find out if he's sl

cked me. "He

urse, he probably dumped you

s streaming down her face, "He won't answer