Something warm flickered in my chest — and I crushed it instantly. I was notnice.
Seph laughed. “Practically a sweetheart.”
…Okay, that stung.
“Ok. But come find me, ok? And no more crazies in our room.”
Seph saluted her. “I’ll try my best.”
I followed Seph as she walked outside to the front entrance steps. She moved to a corner around the back of the veranda and climbed on to the barrier. I sat beside her and we watched the people down below playing games or sitting in groups. The sun was up and warm on my back. I removed my sweatshirt,getting hot. But Seph kept hers on. Instead she just pulled on her sleeves.
“So.”
“So.”
“So, K wants to talk to you, you know.”
“I know.” She exhaled hard. “I just don’t know why he’s trying so damn hard now.”
“Maybe you should hear him out.”
“What if I don’t want to?” she snapped. “Why would I sit there just to get lectured or judged? He hasn’t exactly given a crap about me so far.”
“I don’t think that’s true.”
She turned to me, eyes sharp, wounded.
“Really? Then explain this: he disappeared. Three years ago. Right before Sable left. No real goodbye. No note. Nothing. Just gone. And I never heard a damn word from him again.”
Her voice cracked—barely, but enough.
“As soon as he knew she was going, I guess he had no more reason to stay.”
“Sable?”
“My sister.” Her jaw locked — like forcing the words out cost her something. “He was in love with her. Did you know that?”
I froze. Because no — I absolutely didn’t.
“…Are you sure?”
She let out a small, bitter laugh. “Very sure.”
I stayed quiet. Let her talk. She needed to get this out.
Her gaze unfocused, drifting to some far-off place only she could see. “We were neighbours. Back home. I’ve known him since I was twelve. I thought…”
She cut herself off.
“You thought?”
She gave me a small, brittle smile. “I thought he cared about me. I was a dumb kid.”
“You don’t think he cares now?” I asked carefully.
She shook her head. “If he does, it’s guilt. Or pity.”
“You don’t know that.”
