Page 109 of The Originals


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“I will,” I promise. “Thanks for the cookies.”

Harper leaves, and Sean and I linger in the studio a little longer.

“Your mom’s so nice,” I say. “And sane.”

Sean wraps his arms around me and looks into my eyes. “I promised I wouldn’t touch this particular subject today, but if you really think your mom’s got issues, you should seriously tell someone,” he says. “I mean, it doesn’t have to be someone… official.” He pauses. “We could just tell… like maybe my mom?”

“Don’t,” I say quickly, stiffening. “I don’t want to… just don’t.” I take a deep breath. “Not yet, anyway.”

I still feel like I need answers before I can ask my mom any questions—and that the questions should come from our family and not the outside world.

“Do you really have to leave?” Sean asks. “ ’Cause I was thinking pizza sounded good.”

“Isn’t your mom making dinner?” I ask.

“She won’t mind,” he says, shrugging. “She was probably planning on ordering pizza anyway; I’ll bring her some back.”

“Let me call Betsey and make sure it’s okay that I’m still out,” I say. When Sean looks at me funny, I smile half heartedly. “This is her time, not mine.”

Bet’s cool, and Harper seems to love the idea of pizza, so Sean and I set out to get food. We take my car, because his is parked in a good spot; he tells me directions to a pizza place in University City.

“We can’t go to my favorite place; Dave works there,” I say.

“Ah, the dreaded Dave,” Sean says. “Did Ella have fun at the dance?”

“I think so,” I say. “I haven’t had much chance to talk to her about it.”

“Did you have fun at the dance?” he asks, looking over at me before adjusting the music dial.

“The most fun ever,” I say honestly. “Thank you.”

We’re pulling into the lot of the pizza place when my cell rings.

“Get back here!” Ella whispers. “Mom’s home!”

“Oh my god!” I shout. A car honks behind me because I’ve just stopped driving in the middle of the road. I pull forward and to the side. “Why?”

“I have no idea,” Ella says. “I’m hiding in your bathroom. I ran up here when we heard the gate opening and saw that it was her. Bet’s downstairs—she told her that I went out for ice cream with Dave.”

“Oh my god!” I say again. “She’ll know.”

“No, she won’t; just act like me when you get home. And besides, you’re the one who’s all about taking risks lately. Wasn’t it you who said, ‘Mom’s lying, too, so who cares?’ ”

“It’s different when I’m the only one who’s going to get yelled at,” I say, blowing out my breath. “But I guess if she recognizes me, then tonight’s the night.”

“Okay,” Ella says. “If I hear trouble, I’ll come down. If nothing happens, I’ll sleep in your bedroom and you sleep in mine.”

“Okay,” I say, feeling sick about the plan.

We hang up and I update Sean, who looks a little too excited by the prospect of everything coming out. “It’s going to be fine,” he says. “Want me to go with you?”

“No!” I say. “That’ll make it even worse.”

He opens the door and starts to get out.

“Where are you going?” I ask.

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