Page 166 of The Originals


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“I take that as a compliment,” Ella says, smiling back.

Then they notice me standing there.

“Lizzie!” Mom says, sitting up straighter in her chair. “Come join us. Tell us how your first day back went.”

The scene is so normal—just a mom and a daughter bonding. I could try to bond, too. But something keeps me frozen in the doorway, something that smells a lot like distrust. It’s self-centered, but in a way I feel like Mom wronged me most. Maybe it’s that I found her out; maybe it’s because she wouldn’t let me date Sean. Maybe it’s because she’s still never apologized for just leaving me in San Diego when Maggie came knocking.

“It was fine,” I say, hiding my emotions. The day was a lot more than fine, but I’m not ready. Mom and I may have a truce, but that doesn’t mean I have to overshare. “I’m getting a soda and going up to do my homework. Sean’s coming over later.”

I stare at Mom, waiting for her to protest. Waiting for her to say that Sean’s not good for my image, not good for me. Waiting for her to Mom me.

Instead, she says, “He seems like a nice boy.” And then, “There’s soda in the garage; bring in a bunch, will you?”

“Happy New You,” Sean says, beaming, when I open the front door. I check out his un-gelled hair, thermal shirt, black hoodie, faded jeans, and sneakers and think that he’s my brand of perfect. He’s holding out a wrapped present; I take it and smile curiously.

“You’re so sweet,” I say. “What is it?”

“You’ll have to wait and see.”

“Get in here,” I say, grabbing him by the shirt and pulling him across the threshold. “Want to go out back?”

“Sure,” he says, reaching out and touching my hair. “Anywhere is fine.”

Sean follows me through the kitchen and into the living room, where I grab a blanket off the back of the couch. We go out the double doors to the back patio. Without me asking him to, Sean pushes one of the lounge chairs right next to the other; we sit and I drape the blanket over both of us.

“Okay,” he says when we’re settled. “Open it.”

I rip the paper before the words are fully out of his mouth. Sean laughs while I eagerly pry open the box. I suck in my breath when I see the silver bracelet with a heart locket.

“There’s a picture in there,” he says, pointing to the charm.

Thankful that the porch sensor lights are still on, I pop it open and feel a rush of emotion when I see the tiny framed photo of me and Sean at his mom’s studio that day so long ago. He’s standing behind me with his arm around the top of my shoulder and across my chest like he’s protecting me. Our faces are pressed together. Sean’s looking at the camera and his mouth is near my ear; my face is dipped down and to the right like I’m listening to him tell me a secret.

“I wonder what you were saying to me in this picture.”

“I know what I was thinking,” he says.

“What’s that?”

“That I love you.”

A breeze picks up and I shiver, but not because of the weather. I look into Sean’s eyes and feel like I’m going to burst. I owe him so much, for his friendship and support, for his love and honesty. For seeing the real me before the rest of the world had the chance to.

“I love you, too,” I say, and then I kiss him, just as the motion-sensor lights click off.

thirty-two

One month later, the day after Christmas, Mom lets Ella and me take Betsey to the airport alone. I know Mom wants to come, but I also know that she’s done controlling us for now. I can only hope that it’s because she’s trying to give back some of the freedom she stole away.

Instead of hugging goodbye at the curb, Ella parks and we walk Betsey inside. We’ve never left one another before, and Ella and I prolong it by getting into the security line with Bet and snaking around as far as we can go.

“Promise not to come back next summer with a Massachusetts accent?” I say, rounding a corner and stepping to the left to avoid someone’s suitcase.

“Why?” Betsey says, laughing. “They’re wicked awesome.”

“We’ll text every day, okay?” Ella says, making a pinkie promise without the childish gesture. Betsey nods.

“We will,” I agree. We’re almost to the front of the line.

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