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“Don’t apologize,” I cut in, smiling at her, “Please. Everyone feels so sorry for me, but the truth is, I had the most amazing, loving sister for nearly eighteen years, and for that I’m truly lucky.” Gem looked at me, speechless for the first time since I’d met her. “After two years of Abby’s illness, then struggling to cope with her being gone, I needed this. Time for myself, if that makes sense.”
I didn’t add the time spent in Baskenville Psych facility, or that Abby still visited me almost every night. I learned the hard way to keep things like that to myself.
I knew there was probably some kind of reasonable scientific explanation as to why I was seeing and hearing Abby as though she were still alive well after her death, but I hadn’t cared. It comforted me. People didn’t understand how hard it had been for me, coping with her death.
The worst thing about her illness, apart from the obvious, was seeing my sister fade away before my eyes. Looking at Abby was like looking into a mirror, identical in every way, from our long blonde tresses, right down to our emerald green eyes and our curvy silhouettes. After her diagnosis, the weight dropped off her, her eyes lost their sparkle, and her hair slowly fell out leaving a shadow of who she once was. I’d look at Abby and I’d feel guilty.
Why wasn’t I sick? Why had Abby been given such a horrible sentence?
Why did she deserve to die and not me?
Every day following her death, I’d look in the mirror and see Abby. I’d see the Abby I knew before she got sick. The Abby that was deep inside her sick exterior right up until the moment she died. Having her with me, being able to talk to her was my way of coping. The doctor said it was quite common in cases of twin death, that the surviving twin would create a situation where they could still be close to their twin.
The only thing this didn’t explain was Abby’s knowledge of dad’s affair. Thinking about that freaked me out. How could she be my ‘coping mechanism’ and know something like that? It wasn’t as though there were signs I’d subconsciously picked up either. Everything about that whole event had been surprising and scary.
“You would have to be the strongest person I’ve ever met,” Gem’s voice brought me back to reality, our table at the mall. I quickly wiped away the tears in my eyes.
Strong? Far from it. I coped. That was about all I did right now.
“Thanks Gem,” I hugged her, “And thanks for helping me find the perfect dress,” I added, smiling.
Chapter Nine
Kella was out when I got home from shopping. A note lay on the kitchen counter, and her car keys sat on top.
Lil,
Figured you’d need my car. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do ;)
You know, coming from me that excludes nothing.
And help yourself to my shoes.
Love Kel xx
Yes! I had non restricted access to her shoes. Normally what was on my feet didn’t bother me at all, but I needed something perfect to go with my perfect dress. Thank god Kella and I were the same size. Surely in her shoe closet (which was almost the size of my room) there had to be something.
Throwing my bags on my bed, I stripped out of my clothes and headed for the bathroom. If I had to pick one thing I loved most about Kella’s house it was the bathroom. The huge double shower had four (yes four) faucets with amazing water pressure blasting out of each of them. There was a reason I usually spent too long in the shower. Today though, it needed to be a fast one, as I was already running late. Back in my room I dug out my nice underwear, and slipped into my new dress. Paired with some strappy sandals, I looked pretty damn good.
I checked the address Dane had sent me against the house I’d just pulled up in front of.
It was nice. Really nice. A town house on the outskirts of town; I wondered how he could afford such a nice place on his own. Kella’s house was great, her parents covering all her rent, and it was nothing on this place. His parents must be pretty loaded. Checking my make up in the rear vision mirror, I stepped out of the car. My heels clicked as I walked across the pavement. Heels were a bad idea, as my foot was already throbbing and I’d barely taken two steps. I planned to kick them off the moment I was inside.
I walked up the small path that led to the steps by the front door. Checking my reflection in the window pane one last time, I rang the bell. I loved this dress. It made my legs look super long, and hid my wide hips. The color also brought out the green of my eyes, the same eyes Dane had previously mentioned.
Dane opened the door, his eyes widening slightly as he smiled at me. My heart fluttered as I took in his appearance, he had skipped his usual jeans for a pair of black chinos, and a grey button down shirt. His short dark hair was swept back out of his blue eyes. Blue eyes that were firmly planted on mine.
“Lily…wow,” He shook his head, as if no words could accurately describe what he was seeing. I blushed. “You look amazing. Seriously…wow,” Leaning in, he kissed me on the cheek. I closed my eyes as his lips touched my skin, breathing in the sweet scent of his aftershave.
“Thanks,” I smiled back. He stood, still staring at me. Was he going to let me in? It was freezing outside, and I was
actually starting to shake from the cold, “Um, Dane?”
“Yes?” He smiled, cocking his head to the side, a sexy grin spreading across his lips. What did he think I was about to ask him?
“Can I come in?”
“Oh, shit, of course!” He moved aside, ushering me in, “Sorry,” He made a face and I giggled. Well that was a first. I’d never rendered a man speechless, and unable to react. I sighed as the wonderful smell of garlic and chicken wafted into my senses.
