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“Remi...” Sadness creeps into her expression. “It’s senior year, baby. Don’t you think it’s time to put all that behind you? Make some new friends, rekindle friendships with old ones... go on a date or two, maybe?”
Coffee poured, I sit down at the table. “Do you have any idea what it’s like for me there?”
“Sweetheart, it’s a good school. One of the best in—“
“State. Yeah, I know that, Mom. But I’m not one of them anymore.” Michaela made sure of that after she stole my life.
At first, I thought getting a new step-sister would be fun. I mean, Mom and Dad’s separation sucked, but I was getting a sister. Until I walked into Surf’s and saw Michaela sitting there with my dad’s arm slung around her shoulder.
That day, I gained a step-sister and lost my best friend.
“She knew, Mom,” I say, swallowing down the betrayal. It still hurts even after five years. “All along she knew and never said a word. Then she acted like our friendship meant nothing.” Pain rages inside me, but I refuse to let it out. My hands tremble as I grip the mug of coffee tighter.
Michaela stole everything from me, and she did it with a saccharine smile and cold heart.
“It’s been five years, Remi. You need to let it go. I don’t want you to look back one day and see how much time you wasted being angry and bitter.” Her smile weakens. “I know things were hard, and I know I wasn’t always the mom you needed, but I’m trying, baby. I am.”
“I know, Mom. I just can’t pretend to be someone I’m not.”
She gets up and comes over to me, placing her hand against my cheek. “I’m not asking you to be someone you’re not, Remi. All I’m asking is that you embrace senior year. Make new friends. Try new things. You’re almost eighteen; it’s time to start living, sweetheart.”
I offer her a small nod. It’s the best I can do. She doesn’t get it. How could she when she doesn’t know the whole story?
“I should probably get a move on, James will be here any minute.” Mom smooths her hair down and grabs her purse off the counter.
James seems to genuinely care about my mom, and I’m pleased for them. I am. But I can’t help but wonder if she feels the same or if she’s out to prove something.
“Oh, and sweetheart,” she says as she reaches the door, “the boys offered to give you a ride this morning, isn’t that sweet of them?”
“Boys?” I choke out.
“Yes, Conner and Cole. I might have let it slip that you walked to school yesterday.”
“Mom,” I grumble, unimpressed at her attempt to railroad me.
“I know they’re a little rough around the edges, Remi, but they’re James’ nephews and I’d really like for us all to try and get along.”
“I enjoy the walk, and it’s such a beautiful—“ Wind howls at the French doors, and Mom shoots me a victorious smile.
“Looks like a storm is blowing in. Gotta run, love you.” She blows me a kiss before spinning on her heel and disappearing into the hall, but I hear her final words loud and clear.
“Tell the boys I said hello.”
“Princess, your chariot awaits.” Conner grins as I close the door behind me. He’s leaning against the rust bucket of a car he and his brother share. Cole hasn’t bothered to get out, but I’m hardly surprised.
I let out a groan, but the sound of rain hitting the asphalt drowns it out. Pulling up my hoodie, I jog over to the car. Conner yanks open the back door and I slide inside.
“Hey,” I greet Cole.
“Hey.”
Okay then.
Conner climbs inside, shaking out his hair and sending water droplets flying everywhere. “We wondered if you’d show.”
“Didn’t have much choice, did I?” I say.
“You don’t drive?”
