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Chapter One
Lily
Everything is goingto be fine.
I chanted the words like a prayer in my head as I stared at myself in the mirror.
It was the first day of senior year. A day for feeling excited and eager and cautiously optimistic. A day to make bucket lists and plans for the future.
A day to smile.
But my smile was fake, and my bucket list contained only one item: survive.
“Let’s go, Lilster.” My sister Poppy poked her head around the door, smiling. “Ooh, cute outfit.” She gave me the once over.
Anyone would think it was her first day of senior year, but no, my sister was a junior. A confident, bubbly, popular junior.
And I was… a wallflower.
Shy, meek, Lily Ford.
“I’m coming,” I said, checking my reflection for the last time.
You’ve got this.
With a weak smile, I grabbed my backpack and followed Poppy downstairs.
“Good morning, my two favorite girls.”
“Morning, Mom. Something smells good.”
“I made blueberry pancakes.”
“Hmm, my favorite,” Poppy said. “Where’s Peyton?” she asked, but seconds later, my best friend burst through the kitchen door.
“Good morning,” she sang.
“Good morning, Peyton. You’re looking very…” Mom’s brows furrowed as she sipped her coffee. “Is that school appropriate?”
“No. No it isn’t.” Dad waltzed into the room and gave Peyton a disapproving glance. “I know it’s senior year, but that,” he wagged a finger at her outfit, “is not happening on my watch.”
“Mr. Ford,” she said, around a puppy-dog pout, “it’s my lucky blouse.”
“Lucky blouse or unlucky blouse, go change.”
“Ugh, fine.” She stomped off out of the kitchen.
“Do you think we’re being too hard on her?” Mom asked no one in particular.
“She needs boundaries, Fee. And while she’s staying under our roof…” He trailed off, running a hand over his jaw.
“You’re right. I thought we had our hands full with these two, but add Peyton into the mix and whew, I’m not sure I’m cut out for three teenage girls.”
“Try being the only male in a house full of estrogen.”
“Dad!” Poppy cringed.
“What?” He shrugged. “It’s true.” His eyes flicked to mine, a hundred questions glittering there. I gave him a small smile and nodded.
