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My cheeks catch fire and I focus back on Chloe for a second and laugh at something she said before I lift my head again.
This time, Daniel’s bright eyes that resemble a combination of the sky, sun, and stars are staring at me.
No, glaring.
His lips are pursed, the dimples gone, before he shakes his head and goes back to his game.
What…?
What happened just now?
Ghostly hands squeeze my chest, and my heart starts to thump loudly. I did something wrong and I don’t know what.
Why did he look at me for the first time and glare?
My fingers shake on the teacup and Mum gives me a sidelong stare. I carefully put it down, trying to breathe deeply as she taught me.
I’m going to screw up something. I can feel myself losing control and if I do, Mum will be mad.
So I stand up, smooth my white dress with lace and smile. “I’ll be right back, girls.”
I don’t wait for their replies as I walk in a brisk pace toward the house, staring at my golden flat shoes with lace ribbons that match the ones in my hair.
Today, I wore my best clothes so I’d look pretty. I even asked Mum to leave my hair loose because it makes me feel like a princess.
I wanted to be a princess because that’s what princes want.
But he glared at me.
Overwhelmed, I go to the kitchen, make sure none of the staff is looking, and then I steal two peaches. I hide them behind my back and sneak to the pool house.
The drawn-out curtains hide the light except for sneaky rays that spill through onto the wooden floor.
I sit on the carpet and kick my shoes away. I’ve always loved to sit on the ground with my feet outstretched, but Mum hates that, so I come to the pool house to do it.
This is the only place where I’m out of her sight and can do what I want.
Like eating peaches.
I’m allergic to them, but they’re my favorite food. I like the calm they bring me after every bite. So what if I have red, swollen lips? It’ll go away after a while.
Loving something that hurts you is also an unhealthy obsession, I think.
I shouldn’t be doing this when we have guests, but I’m freaking out, and peaches erase that feeling.
They’re on my side.
I take the first bite and close my eyes to enjoy the sickeningly sweet taste. My tongue tingles, but I continue chewing and sucking the positive energy. The first peach is almost finished, and I tell myself I’ll take my time with the second one.
“Peaches.”
I startle, my eyes snapping open, and that causes one of my preciously stolen fruits to roll down on the ground and bump into someone’s shoes.
Before I can be relieved that Mum didn’t catch me, I rake my gaze over the person who did.
Daniel.
He stares down at me with mild annoyance as if I’m a beggar at the side of his house who keeps blocking his way whenever he goes out.
