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“Yes, I think so. Do you need anything? Any help with homework?” I ask her, freeing myself from the fake hair and allowing my natural hair to swing around and flow freely. These wigs are so uncomfortable, but luckily, I’m used to them. Anyone else would’ve just gone for dyed hair.
“I was wondering if we could go out. Me and you. It’s been a long time,” she asks.
I look at her, noticing the small plea in her eyes.It’s been a long time.I hate that I have to keep her a secret, even though it’s my own choice. It makes everything between us harder and more complicated. I’m always working, and she can’t be around while I am. Even when I’m not, her being around me in public is risky. I can’t risk her being hurt. Ever.
“You should’ve asked me before I took this off,” I say with a smile, raising the wig in my hand. She lets out a weak laugh, and a feeling of sorrow overtakes me. “You know I’d love to, but even though I’m free, I can’t make sudden plans. I still have to do some things, and things can come up anytime,” I tell her. I know that if people knew she was sister, we’d be able to avoid this type of thing. But I don’t trust the media. Paparazzi and fans are invasive, and Ellie shouldn’t have to go through that because of me. Plus, knowing she’s connected to me and letting her go out freely would be dangerous, as she’d become a target. She’s still a child, I don’t want to take that away from her. Not this early, at least.
Her expression drops slightly, and she lowers her gaze. “I know. I just thought I’d ask.” She sighs. I hate seeing her likethis. Upset. My chest tightens. She means a lot to me. More than anyone could imagine. I exhale a breath.
“Hey, how about tomorrow after school. I’ll tell Oliver not to call me at all, and I’ll even make sure Lorenzo is ready if something does happen. We’ll go anywhere you want,” I suggest. Her mood shifts and a smile forms on her face. Her eyes glow with joy.
“Really?” She beams. I nod at her. She jumps off the couch in excitement. “I’ll go look for a place to go,” she exclaims, running to her room. I laugh softly. Ellie has two different personalities, which I think she gets from my mom. I’m still trying to learn how to cope with them, considering they switch unannounced sometimes. She’s either mean and annoying, or she’s excited and innocent. There aren’t specific times for either; they just show up.
After a while, my phone rings. I take it out of the pocket of my hoodie and look at the screen. It’s a random number. Who’s calling me? Please don’t tell me another fan found my number and is trying to call me. I answer the call and raise the phone to my ear. “Hello?” I ask.
“Heyyyy. It’s me, Lorenzo. You’re best friend. My phone’s battery is flat, so I’m calling from Elias’s phone.” The voice—Lorenzo—says. I squeeze my eyes closed. Really, Lorenzo? Calling from another person's phone?
“Who are you calling exactly?” I ask. If he’s calling Valentina, I’m going to kill him. My phone number isn’t supposed to be given to anyone. Especially if I’m going to end up giving anyone my phone number as Violet. Connections aren’t hard to make.
“Oh. Uhm, the flower,” he replies. The flower? We need to find better code names. What would have he said if he was calling Val. The holiday?
“The flower?” I hear Elias’s voice faintly in the background. Nice. Now they’re going to use that nickname, too.
“Don’t worry about it,” Lorenzo tells him before continuing. “Anyway, my dad isn’t home, and I don’t want to bother Elias anymore, so I was wondering if I can drop by. I also need to know how I can drop by,” he says the last part quietly. I already know he means where Elias should drop him off. I still need my house to stay secret.
“I just turned down Ellie for a hangout, so you’re lucky,” I mention. I walk toward the table and pick up the book Ellie was reading, analyzing the name.
“God, no, now she’s going to blame me. She already hates me enough,” he says.
“Who hates you?” Elias asks again, his voice still low. Driving cars sound through the line. “Ellie, Vi’s sister,” Lorenzo replies to him.
“Tell your friend to stop asking questions,” I say. Lorenzo transfers my words to Elias, and I hear him laugh. “Anyway, you can stop two blocks away and walk the rest,” I direct him.
“Okay. We love walking, don’t we? I’ll see you in a couple of minutes. Bye.”
“Bye,” I say before the line is cut. I lower my phone and place it back in my pocket. Lorenzo is really a whole other mood. I walk toward the small table next to the couch Ellie was sitting on and kneel down. The table is what I call a shelf table, because it has an opening in the middle that we use to stack books. I place her book on the top, then stand back up.
“Hello2,” I hear my mom greet me. I turn my head to the door and see her standing behind me.
“Hey Mom,” I say back. She walks past me and sits down on the end of the couch, closer to me.
“I heard you’re taking Ellie out tomorrow,” she states.
“Yes. I don’t take her out much, so I thought I’d free up some time for her.” I take a few steps closer and take a seat next to her.
“That’s good. She has been waiting to go out with you for a long time. Where are you going?”
“I honestly have no idea. I’m letting her decide,” I tell her. She’ll probably take me to a park or some dessert place. It depends how wide she sets the boundaries. For all I know, she might be thinking about taking me outside of Los Angeles completely. Whatever comes to her mind. I haven’t taken her out in a long time, as Mom mentioned, so I’ll accept almost anything. Except no traveling because that would take more than one day. Or an overnight event. Whatever includes only taking a day.
“If you let her decide, she’s going to ask you to take her to Paris,” she points out.
“It’ll have to be within California. Somewhere I can reach using a car,” I explain. A small laugh leaves her mouth.
“So, how’s the infamous Elias Miller?”
“Fine. Nothing bad has happened yet. Not that I don’t trust Lorenzo in general, but he’s proving him right,” I tell her. She nods in acceptance. “Also, I have some very valuable information on Roland that I think you’d like to hear.”
“Oh really? I wonder what I’d like to hear about that jealous asshole.” She curses him, showing more interest. I straighten my posture.
