ALI WON’T STOP STARING AT ME as we’re sitting around the table, talking about Ethan and Blake and graduate school and how Aiden’s major is finally decided.
“Well,” Ethan says, “Glad you finally made up your mind. Wouldn’t want you to be the family screw up.”
“Ha ha, shut up,” Aiden says.
Blake smirks, stares at Ethan. “Don’t worry, Ethan. When karma finally catches up to you and you flunk out of medical school, we’ll all be there for you when you move back home.”
“Blake, no one included you in this conversation.”
I leaned toward Jack. “Still like this, huh?”
“Yeah…You’d think college would finally change it, but nope. Nothing’s changed at all…” He rolls his eyes, looks at Ali. Then his expression changes to caution. I look toward Ali, her expression still hardened, as if she wants to rip someone apart. I gulp
Am I really that obvious? And if so, why is she the only one that notices… And Jack?
“Emma,” she says as she picks at her food, tries not to look up at me as she does, “what have you been up to?”
I shrug, trying to remember how my school year went.
“I’ve just been studying a lot,” I respond, “You know… Trying hard to go for Ivy League.” I smile brightly… I guess that was one good thing about my senior year.
I made it into Emory.
“Did you get into the school you wanted to go to?”
“Yep.”
“Whoa!” Ethan cuts in, “You’ll be going to school with me and Blake? Sweet.”
“Yeah,” Blake says, “More of our little sister, and right down the street from Aiden. That is pretty sweet.”
My eyes widen, and Aiden’s do the same.
They should know we’re not together anymore, nor will we ever be… I guess…
Aiden shakes his head, shrugs. “I guess.”
“So,” Ali continues, her eyes glued to mine, “Anything else?”
“Not really,” I say, “I mean, I’ve been writing a lot lately too.”
“Really?” Her eyes start gleaming, as if she’s proud. “About what?”
“Teenage stuff. It’s boring.”
“Ha!” Ethan yells, “You should write a book about all of us… Now that would sell.”
“Get over yourself,” Blake mutters.
“See, that’s your problem, Blake. You can’t accept the fact that I own. It’s been bugging you ever since you were old enough to walk.”
“Nah… I think it’s you who’s been bugging me.”
I watch them as they argue, as Jack glares at the both of them, as Aiden’s expression grows annoyed…
And as Ali continues to stare straight at me…
She can keep watching and searching all she wants…
She may find something, but she surely won’t find what’s wrong with me.