“We’re fighting, okay?”
I knew it. But I can’t gloat now.
“About what?”
“Honestly, nothing,” she starts. “It’s weird. Not that we’re picking fights with each other on purpose, but sometimes I get so mad at him and…” She trails off.
“You want to bite his head off like a vampire?” I offer.
“Exactly,” she says. “It’s so frustrating. We never used to fight, and all of a sudden, it happens all the time.”
“Do you think you should break up?” I ask. It seems like a perfectly reasonable follow-up question to me, but her jaw drops like I said the most ridiculous thing she’s ever heard.
“Couples can fight, Ella. And I don’t want to break up with him,” Ashley says matter-of-factly. It’s the voice she uses when she has heard enough. There’s no point in arguing with her now.
“Why?”
“I love him. He’s my first real boyfriend. And he’s been there for me through so much. After your accident, he was the glue that put me back together.”
Ugh. I wish she didn’t feel that way.
“What’re you thinking?” Ashley asks. “You’re so obvious when you’re thinking something.”
“Nothing.”
“You’ve always been a bad liar.” She smiles. “Can’t you tell me?”
“I think just because someone is your first love doesn’t mean they need to be your last,” I say.
“Wise words from someone who hasn’t been in love,” she says, raising an eyebrow.
I guess everyone at school thought Pete and I were the perfect couple except for my own sister. She sees right through me.
I shrug. “You’re right. I can’t offer any advice with the way my life is going right now.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” she says. “But first have another chocolate ball. It looks like you deserve a whole one.” She hands me the one that Pete dipped in red sprinkles. I don’t need to be convinced, and I eat the creamy goodness in one bite.
“So delicious,” I say. “Okay, fine…I guess I just decided I don’t like Pete.”
“What?!” Ashley gasps. “I was sure that when you invited him, you wanted a second chance.”
“I’ve tried to like him. Really, here is this great guy—”
“Who is smart, hot, and likes you even after you stomped on his heart. What more could you want?”
“Gee, thanks, Ashley.”
“Sorry. Have another chocolate ball.”
I grab one from the bag and eat it before I keep going.
“Well, there’s this other guy, Andy, but I don’t even know why I’m bringing him up because that’s not the problem. I just…I know this sounds stupid. But I always thought I’d end up with someone that gave me…butterflies.”
I spit the last word out, fully knowing that my sister might laugh in my face. After all, she’s a self-proclaimed vampire. But she surprises me.
“No, you’re right. That’s the most important thing.”
“Really. You think so?”
“Absolutely.”
I can’t imagine Steve giving my sister butterflies. Maybe it’s more like moths and she’s just confused. But I choose not to ruin our sister moment by saying this. Instead, she’s the one who ruins it.
“So tell me about Andy.”
I groan. “Split a chocolate ball with me for this one?”
She breaks one up and lets me choose. I grab the piece closer to me, wondering where to even start. From the beginning? All the paper hearts? No, too much backstory. Instead, I go with what has been eating me up inside.
“He came to the chocolate-making class with another girl even though he knew I was going to be there.”
“That’s so rude!” Ashley says. “Who’s the girl?”
“Her name is Sarah. They work together at the library.”
“Oh, so maybe it’s not what you think,” she says, taking a bite of the chocolate.
“No, it is. The way they were looking at each other. They were more interested in flirting with each other than making chocolates. I don’t even know why they went.”
“Sounds like he was trying to make you jealous.”
“Jealous?” I spit.
“It also sounds like it worked.”
“Did not!” I say loudly. Too loudly. Ashley looks at me with a big smirk on her face. “He can go on chocolate dates with anyone he wants to,” I continue. “He isn’t my boyfriend. We’re just friends.”
“Friends who have been spending an awful lot of time together, judging by the fact that I haven’t seen you locked in your room for days.”
“Yeah, we have,” I admit. “And I thought we were having a lot of fun.”
“Have you told him that?” Ashley asks.
“Well, no…,” I start.
“It’s pretty obvious you should have a conversation with him,” Ashley says.
“Why?”
“I don’t know, it’s good to see you like this.”
“Like what?”
“Like your old self again,” she says, like it’s obvious.
“You mean before the accident? Finally.”
“No,” she says, looking up at me. “I mean even before that. Before, when we were close.”
“Ouch,” I retort.
“You know it’s true.”
“Well, maybe that’s why that hurt.”
Ashley nods. “Yeah, I wish we were closer now too.”
“Really?” I ask, surprised.
“Yeah. We used to tell each other everything, but once you got to high school…I don’t know, I think I always feel second choice to your friends.”
My eyes widen. “Aw, Ash, that’s so not true.”
“I mean, I get it. I’m younger than you, and—”
“No,” I say, cutting her off. “I don’t want you to ever feel that way. What can I do?”
“Maybe the next time we’re hanging out, can you not ditch your only sister? Deal?”