Page 57 of The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back

Ella told me everything. Please come over and let me explain.

"You told him everything?" My voice got high-pitched.

"Yeah, I did." Her eyes flashed at me. "I know how stubborn you are and Jake doesn't deserve to miss out on the chance to really know you. Because you are incredible, Tilly Lowe. You deserve to be happy too. I really think you and Jake could work out. You guys need to talk. Let him tell you himself how he feels. And this time, believe what he says."

She turned to go, but turned around, her arms crossed. "You can be as mad at me as you want, because I would do it all over again."

She left her phone with me. Probably so I could answer him.

What did I say? Sorry for tricking you? Sorry for not listening to you? For not believing in you? For letting stupid people control me? I texted him back.

It's too late.

After I'd pushed send, I realized how that sounded. I meant it was too late time-wise, not that it was too late for us to have a possible relationship. So I sent a follow up.

Tomorrow, maybe?

A few seconds later I had my answer.

I will see you tomorrow.

Chapter 18

I slept better than I had in a long time. It was eleven o'clock when I finally woke up. I also felt about a thousand times better. I think I had cried my cold away. I pulled my dress off and stumbled to the bathroom. I stood in front of the sink and studied my reflection. I looked like a melted clown. I scrubbed the makeup off my face.

I heard the dinging noise of Ella's phone. I ran back to my room. There was another text from Jake.

Told my dad last night about the election and college.

He was not happy. When are you coming?

Having just told my own parents about my secret life and future plans, I could perfectly imagine how he was feeling.

Will be there soon.

I threw on jeans and grabbed a black t-shirt from my closet. I went back to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I pulled all the hairpins out and brushed my hair up into a ponytail.

"Good morning, Madam President."

I jumped. Ella startled me. "Hey."

"Sorry for being so hard on you last night."

I turned around to face her. "No, I needed that swift kick in the butt. I'm going to see Jake."

She struggled to hide her smile. "Want me to help you get ready?"

"No. I just want to go as me." I turned back and put on some mascara and then lip-gloss. "How do I look?"

"Gorgeous."

She was full of it, but I loved her for it. I put the mascara and gloss back in the drawer. "Did Jake seem upset last night about losing the election?"

"Not really. But speaking of the election, I have to confess something."

For a minute I wondered whether she had stuffed the ballot box. It would certainly explain how I had managed to get elected. But then she said, "One of the reasons I wanted you to win so much was because I knew Jake could never respect a girl who couldn't beat him at something."

I felt relieved and impressed again at the lengths my sister was willing to go to for me. "You are nefarious."

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