Page 70 of Spin The Bottle
I shrug. “So? Doesn’t change anything.”
“It means guys want you.”
“For sex,” I explain to my sister. “You will never understand, Laura. You’ll never know what it’s like being kept in secret all the time and then being looked at with disgust the next day, avoiding you at all costs, afraid that anyone finds out they like fat girls.” I shake my head, letting out a breath. “I wish I was you.”
She’s quiet for a moment before she sighs. “No, you don’t.”
I laugh bitterly. “I can’t begin to count how many times I have wished to be you.”
“Daniel’s cheating on me.”
I lift my head, the silence between us deafening. “What?”
She sighs, closing her eyes and tipping her head back on the door. “I don’t mean to avert from your problems, but hearing you speak about being kept in secret and wishing you were me… I just had to tell someone.”
“Really?” I ask her.
She shrugs, frowning. “I think so. He’s been coming home late, always having a different excuse.” She drops her head. “I don’t know what to do.”
“I’m so sorry.”
She lifts her head, wiping the tear that’s falling down her cheek. “I didn’t tell you that because I need you to feel sorry for me. I wanted you to know that Mom is wrong. Life can be shitty no matter what you look like.”
My shoulders drop. I miss my sister. Growing up, I diverted more to my dad, having more common interests with him, and my sister grew closer to my mom. “Thank you.” I glance up at her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She shrugs, picking at her nails. “I didn’t want to bother you.”
“You’re my sister,” I tell her, standing up from the bathtub. “You can never bother me.”
She smiles, giving me a laugh. “You’re going to regret that,” she says. “I’m going to be calling you every week now.”
“Please do. I’ve missed you.”
She smiles, pulling me in for a hug. “I’ve missed you too.” She pulls back and fixes her short hair in the mirror, wiping her face and making it look like she hasn’t been crying.
My phone buzzes in my hands and I look down, the name on the screen making my heart pound. It’s only been a few days since we last saw each other and I’m already anticipating seeing him again.
Aiden:
I know this is breaking the rules.
My heart beats as the three dots jump on the screen, my hands clutching the phone tighter.
Aiden:
But I really fucking miss you, Leila.
“So, no boyfriend,” Laura says, making my eyes snap to her. She grins, glancing at me in the mirror. “But there is someone. I can see it in your eyes.”
She turns around and I sigh, my eyes dropping back to the text that is undeniably making my insides flutter. “There may be someone.”
She grins. “I knew it. Tell me everything.”
I shrug, turning off my phone. “There’s nothing to say. We’re just sleeping together.”
She shakes her head. “That never works. Do you have feelings for him?”
I try not to think too much about it. I didn’t want to get attached to Aiden, but I think it’s too late. Just being in New York for a couple of days without seeing him is making me desperate to go back home until I can see him, kiss him. “We’ll see.” It’s the first time I’ve ever admitted it and the confession makes my heart beat even faster. I do have feelings for Aiden. Undeniable, strong feelings that I can’t push away anymore.
