Her face softens. “They need stability. They need someone to rely on. They’ve been let down by the two people who are supposed to always be there for them. They can’t take any more heartbreak.”
“Agreed.”
“It’s late. Why don’t you crash with Tinsley tonight?”
I give her a grateful smile. “I’d love to.”
Keaton is waiting outside the room, pacing nervously as we exit.
“Morgan’s going to stay the night,” Sage says as she passes Keaton.
He gives me a look, but I ignore it as I make my way up the stairs. Once at Tinsley’s room, I knock.
“I don’t want to talk to you!” she calls out.
“Really? I guess I should go home instead of staying the night then.”
The door flies open a moment later. “She let you stay?” She hugs me.
“It was her idea.” I squeeze her back.
“She must really like you.” She pulls me into the room, shutting the door behind me.
I shrug, unsure what to say. I’m not sure Sage likes me, but we have an understanding.
Tinsley and I go through our own nightly routines before lying in bed next to each other.
“Hey, Tin Tin?” I whisper.
“Yeah?”
“Your new mom is kinda cool.”
She laughs lightly. “She really is.”
With that, I have my first sleepover in ages, and it fills me with a feeling of joy that I never thought I would feel again.
???
Chapter 4
Morgan
If I thought things would be different at school, I was wrong. Keaton still ignores me. The morning after the party, he gave me a brief smile at breakfast before disappearing. Now, it seems he’s content with pretending I don’t exist.
While one Yates is determined to hate me, the other has become my best friend. Tinsley and I have hung out nearly every day for the past two weeks. Either she comes to my home or I go to hers. It’s a comfortable routine that has become important to me.
That’s why when she told me this morning that she had plans tonight, I was disappointed.
It’s Friday, and I don’t hang out with anyone else. I’ve grown used to her being there, and I don’t want to be alone.
Walking into first period, I don’t pay attention to anyone around me; I sit at my desk, letting myself feel my feelings like I have been taught.
“What are you doing this weekend?” Rachel asks, startling me.
“I don’t know yet. Probably homework then catching up on some of my shows.”
“You should come to the movies with us. The new horror film is coming out tonight.”