Page 18 of Tainted Love
“You drew that?”
“Yep.”
“Wow,” she breathes, running her fingers over the paper. “You’re, like, really talented.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you think you might be able to help design something cool for me to wear for my school production? Our performing arts teacher was talking about volunteers the other day.”
I press my lips together, because I’d love to say yes as it would be such an amazing opportunity for me; but the only problem is once classes start, I’m going to be swamped with assignments. “I’m not sure if I’ll have enough time with uni, Attie,” I tell her, hating the way her face drops. “I’m so sorry.”
“That’s okay,” she says, placing my sketchbook back on the table. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
“Am I annoying?”
My eyes widen. “What? No, of course not. Why do you ask?”
She sniffs. “Oli, my big sister, she never answers my calls, and I don’t know why.” My heart breaks for the youngest Vasilios sibling.
“Oh, Attie.” I place my arm around her shoulder. “You’renot annoying. I don’t know why she isn’t answering your calls. Have you asked your brother?”
She nods, tears glistening in the corner of her eyes. “He just says she’s going through some grown up stuff, and she’ll talk to me when she’s ready.”
My curiosity about Olivia Vasilios grows. “I’m sure he’s right. She’ll call you when she can.” I reach for a scrap piece of material. “Would you like me to teach you how to make something?”
Attie’s face lights up. “Yes, please.”
“Okay, take this …”
MY STEPSISTER IS practically vibrating with excitement when we head downstairs for dinner a couple of hours later. Attie’s wearing the vest I helped her make.
Elias keeps his eyes trained on his phone when we enter the dining room, not bothering to look up when his sister dances in.
“What do you think?” Attie asks Dad and Elena, twirling around. “I made it myself with Bea’s help.”
“Stunning,” Elena beams at her daughter. “My, how talented you both are.”
Dad chuckles. “Making clothes has been Bea’s hobby ever since my mum taught her to make clothes for her barbie dolls when she was six. She wasn’t impressed with the clothes they came with and wanted something more glamorous.”
My smile waivers and I push down the disappointment of Dad playing off my passion as a hobby. Attie throws her arms around me, squeezing tightly. “Thank you for teaching me tosew,” she says before taking her seat opposite her brother at the table. “Having another older sister is the best!”
Her words warm me from the inside, but it’s short-lived when I catch the murderous look on Elias’s face.
“I’m sure Oli would love to hear that,” he snaps as Roberta places his food in front of him. I half expect him to shove it off the table in his anger.
“Eli!” Elena admonishes.
“What?” He throws his hands up in the air. “Attie already has a sister.”
Attie’s face flushes, and I feel terrible for her, especially after her confession to me earlier.
“No one is trying to replace your sister, or anyone for that matter,” Dad says in a gentle tone.
“I’m sure Oli used to do fun things with you when she was around,” I say to Attie, offering her a smile.
Her chin wobbles as she nods. “Oli would always film all my shows I’d put on. She said it would be worth millions when I become a famous actress. Everyone would want to see where I started.”
