I passed the time on a Zoom video call with Tori and Evie, conversing about everything that Evie refused to submit to at this incredible theme park they visited this afternoon and wouldn't shut up about.
It should be the three of us getting a kick out of summer, screaming our throat out through thrill rides, and showing off warm beige skin that we worked for during our sun-worshipping at vegas impressive pool complexes, but you can tell how that worked out for me.
"To be honest, I am jealous of you." I groan and nuzzle in my swing chair; my flowing hair flips to my back.
"I got to roll out, or mom won't stop blaring the car horn just to annoy me." Tori huffed and blew us a web kiss, ending her call.
Despite the shopping and preparations Tori had planned for this summer, her mother made a last-minute deal with Tori's grandmother. Unfortunately, Tori must spend two weeks with her grandmother in McDevitt while her mother journeys to Washington for business.
Tori's biological father passed away when she was twelve; her grandmother, the one from the town that shares two states, likes to help Tori's mother raise Tori, so that's why she will be away from the fun for a while in this precious season.
"So much for a great holiday." Evie dramatically yawns and brings a cup of water to her mouth.
"Don't be like that." I sigh, frowning. It is not like I wanted to leave her behind, but sadly my mom doesn't think I am entitled to my choices.
"All of you had disappeared on me."
"I have no other choice. Look at me stranded." I depressingly shrug.
"Duhhh." Evie's eyes lazily roll as she snorts. "Stranded with the love of your life? Is that supposed to be a complaint? Because it comes out stupid."
Okay, now I am getting annoyed at sarcastic Evie.
"Evie?" I firmly called with a side-eye glare.
"Fine, fine." She rolls her eyes again and heads for her bedroom, holding her phone to her face just like me. "How's the plan for your birthday going?"
While conversing with everyone today, I had plotted some slap-back for my mother's chest since I doubt it legal to do it on her cheeks.
"I'm still thinking of something." And that part is true; I need a very grand closing for tomorrow. Something that would punch my mom back harder than she has ever done to me, but I can't quite think of it. And most importantly, something that gives freedom, where Leigh and I can capitalise from. "How it's going, it will definitely be a family thing, you know? And I need to figure something that would source out some alone time for Leigh and me. It is hard to be alone here. For it could easily give rise to suspicion." I breathed noisily. A frustrating frown came over my face. "And it is like Lilith is watching intently on every move we make. That's if we even get to make any move. I swear she wants to hinder my contentment. Do you know she almost caught us last night?"
"What? how?" Evie was as shocked as I was last night when those amazing deep green eyes quizzically scanned me from the door.
Embarrassed, I gnaw on my bottom lip when I confessed to my best friend how pathetic I've become. "I couldn't sleep, so I went to see Leigh. But clearly, even in deep slumber, my stepsister mental surveillance is on me." But through thinking about it, the last part came out harsh, and my fingers itched to squeeze Lilith's throat.
God, she's annoying.
"Jeez, Ava, that's creepy. Please tell me she didn't find any evidence." Evie was concerned as she got into her room and shut the door.
Well, she could have, given the certain aura of the surrounding at the time she came in.
"Let's say I was wearing an oversize tee shirt and pantie, and Leigh was only in brief. A very sexy brief, to be exact, it clings to every..." I was interrupted by Evie scrunched face and judgmental glare.
"I don't want to hear what it clings to unless we are sharing him, which I don't think you are open to."
With close eyes and assurance, my head shook in refusal. "Ah, ah."
"Exactly what I thought, but I would like to remind you I am still up to sharing if you change your mind."
How many times do I have to say no?
"Not in this life or the next, Evie." I certify, irritation accented my tone.
"Then tell me what I need to know that doesn't give a demonstration to junior Leigh?"
Crookedly chuckling as we'd do anytime we did something outlawed and true talk, I had found myself entangled a couple of whiles in mucked up situations just to keep my sorrow beneath my chest and fake authority over my emotions even when those things make my insides cringe, for we all know inappropriate and risky events were strange categories I had always find odd and absurd.
After composing ourselves, we get back to the crucial subject.
"Well, she found us a moment after I got off his lap, trying to seduce him to have sex with me," I detailed out to Evie, who seemed to have choked on her breath, staring into the screen with unbelievable huge eyes.
It is not like we haven't discussed about sex multiple times. Agreed, I may not have been particular on who I might bone, and that could've led my two mates automatically assuming it could be Lucas, but Evie, out of everyone, should know that I wasn't going to have sex; I was going to wait and make love. And if that is substantiated, then we all know who I wanted to have for that special moment.
"That looks bad. But hey, what?" She rushes the first statement and emphasises the last.
Frowning sadly, I mumbled: "He wouldn't have sex with me."
I understand I seem desperate; that's because I am desperate. I had waited for him for a long time. We could reunite a telly show style, but unfortunately, I am too young for him, he said.
And poor me have uncontrolled hormones that dance at his closeness.
"What again and why? You are like a magnet. Tell me which Las Vegas boy you haven't lured yet?" She scoffs at the unbelievable news.
I should be saying, tell me about it. Knowing I had become an enticing professional system, trapping most young boys in my grace.
Okay, it is time to push lies aside and pick up honesty. The truth is, while playing miss gorgeous around the city of lights, that person I mask is everything that was opposite of me; it was nerve-wracking. It comes with a burden and anxiety knowing you have to put up with trying to be someone that you are not. It had pricked over and over inside me, just as it did to my exposed skin anytime I tried to please sets of strangers eyes with a bikini version of myself whilst going mentally sick of the lies that I had become and the fear that was truly me.
"Leigh Boyce clearly. He thinks I am too young for junior Leigh." I borrowed her nickname for Leigh's cargo.
"What is he nineteen?" She censoriously retorted.
Slightly offended at the criticism that was packed in her words, I mumbled. "Not due until December."
"Whatever, he is acting like a pope."
Vegas pope who knows how to kiss very good.
"I am sorry but isn't he a man? How can he withhold?" She confusedly asked.
That part had always mystified me. The internet made me believe men are easily turned on; why can't I get it right for Leigh? Was I doing something wrong that kills the whole vibe for him?
"I know, right? I want to cry." I whine frustratedly, slightly sobbing as I choke on my breath. "And then there is Lilith; she won't even allow me space to have the little her brother is offering." That part came out frustrating, with twin tears splitting down my cheeks before my fingers prevented them from escaping.
"We need to sort her out. These days are the only time you will have with him until next year or maybe, if you're lucky, Christmas. Which for that to happen, you have to brand him as yours."
That reminds me, I have only five weeks left for that. My head whirled as the pressure of tension began dominating the little strength I had.
"I feel sick." I rub my temple with my free hand. "Everyone is my enemy in this house. Even the Francois girls downstairs are in love with Leigh. And the closest to a sister I have doesn't have my back."
Addison and French Claire had come by a while ago, and from the chatters and laughter I've witnessed earlier in the living room, I am confident they've made friends with Suri and Quinn.
Now they can team up and become mean power girls-Lilith's little army.
"Come on. She's not worth it. Leigh loves you, and that enough." Evie smiles with lighten expression to perk up my mood.
But instead, I became that little girl letting out tens of complaints to her father while driving to school.
"She's been weird. For once, I even thought she suspected something. She had been humiliating me with words since morning, not that it tells something, since cruelty is aligned in her regular routine as being rude and kind, are her major mood swings, but still, it's hurting me, mostly now that we have companies around. I am beginning to feel powerless and small."
"Don't let her get into your head. Enjoy every tick of the clock with what makes you feel alive. Every moment is priceless. Only be careful while doing it. Ava, you can't have Leigh a secret forever. Eventually, you have to either come out." Evie paused, but her eyes tell there was more she wasn't saying, and the anticipation couldn't be endured.
"Or what?" I pressed, my heart beating fast in my chest.
She takes in a deep breath and let out words so sharp they cut. "You have to let him go."
My stomach tightens into a complicated knot at the idea; it was a terrible feeling. Therefore I must confess. "I can't."
"Then we are left with the first option." She smiled softly. "You have to confront your parents."
Looking away from the mobile screen, I kept my head turned towards my left, for my watering eyes had blurred, and I could barely see clearly.
"Is absurd how happiness plays hard to stay."
"I am sorry, Ava. But if you want him, you have to fight for him." She said just as a screeching sound interrupted our conversation and what sounded like Mr Kyle voice came up. "Hey, are you in there?"
"Dad, how many times do I have to remind you to knock before you come in." Evie sulk.
"Just trying to make sure there is no weird haired boy I will break or no device playing porn." He quipped as always.
"God, gross." She said disgustingly.
Albeit what Evie had said before Mr Kyle walked into her bedroom had ruined the little endurance I have left, I smile slightly at the cute banter.
"I should go." I finally said.
Her eyes came back to me. She gave me an apologetic face and said, "Okay, but keep me updated on what you come up with for tomorrow."
"Sure thing," I promised and hung up.
I am left in the quiet room drowning in my painful thoughts.