Chapter 33

To drown out the feeling of impending doom that tried to bore its way into the brains of the Driver sisters, they blasted music while they dressed themselves for their father's big event. As the sisters applied their makeup and curled their hair, they scrutinized each dash of mascara or application of blush, knowing Elizabeth Driver, already a necrotic mess on a good day, would be watching them like a hawk ready to strike down its prey.

Jess carefully focused on her mascara, leaning in close to the mirror to ensure that her lashes were perfect. As a child, Jess had made a point of being outwardly rebellious; she constantly strained against any expectation or requirement bestowed upon her by her parents, hating the way their parents made them dress or act. Her childhood, she had to admit, was not easy, but much of it was brought on by her unquenchable desire for freedom and self-expression, something that Cammie had never seemed to struggled with.

Up close to the mirror, Jess gazed into her own eyes, studying herself. A lifetime spent fighting back, trying to escape. A smile played on her lips, slight as it was: she had won. She had her freedom, she was herself, and she had no regrets. Though a dull ache of sadness still lingered in the deepest recesses of her heart, the absence of a love and approval she would never obtain, left her longing, Jess knew that ultimately she made the right decision. A quick glance at Cammie told her that Cammie had not yet reached a decision about whose life she wanted to live. Would she still live for their parents?

A humorless exhalation of air escaped her lips as she took in the scene before her: two girls oppressed by their parents, one free, one still in chains, both still playing the part their parents wanted. For Cammie, it was understandable; but for her? Why was she being so meticulous?

Jess supposed that some part of her still craved that love and acceptance that was missing in her life. Perhaps another part of her, the foolish part, thought that she might still receive it.

"How do I look?" Cammie asked when she finally put the finishing touches on her appearance.

Jess inspected her sister. Her long blonde hair was curled into loose curls that fell down her back and she wore a tight black dress that accentuated her womanly figure. Her feet were stuffed into dangerously high heels that made Jess' own feet just ache thinking about it. Cammie's nails were cut perfectly and painted a nude color. She wore a simple necklace and matching earrings. Cammie's makeup was done to make it look simple, natural, but the deep black of her eyelashes said otherwise.

Jess uncrossed her legs and stood up to toss a few strands of hair here and there on Cammie's head, touched up her sister's lipstick, and gave her the approval.

When Jess finished getting ready, Cammie also gave her an inspection. She swapped out the studded diamonds that Jess had in her ears and replaced them with small gold hoops to match the bracelet she wore. Cammie inspected her sister's outfit. She also wore a slimming dress, deadly red in color and heels, though much shorter than Cammie's. Quickly, Cammie rummaged through her makeup bag and applied a light layer of lipstick to her sister's lips.

"You look beautiful," Cammie said when she finished. She envied her sister's beauty. Though many believed the girls to be twins, Cammie was baffled at how anyone could confuse the two. Jess had striking features, easily distinguishable with the same high cheek bones that Elizabeth brandished like weapons and sharp blue eyes that seemed to penetrate everything they looked into.

"So do you."

Cammie smiled, cherishing this moment they shared. It had been years since the two of them had fretted together over their appearances, helping each other to pass their mother's impossible test of standards.

"Remember when we were kids and we would get ready together?"

Jess nodded in nostalgia.

"I know it sucked, but it was fun."

"Yeah, with mom always harping on us and fixing our hair and makeup all the time."

"Yeah, and you messing up your hair and makeup on purpose."

Jess grinned, adorning a mischievous expression. "It was fun, especially since she was so annoying."

"I never understood why you did that. You stressed me out for you."

"You've always been such a stress-case. It was fun, I don't know. Mom's so annoying, so anything to get under her skin."

Cammie shook her head in disbelief but a smile played on her lips. "You're crazy, do you know that?"

Jess shrugged, grinning. "That's why you're the favorite daughter."

"Not for long."

The lighthearted nature of their banter disappeared with Jess' smile.

"It'll be okay, Cam. I promise."

"I don't know if that's something you can promise."

"Maybe it won't be okay in the way that you want, but it'll be okay eventually. Call me naive, but somehow everything always works itself out."

"We'll see, I guess," Cammie breathed, feeling like the very air in the room had been sucked out. "Ready to go home?"

"No. You?"

"Nope. Are we staying the night?"

"I really don't want to spend more time with Mom and Dad than is absolutely necessary."

"I'm starting to feel that way too."

"Let's just tell mom my flight is at six am and we have to go home."

"You think a six am flight would stop Mom keeping us home? She'd just tell us to leave at four."

"She can't make us stay if we don't have a bag."

"We'll see about that."

The drive home mirrored their morning routine: loud music, minimal talking. The once-welcomed familiarity of the freeways and landmarks sent waves of anxiety coursing through her veins instead of the warm nostalgia that she usually experienced.  With each passing sign, every mile gained, the bundle of nerves in Cammie's stomach grew larger, winding tighter together, constricting her very breath

The green exit sign that signaled the last leg of the drive flew by overhead as they drove under, sending Cammie's heart rate through the roof. With shaking hands, Cammie flipped on her blinker as they waited to turn left at the signal light. The urge to gnaw at her nails and shred them to bloody nubs overwhelmed her, but she fought her urges by firmly gripping the steering wheel, restraining herself. The thought of her mother berating her for the state of her nails was enough to keep her desires in check.

"The light's green," Jess said.

"What?"

"Light's green."

"Oh."

Cammie gingerly stepped on the gas pedal and pushed the car forward, sucked back into reality.

"Are you okay?" Jess asked. She searched her sister's face, trying to find evidence of her sister's well-being.

"Yeah, I just zoned out for a sec'."

Jess, though unconvinced, said nothing. She could tell Cammie that everything would be okay until she was blue in the face, but Cammie would never believe her; Cammie never believed anyone when they said it would be okay. Stealing a glance at her sister, Jess accepted that Cammie would only take her words at face value until she experienced the worst of it all and learned that the storm would eventually settle.

They made the final turn through the winding suburban neighborhood of stunning houses, finally on the street they grew up. Cammie passed by Savannah's house, nestled right next to their own, and pulled into the driveway, knuckles white from clenching the wheel.

Nothing was as it had been.

Cammie stared at her best friend's childhood home, attempting to revel in the memories they shared running between their houses, yelling at each other from their bedroom windows, and begging to be allowed to have sleepovers. Memories of her childhood spilled through her mind, playing like a movie. Images of family dinners, vacations, fights, summers, Christmases, and everything in between flooded her mind. The memories, though mostly positive, were suddenly eclipsed by a dark shadow, casting doubt and honesty over her childhood as she scrutinized each image that played before her eyes, realizing the oppressive nature of their upbringing.

To keep herself from crying, Cammie bit down sharply on her bottom lip, the pain shocking her back to reality.

The drive home in December was exhilarating, exciting, and filled with longing; Cammie loved going home and always counted down the days until there some sort of holiday or break in the school year. The drives home had been filled with her favorite music that she would sing loudly—and off-key—to and the expectations of seeing her family, whom she loved and cherished deeply. The bond with her family was the main reason she chose a school so close to home.

But now? Now that so many things had changed, now that so many things were different, now that she wasn't certain of that familial bond, her body was almost willing her to flee, to turn the car around and never return.

Jess reached across the car and squeezed her sister's hand in solidarity. This was a feeling Jess understood well, having endured it for most of her life. Jess knew the dreaded feeling of returning home when you weren't wanted or accepted; Jess understood the strength it took to pull yourself through the door and face Elizabeth and Keith Driver, their expectations.

After allowing herself one breath, in which she inhaled all of the panic and fear and allowed it to crush her completely, Cammie expelled any reservations and steeled herself, emptying her mind of everything except her obligations.

"Let's go."

At the door, Cammie hesitated, her fist hovering over the door, ready to knock. Quickly remembering that it was her home, Cammie instead reached for the door knob and stepped inside the Driver home.

The first step inside filled Cammie with emptiness. Absurdly, she was expecting her parents to know everything that had transpired over the last four months and immediately swarm her with accusations the moment she returned home. She was, however, met with silence.

"We're home," Cammie called to the empty entryway. After a moment of silence, their mother bustled into the room.

"Girls!" Elizabeth called. "Jessica, I'm so happy you're home. You look beautiful."

Elizabeth ran a delicate hand through Jess' curls, admiring her daughter. After a moment, Elizabeth turned her attention to Cammie, who inwardly cringed, sure that the moment Elizabeth turned her eyes upon her eldest daughter, she would unravel all of the secrets that Cammie had carefully hidden away.

"Camille, you look beautiful as well." Cammie bit her tongue, irritated by the use of her full name, as was Jess; her mother seemed to be the only one who called her daughters by their full names and only when company was around. Despite her words, Elizabeth couldn't help but reach up and adjust a few strands of Cammie's hair and wiping a bit of lipstick from Cammie's lips. Cammie's jaw tightened more. Elizabeth gave both her daughters a look sweeping from head to toe. "I love your dresses, very good taste."

"Thanks," both girls replied. They both bought the dresses their mother suggested they wear today.

"I'm surprised to see you though, Camille." Elizabeth began, her penetrating eyes boring into Cammie. "You haven't been home since your birthday and you hardly ever call anymore. It's very unlike you."

Cammie's heart set off at a rapid fire pace, her mind reeling for a believable excuse.

"I told you I was coming when you called me," Cammie fumbled, hoping the shaking she felt wasn't audible in her voice.

"Weren't you studying for midterms and the LSAT and stuff? You said your professors gave you a bunch of papers to write too." Jess said, looking at Cammie. Then, turning to face their mother, said: "She complained the whole drive home about all her work. I was overwhelmed just listening.

"Yeah, I was just buried in school work. You know how junior year is," Cammie agreed thankful for her sister's effortless ability to lie. She really did need to learn to do that.

Elizabeth seemed assuaged by this explanation. They all stood there for a moment while their mother admired her daughters and both daughters felt the situation to be awkward. "Well, everyone will be here soon. Go say hello everyone. your father is in the study and Annabelle is in her room. The caterer should be here soon. I'll see you two girls later."

Cammie and Jess exchanged looks once Elizabeth scurried down the hallway back into the kitchen, making final preparations before the arrival of the guests. Cammie finally sympathized with her sister as the one on the outside looking in, feeling like a stranger in your own home.

"Thanks," Cammie said under her breath.

"You need to learn to lie better, CamCam. Keep up," Jess said with a wink and a laugh.

Cammie rolled her eyes playfully. Allowing herself only a moment to dwell on the what Cammie perceived to be a disastrous exchange with their mother, she realized with more clarity just how much she had changed in the last four months.

Seems like Virgo really got to me, Cammie thought, reflecting her metamorphosis. The enchantment her parents had cast was finally broken; she felt like Sleeping Beauty finally waking up from a deep slumber and realizing she had been tricked. Cammie finally realized how suffocating her parents were, how controlling.

The sisters made their way to their father's study to greet him before the party. He was pouring over some documents, illegible to both sisters. Cammie knocked politely on the open door and stepped inside.

"Girls, great to see you." Keith stood and pulled his daughters into a hug, kissing both of their heads. Their father had more grey hairs than he did when they last saw him in December. They couldn't be sure if it was due to his age or the stress of his job. "Thank you for coming."

"Of course, Dad." Cammie mumbled, feeling a bit bad about her growing resentment toward her parents. Keith had always been the softer of the two parents, but Cammie had to steel and remind herself that he was just as responsible as their mother for everything that the sisters endured. Keith had a tendency to side with his wife and support her in whatever tirade she was currently on and had been particularly harsh with Jess in high school.

"Good to see you, Dad." Jess said.

"I didn't expect to see you home, but I'm glad that you're here."

Jess offered a smile and nothing else.

"I need to tie up some loose ends before everyone gets here, so I'll see you girls in a bit."

They nodded at the dismissal and let themselves out of the room. Next, they made their way to Annabelle's room, who was ecstatic to see her sisters. They had to hold her at bay for fear of messing up their ensemble, but promised to play with her later this evening, knowing full well she would be asleep by the time the party ended.

"Why can't you guys play now?" Annabelle demanded.

"Sorry, kid. We've got adult things to do. Don't worry, in a few more years you'll have to come downstairs and play grown-up too." Jess said.

Annabelle did not like this answer, but accepted it nonetheless.

"We'll be back soon, I promise." Cammie agreed.

"Well," Jess began reluctantly. "Should we go downstairs and greet everyone."

Cammie sighed, already exhausted. "I guess so."

As they departed Annabelle's room, a suddenly sadness truck her heart. Cammie realized that her plan to distance herself from her mother and father meant distancing herself from Annabelle as collateral. Of course she wouldn't come home as often anymore, maybe not at all, which meant jeopardizing her relationship with her youngest sister.

Cammie realized that she wanted nothing more than to text Virgo. She craved encouragement and that unwavering confidence that the French girl exuded. Despite the anxiety that lingered around their relationship, Cammie realized that when she was with Virgo she felt a spark of happiness that she felt nowhere else. Being with Virgo meant the potential for anything; with Virgo, she felt limitless. Even if it was hard to discern this unburdened freedom buried under her worries, Cammie realized that Virgo made her feel safe, confident, and completely herself. Now, in the belly of the beast, Cammie needed nothing more than to feel all of those things.

A small pang of sadness filled her heart as she thought of her Soulmate, whom she hadn't heard from for several days. Cammie hoped that Virgo was taking what she said to heart and not personally. Of course there was always a risk in honesty: hurting someone, pushing them away; but Cammie desperately hoped that she had not misjudged Virgo. Cammie considered Virgo a strong person who valued honesty, which is why she was able to express herself in the first place. So in this silence, Cammie prayed that Virgo was taking the time to truly sort out her feelings, not moving on.

The girls floated down the stairs and into the yard where they awaited the arrival of the party. Before they knew it, their house and backyard were filled with guests, all dressed in expensive suits and exquisite dresses accented with glamorous jewelry. The girls uncomfortably mingled with their parents' guests, laughing awkwardly at small talk and bad jokes. They endured the blatant flattery that was showed upon them; the guests complimented their father's work, their mother's beautiful house and party, and the girls' accomplishments, though it seemed that the truth of what Jess was pursuing had been stretched, much to her annoyance. The sisters endured many a boring anecdote or story followed by loud guffaws.

"I can't handle this anymore," Jess hissed in Cammie's ear and slipped away. Wide eyed, Cammie excused herself and followed her sister.

"What are you doing?" Cammie asked. "You can't just leave like that."

"Sure I can. I just did."

"No, Jess, you can't."

Jess turned around so quickly Cammie almost slammed right in to her. "No? And why not?"

"Because it's rude."

"To who? They're drunk and we're kids. They don't care."

"I know, but we have to talk to them."

"Why? I thought you didn't care anymore. You don't want to be a lawyer, right?"

"Shh!" Cammie hissed, looking around wildly to make sure no one heard.

Jess rolled her eyes.

"Cam, it's literally our father's firm. You don't need to network with anyone. As long as you have a degree you've got a job. Stop stressing out so much. These people just want to talk to us so they can say they kissed the boss' ass. Chill out."

Cammie considered Jess' words, but failed to reply.

"I'm getting a drink, are you coming?"

"You're not old enough to drink."

"If we have to be at this thing, we might as well enjoy ourselves."

"Mom will kill you if she finds out.

"Mom is too preoccupied to notice us, especially me. Now let's drink."

Reluctantly, Cammie agreed. Jess raised her glass and waited expectantly for Cammie to return the gesture, which she eventually did. They tipped the liquid back and swallow their fates.

As the evening progressed, the guests seemed to be less and less concerned with the Driver family, especially the daughters, and more interested in impressing each other, or rather trying to trump the other with a more impressive story. The Driver sisters found themselves on the fringes of conversation giggling at how ridiculous everyone was becoming.

"There you two are!" Elizabeth hissed at her daughters when she caught sight of them doubled over in laughter, drinks held aloft so as to not spill the precious liquid. "What are you two doing?"

Cammie snapped her head up, wide-eyed, looking at her mother. All of the power Cammie felt tonight suddenly crumbled beneath the scolding look her mother threw at her daughters. She reverted back to her small, childhood self who hated to be chastised or scolded. Jess returned her mother's glare with the same bored look she always gave when she was being reprimanded.

"We're just talking," Jess answered.

"Is that a drink in your hand, young lady?"

"Mom, please. I'm in college. Of course I drink."

Elizabeth seemed on the verge of fainting, scouring the crowd to ensure that no one could hear the disrespect coming form her daughter's mouth. Jess rolled her eyes at her mother's show of dramatics.

"How many drinks have you two had?"

"Does it matter?" Jess drawled.

Elizabeth's eyes bulged in her skull; she was horrified.

"Jessica, I'm very disappointed in you. You are underage. And you, Camille, since when do you drink this much? I thought you had better sense than this."

"What do you expect Mom? These parties are so boring," Jess retorted.

"Then why did you come Jessica? No one forced you here."

"No, but you forced Cammie and she doesn't want to be here."

Cammie stared at the ground, embarrassed.

"Jessica, I don't want to hear this nonsense. Don't drag your sister into your mess. I thought you wanted to come home and come to this party to make amends and finally be a part of this family, but it seems that I was wrong. You just came to sabotage everything like always. You are ungrateful."

Cammie grabbed Jess' wrist, digging her fingers into her arm in warning. Now wasn't the time to confront their mother of the years of misgivings.

"We'll go," Cammie said flatly.

"You will not," Elizabeth hissed under her breath, carefully to not let any of her guests see the confrontation. "You are in no shape to drive and both of you will be speaking to me when you sober up about your behavior tonight, especially you Camille. This party is for you."

Cammie couldn't stop the laughter that escaped her lips and before she knew it she was openly laughing in her mother's face.

"And just what is so funny, young lady?"

Declining to answer by shaking her head in disbelief, Cammie simply said, "We'll sober up then we'll be going."

Without waiting to hear a response from her mother, Cammie pulled Jess and crossed the yard, her long strides fulled with anger. Enraged, their mother flew after them like a hawk ready to strike its prey after circling overhead. Elizabeth carefully set her face into place as to not alert anyone that something could be amiss.

Cammie pulled open the drawers of the entryway table searching for her keys. When she located them and stood up fully, she found herself face-to-face with both of her parents.

"What has gotten in to you two?" their father demanded. "Your mother told me you were incredibly disrespectful."

"Dad, that's not true," Cammie protested.

"And you, Camille, what has gotten into you? This isn't like you: drinking, talking back to your mother, being anti-social. You know your obligations at this event. Everyone that's spoken to you tonight is very impressed with you and they are more than excited to have you on the team. Why are you acting like this?"

Cammie felt the unfairness of this situation lighting a fire inside her and fanning the blame; the anger was threatening to boil over.

"Dad, that's not what happened," Cammie repeated, trying to keep her voice level. With each syllable uttered, she felt her resolve cracking.

"Then explain to me why you girls were getting drunk and mouthing off to your mother?"

"What's wrong with that?" Cammie cried. "Why can't we talk and drink? I'm twenty-one, why does it matter?"

"Jessica isn't. And you know I have these events for you so that you can network." Keith turned to his other daughter. "Jessica, you might even be able to make some connections here despite everything."

"Despite what?" Jess scowled.

"Can't you see that this isn't what we want? We don't care about this party, or making connections, or anything. These are your friends and this is for your reputation and status, not ours!" Cammie shot back.

"How dare you?" Elizabeth cut in. "How dare you talk to your father that way? He has done everything for you girls."

"That's a lie. You don't care about us. All you care about is your image." Cammie glared at her parents, her feet planted in determination. Her heart was racing in her chest, pumping with adrenaline. This was the moment; she would not back down.

"What is wrong with you?" Keith cut back in, his voice raising in anger. He was usually a calm man and argued for a living, but it seemed that his daughter had a way of getting under his skin. "I've built our company for this family, for you girls. I've given you girls every opportunity to have a better future, to have options, connections, and to be successful. Now you're throwing it all away? Throwing it in my face? You are both ungrateful children."

"No, we're not. All either of us have done our entire lives is seek your approval. Once Jess realized she would never get it being herself she gave up. And me? I kept trying. I kept trying to be your perfect daughter, to do everything you wanted, be everything you wanted. But even I can't do that. No one can live up to your expectations."

"That is not true, Camille. You've done everything right," Elizabeth answered. "And you're going to be rewarded for that. You're going to have an amazing job and an amazing life with Adam. You have everything going for you."

"No, I'm not! I'm miserable and Jess is happy. I'm not going to have the life you think I will."

"How can you say you're miserable?"

"Look at me! How can you not see this? You haven't noticed that anything's been wrong since my birthday?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Exactly! You didn't see anything. You don't care to see anything."

"What has changed since your birthday?"

"Everything has changed!" Cammie felt hot tears burning against her eyes, but she persisted. "I don't want any of this anymore."

"Camille, you don't make any sense. Are you telling us you don't want to be a lawyer?"

"No. No I don't want to be a lawyer. I don't want to take over the family business. I don't want any of this."

Now Keith was shaking his head, throwing his hands up as if to calm a rabid beast.

"Now, let's be rational here. You've been drinking and your emotions are high. You girls head upstairs and get some sleep. We'll talk about this tomorrow."

"No, Dad! I don't want to talk about this later. I want to talk about this now."

"What does this have to do with your Dream?" Elizabeth asked. "Did Adam say something to you? Does he not want you to work for your father?"

"No, Adam didn't say anything to me," Cammie snapped, glaring at her mother. "Adam and I broke up months ago."

Elizabeth gaped. "Is that what this is about? You broke up with Adam and now you don't know what to do with your life?"

"God, no, mother. It's not about some fucking boy."

"Watch your mouth!" Keith roared.

"Then what—"

"I lied about my Dream!" Cammie suddenly screamed, unable to hold back her secret any longer.

"Why would you lie about your Dream?" Elizabeth asked, thoroughly confused by the whole situation.

"Because I was scared of what you would think."

"Camille, we don't care that Adam isn't your Soulmate."

"I know you don't."

"Then why did you lie to us?" Their father asked. "What is going on? First you're telling me you don't want to be a lawyer and you're lying to us about your relationship and now ?"

"Yes, I lied to you. I lied to you both about my relationship and about wanting to be a lawyer. To be fair I lied to myself too, for far too long. Now I'm starting to actually do what I want."

"This is what you want," Elizabeth protested.

"No, it isn't. This is what you both want. Jess figured it out a lot faster than me and got out. It's about time I did too."

"You're not making any sense," Keith sighed.

Cammie shook her head in disbelief. "Look how blind you are to everything. Look at how you've treated Jess these last few years," Cammie began through gritted teeth. "When she pursued her dreams, when she told you she didn't want to be a lawyer, to follow the family's path, look how you treated her. You both care so much about image, you don't care about what we want, or how we feel, or who we love. That's why I lied to you about wanting to be a lawyer—I never wanted that, I just thought I did because you pushed me so hard. And that is also why I lied to you about my Dream."

Both of their parents opened their mouths to protest, but Cammie felt a fresh wave of anger and resentment that propelled her forward.

"My Soulmate is a girl," Cammie screamed. Her chest rose and fell with the adrenaline pumping through her body. All her life, her fight or flight instinct had told her to flee, to escape any situation that might put up any sort of resistance. Tonight, however, tonight she knew it was time to fight—time to fight for Virgo or risk losing her forever.

"You're not a lesbian." Elizabeth finally said after what felt like an eternity of silence.

"No," Cammie agreed. "Maybe bisexual. Maybe I might be a lesbian. I don't know. It doesn't matter, I'm not interested in labels."

Her mother looked furious.

"This is completely unacceptable," their father cut in. "Camille, what are you playing at?"

"Absolutely nothing."

"You're just trying to upset us, just like Jess." Elizabeth said.

"I'm really not and neither is Jess; she was never trying to upset you," Cammie said. "For once in my life I'm being honest with you about what I want. Jess has always been honest with you about what she wanted."

"This is completely unacceptable. You are not going to date a woman," Elizabeth spat the last word as if it was something lower than undesirable.

"Really? You think who I love is unacceptable?"

"You do not love her."

"You wouldn't know. You don't know anything about my life, least of all who I love. You thought I was still dating Adam the last four months. Neither of you had any idea how miserable I've been and neither of you have any idea how happy she's made me."

"You've met her?" Elizabeth squawked.

"Yes, I have. We're together."

Elizabeth's eyes bulged once again. A vein appeared on her father's forehead.

"Camille Elizabeth Driver, now you listen to me: your father and I have done everything in our power to give you a good life, provide for you, and give you a future. I don't know where this sudden outburst has come from or where this rebellion is coming from, but this stops now. Your relationship stops now."

"My Soulmate is the most beautiful, perfect, kind, and selfless person I've met. I love her more than anyone else in this world. I was scared to tell you because I thought you would react like this: exactly like you just did. But it's too late now. Now you know your daughter is gay. You'd better figure out a way to accept that fact or I will walk out of your lives and never come back."

Her mother was seething at this point.

"Let's go, Cammie." Jess grabbed her sister's hand. Jess had had her fair share of fights with her parents and knew it was time to leave.

The two girls left the house, leaving their parents in stunned silence at the door. The moment they climbed into the car, the adrenaline evaporated and Cammie sank into the seat, shaking, the tears finally spilling down her cheeks. Jess threw the car in drive and peeled out of the driveway, revving the engine as they flew down their street to safety.

For a while, they didn't speak. Jess drove the car to a spot she and Cammie used to come to in high school to think or be alone. It was up a small hill that overlooked the entire town. At night it appeared as if the whole city was on fire, speckled with lights.

Jess threw the car in park and looked at her sister.

"That was amazing, CamCam."

For a moment, Cammie continued to stare out the window, but when she looked at her sister with her tear stained face, she smiled. It was shaken and uncertain, but the smile was there. Deep beneath all the shit, there was a small victory waiting to emerge into something glorious.

Jess reached across the seat and pulled her sister into a tight hug.

"I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you," Cammie whispered.

"I'll always be here for you, Cam. Always."

Cammie nodded against her sister's chest.

"I know that was hard, but I'm so proud of you. So, so proud. I'm so happy you finally stood up for yourself. I'm so happy that you were finally able to say what you wanted."

"That wasn't even remotely what I had planned to say."

"I never thought you would tell them."

Cammie took a deep breath. "I guess I'm full of surprises."

Jess grinned. "It's a good thing."

Cammie nodded. After a brief moment of silence in which the girls reflected on the night, Jess spoke again.

"How do you feel?"

Cammie lifted her hands up and tried to hold them steady in front of her to no avail.

"Still shaken up. But I'm glad I told them."

"Good."

"I really don't know what's going to happen next, but I feel like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders." Cammie passed thoughtfully, gazing out the window. Without turning to face Jess, she said, "I finally feel free."

"I'm so glad."

With tears in her eyes, Cammie turned back to her sister. "Do you think Virgo will choose me? Do you think she wants to be with me?"

Jess squeezes her sister's hand. "Of course I do. She's your Soulmate. She'll choose you. Plus, look at everything you did for her."

"I didn't do it for her. I mean, I guess I did a little bit, but I mostly did it for myself."

"I understand. But look at how much you've grown and changed because of her. She has to see that. She has to understand what you've given up for her. You chose her over Mom and Dad."

Cammie nodded, a fresh wave of tears assaulting her.

"Holy fucking shit, I did, didn't I? I chose her over and our parents."

"That's pretty special."

Cammie sat thoughtfully for a moment.

"I know I said that I loved her at the house when I was arguing with Mom and Dad." Jess waited for Cammie to continue. "I really do. I love her." Cammie looked at her sister earnestly, as if needing Jess' approval or confirmation.

"I know you do. You wouldn't do what you did for just anyone."

"She said she loved me too. I hope she still does."

"She does, Cam. I know she does. Just give her some time to sort everything out. But she'll come back to you. I promise."

Cammie took a deep breath and shook her head.

"I better be your Maid of Honor, too."

Cammie laughed. "You can fight it out with Savannah."

Jess shook her head. "No way! I'm your sister!"

Cammie shrugged. "Sorry, Savannah claimed Maid of Honor when were like ten."

Jess rolled her eyes and the sisters laughed together. As Cammie laughed, she knew the road ahead was going to get much worse; tonight was hardly the last battle. But she took comfort in knowing she had her sister, her best friend, and, she hoped, her Soulmate.

***

Thank you so much for reading, voting, and commenting. <3 You guys are truly the best.

Sorry for the day delay. I wrote this chapter and was ready to publish, but I realized I was really unsatisfied with it and so I took an extra day to rewrite it, so thank you for your patients. :) You guys are amazing! Thanks for supporting this story and making it possible. I know I say this every time, but I really couldn't do this without you all <3