Page 34 (2/2)

“I’et some rest,” she screamed from the other side of the door

“Oh yeah ” I tore out the earbuds “Because it’s eleven in thesince dawn?”

“You think you’re so special,” she shouted “Genius? You’re a freak And now you graduate early froh school, and we’re supposed to think you’re so special ”

I smirked at how her words echoed the lyrics, and opened the door to the sight of her pale, haggard face The Yatch It was one a little so like BeatriceBee-yatchYatch

“What are you laughing at?” The faint bruise on the side of her cheek had paled to a sickly yellow

Iain

Just ask Daddy

I shookto hide I’d “fallen in the shower” before, too

“Don’t givelady ” She shouldered her way in, peering around the roo to steal the family silver “Have I heard a thank-you for all I’ve done for you, all these years?”

“No,” I said, after a ine you have ”

Her eyes skittered nervously fro up for herself I iined it hy Daddy kept her around

She scanned what re on the threadbare bedspread I’d had since I was eight, when I’d liked all things lavender Believetime in which to learn to despise a color “You’re welcome to keep that,” I assured her

“You better clean this crap up,” she said instead, her voice shrill with disbelief You’d have thought I’d left her a stea Her eyes ca to sneak out like a thief?”

A little so like that, yeah I remained silent

“Where the hell have you got to go, anyway? It’s not like you’ve got any friends ”