Willow
After Leo has left me alone in the garden, I sit on the grass, thoughts about Professor Malino and Leo come racing in my mind. Leo didn’t seem surprised when I told him about Professor Malino’s plans, but Professor Malino has always seemed like a saint.
She was maternal and sweet, not someone who would do something that could kill others.
Did Leo somehow find out about my research and that’s why he did all he could to find the videos? How did he even find the videos?
I get up to go to the house. I walk in through the kitchen to avoid bumping into anyone, and I lock myself in my room, if it’s still mine.
I continue to read a book about werewolves. I honestly started reading for research, but I continue because of the drama. Leo would laugh at me if he found out I read fiction, just like he predicted.
I fall asleep, deciding to go to the hotel later, and I’m woken by a knock on the door.
“What do you want?” I ask Chloe when I open the door.
“Oh, come on.” She chuckles. “Look at your face. Are you really sulking because he chose me?”
“No, my face is like this because you woke me up.”
“But you are jealous because he chose me.”
“He didn’t choose you. Why would anyone choose you? You are his second option. He chose me first.” I retort.
“That was before he met me. You know he would’ve chosen me if he met both of us at the same time.”
“Stop being delusional.” I move to sit on the bed and she follows me.
“You want them both.” She says accusingly.
“Did you come to this room to just talk about nothing?” I raise my eyebrows.
“Don’t be greedy, you don’t even deserve the other one. Have you looked at yourself?”
I try to push her to the door. “Chloe, get out!”
“Be grateful that I didn’t take both of them, and he really loves me. Surely you have seen the way he looks at me, and he promised to attend all my runaway shows.”
My eyes involuntarily widen at this revelation, runaway shows to support her? With his busy schedule? Does he really feel something for her?
“Shocked?” She titters, bringing me out of my train of thought. “I know, but a man would do anything for someone he loves.”
“He is probably doing this because he loves fashion and designer outfits. You have seen how he dresses.” I try to sound as nonchalant as possible.
“He doesn’t love fashion.” She rolls her eyes. “Didn’t you know he has a stylist? That means I’m closer to him than he is to you.”
“You have made your point, get out.” I hold the door for her.
“I mean, you know it was bound to happen. You should know that you were going to be old news the moment they saw me.” She remains glued to the bed.
“Is this why you invited me to the memorial? To show me you are a couple?” I feel my chest clench, and the little hope I had that she cares for me disappears into thin air.
“Yeah. You didn’t think I cared about you.” She titters. “Did you?”
“Leave me alone!” I scream.
“Girls, stop with this!” My mom appears in the doorway, and we both fall silent. I move to the bed and sit next to Chloe. She puts her hands on her hips and stares at us.
“I don’t know what’s going on with her, she is a lunatic.” Chloe glares at me.
“Get out!” My mom says in a low voice.
I sigh before standing up. My mom has showed that she prefers anyone else but me, I’m used to it but it still hurts.
“Chloe, get out.” She says calmly.
“What?” Chloe and I ask at the same time.
“This is Willow’s room, and I’m tired of you abusing your sister.”
“But that’s because you abuse her. You are the one who taught me how to treat her.” She retorts.
My mom grimaces and then glares at Chloe. “You don’t want to anger me right now.”
“Fine, I’m leaving, I’m going back to my New York apartment, don’t call me saying you are feeling lonely.”
My mom doesn’t respond to this, and when Chloe realizes that she is not getting begged, she storms out of the room.
Mom walks over to me and I notice the tears that she is trying to blink back.
“Willow, I’m so sorry. I have tried to reach out, but I didn’t know what to say. I don’t deserve you as a daughter.”
“Can we start over?” I ask her, deciding to just end this fight.
“We need to talk, everyone left, I’m going to get some cake so that we can talk while we eat. Is that okay?”
I nod in response.
After my mom has left the room, I go to Chloe’s room and I find her furiously packing and crying.
“Chloe, I don’t want us to fight. Can the three of us get along? Just once?”
“No, you always ruin everything. I know how miserable and lonely you are, and you can’t stand seeing me happy.” She sniffles.
“Chloe, I’m serious. I want things between us to get better.”
“I don’t care, I’m going to Washington before heading to New York, and I’m going to spend a few days there with my man.”
My eyes widen, and I take deep breaths to prevent myself from doing anything stupid. “I won’t be provoked.” I say as calmly as possible.
She smiles when she notices my reaction. “My body is already reacting to the thought of his lips on every part of my body.” She closes her eyes, as if she is trying to remember all the moments.
I charge at her, screaming, and without thinking, I slap her. The slap lands on her cheek before she gets an opportunity to duck, and when she turns to look at me, I see the tears and rage in her eyes.
“Chloe, I’m so sorry. I’m really sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” I take a few steps back.
“You bitch!” She says quietly, followed by a slap on my cheek.
“I deserve it,” I say, while blinking back the tears. “I really didn’t mean to.”
She pulls me by my hair, and a scream escapes my lips while I try to hold her hand to stop it from pulling.
She lets me go, and I fall while trying to maintain my balance.
“I hate you!” She screams.
“You think I like you? Do you know how many times I wish we weren’t sisters? I wish you were the one who was dead instead of Marcel. Every day, I keep wondering why it had to be you, instead of him.”
I notice the fire in her eyes disappear, and I try to not to show the guilt that I feel
“I also wish the same thing about you.” She says in a shaky breath, and she walks out of her room with a bag in her hand.