9
Turning back, they made sure I wasn’t angry and I saw the relief on their faces
Ethan stepped closer, taking my hand.
“Don’t bother packing. It’s too much, I send the family driver; well move your things to the new place together.”
Mason nodded in agreement.
For a moment,
flicker of the old Ethan and Mason, the ones whose world revolved around me.
We were young once, carefree and happy.
Now, youthful promises were just empty words.
My gate drifted to Qiana.
I shook my head “No, thank you. I need to pack myself”
Ignoring their expressions, I turned and left.
Back home, I packed, showered, and just as I was settling into bed, Qiana called.
Her voice was smug.
“Lanie, I went to Ethan and Mason’s family homes tonight. Their parents were so nice to me.”
They even gave me family heirlooms Dent you think they…
I interrupted her calmly.
Tm not interested in your life. Don’t tell me this. It’s none
I hung up
my businesTM
The day before my departure, I met my best friend. Tiffany, for dinner.
I didn’t have many friends in LA.
Ethan and Mason had strictly controlled my social life from childhood, forbidding boyfriends, intercepting love letters, even interfering in my friendships with girls.
They’d whined then, Lanie, isn’t it enough that you have us as your friends? You’re so amazing, other girls might like you, too,
Their possessiveness was suffocating; they wanted me to only see them.
And now, they were the ones pushing me away.
Tiffany was already waiting at a new restaurant.
Sering me, she rushed into a hug.
The thought of my leaving brought a fresh wave of sadness.
“Lane, I can’t believe you’re leaving for Miami to get married. I’m going to miss you.“I thought you’d end up marrying Ethan or Mason and staying in LA. Then we could hang out all the time.”
I smiled faintly. They had other choices. So
Tiffany’s face fell.
Remembering Qiana, ber expression soured
“You were so nice to that Qjana girl, and yet,
Interrupted, laughing
Torget about her. Once I’m married, I won’t have to deal with her anymore. Whatever she does won’t affect me.”
As I finished speaking, Qjana walked into the restaurant.
Our table was near
She’d overheard pan of our conversation
She approached curiously “Lanie, who’s getting married? Can I go? I’ve never been to a wedding!”
I was rarely confronted with someone so lacking in boundaries, but perhaps I’d grown accustomed to Qiana’s antics, and knowing I was leaving soon, I
remained calm.
Tiffany, however, was furious.
She tossed her silverware onto the table, glaring at Qiana.
“My wedding! You’re not invited! Are you happy now?”
Do you even have any:
boundaries? Are we close? Do you try every madside food truck just to see if it tastes good”
Tiffany’s voice was loud and curting.
Quan visibly flinched, appearing terrified.
Tears welled in her eyes.
She looked to Ethan and Mason, who’d just entered the restaurant, her eyes pleading for help.
Ethan, unaware of the contest, saw Qiana’s distress and immediately palled her into his arms
Tm here for you. If you want to go, you can go to any wedding you want.”
Mason chimed in. “And me! Forget weddings. You want the moon! I’ll climb a ladder to get it for you. Don’t worry about those people.”
Between them, they managed to coax a smile from Qians.
