Chapter 26: Chapter 26

PEARL'S POV

The day I found out my sister had cancer and my family had been keeping it from me was the worst day of my entire life. I had so many questions running through my head. After Lucas found me on the field, he told me to cry it all out since it was necessary and after I’d managed to stop the tears, he took me home on his death trap; motorcycle. I’d willingly followed me that day because it was the best option at that moment, according to Lucas.

Throughout the remaining days of the week, I hear people asking me what happened to me. Why did I become a shadow of my old self and I could only smile in response? The only person who was close to the answer was Lucas and he didn’t even spare me a second glance in school. No strange midnight phone calls as well. I know it happened once, but I found myself hoping he would call again because I rarely sleep these days.

“Mom, Lyla invited me to a sleepover at her place, tomorrow,” I stated during dinner. I’d barely touched my food because everything irritated the hell out of me. “What will you guys be doing?”

I swallowed hard, trying to make up things that I didn’t even ask her. I didn’t bother to look at Aurora because she would probably question me as well. “Studying and maybe movies,” I said.

“As long as there’s studying, good. Didn’t she invite Aurora too?” She asked and I shrugged, hoping her favorite child would be the one with that answer.

“She did. I told her I wouldn’t be able to go with Pearl,” Aurora answered.

My mom stared at us before nodding. “What time will you leave tomorrow? I’ll drop you off at her place,”

“Don’t bother. I’m leaving as early as possible,” I picked up my plate of untouched food. “Goodnight everyone,” I walked into the kitchen, dropped the plate, and left for bed.

Aurora tried talking to me when she came into the room minutes later but I acted as if I was asleep and refused to answer her. Right underneath my pink blanket where I was hiding, I sent a text to Lyla that I would be at her place by ten the next morning.

The following morning, I didn’t wait for breakfast. I just said good morning everyone and I marched out of the house. The weather was bright that morning and for the first time in a while, there was no snow on the roads and the sun was a bit out. At least, everywhere wasn’t as cold as my heart right now.

When I got the address that Lyla gave me, I did a double-check. The house was situated on one of the biggest estates in town. Could Lyla have given me the wrong address? To think about it, Lyla had never invited us over to her place. She was always at ours but never mentioned going to hers before. I rang the bell and the big door was lunged opened by an excited Lyla.

“You’re here, Pearl, you’re really here,” I gave her a small smile.

“Yes, Lyla. I’m here. You have such a beautiful home,” She gestured for me to come in.

“Thank you. Let me introduce you to my brother,” excited, she grabbed my hand and dragged me to another part of the house. As we moved closer, I could see it was a living room that she was dragging me to but from my perspective, I could see two people with their backs turned to us.

“Henry,” She called out before we got closer to them and one of them turned, so, I guess that was Henry. “Meet my friend, Pearl, she’s pretty right?” Her brother smiled and then nodded. Turning to me, excited Lyla introduced her brother. “That’s my brother, Henry,”

“Hi, Henry,” I smiled shyly. I wouldn’t lie, her brother looks so handsome. His curly soft baby hair makes me want to touch them. I was excited about meeting someone cute until the devil beside him turned and I wanted to strangle Lyla. This time, I was the one who grabbed Lyla’s hand and walked her into their kitchen.

“Why didn’t you tell me he was here?” I asked her.

“I didn’t know he was going to be here. He just came in this morning, he wasn’t supposed to be here,” I scrutinized her and her lies.

“I swear, trust me, Pearl. I didn’t know he would be here until five, no, twenty minutes ago,”

I placed both of my hands on my waist. “You should’ve called me,”

“I could’ve but I didn’t. You’ve been sad all week and all efforts to make you feel better were futile, so this is my chance to give you hundred percent of my attention,”

“Not with him right there,”

“Just act as if he’s invisible. Do you want breakfast?” She asked. I wanted to tell her that it was possible I choke if I eat in the same place as that demon’s child but I nodded.

“HENRY! LET’S MAKE BREAKFAST,” She yelled. “Go sit with Luke. We’ll make you guys some breakfast,” I glared at her. I can't believe she's making me talk to Lucas.

“What?” I asked in disbelief.