𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 │ 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧

𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐈𝐗

THE MORNING AIR WAS CRISP as sunlight filtered through the curtains of Emberly's room. She blinked against the light, rolling onto her side as the sound of distant chatter and clinking dishes reached her ears. Mornings in their house were never quiet anymore, she would have thoughht she found it comforting but today it felt a little too loud. 

Dragging herself out of bed, she moved sluggishly through her routine. Shower. Get dressed. Brush her teeth. It wasn't that she dreaded her therapy session, but the thought of sitting in a room and peeling back her layers, even to someone paid to listen, wasn't exactly appealing. Therapy was supposed to help her untangle the mess in her head, but most days, it just left her feeling raw and exposed.

Her thoughts flitted briefly to everything going on—her breakup with Spencer, her mom hovering over her every move, and this new chapter of getting to know Liam. It all felt like too much, like she was being pulled in different directions with no time to catch her breath.

"Emberly, are you ready?!" Evelyn's voice rang from downstairs, snapping her out of her haze.

Grabbing her bag, she headed out of her room and down the stairs.

"Morning," Emberly said as she entered the kitchen, where everyone was gathered.

"Morning," Jessica greeted her, handing her a banana. "Are you heading to your session this morning?"

"Yeah, Evelyn's driving me," Emberly said, glancing toward the door where Evelyn was waiting with her keys.

"You're going to be home for dinner, right?" Mark asked, his usual concern showing through.

"Uh, no," Emberly replied, noticing the look on her mom's face. "Before you worry, I'm not doing anything bad. I'm actually going to hang with Liam."

"You are?" Everly asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Yeah," Emberly said with a small shrug, trying to play it off as casual. "I figured it's time for me to get to know him."

"That's great," Jessica said with a soft smile. "Be home by 10. No later."

"Got it," Emberly said as she slung her bag over her shoulder. She gave a quick wave to everyone before heading out the door with Evelyn.

The car ride was quiet at first, the radio playing softly in the background as Evelyn maneuvered through traffic. Emberly stared out the window, watching the buildings blur together.

"So," Evelyn finally broke the silence, glancing at Emberly. "You're really spending time with Liam tonight?"

"Yeah," Emberly said. "I mean, I don't know. It feels like the right thing to do."

"I'm proud of you," Evelyn said, her voice light but sincere. "I know you've been weird about him, but I think this will be good for both of you."

"Maybe," Emberly muttered, still unsure how to feel. Her mind wasn't even on Liam right now. It was on the therapy session ahead, on Spencer, and on this lingering sense of unease she couldn't shake.

"Hey," Evelyn said, giving her a quick look. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Emberly said, forcing a smile. "Just tired."

Evelyn nodded, letting the conversation drop as they pulled into the parking lot. Emberly exhaled, gripping her bag a little tighter as she opened the car door.

"I'll pick you up after," Evelyn said.

"Thanks," Emberly replied, stepping out of the car. She glanced back at her sister, appreciating the support even if she didn't have the words to say it.