Nothing but Sisters - Rosénali

16

The day after the girls' night to cheer Denali up, the two step-sisters were at school when both received the same text from Denali's mom.

Alice: Girls, tonight we're going to a family dinner. Joey and Nicky are invited too.

"Fuck." Denali muttered, realizing that she didn't tell her mom what happened with her boyfriend.

"Did you receive it too?" Rosé turned around over her chair to look at Denali, holding her phone up showing the text.

"Yeah."

"What are you gonna do?"

"I don't know..." Denali sighed. "I think I'm gonna speak with him today." She stopped for a moment. "Why the fuck am I talking to you?"

"Oh, Denali, stop it," Rosé fussed.

"Everything okay?" The teacher asked from the front of the classroom.

Rosé cleared her throat, and turned to look at her. "Everything is fine, Miss." She faked a smile, getting back to her book.

Behind her, Denali took her phone and opened Joey's chat. She kept typing and deleting, until Joey texted her.

Joey: Just send it already.

Nali: I'm sorry, can we meet today after school?

Joey: Of course, Denali. But why were you ignoring me?

Nali: Let's just talk after school, okay?

Joey: Okay.

Hours passed and school time was finally over. Denali put her backpack on her shoulders and began to walk out of the building, and as soon as she crossed the door she saw Joey standing in a corner. She took a deep breath and approached him.

"Hey, baby." He said, making a move to kiss her but she stopped him putting her hand over his chest. "What's wrong?"

"Let's go to the park to talk alone."

They began to walk to the nearest park in pure silence, and when they got there, they sat on a bench.

"I saw you," Denali sighed.

"You saw me? What do you mean?"

"I saw you kissing that guy in the restaurant, Joey." She faced him. "Are you gay?"

"Oh, Nali," he exhaled, taking the girl's hands. "Wasn't it obvious? I mean, look at me."

"But why are you dating me, then?" She asked.

"For the same reason that you're dating me. Pretending."

"What?" Denali furrowed her brows, "I'm not pretending anything."

"Nali, babe, I know that you like Rosé."

"I don't like Rosé." The lie slipped out of her lips quickly, making Joey chuckle.

"I know you do, and it's okay," he assured her, holding her hands tighter, "I always knew it." Denali looked down, but Joey put her hand on the girl's chin, making her look at him, "I really like you, Denali. But just like a friend, you know? And I think you feel the same way. I don't want this to pull us apart."

"I don't want this to pull us apart either." Denali smiled, "Friends?" She held out her hand.

"Friends." He shook her hand.

"Okay, now I have to ask you for a favor."

"Fire away."

"Well, my mom planned a dinner for tonight, you're invited, and I don't feel like explaining today, honestly," she sighed. "Plus, Rosé will be going with Nicky. Could you come with me? Please?"