HER SISTER (18+) (GXG)

New Years & Damage Control

The ride from the gallery was quiet—and I couldn't help myself from zoning out everything around me.

I felt so empty.

And I was honestly still coming to terms with what had just happened.

"You are the world's most awful friend, Ana—I don't need to hear an explanation to know that."

I blinked a few times, forcing myself out of the constant loop of dreadful events that had taken up my night.

"Ati."

I glanced over to Mili—pausing my steps that I had just realized I was taking.

My eyes unconsciously took in our environment, realizing that we were back at Mili's place.

I looked back over to Mili, who seemed to have a look of concern etched onto her perfect face.

I shook my head a few times, "Sorry, I just uh..." I trailed off in search of what I wanted to say but I only managed to come up with nothing.

I felt so mentally exhausted—from my previous paranoia to the intense confrontation I just went through—I'm considering if I'll ever be the same again.

My eyes glanced down to the shiny wood floors, purposefully looking away from Mili as I said, "I think I just need to be alone right now."

The words were forced and weak—and definitely a form of self-sabotage.

Even with everything going on, I was self-aware enough to know that.

And out of everything I expected Mili to say, it was not—

"I don't think you do."

Just like that, I was looking up, easily meeting her dark eyes.

It only took barely a second for the tears to start gathering in my eyes—instinctively reaching out for the kitchen counter beside me for stability when all I wanted to do was fall and never get up again.

Mili was by my side within a blink of an eye—reaching out to hold me, but I only found myself pulling away.

"Everyone hates me," I forced out, crying even harder as I said, "Even I think I hate me."

Mili was shaking her head, clearly upset by how upset I was, "Ati—"

"Don't," I forced out, knowing what she was about to say, "Don't tell me that someone can't hate me because they can—and I know Mya does right now," I said, practically whispering the last part.

Mili took a step toward me, "That's actually not what I was going to say," she said, gently reaching out for my hand.

I only shook my head at her caring actions, "I don't deserve this. I don't deserve—"

"You deserve everything—the world actually. Let's not even go there," Mili cut me short with a tilted look.

A broken sigh fell from my lips, suddenly taking a step closer to Mili as I analyzed her bruised cheekbone.

"I hate this," I whispered out through my thick tears, "I hate that it had to happen like this," I said, gently reaching my hand up to her cheek.

I swear if I see Cam's face—I'm punching it just as she did Mili's.

Mili looked between my eyes as she slid her arms around my waist, "You didn't deserve that—lying or not. What my sister did wasn't right," she said, clearly upset by how it all went down.

I nodded wordlessly when more tears managed to fall from my eyes.

"It somehow feels like it," I admitted, forcing the weak words out.