Heart Me

Chapter 20

Lily's POV

"Nice move on Simon. You know, there was a time I thought he wasn't into girls at all," Emmy said. Both she and Ruth burst into laughter. "Did you use some kind of spell or something to get him in our trap?" Their laughter echoed off the walls of the girls' hostel.

"He's just an idiot. You seriously think I would date a nerd?" Ruth snapped, her disdain evident. Their giggles continued, grating on my nerves.

"So, you guys made Simon break Grace's heart? That's mean. Was it necessary?" I chimed in, feeling a knot of unease forming in my stomach.

"Come on, Lilibeth, you hurt Grace, you hurt Kayla," Emmy said with a smirk.

"And who told you I have any intentions of hurting anyone? I don't like Kayla, but hurting her or Grace is wrong. What's wrong with you guys?" I raised my voice, my frustration boiling over.

"Have you forgotten, Lily? Kayla has Nate. The guy of your dreams. You and Nate would make a perfect couple, but it seems he has a spark for Kayla," Ruth explained, her voice dripping with malice.

"Not to mention, my mother died in her father's hands," Emmy hissed, her eyes dark with anger.

"What does any of that have to do with Grace?" I demanded, my voice rising. I wasn't happy with what these two girls had done. "You are slowly becoming sociopaths."

"Look at who's talking. If there's anyone among us who has the right to play saint, it's Ruth. Lilibeth, we know all the bad things you've done to students in this school in the name of a mental breakdown. I'm just waiting for another episode to hit you so that we can have our bitch back," Emmy remarked. Both she and Ruth giggled, their laughter cold and cruel.

10 years Ago

"No, don't take Kaya away from me!" I shook my head violently, tears streaming down my face.

"Sweetheart, she can't stay here. She has to go with her mom. Kids should stay where their parents are," my mom consoled me, her voice gentle but firm.

"She's my sister. Siblings stay together, right?" I looked up at my mom, hoping against hope that she would let Kaya stay.

"She's still in your room upstairs. You can go say goodbye. She really has to go, honey. I'm sorry, I..."

I stormed past my mom and rushed upstairs to our room. Not mine, it was ours-mine and Kaya's. Kaya was on the bed, holding a drawing we had made the previous night together. A drawing of two little girls holding hands with a big red heart over their heads. It was a drawing of us. At the bottom, we wrote 'SISTERS FOREVER.'

"Do you really have to go?" I asked her, tears flowing freely down my cheeks.

"Yeah, my mom will be up here any minute to get me. I'll miss you, Lily," Kaya cried out. She then pulled out another piece of paper, apart from the one she was holding, and gave it to me. "You'll always be my big sister."

I looked at the piece of paper. It was another drawing of us as grown-ups. I hugged her tightly before her mom stormed in and took her away.

---

"Lilibeth, Lilibeth," Emmy called out. I snapped back to reality and looked at her.

"What?"

"She has changed completely. Before you think of changing sides, Lilibeth, I want you to remember where we've come from. You were just a timid girl when you came to this school. Now, because you've gained confidence, you think you're better than us? Remember, Lilibeth, I can destroy you with a snap of my fingers," Emmy warned. I was lost, not understanding what she was saying. Maybe it had something to do with what she said when I wasn't listening.