Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 32~

~Raelyn~

~Sunday March 30th~

If there was ever a day I wanted to go perfectly, it was this one.

Isa's last day in California. My little sister was flying back to London tonight after spending her entire spring break tucked into our chaos, and the thought of her leaving made my chest ache in a way I wasn't ready to unpack.

I padded barefoot into the kitchen of my little house, the morning sun spilling through the windows like golden syrup. Isa's suitcase was propped by the door, half-zipped and already threatening to make me cry. I wasn't ready for her to leave.

"Morning," Isa mumbled from the kitchen table, nose buried in a bowl of Lucky Charms, her hair an untamed mess and a hoodie swallowing her small frame.

"You're up early," I said, grabbing a glass from the cabinet and filling it with water.

"Couldn't sleep. Didn't want to waste my last day with you." She glanced up, eyes still sleepy but warm.

I forced a smile and tried to ignore the weird twist in my stomach.

"I have something for you," I said, sitting across from her.

Isa raised an eyebrow. "You're pregnant."

I choked on my water so hard I almost cried. "What the hell, Isa?"

She grinned. "You look like you're hiding something."

"I am. But not that." Maybe. I didn't say that part out loud. "No, I have a real surprise. Like a huge, scream-worthy one."

"Unless you're flying me to New York to meet Harry Styles, I doubt it."

I slid the envelope across the table.

She eyed it like it might explode. "What is this?"

"Open it."

She peeled it open, pulled out the sleek black tickets—and screamed so loud, I thought the windows might shatter.

"COACHELLA?!" she shrieked. "YOU GOT US VIP COACHELLA TICKETS? Rae! These are—these are like CRAZY expensive! What did you do, sell your soul?!"

I laughed. "Only a partial sell. It's fine. I'm on layaway with Satan."

Isa launched herself over the table and hugged me so tightly I felt my ribs creak.

"I hate you. I love you. I HATE you."

"I know," I whispered, hugging her tighter than I meant to. "We're making the most of your last day. Deal?"

"Deal."

And for a moment, I forgot about the nausea I'd woken up with. Forgot about the slight curve to my lower stomach I noticed in the mirror. Forgot how my boobs were suddenly a lot more sensitive than normal and how I'd barely touched my breakfast because the idea of eggs made me gag.

Not today. I could fall apart tomorrow.

Today was for Isa.

~

We pulled into the Traphouse driveway around eleven, Coachella bags packed and outfits hanging in the backseat. The place was buzzing before we even stepped out of the car.

Katrina opened the front door and squealed. "The London queen has arrived!"

Isa grinned and climbed out. "You scheming little demons. You all knew!"

Katrina threw her arms around her. "Obviously! It's your last day, duh. What better way to celebrate than dressing like sluts in the desert?"

"Sentimentally slutty," Devyn added, stepping out in a pink robe, curlers in her hair.