Jenga

Chapter Twenty-Eight- Wisteria Miller's Countenance

*WISTY'S PERSPECTIVE*

It's been four years since she died, but it seems like it was just last week. Brain tumor, they said. The surgery failed. I don't know why God decided to take my mother away from me like that, but ever since then, my father's gone crazy.

Making me do things for him, making me do things to uphold our family name. I mean, who knew the Miller company was on such good terms with the Armstrong company? I don't even know what the companies do as a living.

If she were here, Father would never make me marry Charlie. I get that he's Jewish and she isn't, but that doesn't mean that when she dies, you can take advantage of her daughter. I think her death unlocked his true self somehow.

Oh, how I want to tell this to my father. All of it. But of course, I'm afraid. I'm afraid of what he could do to me with all that power he has.

During the Christmas party, I almost lost my mind. Charlie did something almost unforgiveable, but I knew that in my heart I wanted to be the one to do that. I was, and still am, very angry with Rowan. But it's not like he cares.

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I usually don't do this, but today I'm just not feeling it. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and today I barged in on Charlie while Max and Cyan were fighting and almost told my friends something I like to keep hidden. Do I even deserve friends, now? I'm lying to them.

Ah, whatever. This is why I'm buying three boxes of Pocky. This is the only time in my entire life I will do this. Next time I'll just buy a candy bar and chips. My favorite is Sun Chips.

But because Pocky is so awesome, a little too awesome, I have to use my money for it sparingly.

At the checkout, I place the Pocky on the moving rubber thingy shamefully as the cashier looks at me oddly.

"You must be going through something. But, food doesn't always cut it," a voice from behind me says. A male voice.

Without turning around to see who it is, paying the cashier Rachel, I say, "You don't know what I'm going through."

Why am I talking to a complete stranger? Have I gone mad? And hey, the name Rachel kind of sounds familiar. I know I heard it at least once before.

That's right, it's Noa's middle name. Noa . . . I really hurt her feelings, didn't I?

"You don't even know who it is. Turn around," the male behind me says. I do so, reluctantly, and gasp rather loudly. I drop my bag with the Pocky and cover my mouth.

I look to my right and the cashier is smiling at me. I look at her more closely. I'd know those scary eyes and pale skin from anywhere. "What are you two doing here? Since when did you get a job, Noa? And why are you stalking me, Max? Weren't you just at Charlie's place?"

"There's no need to be too surprised. It's a small world," Noa says. "I was bored, so I picked up a job just for winter break. Now go away, you're holding up my line. Max, do the honors."

"I saw you heading here and you looked depressed. I'm an awesome stalker, aren't I?" Max says as we both head out the supermarket.

"That's nothing to be proud of!" I say, still surprised that all this is happening in a matter of seconds.

"I'll walk you home," he offers. I would decline, but I'm not really in the mood to pick a fight. You can pick a fight with Max pretty easily, I've noticed.

"Do what you like," I say. I don't know why I'm acting like this.

"So you're not all chocolate and gumdrops as I first thought you were. I thought you were a girl who always smiled, no matter what."