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Amara was mad as hell. She paced hotly as Meranda told her about Iyhan. She had to vent her anger so she grabbed a pillow off her bed. She gripped it tightly and pretended it was the jerks neck.
"Yeah kill your pillow." Meranda said with a yawn. It was nearly two a.m. now.
"You shoulda kissed Mikey back!" Amara then said and plopped down on her bed beside Meranda.
"I can't kiss him back." Meranda told her.
"Ugh . . . why? He's so handsome and sweet. P.S. He's in love with you." Amara grabbed her sisters hands. They locked eyes. "Mer, he's good for you."
"Amara, what if he turns out to be like the captain of the Red Phoenix?"
"We would've seen that side of him by now." Amara said, praying for Meranda to give in. "I think mom would lose her mind if she saw what you're giving up."
Marika knocked on the door. "Can I come in?"
"Duh, get in here!" Amara said and patted the bed.
Marika sat down and smiled sadly. "Can I tell you something, Meranda?"
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Meranda rolled her eyes and moved over. "You're going to either way."
"Mikey's thinking about leaving SeaWorthy. And he was thinking about joining the Horde." Marika said and watched Meranda closely. She heard Amara gasp in shock.
" . . . because of me?" Her voice emotionally jumped. "What have I done?"
Marika held up her hands. "Wait. Mermista told him about the seagate and he swore he wouldn't go to the Horde. He also said he still might sail away. He didn't say for how long or if he's coming back at all."
Amara then said, "All you have to do is tell him that you love him." Meranda shook her head. "UGH!!!" Amara said and flopped back onto the bed. "Come on, Meranda! He's a great guy and he freaking loves you!" She turned on her side and her tone changed. "Don't you dare say that you don't love him! That's a friggin' damn lie! We all know it!"
Meranda sighed and got up. "Good night." She said and began to leave the room.
Amara quickly sat up and threw her pillow at her older sister.
"Hey!" Meranda shouted angrily as it hit her. "Brat!"
Amara retorted, "I'd rather be a brat than a liar!"
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Meranda spun around. "I'm not a liar!"
Marika just shook her head.
"Yes you are! You lie to yourself every day! You tell yourself you don't love Mikey, but you do!" Amara shouted back.
In a huff Meranda left, slamming the door and went to her bedroom.
"That went well." Marika said sarcastically.
Amara sighed and touched Marika's bump. "At least this one can't talk back yet."
Meranda broke down as she shut her door. She looked at a picture beside her bed on the night stand. It was her, her sisters, Mermista and Alina. Mermista's mother was beautiful. She grabbed it and held it. "I don't know what to do, Alina. Should I keep my rule or break it? I do care for Mikey a lot. He's a pirate though. And you know Mermista is dating one too."
Meranda's tears dripped onto the glass of the picture framed. "I miss you." She said, talking to her aunt. She wiped the glass with her blanket to get the tears off. Then she put it back where it belonged.
