𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 │ 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧

𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄

EMBERLY COULDN'T MUSTER ANY EXCITEMENT for the upcoming homecoming weekend. The thought of the dance didn't exactly fill her with joy either. In her eyes, it was just another high school event that would come and go, leaving nothing significant behind. Despite it being an annual tradition, students somehow treated it like a groundbreaking event every single year.

She sighed, flipping idly through a magazine on her bed, her thoughts elsewhere. Between her unresolved feelings for Spencer and Evelyn's dismissive advice, the last thing she wanted was to deal with a crowded gym filled with awkward dancing and even more awkward conversations.

"Hey. Do you have your homecoming dress?" Evelyn's voice interrupted her thoughts as she stepped into the room.

Emberly glanced at her, then rolled her eyes, deciding to ignore her completely.

"Silent treatment? Seriously? What are we, seven again?" Evelyn asked, crossing her arms.

"I don't know. How would you act if you went to your sister for advice on how to confess to your crush, only for her to turn around and tell you your feelings weren't real?" Emberly shot back, her tone sharp.

Evelyn sighed, leaning against the doorframe. She knew she could've handled that conversation better, but she still wasn't sure how to tell Emberly the truth. If she admitted what she'd seen—Spencer and Layla's kiss—it would break her sister's heart. But keeping the secret weighed heavily on her.

"I gave you my opinion. You didn't like it; that's not my fault. Now, dress—yes or no?" Evelyn asked, changing the subject.

"No," Emberly replied curtly.

"No? Why not? Homecoming is almost here, and if you wait too long, all the good dresses will be gone," Evelyn pressed.

Emberly ignored her, sliding off her bed and heading for the door. Evelyn followed closely behind.

"I guess it's a good thing I'm not going, then," Emberly said, jogging down the stairs.

"What do you mean you're not going? It's homecoming—you have to go!" Evelyn exclaimed, quickening her pace to keep up.

"No, I don't," Emberly replied, walking into the kitchen. "Morning." She greeted her mom, who was busy at the counter.

Jessica turned to her daughters with a tired expression. "It's too early in the morning for you two to be arguing. If you want to keep this up, take it outside."

"Mom, Em's not going to homecoming," Evelyn tattled, crossing her arms like she'd just delivered breaking news.

Emberly groaned internally. Now her mom was going to jump on the bandwagon too.

"Why not?" Jessica asked, turning her attention to Emberly.

"Because it's not a big deal," Emberly replied with a shrug. "I'd rather just stay home."

"That's boring," Evelyn chimed in.

"I don't care," Emberly shot back. "I don't have a dress, and I don't have a date. And honestly, I don't care enough to go."

Jessica wiped her hands on a dish towel and leaned against the counter. "You don't need a date to go. There's no rule about that. Evelyn doesn't have one either, right?"

"Nope," Evelyn said with a grin. "Which is why we can go together."

"Yeah, that sounds super fun," Emberly said sarcastically. "Like waiting for two bombs to go off."

"I swear I won't start any fights," Evelyn promised, raising her hands in mock surrender. "You still have time to get a dress. I know a boutique with some great options."