The Invisible Princess of Everglen

Chapter 5: Pinky Promise

Apparently Biana was not as great at hiding her emotions as she thought she was.

Even Alvar began to take notice of Biana's surly behavior.  One night, he knocked on the door to her room, easing it open without waiting for her to answer.  She had been sitting on the edge of her bed, nowhere near ready to fall asleep.

"Hey, Bi," he said quietly.  She glanced up, then groaned, throwing herself onto her bed.  She was not in the mood for a talk right now, not even with Alvar.

"You know, you've been acting kinda weird lately," Alvar told her.  Biana sucked in a sharp breath, hoping against hope that he hadn't guessed why.

Because Biana was not supposed to be jealous of the school weirdo.

"Gee, thanks, Alvar," Biana snapped, reaching for a pillow as she sat up to face her brother.  He wasn't in his pajamas despite how late it was.

"I didn't mean that in a rude way.  Or, I wasn't trying to.  But seriously, Bi, something's up.  You're touchy and miserable and you don't even invite Maruca over anymore.  She used to be here all the time, but I haven't seen her in a good two weeks."  Alvar's expression was so earnest that Biana relented a little.

Maybe... maybe she could tell Alvar.

"Would you tell anyone if I said why?" she whispered, squeezing her pillow to her chest.  A curl of tangled hair fell in front of her face, and she didn't bother tucking it away.

Alvar smiled, sitting down beside Biana.  "No, of course not," he assured her.  The soft tone in his voice encouraged Biana, and she took a deep breath in.  "Pinky promise?" she mumbled, holding out her pale pinky.

He grinned.  "Pinky promise."  He locked his finger with hers.

Here goes nothing.  "You know Sophie Foster, right?"

Alvar nodded.  "Of course," he said.  Biana almost wanted to stop, but the words just tumbled out of her mouth.  "I'm feeling a little left out.  It seems like Sophie gets all of the attention, and even though she gets bullied by Stina and a lot of people think she's a weirdo, I'm... jealous of her.  She's so pretty and fun... even Keefe likes her."

Alvar's eyebrows raised.  "You're jealous of Sophie?" he asked in surprise.

Biana nodded glumly.

"Is this because of Keefe?" he questioned, his voice gentle.  Biana's cheeks flared red.  "Um... yeah," she admitted.  "Mostly."

Alvar sighed softly.  "Biana, that's completely normal.  I was jealous of one of my friends because of a girl, and I almost let it get the best of me.  Just don't worry about it."  He began rubbing Biana's back.

"But Sophie's not my friend," Biana mumbled.

Alvar paused for a second before answering.  "Well, then, maybe you should change that," he told her, standing up.  "And who knows, maybe some of her awesomeness will rub off on you."  He winked.

Biana let out a breath as Alvar turned to walk out the door.  "Alvar?"

"Yeah?" he said, facing her.  Biana bit her lip.  "You won't tell anyone about this, will you?"

He smiled and held up his hand, wiggling the smallest finger.  "Pinky promise."