Admit it, you still have lingering feelings

“Fine, Evelyn,” you sigh, looking away from her eyes that are so similar to Belle’s. “Maybe I do still have feelings for her. She’s my brother’s girlfriend and it’s been years but I’m still not totally over it. Are you satisfied now?”

You feel her hug you, and your nose is assaulted by a smell that is strikingly familiar, but you cannot place it immediately.

“It’s okay, Mikey,” she whispers into your ear, rubbing your back. “I don’t believe what Avery did back then was right either. You know I love you even though I give you trouble. Talk to me when you’re feeling down, okay?.”

You hug her back. “I do, and I will,” you hesitate. “Thanks for this, sis.”

You feel her arms tense around you and she pushes herself out of your embrace. She has a wry smile as she moves her eyes across your face. “You didn’t have to make it all weird.”

“What?”

“Nothing,” she says, giggling. “We’ll be late, let’s get going.”