kids.
Nonny nods. As I pull away to go finish my dinner, her shirt slips, showing a bit of shoulder. She drags it back up fast, but not before I see something that looks suspiciously like a bruise.
“What’s that?” I take the shirt and pull it over. I was wrong about the discoloration being a bruise. It’s a bite mark. “Did you get
bitten?
”
Nonny’s voice is sharp, her motion jerky as she yanks the shirt out of my grasp. “It’s nothing.”
“We have to go to the hospital and get it checked.”
“It happened yesterday, and I’m fine. No need to waste the money.”
“It happened
yesterday?
”
She doesn’t look at me. “Just a stupid fight. It’s nothing.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because it’s not important! I yanked on her earrings, and she backed off. She’s dumb anyway.”
“Is she from the Evil Squad?”
“Yes, and she won’t do it again.” Nonny juts her chin out like a boxer before a match. A fierce light burns in her eyes, and I don’t know what’s happened to my sweet little sister.
She grabs her textbook. “I need to get some sleep. Gotta be up early for morning rehearsal.” She starts toward our bedroom. “By the way, don’t worry about the trip. I told the band director I can’t go.”
This hits me so hard I gasp. “Why?”
“You know…” She shrugs and kind of looks around at our cheap place.
“Tell her you made a mistake. You can go. I’ll make it happen.”
She shakes her head. “Forget it, Anna. It’s just a stupid hobby.” She goes into the room and shuts the door.
I stare at the closed door. My appetite’s gone. This is all my fault. I should’ve hidden my struggles from her better and warned Caroline to keep her big mouth shut.
But maybe none of that would’ve mattered. Nonny’s a perceptive girl, and it’s impossible to hide how little money we have.
I pull out Elliot’s card. It has his full name, plus a phone number, neatly written in black ink. Does he think this is how he’s going to get me? A kiss, a finger down there, a promise of some money and a card?
Shaking my head, I stick it back into my bag and change into my old PJs. They’re nice—Mom bought them before everything tumbled down around us. Nonny doesn’t have anything similar since she grew out of them all.
An hour later I crawl into bed next to Nonny and stare at the ceiling. Maybe Elliot
is
the answer to all my problems. It’s just sex, right? And only for a year. At least he’s open about what he wants and what he’s willing to give in return.
Of course there’s the possibility he’s some kind of psycho. What’s up with his insistence on calling me Gigi? Some kind of fetish? Or does he want me to act like an unrequited love of his? Some old girlfriend?
Probably not. I narrow my eyes. He’s too handsome and rich not to have everything he wants.
I wish I could talk to someone, but there’s nobody for me. I sigh. I don’t even have Traci’s number anymore. I deleted it from my phone after Nonny and I practically fled Lincoln City.
Closing my eyes, I will myself to sleep. Tomorrow’s another long day and I need some rest.
But when the sleep finally comes, I dream of Elliot…and his wicked finger.
Chapter Eleven
Annabelle
Morning is a little awkward. Caroline, as usual, got home late, so she’s still asleep in her room. Nonny and I don’t really say anything to each other. I’m still stewing in my guilt and frustration over how little I can give her, and Nonny…well… I don’t know what she’s thinking as she splashes milk over her bowl of cereal.
I don’t bother with breakfast. A part of me is still too upset to eat, and another part wants to stretch what we have as long as we can. Payday isn’t for another two weeks.
Nonny’s clothes are old and frayed. And most of them are a size too small. It seems so unfair that I grew up with designer outfits and shoes while Nonny doesn’t get any of that. And she deserves them more
Nonny nods. As I pull away to go finish my dinner, her shirt slips, showing a bit of shoulder. She drags it back up fast, but not before I see something that looks suspiciously like a bruise.
“What’s that?” I take the shirt and pull it over. I was wrong about the discoloration being a bruise. It’s a bite mark. “Did you get
bitten?
”
Nonny’s voice is sharp, her motion jerky as she yanks the shirt out of my grasp. “It’s nothing.”
“We have to go to the hospital and get it checked.”
“It happened yesterday, and I’m fine. No need to waste the money.”
“It happened
yesterday?
”
She doesn’t look at me. “Just a stupid fight. It’s nothing.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because it’s not important! I yanked on her earrings, and she backed off. She’s dumb anyway.”
“Is she from the Evil Squad?”
“Yes, and she won’t do it again.” Nonny juts her chin out like a boxer before a match. A fierce light burns in her eyes, and I don’t know what’s happened to my sweet little sister.
She grabs her textbook. “I need to get some sleep. Gotta be up early for morning rehearsal.” She starts toward our bedroom. “By the way, don’t worry about the trip. I told the band director I can’t go.”
This hits me so hard I gasp. “Why?”
“You know…” She shrugs and kind of looks around at our cheap place.
“Tell her you made a mistake. You can go. I’ll make it happen.”
She shakes her head. “Forget it, Anna. It’s just a stupid hobby.” She goes into the room and shuts the door.
I stare at the closed door. My appetite’s gone. This is all my fault. I should’ve hidden my struggles from her better and warned Caroline to keep her big mouth shut.
But maybe none of that would’ve mattered. Nonny’s a perceptive girl, and it’s impossible to hide how little money we have.
I pull out Elliot’s card. It has his full name, plus a phone number, neatly written in black ink. Does he think this is how he’s going to get me? A kiss, a finger down there, a promise of some money and a card?
Shaking my head, I stick it back into my bag and change into my old PJs. They’re nice—Mom bought them before everything tumbled down around us. Nonny doesn’t have anything similar since she grew out of them all.
An hour later I crawl into bed next to Nonny and stare at the ceiling. Maybe Elliot
is
the answer to all my problems. It’s just sex, right? And only for a year. At least he’s open about what he wants and what he’s willing to give in return.
Of course there’s the possibility he’s some kind of psycho. What’s up with his insistence on calling me Gigi? Some kind of fetish? Or does he want me to act like an unrequited love of his? Some old girlfriend?
Probably not. I narrow my eyes. He’s too handsome and rich not to have everything he wants.
I wish I could talk to someone, but there’s nobody for me. I sigh. I don’t even have Traci’s number anymore. I deleted it from my phone after Nonny and I practically fled Lincoln City.
Closing my eyes, I will myself to sleep. Tomorrow’s another long day and I need some rest.
But when the sleep finally comes, I dream of Elliot…and his wicked finger.
Chapter Eleven
Annabelle
Morning is a little awkward. Caroline, as usual, got home late, so she’s still asleep in her room. Nonny and I don’t really say anything to each other. I’m still stewing in my guilt and frustration over how little I can give her, and Nonny…well… I don’t know what she’s thinking as she splashes milk over her bowl of cereal.
I don’t bother with breakfast. A part of me is still too upset to eat, and another part wants to stretch what we have as long as we can. Payday isn’t for another two weeks.
Nonny’s clothes are old and frayed. And most of them are a size too small. It seems so unfair that I grew up with designer outfits and shoes while Nonny doesn’t get any of that. And she deserves them more
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