The warning in her voice is clear.She’s not asking.She’sdeciding.
I grit my teeth, my entire body fighting against the inevitable.
“…Fine.”
“Wonderful!”she chirps.“I’ll let Joel know you’re in.”
I groan into my hands.“He already knows, doesn’t he?”
Mom chuckles.“Of course he does.I talked to him an hour ago.”
Oh my god.
I collapse back into my pillows as Momcheerfullyends the call.
Then, I just lie there, staring at my ceiling.
One.
Two.
Three.
Then, I explode.
Iflingmy phone across the bed like it’s infected with Joel Price’ssmug, insufferable aura.
I throw off my blankets and pull on a hoodie and sweatpants, then I march to the kitchen.
I make coffee like it has personally wronged me by not supporting me through that hellscape of a phone call.
Then, for the next ten minutes, I stand by the counter, gripping my mug, steam curling into my face, seething.
Ialmosttext Tessa, becausewhy did she go along with this?
Me: Did you know about my mother’s ridiculous plan to torture me?
I hesitate, then delete it.
No.It’s not Tessa’s fault.My mother is devious.I wouldn’t go against her, either.
However…
I inhale.I exhale.
Then, I snatch my phone back up, fingers already flying over the screen.
Me: ETHAN.
Me: Did you KNOW ABOUT THIS??
Ethan: what?
Me: Mom just told me I have to do music for Mina’s party.WITH.JOEL.
Ethan: Lol yeah, she told me earlier
Me: AND YOU DIDN’T WARN ME?