I grab one of the throw pillows and hug it to my chest like a shield. I hate that I sound so defensive, but what I hate even more is—
“You’re not answering my question.”
That.
Her ability to make me feel like I’m such a drama queen every time she asks me questions I have no desire to answer.
“Stop making me feel like a wimp.”
“Then stop dodging the question,” Icelle says simply.
Grr!
Why can’t she just be like all the other girls and not take being my BFF seriously? Can’t she just be as shallow as the rest of them and allow me to save face, no matter the consequences?
“I really don’t like talking about this.”
“I really didn’t like seeing you and Arkane kiss either—”
A gasp escapes me when a thought comes out of nowhere, and the moment it invades my mind, I just can’t unthink it, and I’m once again addressing her in a dark, dark voice.
“Be honest with me.”
But this only has Icelle blinking for a second time, which for her is equivalent to being very, very confused. “I’ve always been honest. You’re the one who’s lying to yourself—”
Oh, for the love ofgrr!
Here she goes again talking about things that are completely beside the point. I mean, sure, she isn’t saying anything that’s not true, but it’s still not the point here, so I cut Icelle off in a hurry with the question that’s most pressing in my mind.
“Are you in love with your stepbrother?”
There. I’ve asked it.
“Yes.”
And now I’m going to die.
“But it’s not Arkane.”
Oh, thank God.
I don’t think I’m going to die after—wait. What am I even thinking? How is Icelle being or not being in love with Arkane my reason for living?
I look at Icelle, and unlike her, my face is pretty easy to read because all she does is look at me, and she starts nodding like the real-and-not-shallow BFF that she is.
“It’s okay, Ti.”
Is it?
“You don’t have to say it.”
I don’t?
“I get it.”
She does?
“It’s rare, but these things do happen.”