Page 65 of My Summer Girl

Another knock rings out, interrupting my fixation. “Come in!” I finally holler, waiting as the vines slowly unwrap me. They’re sentient, able to live outside of me but also as a part of me if they so choose.

The door swings open, and standing there is Mira. “You going to lay there all day? Don’t you have a holiday to prep for?”

I roll my eyes, wanting nothing more than to vine my doors closed until Raevar is back with Dulce. Usually, it’s impossible to get me to take a break but this sudden sadness filling me keeps me staring at my ceiling.

As if my silence means to come closer, Mira walks inside, her booted feet tapping against the floor like knocks of doom.

“Ignoring me? I’ve never seen you hide in your room, let alone stop being a control freak for five seconds.” She stands above me, her stark black hair braided in an intricate design with lots of loops and ties. Unlike her normal gothic lumberjack attire, she’s wearing a leather jacket with studs everywhere paired with dark jeans.

“What do you want?” I grumble, closing my eyes to imagine Dulce. The imagery Solera offered is almost criminal. Sweet, sweet girl. A little kick to my calf has me growling. Literally, like a beast. “Fuck off.”

“As your second oldest friend who doesn’t want to fuck you, I’m not letting you wallow.”

“Fuck me?” The question slips out too quickly, my eyebrows so high I’m stuck in a state of confusion.

“Yeah, everyone on this green floating rock knows you and Raevar have... a thing.”

“We do not have a thing!” I respond, my words coming off really petulant and unbelievable, especially if I’m trying to convince her. I go into a sitting position with my arms crossed, my vines webbing outward like they’re knives, ready to fly if she makes me angrier. I’ve always been told that my passion is as hot as a dragon’s breath, and right now, I’m living within that adage. “Those rumors are false, and spreading them could result in your beheading.”

She scoffs, her feline eyes narrowing into slits. “Sure. But then who could annoy you?” She sticks out her tongue, then places her hands on her hips. She’s the sister I never asked for.

Annoyance thrums through me as I rub a palm down my face, wanting nothing more than to shoo her away. Raevar and I have never fucked. We’ve barely kissed, and that was simply two awkward teenagers experimenting. Does the thought of kissing Raevar, one of my best friends, make me cringe? No, but he’s my guard and most trusted person. He wouldn’t want me to encroach on our bond, right?

I shake my head and stand, heading for the bathroom. It would be nice to bake in a hot bath, with herbs and bubbles, soaking up the cosmos’ water. Avoiding everything Mira and Raevar and court-related responsibilities.

“Nuh-uh,” Mira tsks, her voice sharp and rude. “You’re not running away to your bath. We’re going to go out, prep what we can, and then you’ll have a soiree tonight. Give jobs to people, and eat every pie that every baker made in hopes you’ll serve them at the feast next week.”

Pouting, I stick out my bottom lip, hoping she’ll take pity on me. She won’t, it’s not her style. Mira’s right, I’ve never taken a day off and now we’re two days into this and I’m slacking because emotions I’ve never felt continue to haunt me.

“Get your ass dressed, you’ve got five minutes, or I’m spanking you and then telling everyone how you lost your virginity.”

“You wouldn’t!” I gasp, thinking of how I lost it to a girl who used a vegetable as a dildo—and it did not agree with me.

“Yes, I absolutely will! And maybe I’ll do a demonstration!” She wiggles her hand, gesturing wiggling a fake object.

“Go away!” I hiss, heading to my closet for some boots and maybe a knife. Who knows, she might get stabbed today.

A chuckle, cruel and bubbly, escapes Mira’s lips and travels all the way out of my room. She’s annoying as Hades, but I’ll never say she isn’t a true friend who forces me to be my very best self.

Last week, she begged me to take a break, and today she’s not allowing me to mope. She should definitely pick a bullying tactic, because this back and forth is confusing me.

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