Page 102 of The Roommate Lie

“The white ones came with the house, but the yellow ones feel more vintage. They go better with the architecture.”

Again, Nicki knows I’m lying. Her mouth starts to open, an argument forms in her eyes, but then she lets it go. “It’s nice,” she says. “Thanks.”

“Well, I didn’t do it for you”—I shrug, while Alice tries not to laugh—“but you’re welcome.”

There are other things Nicki doesn’t pick up on, like how we cleaned up all the DIY projects and home repair stuff everywhere, so there wouldn’t be anything she could trip over. Or how we rotated the area rug in the living room, the one with that lone sinister corner that likes to flip up, to make sure she didn’t trip over that, either. But Alice notices, and she bumps my knee under the table as we all sit down for breakfast, gracing me with another sweet smile.

Once everyone’s settled and I’m surrounded by Kilpatricks, the first thing that strikes me is how different the three sisters are. Nicki has brown hair like their mother, Emma’s blonde like their father, and Alice is the only redhead. Their personalities are a mixed bag too, and Carrots is definitely the sweet one. The brightest ray of sunshine in the entire Kilpatrick family.

The next thing that strikes me is how upset one of those sisters still is after their family meeting. That although they’ve forgiven each other and decided to stay until Alice leaves tomorrow morning—mostly so Mr. Kilpatrick can keep torturing Jason—one of Alice’s sisters isn’t happy about being here. And she definitely isn’t happy about me.

“So”—Emma clears her throat, giving me a tight smile—“we heard you’re trying to get a new job. Is it at a tattoo parlor or a skate shop or…”

She hates me, that much is obvious, but I don’t mind. In some sad, strange way, I’m used to it. Maybe I don’t know how to help Nicki the right way or how to charm Alice’s parents, but I know how to handle this.

“It’s a teaching job,” I say simply, refusing to get upset. “I have my interview today.”

I don’t mention it’s at an elementary school. Mostly because I don’t want Emma to tell me how bad she thinks I’d be at a job like that. Not today when I’m nervous about my interview and already thinking that myself.

But then Lydia rats me out. “His interview’s at Ponderosa Elementary. He wants to teach kindergarten like his mom.”

I brace for mockery. Instead, the other women at the table “aww” in perfect unison, even Emma. Emitting loud coos of delight as if that’s the sweetest thing they’ve ever heard.

Two seconds later, my phone buzzes with a text.

Lydia:You’re welcome.

Alice’s phone is still drying out in a bag of rice. She’s sitting beside me at the table, right between me and Tyler’s sister, but I watch with amusement as she borrows Lydia’s phone. In another two seconds, mine buzzes again.

Not Lydia:Why didn’t you tell me it was a kindergarten job?

Not Lydia:You’re such a natural with kids. You’re going to be amazing!

She bumps my knee under the table again, and I’m basically on Cloud Nine. Only one thing could make it better. Well, besides kissing her again.

We’re finishing up when it happens, that next best thing. When Alice’s mom glances up and says what every bad boy turned good thinks he’s never going to hear.

“We’re doing some sightseeing around town today. Would you like to join us?”

Yes. Ma’am.

ALICE

It’s easy to forget my sister’s eyesight has changed.

Nicki still sees shadow and light, colors and shapes—and her peripheral vision hasn’t changed at all. Besides her light sensitivity and wearing sunglasses a lot, she still walks around on a day-to-day basis the way she used to. But it’s the center of her vision that’s different, blurry and full of blind spots. It’s all the finer details she can’t see.

Reading regular-print books is a no go, and she had to give up driving. But as we walk around with her in Ponderosa Falls, I forget to keep her new disability in mind. I forget to be careful.

We’re halfway across an intersection when I realize she’s lagged behind. She walks a little slower these days—that’s another difference at times like these—and I can see the anxiety on her face when she realizes we’re already crossing the street. That even though she can see the sidewalk under her feet and the scenery around us, she has no idea how far away oncoming traffic is or how fast it’s moving. No clue when it’s actually safe to cross.

Except Charlie didn’t forget about her at all.

He’s hovering on the corner, waiting for Nicki as he pretends to check his phone. Charlie asks her something casual as they cross the street together, and I watch her anxiety fade. She realizes he was looking out for her, and I can see the exact moment she decides not to fight it. When she just lets herself be grateful and moves on.

You think it would be strange watching Charlie pay so much attention to my sister, especially when things between us are still a little awkward after that kitchen kiss, but it isn’t. Somehow, he strikes the perfect balance. No matter how longwe all walk around together, I always feel like I’m Charlie’s favorite. Shoulder bumps, little jokes, quiet glances—he makes me feel special a million different ways.

Then he works his real magic.

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