Page 103 of Finding Fate

Annie frowned, perplexed at the new turn of the conversation. “Then, why?”

“I was angry at you.”

“Izzy, that’s not news.”

“Let me finish, Annie.”

“Sorry,” Annie said and pressed her lips together, fighting to keep from biting her bottom lip and hoping that Izzy would hurry up and explain before her limited supply of patience she had left in stock for her sister was used up entirely.

When Isabel could see that Annie was trying her best to stay quiet, she continued, “I was angry at you, yes, but not for what you think. I was mad because you make me feel so guilty about things that are happening.”

“What things?” “What could I possibly be making Izzy feel guilty about?”

Isabel rolled her eyes at her sister’s second interruption but went ahead. “Ever since Tucker and I decided we weren’t moving away for school, you’ve been upset around me. Whether you mean to show it or not, I feel it. It makes me feel horrible that I’m making you feel so horrible.”

“Izzy,”

“Annie!”

“Sorry.”

“All I feel lately when I’m around you is guilt. Guilt about the fact that it’s because of me that all of our plans have to change and guilt about the fact that I’m the reason why we can’t stay together after this year. Even if I had gotten into the academy, we could have at least still lived together.”

“I tried to give you solutions.”

“I know you did, and I know that you weren’t doing it just to save our plans. I know that you were trying to help, but that’s not how you can help me now, Annie.”

Annie stared down at the floor in frustration, not at her sister anymore, but at herself. “I don’t understand.”

Isabel growled in frustration. “Exactly! That’s exactly it. You don’t understand, but you try to act like you do.”

Annie looked up. “That’s just because I want to be there for you like I always have been.”

“But you can’t! Not in the way you want to. Things aren’t like they used to be, sis. If there’s anything I need you to understand, it’s this! I don’t need you to try to fix things for me. I don’t need you to understand everything because you can’t, not if you’ve never gone through it. What I do need from you is someone who is willing to listen just to listen and someone who is there for me when I need them.”

Isabel stopped then and waited for her sister’s response. She hoped that Annie could accept her words. She was tired of them being at odds.

Annie stared at the floor, processing. All this time, she thought she was helping Izzy, when in fact, she had been struggling to keep something that was forever changed intact.

She understood now. Not what her sister said she couldn’t; she was sure Izzy was right. She wouldn’t be able to understand it unless she had actually gone through it. But she did have a whole new perspective on the situation.

Now, she had two options. She could continue to try to salvage a bond that was irreversibly altered, or she could step back and support a new bond that had formed between her sister and best friend, the bond she was sure Izzy needed more than anything now. It wasn’t a hard decision.

Annie met her sister’s gaze. She could still see the physical replication of her own eyes looking back at her, but there was something else there now: a mixture of pain, confusion, and a certain combination of maturity and determination that came with a situation she wouldn’t reach for a long time. “Alright,” she said, “I can do that.”

The twins leaned forward then and exchanged a long and most needed hug.

“Thanks, Annie.” Izzy apologized again. “I really am sorry I hurt you.”

“I know. You’re forgiven.”

“Thanks.”

“Am I?”

“Of course, but while we’re having this heart-to-heart, I have a question I’ve been hesitant to bring up for a while.”

“Okay?” Annie said, curious.

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