Page 15 of Beginning Fate

“Nothing,” I insisted.

“Lauren, why are you lying to me?”

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down and smile. “Are you enjoying yourself here?”

“You're changing the subject.”

“Autumn seems nice,” I signed, completely ignoring her accusation.

She sighed. “Yes, she is.”

“You're going to be okay, Kylie.”

“I know, but will you be?”

I couldn't answer her because I honestly didn't know.

“Are you ready to go?” I asked her instead.

Worry was evident on her face.

“There's a party tonight. I was invited.”

“I don't think that’s a good idea.”

She glared at me angrily. “You're leaving and I have to figure this all out on my own.”

“You're leaving?” Denny said from behind me.

I jumped but didn't turn to face him. My whole body was vibrating from his closeness. I had no idea how I hadn't felt it before. He never should have been able to sneak up on me like this.

Kylie started to sign to him, and I hated how my traitorous heart did a little flip.

He knew enough sign language to actually communicate with my sister. It was something I never even knew I would need in a mate someday.

“My sister is going back to the hotel. I'm going to stay,” Kylie stubbornly signed to him.

I glared at her in warning.

But she just smirked at me.

It was hard for me to remember that in just a few days I was going to drive home, leaving an entire nation between us. My anxiety grew just thinking about it.

Much to my surprise, Kylie left the two of us and walked back into the house with all the confidence that I'd been praying for yet wasn't ready to witness firsthand.

One lone tear escaped and silently slid down my cheek.

“Are you okay?” Denny asked. He even genuinely sounded concerned.

I quickly wiped it away. “I'm fine. It's just been a long day.”

“Kind of a crazy one, huh?”

“You could say that again.”

I wasn't ready to meet his gaze, so I stared down at the ground as I kicked a rock around with my toe. It wasn't like me to be so meek but having spent most of my life fighting for my sister, I simply didn't have any fight left for myself.

“Are you sure you don't want to stay? It's not going to be anything crazy. I won't let it get out of hand. I promise.”

---