Page 17 of The Sound Of Silence

“I’m just upset about not getting my sister to myself while she’s back. She’s been gone for so long; I was looking forward to some one-on-one time.”

Debbie’s expression morphs into one of sympathy, and she squeezes my arm. “Oh sweetie, talk to her. Tell her how you feel. She needs to dedicate time to you while she’s here. She should know thatyouspecifically need your family.”

Me specifically? Because I’m so different from everyone else?

“We’re all here for you, Willow. But there’s only so much we can do.”

Again, what? When is this going to end?

“Thanks, Debbie. I’ll make sure she finds time for me.” Ignoring the crux of her little speech, I pat her hand where it’s glued to my skin and pray she’ll remove it. I don’t bother telling her that Pip and I caught up for hours last night. To be honest, I’m not even sure why I lied. Or why I appear to be unhappy with my sister's relationship. Because I’m not unhappy about it. I don’t think… There’s just something.Ugh! Nope. Moving on.

“I better get inside,” I rush out, stepping toward the door. “Sara’s on her way, and I’ve got to open up at Lucia’s.”

“Of course.” Debbie smiles, moving back toward her store, “Have a lovely day.”

I say thanks as I walk away, but somehow, I can’t see that happening. It’s already off to a bad start.

Just like with most things in life, I run late to dinner. Sara and I got to talking and I completely lost track of time. Lucky for me, Ashley and Jonah still haven’t arrived when I walk in, so I don’t feel as bad.

From the doorway, I watch Pippa and Jesse walking shoulder to shoulder across the room, and from her down-turned face, I can tell she’s already struggling.And she hasn’t even faced Jonah yet.While I doubt Pippa ever planned to end up with him—they were never a good fit—having someone you cared deeply about choosing your sister over you has to be hard.

Being the loving boyfriend she claims him to be, Jesse’s hand hovers near the small of Pip’s back as he leans in, whispering something in her ear, but not quite touching her. A smile pulls at her lips before her eyes flash to his and she laughs.

My heart clenches like an invisible hand just reached in and gave it a squeeze, forcing it to pay attention, and a strange feeling takes over me. I know it’s not jealousy. Jealousyisn'ta foreign feeling to me. But this,thisis something I’ve never felt before. And I have no idea what it means.

Forcing myself to look away, I take a deep breath as I prepare for how the night’s going to play out. The only time my parents enforce family-wide dinners is when we’re all in town, so this has been a long time coming.

Movement breaks me from my daze as I stroll toward the impending chaos and I have to blink a few times to snap out of it. I refocus just in time to see Mom waving at me, a small frown on her face until I force myself to smile.

Like always, all eyes are on me from around the room, but there’s only one expression that registers.Jesse’s. And I can say, with one hundred percent certainty, he’s not at all happy to see me.

I have two options when I reach the table—sit in the seat next to Mom, meaning either Ashley or Jonah will have to sit beside me, or sit next to Jesse. Both choices feel like the wrong one, but Jesse has to be the lesser of two evils, right?I hope.

Mom, Dad, and Pippa are in a conversation when I take my seat, and they don’t stop on my account.

“Hi, everyone,” I say anyway, busying myself putting my purse under the table, before straightening up my knife and fork. Trying to ignore the fact that Jesse’s drilling me with his stare.

When I’ve pretended for long enough, I accept the inevitable and look his way, making sure I give him the most adorable, yet visibly fake smile, I can. “Jesse.” I nod. “Nice to see you again.”

Jesse scoffs before his eyes flash to my sister and parents, a sneer forming on his face when he sees they’re still distracted.

“Tell me something,” he says, leaning in close so that no one else can hear him. “Did you know your sister dated your manbeforegetting together? Or was that a surprise to you? It just doesn’t seem like asisterlything to do.”

Sucking my lips into my mouth, I inhale deeply to hold back my shocked laugh, and instead, shake my head. He thinks I’mAshley. That’s insulting. “I can assure you; I’veneverdated anyone my sister has been with,” I whisper-yell back. “I too find it deplorable. You have thewronggirl.”

Jesse releases a breath and his shoulders drop in what appears to be relief, though he quickly tries to hide it.

And his reaction confuses me.

“Then you must be—”

“Willow!” my mother exclaims as though she’s just noticed my arrival. “How are you?”

“Tired and stressed,” I answer honestly, causing my father to frown. “But happy to be here,” I add, for my mother’s enjoyment.

“And we’re happy you’re here too. All my children are back together.” She grins, clasping her hands together and holding them to her heart.

“All the children that count, anyway,” Pippa mumbles in a joking tone, though we all know she’s deadly serious in her own opinion.

---