Chapter Twenty-Three

Alexa

I stormed into the house and up the staircase. Stupid Matías! What the hell is his problem? Why can’t he just get over her and be with me?

“Alexa?” my mother called from downstairs.

Shut up!

“Alexa?” asked my mother again. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”

Closing my eyes, I forced myself to take a deep breath and exhale slowly. “I’m fine,” I shouted. “I just need a few minutes to myself.”

I paced back and forth, the beige carpet squishing between my toes. Congratulations, Abriana! You managed to ruin everything again!

My cheeks flushed and my fingers tingled. Ugh! That’s fine… Don’t worry, Abriana. I’ll fix this… I’ll fix everything once and for all…

***

After a few hours had passed, I ventured into the hallway. Forcing a despondent look on my face, I knocked softly on the door leading to Abriana’s childhood bedroom. “You there, Bri?”

No response.

“Bri?”

I knocked one last time before reaching for the door handle. But before I could grasp it, the handle turned and the door swung open.

My insides danced with glee as tears leaked from Abriana’s eyes. Her hair lay matted against her forehead and her skin looked pale. How is it that she still looks good? I thought in disgust. After everything, she’s still beautiful. Ugh!

“Bri,” I said trying to sound sincere, “I’m so sorry. I never meant for anything to happen with Matías.”

Abriana brought her hands to her face. “You still don’t get it…” She said quietly.

Anger boiled just beneath the surface. Oh I get it, you’re a self-obsessed, attention seeking, whore! Forcing my thoughts into the back of my mind, I reached out toward my sister. “What do you mean?”

With her hands still on her face, Abriana’s body went rigid. “Lex, someone tried to kill me and it wasn’t Easton. Someone is out there and no one else believes me! How do I know they won’t come after me again? What if they try to hurt you? Or our parents?”

I wrapped my arms around her fragile body. “I believe you,” I said firmly. “And I’ll do whatever I can to convince Detective Lock that there is someone else out there.”

“Really?” she asked, her voice cracking with emotion.

“Yes,” I replied. More than you’ll ever know.

Abriana dropped her hands and embraced me in a tight squeeze. “That means so much to me, Lex.”

There we go, back on my side again, Big Sister…

“I’ll always, believe you, Abriana,” I said with a wicked smile. “Always.”

“Girls,” came a voice from the hallway, “Is everything okay?”

My mother entered the room a moment later, her face breaking into a soft smile when she saw me comforting Abriana. “Ah, mis niñas.”

I returned the smile and gave her a reassuring nod. “We’ll get through this,” I said. “No matter what it takes, we’ll get through this.”

***

Abriana slept the rest of the day. I checked on her from time to time, resisting the urge to smother her with a pillow.

As I sat beside her, her new phone vibrated. Of course mom and dad would go out and buy her a new one right away! Noooooo, they don’t have enough money to send me to college, but they can run out and spend $200 to get their favorite daughter a new iPhone!

I reached over with a scowl on my face and grabbed her phone. Who’s checking on your now? Abriana’s phone had been ringing and buzzing with text messages all day. I’m so glad you’re okay! Can’t wait to see you! When can I come visit? I rolled my eyes as I typed in her password. Of course everyone misses you, Abriana! The perfect daughter, the perfect friend, the perfect everything!

I froze as my eyes landed on her most recent text message.

Abriana, I love you!

Please forgive me. Lex kissed me, not the other way around!

Please let me come over. I want to be with you right now!

My insides clenched as I re-read the text over and over again. Running my tongue over my lips, I cracked my fingers and then tapped the screen.

Leave me alone! I don’t want anything to do with you ever again!

I moved on when I dumped you. Now it’s your turn!

As I sent the message, Abriana stirred. I shoved the phone under my legs and sat still. Waiting for her to fall back asleep, I ran through a list of ways to murder her. I could suffocate her, shoot her, hit her on the back of the head with something really heavy… I sighed. All of those would raise eyebrows. This time I want it to look like an accident… Or maybe even her fault? What if she overdosed? A smile tugged on the corners of my lips. An overdose is a definite possibility…

When Abriana finally settled back into a restful state, I pulled her phone back out and deleted Matías’ text as well as my response. I better stay here a bit longer, just in case he writes back or tries to call.

As I leaned back in the chair, I propped my feet up on the corner of Abriana’s bed and watched her peaceful face.

I chuckled quietly before biting my lower lip. I bet you’ll look just as peaceful resting in your casket.

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