Chapter 33 Another Enemy
922words
Ember looked relieved. "He's been acting weird since the night of the attack."
"I know right?" I agreed. "He's been nice, but he did remind me I should leave the island, as per usual."
Ember released a depleted sigh.
"I still don't understand why your grandpa and Kayn are so adamant I should leave," I said. "Or why your grandpa specifically said I should leave."
"He doesn't like anyone. He meant everyone when he went off at your mom."
"I know what I heard, Ember. He said I should get off the island. Why me?" I persisted. "And why does he seem so convinced something bad is going to happen to me?"
"He misspoke," she straightened. "He tends to do that. He was not targeting you."
Ember avoided my gaze, and I knew she was lying. It was something I've picked up from both her and Kayn.
They always looked away when they were lying.
It wasn't long before the waitress pitched up with our food. We both had spinach ravioli, loaded with a creamy tomato sauce and cheese.
The chocolate milkshakes were something out of this galaxy.
"This is amazing," I said as I licked off the cream from the tip of my straw.
"Told you," Ember grinned, but her smile dropped as she stared past me toward the entrance. "You've got to be kidding me."
"What?" I turned to glance in time to see Kayn entering the restaurant. "Oh."
He appeared surprised to see us as he walked over to where we were sitting. "What are you doing here?"
"Great, let me guess," I said. "I'm not allowed in the restaurant off of the island, either?"
"No." A dark brow arched. "I didn't know you'd be here, that's all."
Before I could say anything else, he reached past me and snatched one of the biscuits from my plate that came with the milkshake and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Kayn," Ember gasped, smacking her brother on the chest. "You are such a piece of work. You know that?"
"Did it occur to you that I wanted to eat that and was saving it for last?" I scowled.
He shrugged his shoulders "I was pl—"
"Here you are!" A girl our age popped out from behind Kayn, looping a tan arm with his. With her free hand, she slapped her platinum-blonde hair back over her shoulder.
"I've already placed us an order. What are you doing?"
Her pearly-pink manicured nails dug into his skin when her eyes traveled toward me, and her smile turned stiff.
"Talking to my sister," he answered.
The girl glared at me before her eyes traveled toward Ember. "Oh, hi Ember. Nice to see you," she said as if she had just realized Ember was there too. The girl moved closer to Kayn, possessively wrapping her arm around his waist.
I had no idea Kayn had a girlfriend.
"Hi, Belinda," Ember's voice was tight. "I like your dress."
Belinda was wearing a tiny pastel blue sundress, complimenting her icy-blue eyes. I hated to admit it, but she was pretty.
A tenacious, jealous sensation unfurled inside the pit of my stomach, and there was a sudden burning feeling inside my chest as she peered admiringly up at Kayn.
"You like it too?" she hinted at him.
"It's nice," he responded, glancing at his sister. "Guess I'll talk to you later."
"Hey Belinda, weren't you supposed to be on vacation for another week?"
"Decided to come back early," she said, her eyes set on me. "So, who is this?"
"This is my friend, Carly," Ember sounded proud. "She's new around here."
I smiled until she opened her mouth.
"This is her?" Belinda's annoyance couldn't be more obvious even if she slammed a brick in my face.
My eyes turned to Ember, and I pinned her with a questioning look.
"I'm not going to tolerate this. And Ember? I don't care if you like her. This is not okay," Belinda went off. "I'm not letting this become my problem."
Kayn looked depleted. "Belinda…"
"I said no," Belinda was adamant.
I blinked. "Great, you too have a problem for me existing?"
"Yes," Belinda snapped, drawing the attention of everyone inside the restaurant. "You shouldn't be here. Or better yet, go die somewhere where we aren't nearby, and we can all call it a good day."
"Excuse me?" I felt so taken aback that I couldn't form a solid retort.
She wished me dead.
I couldn't even fathom what I ever did to make these people hate me so much.
"That's it, let's go eat something," Kayn tugged Belinda away. "You'll feel better."
"So you're okay with this?" she snapped at Kayn. "She's the reason our lives are falling apart!"
"Don't be any more dramatic," I rolled my eyes, and as calmly as I could, sipped on my milkshake. I gripped the straw with my fingers, hoping no one would notice I was shaking.
I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of knowing her words affected me.
"This isn't a joke," Belinda hissed at me. "You're going to be the reason we will have—"
"That's enough," Ember got up from her seat. "Kayn, could you get her away from us so we could at least enjoy our day?"
Kayn grunted some unintelligible as he urged Belinda toward the other side of the restaurant.
Even if they kept their distance, it didn't stop Belinda from glaring across the room at me.
