Chapter 3: When Everything Started to Change

I don’t know when Cole and Amber got close.

I only know that one day, the strawberry milk Cole’s father used to make him bring me every morning was replaced with plain milk.

“I hate plain milk. You know that,” I said, staring at the carton in my hand, annoyed.

“The only reason you like strawberry is because the carton’s pink, right? You’re too old to be drinking that sugary stuff every day. Plain is healthier.” Cole patted my head, a dismissive little gesture he’d picked up lately.

Amber, holding an identical carton of plain milk, turned around and gave me an apologetic look that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Sorry, Barbie. I like this flavor, so I asked Cole to grab one for me, too.” She took a theatrical sip. “Strawberry is so sweet it’s sickening. Is that what all you delicate little princesses drink?”

I set the milk down and looked straight at her. “Do you get some kind of thrill out of giving people nicknames they don’t want?”

She blinked, feigning helpless innocence. “I was just joking. You’re kind of sensitive, aren’t you?”

“Am I sensitive, or are you being a bitch on purpose? You know the answer to that.”

“That’s enough, Aurora.” Cole cut in, sounding like we were both giving him a headache. “Amber just says whatever’s on her mind. Don’t take it to heart.”

My eyes stung. I shoved Cole, hard. To Amber, I snapped, “If you don’t know how to respect people, then shut your mouth.”

The shove caught Cole by surprise. He stumbled, then his instincts kicked in, and he wrapped an arm around my waist to keep me from bumping into a desk. “All right, my bad. Don’t be mad. I’ll bring you strawberry tomorrow, okay?”

I knew the feel of his arm. I knew the scent of pine that clung to him. Echo didn’t send a warning, so I didn’t immediately pull away.

But Amber’s expression had changed.

She stared at the hand on my waist, and her gaze turned cold as ice.