CHAPTER FIFTEEN
1160 Words
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Anna POV
When I woke up the next morning, Evan was gone.
Of course he was.
In his place was a small piece of paper lying on the bed.
Nice makeover. You look good.
A smile tugged at my lips—
Then I immediately frowned.
Seriously, Anna?
This had to be one of his stupid pranks.
Once, he’d sent me a fake love letter. And me—being hopelessly love-struck back then—had gone straight to him, ignoring every tiny voice in my head screaming this is a prank.
It was April 1st.
I got humiliated.
Publicly.
Since then, anything remotely close to a “nice message” from Evan automatically felt suspicious.
Very suspicious.
“Anna! It’s a school day—and it’s already 8 a.m.!” Mom shouted from downstairs.
My eyes widened.
“s**t!”
I jumped out of bed.
How did I forget?!
I rushed into the bathroom, shoving all thoughts of Evan aside. When I came out, I noticed the window was open.
So that’s how he got in.
I walked over to close it—
And froze.
Another note.
Thanks for the stay. You look cute while asleep… and God, you drool.
I frowned.
I do not drool.
…Okay, maybe a little.
But that wasn’t the point.
Why did my heart just do that weird flip at the word cute?
Nope.
Absolutely not.
Conclusion: Evan is plotting something.
Or he was drunk.
Yes. Let’s go with that.
I finished getting dressed, settling on a white crop top and a black spotted skirt. I let my straight hair fall naturally.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I paused.
Flawless.
…Okay, not to sound obsessed with myself, but wow.
I skipped heavy makeup—just a little lipstick.
Perfect.
“Anna! Twenty-five minutes late!” Mom yelled again.
“Coming!”
I slipped into my white sneakers and rushed downstairs.
Mom walked out of the kitchen carrying a plate of homemade pizza, swatting Freya’s hand away as she tried to steal from my fries.
“Hey! Don’t eat all—”
She stopped mid-sentence when she saw me.
I froze.
“Is it… not good?” I asked, gesturing awkwardly at my outfit. “Should I change?”
Freya choked on the fries she’d just stolen and turned to Mom, eyes wide.
“Mom… when did you adopt another daughter?”
I rolled my eyes.
“Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
Mom lightly smacked Freya’s head.
“This is your sister,” she said proudly, then looked at me with soft eyes. “My daughter.”
My face heated up.
“Mom…”
Freya leaned back, staring at me like I was a science experiment.
“Oh, so you’re my sister? As in—the boring-dressing, invisible sister?”
I rolled my eyes again.
Trust Freya.
“When did you start looking hot?” she continued dramatically. “You went from Virgin Mary to main character energy. I mean—those hips? Oh my God.”
“Mom!” I groaned, covering my face.
“Freya, stop teasing your sister,” Mom said, though she was clearly amused.
Freya laughed, got up, and pulled me into a hug.
“You look amazing, little sis. Like a goddess,” she said. “I mean, obviously—you got it from us.”
I laughed. “Yeah, Mom is the real star here.”
Mom smiled and opened her arms.
“Aww, come here, my little cuties.”
“We’re not little cuties!” Freya and I groaned at the same time.
…but we still hugged her anyway.
Mom looked at us fondly.
“I don’t care. You’ll always be my babies.”
She kissed our cheeks. Freya made a disgusted face but didn’t pull away.
Mom turned to me, her expression softening.
“And Anna… I’m proud of you. You finally stepped out of your shell.” She paused. “I just hope no one is forcing you into this.”
I shook my head.
She kissed my forehead.
“That’s good. Because you’re beautiful no matter what you wear.”
My chest tightened.
Mom just… gets it.
Tears stung my eyes.
“I love you, Mom.”
Freya burst out laughing.
“Okay, but Mom—not when she dresses like a mummy.”
I rolled my eyes.
“At least I’m still cute.”
“Don’t,” Freya warned.
“Do,” I shot back.
“Don’t.”
“Do.”
She scoffed. “Please. You look like a dog wrapped in a blanket.”
I stuffed pizza into my mouth.
“At least it’s a cute dog.”
Freya smirked.
“I’m talking about the old woman’s dog.”
I gasped dramatically, clutching my chest.
“Oh no, you didn’t!”
That dog was hideous. Everyone knew it.
“Girls! You’re going to be late!” Mom called from the kitchen.
I checked the time.
Five minutes.
Damn it.
I grabbed another slice and stood up.
Mom handed me a wrapped breakfast.
“I figured you wouldn’t have time to eat.”
I kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Come on, I’ll drive you,” Freya said, grabbing her keys.
I frowned. “Don’t you have work? I already texted Stella—she’ll be here.”
“Nope,” Freya said, shaking her head. “Also, I need to thank her for these clothes. Because there’s no way you picked this yourself.”
I blinked.
“Wow. So supportive.”
“Always,” she said sweetly. “Now get in the car before I change my mind.”
I stuck my tongue out at her but followed.
Freya’s car was old, but well-maintained. It used to belong to Dad… until she took it after he died.
When we got to school, she turned off the engine and took my hand.
“Nervous?”
I shook my head.
“Liar,” she said, smiling. “Most people haven’t seen your transformation yet, have they?”
I shook my head again.
“Good,” she said. “Go set that school on fire.”
I smiled.
She looked so carefree.
So light.
If I hadn’t seen what happened at the hospital… I would’ve believed she had no worries. No struggles. No hidden battles.
Maybe I would’ve even envied her.
“Hey!” she snapped her fingers in front of my face. “Why are you looking like you’re about to cry? Is my beauty overwhelming you?”
I scoffed, opening the door.
“In your dreams.”
“Whatever,” she laughed. “Just make sure you snatch a hottie.”
I made a face. “Ew, Freya.”
She laughed and sped off, leaving dust and chaos behind her.
I smiled.
She was impossible.
…and sweet.
I clenched my fist slightly, determination rising in my chest.
“Don’t worry,” I muttered. “I’ll make you and Mom proud.”
- Writer
