BENEDICT
I was sitting on the edge of my bed, pulling on a black tee, when my door creaked open without a knock.
Valerie strolled in, holding a sleeve of rice cakes, a sly, thoroughly entertained smirk playing on her lips. Her blonde waves were tumbling messily around her shoulders, and she had on a pair of oversized grey sweatpants that looked like they belonged to me.
"So," she began, leaning her hip against my desk frame and taking a slow, crunchy bite. "Mom's setup number one. How was Jade?"
I looked up, rolling my shoulders and dryly raising an eyebrow. "She's sharp. College grad, zero high school drama, actually knows how to hold a conversation. My aunt is subtle as a sledgehammer, though."
Valerie let out a bright, melodic laugh, shaking her head. "I told you! Mom’s been
