EMMY

After a small family dinner yesterday, Gianna went out with her friends, leaving only my parents and me.

Apparently it took quite a while, because Gia didn't show up at breakfast. Even after my parents and I knocked on her door several times, all we got was a grumpy "get lost."

Even if my parents don't let it show, I'm sure they imagined the day differently. By the time I got up, they had already decorated the apartment with birthday decorations and set up the presents on a small table in the living room.

Unfortunately, I didn't come up with a good idea until the end, so I got her some of the cosmetics I know she always uses. It's a pretty boring gift, but at least it's something she can actually use.

I plop down on the couch and pull out my phone. My parents have now disappeared back into the kitchen to prepare lunch. After offering to help several times, only to be met with protests, I've given up.

Since my sister is probably the most Instagram-addicted person I know—although June might be a rival—I decide to check there to see if she posted anything last night.

As expected, she posted several photos tonight. First up is a group photo.

I recognize some of Gia's friends from the past, but that's not what makes my heart clench.

Gia sits on Asher's lap with her arm around his neck. She smiles at the camera and presses herself against him. He smiles too, his hand resting on her side.

A few of Asher's old friends are also in the photo. Some of them were also on the high school hockey team, and others I recognize from the schoolyard and because I've seen them with him often.

Gianna captioned the post, "Pre-birthday party with the best ❤️."

But it's not just the fact that she's practically glued to Asher that hurts me, but also that she didn't invite me to her little party. I came all the way from college, and she doesn't even want me there.

I go through the other pictures in the post, but they don't show anything new, just Gia with her friends.

My eyes fall on a comment under the post.

ash.brig37 Happy Birthday

He wrote it two hours ago. That means Asher's probably already out of bed. Or at least he's not sleeping anymore. Before I can think about whether this is a good idea, I go to Asher's profile.

To my relief, there's no nasty surprise waiting for me there. He also posted something about last night, but it's just a photo of his friends sitting at the table. The description also doesn't mention Gia or that they're celebrating her birthday. Instead, he just writes, "Back with the boys."

Careful not to accidentally like anything—another of my personal nightmares—I quickly scroll through his profile. I already know all the posts. They're almost exclusively about the university's ice hockey team, or, if you go back a long way, the one from our old high school.

I'm always glad that he's not someone who posts pictures of himself with women. Even when he was with one, I never saw anything about it. This made following his profile relatively safe.

The shower sounds from above, Gia has finally managed to get up.

***

We sit at the table with a completely exhausted Gia. I feel sorry for my parents. They really tried so hard, and now she's just listlessly picking at her food, barely able to utter a sound. If Gia isn't talking anymore, she must be in a really bad way.

Since I'm still hurt, I can't help but ask, "How was the party?"

Gia groans theatrically. "Sooo good. Everyone had so much fun and didn't want to let me go. And the guys were so cute. I posted a few photos on Instagram."

With a slight mumble, I simply reply: "I've already seen it."

A short cry comes from her before she puts her hands over her mouth: "Oh my God, Emmy. I'm so sorry. I hope you're not mad at me. From my side, of course, I would never have started this. But you know, Ash—"

"It's okay," I interrupt quickly, giving her a warning look, which she just responds with a grin.

She knows full well that I don't want our parents to find out about my feelings for Asher. I mean, what's the point?

They look back and forth between us, confused. "Why would Emmy be angry with you?" our mother asks suspiciously.

Before Gia can say anything, I reply, "Like I said, I'm not and there's no reason."

They don't look entirely satisfied with this answer, but luckily our parents have always had the attitude of not interfering too much with us as long as we don't do anything seriously stupid.

But my father still says something accusing: "Gianna, you really could have asked Emmy if she wanted to come along. She came here especially for you."

He means well, and it's exactly what I thought, but I don't want it to escalate into an argument. This whole stay is already more or less a disaster. My parents have gone to far too much trouble for nothing, and Gianna acts like she doesn't even see it. I don't understand what's wrong with her. She should be happy.

I give him a quick smile before mumbling, "It's okay, Dad."

Gia rolls her eyes. "Only to hear she doesn't want to come? Why would I ask her? We all know she'd rather stay in her room like a bore."

So much for preventing arguments...

"Gia!" our parents say in unison. They look at their eldest daughter in shock.

"She's right. I probably wouldn't have come anyway. Let's just enjoy the day," I interject, so as not to let this get completely out of hand.

To my relief, my parents nod, even though they still don't look happy. I pretend like everything's okay, but Gia's words linger in my mind for quite a while.

If I'm honest, I would have loved to come along. I would have been happy to see some of the people from high school again. There weren't many, but I got along well with a few of Gia's friends. Besides, it's my sister's birthday. Of course I'm happy to be there.

On the other hand, maybe I should be happy. Watching Asher flirt with my sister is really not something I want to see.

***

The next day, Gia is back to her old self, happily jumping around the house. My suitcase is already at the front door, as Asher will be here any minute to pick me up for the drive back.

When the doorbell rings a little later, I don't even have time to get up as quickly as Gia rushes toward the front door. Our parents also stare after her, bewildered.

I can already hear her greeting Asher. Her voice is just a little higher pitched. When I appear in the hallway, Asher looks at me and starts to smile.

"Hey Emmy, are you okay?"

I look at him, confused. Why should I have been feeling bad?

"Oh," Gia giggles, before whispering to Asher, but still in a voice I can hear, "Emmy just had girl problems. You know how it is."

My mouth drops open. I had what?

Asher looks stunned for a moment before saying dryly, "No, I don't have the experience."

His expression quickly becomes friendlier again as he says to me, "I'm glad you're feeling better."

I just nod. I haven't said a word yet. Why is Gia telling Asher I'm having problems with my period? For one thing, it's a complete lie; I don't have period pain, nor am I even having it right now. And for another, I wonder what she's trying to accomplish with this.

I'm so glad my parents show up in the hallway and greet Asher. I know how much they love him, and if he didn't already have parents, they'd probably adopt him right away. Apparently, Asher has the gene to turn this whole family's head, one way or another.

I use the moment to pull Gia into the next room.

“What was that just now?” I ask her angrily.

"Hey, relax. Nothing to be ashamed of."

I laugh in disbelief. "Maybe. But it's a lie."

"I'm sorry, Emmy. I had to say something about why you weren't at my birthday party."

I just don't believe that...

"You didn't invite me!"

"But only so you don't get into a bad situation," she says to me in a deliberately calm voice. Then she sighs and looks at me pityingly. "I really just wanted to help you."

"Help me?" I ask, stunned. "How did you want to help me with that?"

Gia looks around briefly, as if to make sure no one hears us.

"Well... I didn't want Asher to think you were a party pooper, so I said you were sick and couldn't party with us."

I repeat my sentence from before. "You didn't invite me! That's why I wasn't there."

Suddenly, Gia's expression changes, and she looks genuinely sad. "I'm sorry, Emmy. I really didn't mean any harm. I thought I was doing you a favor. You don't like these parties so much. And I didn't say that just now to embarrass you, but because I thought he wouldn't ask any more questions. Guys are terrified of this topic. I'm sorry. It was stupid of me. I'll set the record straight with him."

At the end, a single tear escapes her eye.

Oh man... I'm not happy about her behavior, but I don't want to part ways on a fight either.

"No," I say with a sigh. "It's okay."

Besides, that would be extremely strange and would only make everything worse. What else could she say? Hey Asher, Emmy isn't on her period.

“Sisters?” Gia asks me with a hopeful look.

I smile at her timidly. "Okay."

"Emmy, where are you?" my father's voice calls out, and I hurry back to the front door.

Asher wants to drive safely and I don't want to make him wait any longer.

I quickly say goodbye to my parents and finally to Gia. I'm about to grab my suitcase, but Asher beats me to it and takes it.

"Ready?" he asks me, and I have the feeling there's something encouraging in his eyes. But I'm probably just imagining it.

Gianna waves to us from the door, and as she closes it, Asher asks me in a dry tone, "Are you sure you have the same parents?"

His question makes me swallow. He's certainly not the first to ask this question.

Asher must have noticed my look, because he quickly added, "I was just kidding."

But I know it wasn't. I'm not like Gianna and I never will be.