Don't say anything, Lyle, just let it go. You need her help.
“So? Do you think you can help me out?” Brushing the hair out of my eyes, I keep my voice level. I don't care that she just tried to smack me with her bag, I need a favor, and I'm willing to give her whatever she wants to make it happen. “You know I there are no boundaries. Ask and you shall receive, simple as that.”
“You're really trying to bribe me? Do you honestly think you have something I want?” Holding the thin metal edge of the door, she keeps her eyes forward, jumping them around from shelf to shelf. “Are you kidding me? Did your bitch of a sister put you up to this? Because I know you're smarter than this, Vox.”
“What? No. Sandy doesn't have anything to do with this.”
Kira pauses for a second, staring off into space. “Well, the answer is simple. No.”
“No?” It's hard for me to acknowledge her rejection. So hard I don't even hear it at first.
“Let me make it easier for you to understand if that word it too big for you. Not a chance. I can't help you and I won't help you. There, understand that?” She glances over at me quickly, our eyes meet, and I can see she's pissed at me too. The hint of attitude in her voice is a nice addition that also gives away her true feelings.
What the hell did I do wrong?
What did I ever do to her?
I should expect this. It shouldn't be a surprise to me that she's angry. She and Dalia are best friends. That's how this all works. Everyone sticks with their group, with the people they fit in with.
Dalia and I aren't meant to fit, which is probably why this is all so damn messy. We're like water and oil, coming from different worlds that don't usually mingle. Well, not here at least, not when everything you represent gives you some sort of status.
High school isn't for the weak. Anyone will tell you that. High school is where the weak and the strong divide, where the weak fall, and the strong conquer.
I want to conquer Dalia. I want to climb her like a fucking mountain and claim her as mine.
“Why not? Come on, I'm not asking for much, just tell her I want to talk, that's it. There's something I need to ask her, and it's kind of important.” I keep my voice lighthearted, trying to sound like it's no big deal. But it is a big deal.
Prom is coming up, and there's only one girl I want to take. Except she isn't giving me the time of day. If she sees me in the hall, she turns and goes the other way. If I see her in class, she ignores me completely.
Kira closes the door with a hard thud, and gives me an annoyed glare. “It's too late, Lyle, you fucked up. I'm not going to help my best friend get screwed over for a second time. I let your shithead of a sister by once, and it cost Dalia everything. I won't do that again so you can fuck her over too.”
Turning away from me, she starts down the hall. But I'm not ready to give up just yet, so I stay with her, and follow her. I maneuver around other kids in the hall, doing my best to keep up with her.
“Kira, I'm begging you, please, just get her to give me five minutes. That's all I need, five minutes to talk.”
“Oh, you're begging me, huh? Is that what this is supposed to be?” Her eyes move to mine, cold and irritated. “I'm sorry, I don't see you on your knees right now.”
“Seriously? Is that what it's going to take to get you to help me out here?”
“Honestly. . .” She pauses, rolling her eyes forward so she's looking straight down the hall. “No. If Dalia wants to talk to you, she will. If she doesn't, well that's too fucking bad for you now, isn't it?” Kira stops short, grabbing my arm, and spinning me to face her. “But you need to hear me, and hear me good, Lyle. I think you need to just leave her alone. You and your sister really hurt her. She doesn't deserve to be hurt anymore.”
“I di—”
“Leave her alone,” she demands, cutting the air with her hand. “And stop fucking following me.” Kira storms off, pushing her way through the crowded hall.
“What the hell was that about?” my sister asks as she steps up from behind me, coming out of nowhere.
“Jesus, Sandy,” I say, my breathing slightly labored. “Don't fucking do that. I hate when you sneak up on me like that.”
“Sorry,” she says all snotty as her eyes open wide, and she looks up away. “Well?”
“Well what?”
“What was that all about?”
“Nothing, don't worry about it.”
“It didn't look like nothing.” She crosses an arm over her stomach as she watches Kira walk away.
“I was just asking Kira for a favor, but it doesn't matter, she won't do it.”
“A favor. . . What the hell do you need her for when you have me? You need a favor, you ask your sister, not a twat like Kira Benson.”
“Right, well that's all fine most of the time, except this is something you can't help me with.” I start walking, and my sister stays with me. “Actually,” I say, looking over at her briefly, “you're the reason I need her help anyway. So, it's probably just better for you to stay out of this one.”
“Oh, okay, I get it. This has to do with her doesn't it?” Her voice slices and spits, choking out the single word. And she's not even using her actual name.
The way she says her goes up my
