Having siblings like we do means having to grow up quicker. It means that life isn’t always just a party. There’s a serious side to it, filled with heartbreak and pain, and sometimes the greatest joy too. When he caught my eye again, it was as if he knew that I was thinking the exact same thing. It was strange and exhilarating and warm. Nice. More than nice . . .

“This was cool,” I said, standing by my car. Jake was holding Lisa’s hand; it was cute to see how close they were, and of course this just made him even more attractive, which at this stage was almost impossible to believe.

“We should do this again. It’s nice to find a friend for Lisa,” he replied, and I instantly deflated. Had he only enjoyed this because his sister now had a playmate? His phone beeped and he turned his attention to it.

“Amber. It’s the summer dance in a few weeks. She wants to go with me.” He shook his head. “Are you going?”

“To the dance? Uh . . . no.” I tried to hide the shock in my voice, but I think I failed.

“You should come.”

“Nah.” I shrugged, trying to brush it all off. “I don’t really do dances, and certainly not royal-themed ones.” I rolled my eyes, trying to give off that cool, disinterested vibe. I was above this; above puerile dances and who cared about the royals anyway, Kate who?

“It’s not that bad,” he said.

“It’s not really my scene.” I started opening my car door in an attempt to put an end to this awkward conversation.

He looked at me as if he was trying to decide whether he believed me. Was I that transparent? Could he hear that mad voice in my brain shouting, If you ask me, I’ll go! I couldn’t risk him seeing that, so I quickly turned.

“Well, thanks again. Zac had a really nice time.” I started climbing into the car.

“Okay!” He and Lisa waved at us. “But think about the dance, everyone will be there. I’ll be there. It will be fun. Or maybe it won’t be fun and we can laugh at everyone together,” he said as I closed the door and pulled away.

22

When we got home, Zac was exhausted and immediately deposited himself in front of the TV. I opened the fridge and sighed loudly. My mother still hadn’t gone grocery shopping, like she’d promised.

“Mom?” I called out, but got no reply.

I walked up the stairs and called again. But when I still hadn’t gotten a reply, I headed to her bedroom. The door was closed and I knocked. “Mom?” I turned the handle and walked into an empty bedroom. I walked across her room to her bathroom and that was when I saw it . . .