There had been times in high school where Heath had seemed oddly protective when guys got near me, but once I showed no interest, he eased up. He was equally protective of Margo, and it made me feel special that he had concern over me like he did his sister. I didn’t have a sibling bond with my sisters. Sure, we lived under the same roof, but they weren’t exactly the warm cozy kind of siblings.

“Did you introduce her to Rathe?” Margo asked, with the slur in her voice getting worse. Had she drunk more since she’d gone off to put my purse away?

“Yes,” Heath’s response was clipped, as if he didn’t want to talk about Rathe. If they were going to be roommates, then he needed to decide if he liked him or not. The apartment lease was in Heath’s name. He could kick Rathe out. There was no reason for him to feel uncomfortable in his own place.

“And he left her standing here? I was expecting him to chat her up,” Margo replied with a drunken giggle. Margo believed all men should want me. She wasn’t wrong, but she didn’t know the truth. My charm only worked on those who were attracted to me sexually. Margo wasn’t affected by the repel charm since she wasn’t attracted to other females. She saw the real me.

I was born into a family whose greatest power was their outward beauty. It was disgusting. I had fought against it most of my life. I refused to cause the same destruction I had been forced to witness. My mother and my sisters were a poison I didn’t want to be.

“He went to play beer pong with Chasity Arnold,” Heath said the girl’s name as if that explained it all. I had no idea who she was, but Margo did, and her nose scrunched up in distaste.

“Eww,” she muttered. “Chasity is so made up and fake. Her hair, boobs, lashes, and makeup all come off, and she’s a troll.”

“Be nice,” Heath warned her quickly, “and stop drinking beer. Go have some water. You’re slurring.”

She glared at her brother. “It’s true. Jeffrey Moore said he’s seen her before she puts all that stuff on. Even her boobs are taped to make cleavage, and her bra is stuffed with silicone blobs.”

“Cat, please shut her up,” Heath pleaded.

Margo spun around to stalk away, then remembered I was there and grabbed my hand. “Come on, Cat. He ruins all the fun.”