My heart was heavy, remembering that I’d lost my token. Well, not lost. Ever had taken it from me. I wondered what she was doing right now. Surely, she had to know I’d be found out. Maybe that was what she wanted. Then I’d be out of the picture so she could have James to herself.

Calla approached me, the tears in her eyes bringing me back to the here and now. She opened the box and said, “This is the ring I give you, my sister.” She held the ring out for me. Etched in tiny letters across the band was her name, Calla. She slipped the ring on my right index finger, then kissed my cheek.

When I opened my box, I saw Penny scratched into the surface of the ring. I felt a small punch in my stomach, wishing I’d at least told Calla my real name. This ring with my false name inscribed on it would forever be a reminder to her of my deception.

I repeated her words. “This is the ring I give you, my sister.” I placed the ring on her right index finger.

“This means we are joined together forever,” Calla said. “You are the one person besides my One whom I can trust.” Calla thrust her arms around me, and held me tightly. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

I hugged her fiercely as the comments and behaviors of the rude boys who waited downstairs for us flooded through my mind. As much as I wanted otherwise, there was no turning back, no avoiding what must happen tonight. Regardless of the outcome, this might be the goodbye to a girl I’d grown so quickly to care for. I hoped she wouldn’t be blamed for the disruption I was about to cause in the inner workings of Judaculla. I hoped in time Calla would understand—maybe forgive me for lying and then abandoning her.

“I love you, sister,” Calla said.

“I love you, too,” I said. I was not surprised I actually meant it.

5

James

The crazy clock chimed its single bell and Calla and I broke apart, wiping away tears that were a mix of happiness on her part, and sadness on mine. I followed her out of our room for the last time, both of us pausing in the doorway to give a silent goodbye to the place we became sisters.