She wasn’t the type to get her hopes up. So, why was she doing that now?

Amelia drew her legs out of the water, placing her feet on the ground, her knees bent. Lauren’s chest tightened further.

It’s now or never.

“Hey!” The word burst out of Lauren’s mouth at a way higher decibel than she’d anticipated. It was like turning on a car after someone else had been in it and not realizing that they’d been blasting the music. Amelia flinched, clearly startled. Lauren lowered her volume, dialing it way down. “I um...I’ve been...” she scratched the back of her neck, suddenly itchy all over as if she had plunged into the pool and the chlorine had stuck to her flesh “...um...wanting to show you something for a while now.”

Amelia adjusted her position, turning slightly in Lauren’s direction and hugging her knees to her chest. “Okaaay.” She dragged out the word with a note of apprehension.

Lauren didn’t blame her. It was definitely a weird segue. She didn’t remember any of the people on the clips she’d watched starting their conversations this way. Maybe what she was missing was a camera crew, and a script. Yes, that’s what she needed. Lines to follow. Preferably written by someone else.

It was too late for that. She swallowed thickly.

She tugged the hair tie off her wrist. Reaching up, she scooped her hair off her neck, fashioning it into a ponytail at the top of her head. Then she craned her neck, exposing the right side.

Amelia sucked in a breath. “Oh, my God. That’s so weird. You have the same birthmark as me.” She brushed her hair back, revealing hers.

“I know,” Lauren said, facing her. It felt good to have her thick hair off her neck and back. Normally, she sported a ponytail, but up until now she couldn’t do that around Amelia. When Amelia’s face scrunched up in a look of confusion, Lauren continued, “’Cause we’re related.”

“What are you talking about?”

Lauren thought she’d ease Amelia in, but now she wished she’d just ripped the Band-Aid off. We’re related? Really? That sounded so stupid. It could mean anything. Distant cousins, even.

“We’re sisters,” she blurted out.

Surprising her, Amelia laughed. “Oh, my God. I totally thought you were serious for a minute.” She stood, her legs already dry.

Lauren’s were still in the water. She hoisted them out and then scrambled to stand too. Liquid ran down her calves, pooled at her ankles.

Amelia slipped on her sandals. “What do you wanna do tonight? Maybe watch a mo—”