Member-only story
She Has a History of Bad Choices
And he could be one of them.
My sister lights up a room in a way few people can manage. She is a supernova in a crowd of dying stars, and everyone aligns to her trajectory as if she is untold royalty. The right dress paired with her figure especially helps this maneuver to perfection.
Tonight, while coworkers and sycophants alike crowd our parents’ lake house, I stand on the edges — trying to blend into the dim light as if I can sink into the shadows that collect in the deepest spaces. No one tries to catch my eye or pull me out of my isolation. It’s a relief, honestly.
But still I can’t help but watch my sister use her social skills to worm her way into the hearts of people she’s just met.
It’s an act, maybe, but she looks too sincere that it’s an easy sleight of hand for everyone involved. Like magic, she can convince someone he’s half-in-love with her within minutes. She doesn’t even need a rabbit in a hat or a flashy magician’s assistant outfit to do it.
All it takes is a smile.
That’s how I see her meet him — the one who’s going to derail her and cause the train-wreck of her life.
He’s all dark eyes, dark hair, and maybe even a soul to match. His lips curve as soon as she’s in his vicinity, and I know from a…
