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RYLEE

“RYLEE, IF YOU DON’T get downstairs you’re going to be late” My h the closed door of

Late I rollI could do ether It’s the day I’ve been dreading since I found out that her and Paul were gettingin with him

It’s not soirl wants to hear That with a mere five months left of her senior year, she will have to leave all her friends and everything she loves to live with a man she barely knows and his intolerable son

Yay me

“Rylee Did you hear ain

“I heard you,” I call back, trying really hard to keep the irritation frouess technically it is, but how could I fault her for going after a chance to be happy? I can’t expect her to pass up on love because it’s inconvenient forall this behind for college anyway

“Well, chip chop then You don’t want to s

She is way too chipper for this early in the

“Earth to Rylee Co me there’s a phone pressed to my ear

“Sorry, Mo?”

“I was just saying how bad Bristol is gonna suck without you You basically left h she’s not wrong When I’d left for winter break I’d thought I’d be back after the New Year At that tih again “Who a to bitch to in between classes?” she chatters on “Who’s going to tell me when I have food stuck into keep et? Because you know I have zero restraint without you”

Savannah has been arten, and up to this point, we’ve pretty much never been apart And while yes, thirty miles of separation isn’t the end of the world, especially since we both have cars, it feels like she’s an entire world away

“Don’t be dramatic You still have Jane and Sarah,” I remind her

“Jane and Sarah aren’t you”

“Well, it could be worse You could be walking into a school where the only person you know is your stepbrother who’s made it painfully clear he doesn’t like you and treats you like an intruder in your new home”

“Still hasn’t gotten any better, huh?” she asks, already knowing about the growing list of issues I have had with Oliver since we moved in last week

“He walked past me in the family room yesterday and didn’t sneer at roan audibly

“Baby steps,” she reassures htheartedly “Besides, if I know you, and I think I do, he won’t be the only person you know for long You’ll probably have replaced me by the end of the day Everyone loves you”

“One, I could never replace you—I’ve tried,” I tease “And two, not everyone loves me Clearly” I tack on the last part with an eye roll

“Don’t let hiet to you Just do you and you’ll be fine I know it”

“Thanks” I blow out a shaky breath

“And if you need me to come over there and beat his ass for you, I totally will”

“Don’t teht of tiny little Savannah scratching Oliver’s eyes out flashes through my mind

“Well, it’s a standing offer I’m here if you need me”