Chapter Twenty-Two: Minor Aggression:

By the time I was thirteen, Miranda started to show her true colors. Her smiles looked forced. Her tone never matched her words. At first, I didn’t see it. I just thought she was being cranky because I was busy with my life.

“What’s the matter, Miranda?” I asked.

“Nothing,” she said on my bed. I turned to her from my desk, frowning.

“Come on,” I said. “Talk to me” She sighed and rolled her eyes.

“Nothing,” Miranda said with gritted teeth. “Nothing at all.” I could see her looking angry in the mirror.

“What is the matter?” I asked again. “Is it because I haven’t paying attention to you. Look, I’m sorry. I have been busy lately. If you want to talk now, here I am.” Miranda fought hard not to smile. She only snorted. I began to frown. She hadn’t been like this before.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“What do I want?” Miranda asked.

“Yeah,” I said. She thought about it for a moment. I kept my eyes on her. Miranda turned her eyes on me.

“A soda,” she said. I raised my eyebrow.

“That all?” I asked. Miranda stretched her arms above her head and laid back on my bed.

“Chop-chop, please,” she said. I gave her a strange look as she snapped her fingers at me. She peeked up at me.

“You’re still here?” she asked.

“Alright,” I said. I sighed and dropped my shoulders. I got up and walked down to the kitchen. When I got into the hall, another thought crossed my mind. Wait… What just happened? I turned my head. Miranda was never this cold and controlling. At least I think she was. I rubbed my forehead.

“Where’s my soda?” Miranda asked.

“Coming!” I shouted. I made it down to the kitchen.

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I found Henry in the kitchen watering the herbs at the window sill. He looked up when he heard me coming in.

“Oh, hi Kinsey,” he said. “How are you? Are you coming down for a snack?”

“Not for me,” I said. Henry frowned as he looked at me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“You have to cut your ties with her,” he said in a low voice. “She’s only going to get worse.” I looked around for a bit.

“What do you mean?” I whispered. Henry came within inches of my face.

“She’s feeding off of you,” he whispered in my ear. “That creature does not like to be ignored nor does she want to share you.” My eyes widened. Henry pulled back.

“Tell me,” he said. “Have you had any trouble sleeping lately? Any pains in the neck and shoulders? Dizzy spells?” I started to rub my neck as he spoke. Henry waited for me to speak. Instead, I shook my head.

“I have to get back to my room,” I said in a hushed tone. I opened the fridge and grabbed the first soda I saw. I bowed my head and walked out of the kitchen as fast as I could.

“I mean it, Kinsey,” Henry said behind me. “She will kill you if you don’t cut your ties.” I started walking faster when he said that.

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“I’m back,” I said once I made it back to my room. Miranda sat up, smiling.

“Did you get my soda?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. I walked over and handed her the 7Up.

“Thank you,” Miranda said. She took the can from my hand. But as she did so, she kicked me in the shin.

“Ow! Did you just kick me?” I asked. My friend gave me an innocent, confused look.

“No, I didn’t,” she said.

“I think you did,” I said.

“No, I didn’t,” Miranda insisted. I didn’t say anything as she popped open the can. Instead, I slowly backed up to my desk and sat down. I had no idea how right Henry was.