Epilogue
My fingers mash the buttons as Yoshi—my go-to character since forever—zooms around Rainbow Road’s treacherous curves. Beside me, Theo reclines against my pillows, looking way too comfortable for someone who’s about to lose.
“You’re gripping that controller like your life depends on it.” Theo nudges me with his sock-covered foot. “Cute.”
I keep my eyes locked on the screen. “Mock all you want. That blue shell has your name on it.”
“Bold words from someone in eighth place.” He leans forward, his shoulder brushing mine as his Bowser character pulls further ahead.
“Seventh, thank you very much.” I snag an item box and pump my fist when the blue shell appears. “And not for long.”
Theo’s eyes widen. “You wouldn’t.”
The corner of my mouth lifts in a sinister curve as I hit the button, watching the shell fly toward Bowser.
“That’s cold.” He groans dramatically as his kart flips, three other racers zooming past. “I thought what we had was special.”
Taking advantage of his distraction, I navigate past two more characters. “All’s fair in love and Mario Kart.”
“In that case . . .” His controller drops to the bed. Before I can react, his fingers find my sides, tickling me ferociously.
“Stop!” I squeal, my kart veering off the rainbow-colored track and into the endless void of space. Heat rushes up my neck as I twist away, abandoning my controller to fight back. “You’re such a cheater!”
His laugh vibrates against my ear. “Just using my natural advantages.”
We tussle across my comforter, the forgotten race continuing without us.
Somehow my pillow ends up on the floor, the controllers tangled in my sheets.
Theo catches my flailing hands, pinning them gently above my head.
My stomach flips as I suddenly realize he’s hovering above me, his weight half-suspended.
“I win,” he whispers, but victory doesn’t seem to be what’s on his mind anymore.
My heart sprints in my chest as his face lowers toward mine, and my eye lids close.
The sound of the front door opening downstairs shatters the moment. Footsteps echo through the house, followed by keys dropping on the entry table.
“No one was supposed to be home until later,” I say.
Like teenagers caught in the act, we spring apart, my cheeks burning hot enough to set off smoke detectors. Theo and I exchange panicked glances, both scrambling to smooth rumpled clothes and hair before whoever’s downstairs discovers us.
“Should we just stay up here?” Theo says, anxiety flashing across his face.
Without answering, I grab his wrist and tug him toward the stairs. Did mom or dad get back from work early?
At the bottom of the stairs, I freeze. Standing in the entryway with a designer suitcase at her feet is my older sister.
“Maisie!” I yell, my voice filled with uncontained excitement. I haven’t seen her since before the school year began. My body reacts automatically, and I crash into her, wrapping my arms around her slender frame.
The familiar scent of her floral perfume envelops me as she returns my hug with surprising fierceness, her chin resting momentarily on the top of my head.
“What are you doing here?” I pull back, searching her face while joy fizzes through my veins like soda bubbles.
Maisie’s smile almost reaches her eyes. “It’s good to see you, little sis.”
Her gaze shifts past my shoulder, one perfectly shaped eyebrow arching upward. “Well, look who sprouted. Last time I saw you, you were as tall as Chrissy.”
I pivot toward Theo, who’s hanging back by the stairs with an amused expression. “Hey,” I say, crossing my arms, “I’m not that short.”
Theo’s mouth twitches at the corners. “Whatever you say, tiny dancer.”
My momentary indignation dissolves as I turn back to Maisie, finally registering the oversized suitcase beside her. A thread of concern weaves through my happiness.
“So, what’s the deal with the suitcase?” I ask, nodding toward the glossy black monstrosity that definitely holds more than a weekend’s worth of clothes.
Maisie’s smile falters, shoulders dropping almost imperceptibly. “I’m gonna stay with mom and dad for a while.”
My stomach tightens. Maisie never comes home unless it’s a holiday or someone’s birthday. Something’s wrong.
“Why? What happened?” I reach for her hand, which feels unexpectedly cold despite the warm spring day outside.
“Andy and I . . .” Maisie’s voice catches, her carefully applied makeup suddenly failing to hide the raw emotion beneath. The confident sister I’ve always envied seems to shrink before my eyes, pain evident in her eyes. “We broke up.”
THE END