Devils Roses 01 - Cursed

started laughing. “What beets?”
    I snorted. My face was full of tears. “We made a promise that we would only eat them when we were together, so she hid the jars, so I couldn’t eat them without her. But before we got to eat the last one, she died. I still can’t find it and my dad and I have scoured the house.”
    Aleks laughed harder. “You are the most intriguing person, I have ever met. Ready to move on and walk a little ways?”
    I nodded. "Your butt must be getting sore.”
    “ It is. Your weight and mine is too much to take on concrete.”
    We walked along the roadside, kicking rocks toward the ditch.
    “ Tell me about your mom?” I asked, trying to distract myself. I felt foolish crying in front of him, the way I had.
    He smiled. “She was the most amazing mom ever, she made me feel loved every day. She was a very giving person. I only hope that I was able to be someone she was proud of, even for a time. Now why were you so upset, when I came upon you?”
    I shook my head. “I think it’s that the feelings I’ve had over the last little while are all coming to a head—like I am coming to the end of a long journey and I have to unpack from it.”
    “ That’s amazing. I like that about you. You’re able to articulate what it is you’re trying to say and then make a visual. The person listening gets a full picture of what you’re talking about.”
    I laughed. “That’s because my sister doesn’t read books without pictures. I always have to have a visual comparison available or she will get lost.”
    We walked, laughing and talking, until we got to my house. My arm brushed the back of his, making my inside dance about.
    “ Want to come in and meet my dad?” I asked, hoping to have more time with him.
    He shook his head. “No, I need to get going. I was walking in the other direction, when you distracted me.”
    “ I’m sorry.”
    He smirked. "Don’t be. I'm glad I could be there for you."
    Just as he was about to say goodbye, my sister's car pulled into the driveway. She was out and flashing her smile, before I could push him and shout 'run for it.'
    “ Well, well. You must be the mystery man. I’m Alise, Aimee’s older sister.” She put her hand out for him to take like she was the Queen. He turned her hand in his and shook it.
    “ Hi, I’m Aleksander. It was nice meeting you—see you later, Aimee.” He let go of her hand. He smiled at me and walked away quickly.
    We watched in silence, as he walked hastily away from us.
    "Wow."
    "Yup."
    “ Oh my God! They weren’t kidding—he is hot. Wow, he looks like a celebrity. I feel so relaxed around him, like I know him from somewhere.” She licked her lips. “He didn’t really notice me though, huh? Maybe I’ll see if I can catch up with him. Maybe he wants a ride.” She winked at me and ran back to her car.
    She started it and drove off in the direction he went. I wanted to strangle her, but I went inside and ate coconut milk ice cream instead.
    I wished everyone could see her the way I did.
    Blake sent a text asking if I was going to the party later. I ignored the message and watched the history channel, it was about the Tudors.
    My sister never came home. She just left a message for our dad, saying that she was sleeping at Jaime’s house, her new bff since Giselle had gotten sick. Jaime was another of the popular crowd my sister insisted on being attached at the hip with.
    I tapped my foot and wondered if Aleks was going to the party. If my sister stopped him from getting to his destination with her tempting good looks, he probably would be going tonight. The thought of them kissing enraged me. I was starting to feel like a crazed psycho. I started to twitch my whole leg, thinking about whether to go or not.
    My phone made another noise. I looked at the message from Shane now, asking if I wanted to go the party or just hang with him and watch a movie. The movie sounded pretty tempting at that moment. My sister could have Aleks if he was dumb enough to fall for her. My foot twitching reached a whole new level.
    “ Arggg.” I stood up and stormed to my sister's bedroom to get a pretty outfit, since my whole closet looked like it belonged to Wednesday Adams. I messaged Shane and told him to pick me up at nine. Then I went into my sister’s room and picked only from the closet selection. I assumed if it was hung, she either cared for it or it was clean.
    I grabbed at the hangers, looking for just the right look.
    I found