Devils Roses 01 - Cursed

splashed tears made on the concrete. I felt a cool wind twirl around me. It felt like the winds of change would, refreshing and energizing. I knew my mom would want me to be happy.
    I stood up, feeling blood rushing back into my legs with painful pins and needles. “Love you, Mom. See you soon, okay?”
    When I got home my sister pouted in the corner, with a face that could devastate a coastline. Our father had put her on restricted party attendance for a month. Alise hadn’t been to a party in four weeks, which no doubt affected her most-popular girl in school status. Our father was a marine biologist, so his sympathies didn’t lie with social standing.
    Her big silver eyes glistened, as if she had been crying. It wouldn’t have surprised me, if she had. She would pull out all the stops to get her way. Even at eighteen, I had seen fainting, holding breath, screaming, not talking to people for months on end, refusal to eat or drink, and many, many more dramatics. It always seemed to be in the pursuit of her eternal happiness, which only ever lasted about an hour.
    I rolled my eyes as my sister's gaze fixed on me. Instantly, I could see the cogs begin to move as the desperation clicked into action. I witnessed an evil plan, formed in the mind of the feeble but wicked scheming brat, come to life. Seeing my sneer, she shifted gears.
    I watched as the façade crept across her face. I hated getting dragged into her schemes. Watching her had a similar feel to watching the weather change.
    She smiled her prettiest smile at me. “There's a party tonight, at Shane’s house. It’s going to be a huge party, Aimes—a fun party. Come with me? It's senior year. Come on. Pretty pleeeasse. How can the girlfriend not be at the party? This could end our relationship. He could cheat on me, or think I’m lying about not being allowed, and think I’m cheating. My love life depends on this party.”
    My heart dropped. Of course, that was why Shane had asked me to go to his party. It hurt but I knew it made sense. He wanted his girlfriend at the party. For a smart girl, I was dumb when it came to flirting, obviously.
    I squeezed my lips together and thought about Blake. Blake was the one who was right for me.
    She begged on her hands and knees and pouted her perfect-glossed lips at me, like I was a boy under her spell. Her silver eyes sparkled, as she batted her lashes like butterfly wings.
    I felt the disgust on my face. “You know I’m a girl, right?”
    “ Hardly, with what you're wearing, Aimes.” Alise sneered at me. Noticing the look of revulsion on my face, she shifted back to batting her eyelashes at me.
    I had to confess, the idea of being at Shane’s house, did make my heart ache.
    I rolled my eyes at her again. “Your pouty lips and eyelashes do nothing for me.” I grabbed a cookie and some chocolate soymilk. “Besides, I have plans tonight.” It was raid night in my guild.
    I finished my snack and walked to the counter in the kitchen to put my empty glass down on the bar.
    I could see her eyes twitching, as her poor simple brain worked overtime. She tried, in desperation, to come up with a bargaining chip.
    I imagined the poor little hamster that moved the thoughts around inside her mind, was in there, gasping for air on his little wheel.
    “ Aimee, I can’t go without you. I'll do your laundry and be nice to you for a month. Even at school.”
    I squeezed my lips together, contemplating the possibility. My brain ran through the possibilities and scenarios involving her doing both those things. It seemed like a winning situation. I could see Shane and have my laundry done.
    I nodded and ignored the sick feeling of making a deal with the devil. “Ok deal, but you have to be nice to me and Blake for a month, and do my laundry according to washing instructions, and drive me anywhere I want. And I want drink service tonight, nothing nasty or filled with booze, but good drinks all night, handed to me from your hand to mine. And I’m bringing Blake tonight, and you have to drive us to the party, as you would any other friend. I'm not riding in the trunk.”
    Alise stuck her hand out, excited. “Deal.”
    I walked past her, sneering at her hand. “Like I would touch that hand, please, I know where your hands go. Besides, you have no honor. I will draw up a contract and I’ll tell Blake to be ready for eight.” I imagined she would want it signed in blood, like all evil demons.
    She laughed. “You’re a