6 Not Needed (2/2)

”Mr. Wellington has awoken,” he added before heading over to pour a glass of water to bring up.

The twins stood up in sync exactly as if they were looking through a mirror. Angela produced a animated laugh before patting Lyra's arm.

”I'll talk to Kurtis and explain everything, don't worry,” Angela called back.

She went quickly, but halfway across the living room leading to the stairs, Lyra blurted out, ”I'll go with you.”

This managed to stop Angela. There was a small pause before she turned around with a smile. ”It may be better if only one of us goes.”

Lyra sensed a slight defensive tone in her sister's voice, but didn't comment on it, unsure whether she was simply overthinking things.

”Stay here and rest your ankle,” the twin advised as she climbed the stairs.

However, Lyra didn't sit back down. It didn't feel right to. There was still so much she didn't understand—so much she wanted to question.

But above all else, she wanted to see Kurtis.

How bad is his leg? Was it true he carried her back? Is he going to be okay? Is he still in pain?

But did she have any right to see him anymore? Now that Angela's here, who was she?

Would Kurtis even want to see her? Who was she to him?

Even though she was pretending to be someone else, she was always herself.

The deep conversations they had late at night, the happy and sad moments they shared, all the feelings and support they trusted with each other...they were still real, right?

But no matter how Lyra tried to validate it, none of that meant anything because in Kurtis's eyes, she was always Angela Cades.All those experiences were with Angela.

So now that the real one was here, she was back to being no more than the younger sister.

Trapped by her own thoughts, Lyra could only stand still in the kitchen and wait.