13 The Truth (2/2)

”Omg, is it hurting?”

Kurtis turned towards her, worry in his eyes as he pulled her back further from the sidewalk. ”I'm okay. I forgot about your ankle. Let me call a cab,” he said, whipping out his phone.

”No no I'm okay,” Lyra waved her hand around frantically. ”I don't need a cab. We're like only a few minutes away.”

He didn't respond, only continuing to scroll down his phone for a number to call.

[Did he just ignore me?] Lyra reached for his phone and turned it off for him.

”I want to walk,” she asserted and finally earned his attention. He finally looked at her.

”Good. Speak up when you want something,” Kurtis said with his charismatic smile. ”Same with earlier. If you don't agree with what I'm pushing for, say something. Don't expect Rose to say everything for you.”

[Is he lecturing me now?]

”Then…” Lyra paused before looking up. ”Please don't treat me so well.”

Kurtis's face was blank. He didn't seem to comprehend what she was saying.

”Just because I'm your girlfriend's younger sister doesn't mean I can free load,” Lyra continued, making this an exception to look him directly in the eyes.

Despite being the one encouraging her to speak her mind, the gentleman didn't seem all too pleased to hear her words when she did choose to voice them.

”Lyra,” his calm velvety voice called and she could immediately feel her face flushing red. ”Can't you just say a simple thanks and call it a day?”

”No,” she replied with no hesitation to his dismay. ”Because if I do, I'm admitting the party with obvious benefits is me.”

Kurtis bent down a little to lean closer to the girl. ”Wrong.”

With that one word, he stood back up, slipped his hands in his pockets before walking ahead.

They didn't exchange any other words until they reached Lyra's doorsteps.

”Do you really want to know why I'm doing all this?” Kurtis dropped the question right after the girl turned her key into the door.

She didn't turn around, just stood still.

”On the island, you took Angela's place so that you could figure out a way to save our relationship.” Kurtis paused and his face turned darker. ”I know I shouldn't feel this way, but deep down inside, I still hate you for that.”

Lyra was quiet.

”But that doesn't change the fact that I still owe you for bringing your sister and I back together. And I hate owing favors. You understand?”

There was the same hostility in his voice as that night after finding out the truth. He was eerily calm, but not with his natural coolness.

The younger twin nodded and opened the door to her house.

”Thank you,” she added before bidding goodnight and locking the door.

Lyra started out walking up the stairs, but ended up running the rest until she reached the safety of her room where she could be alone.

Only after closing the door did she allow her tears to fall.

It was too good to be true. How naïve of her to think that Kurtis was doing it out of sheer kindness. It was only normal he hated her. How did she end up warping his sense of duty into her little hopeful fantasies of him genuinely caring for her? Kurtis has always, and will always love Angela.

It hurt to know the truth.

[But why did it have to hurt so much?]