“Because they’re rotten,” I said, tears blurring my eyes. I tossed it back into the fire. “I don’t want them anymore.”
“No, Lesley! These are ours. You said we’d look at them when we were old. Why throw them away?”
I gave a tiny, broken smile. “Don’t you get it? Fredrinn… I’m dy—”
“Fredrinn… my hand. I think I burned it when the brazier fell.” My twin’s voice cut in, sharp and fake again.
Just like that, he was gone. Dropped my hand like it meant nothing. His eyes were all over her now, fussing, protecting, caring. “Let’s get you inside. I’ll put ointment on it.”
With his arm wrapped around her, he walked her in. Didn’t even glance back.
My arms burned, but I didn’t care. I dragged myself back to my room, pulled out the first-aid kit, and poured alcohol on the cotton. The sting hit like a punch, almost knocking the air out of me.
Still, it wasn’t as sharp as watching Fredrinn forget me, piece by piece.
Back then, he’d freak out over the tiniest thing. A paper cut and he’d be panicking, dragging me to the infirmary like I was dying. I used to laugh at how over the top he was. Secretly, I loved it. He made me feel like I mattered.
Now, he didn’t even notice the burns. Didn’t even ask. He just walked away with my twin, like I was invisible.
That night I closed my eyes and let the tears come. They slid down my face and onto my arms, burning on the fresh wounds. I bit my lip to keep from screaming, but even that sting wasn’t as sharp as the ache in my chest.
The next couple of days proved I’d completely fallen in his world. My twin clung to him like glue. He couldn’t go five steps without her pulling him back.
At dinner, she pouted like a spoiled kid, nudging his arm. “Fredrinn, feed me the shrimp. You know it tastes better when you do it.”
I pushed my food around, quiet. He picked up the shrimp, fed her. She leaned into him, smiling like I wasn’t even there.
On the couch later, she curled up against his chest while a movie played. “Hold me tighter. I hate the loud parts.”
He just tightened his arms around her. No hesitation. Not a second for me.
Every time I walked by, she’d tilt her head at me, all sweet and fake. “Lesley, you promised, right? You don’t mind if we’re close?”
I forced a tiny smile. “Not at all.”
That became my answer for everything. I wasn’t even sure if I was lying or telling the truth anymore.
The truth was my body was falling apart.