Evelyn sucked in a breath. That was the most incredible night’s sleep she had. She opened her eyes, trying to remember what happened. How did she get into bed? This was so…

Her alarm clock went off, and the beautiful feeling fled immediately. She felt it caked on her face, causing goosebumps to spread down her arms.

“No, no, no!” She slammed on her alarm clock and touched her face. Makeup was smeared on her pillow, the gels and powders still on her face. “No!” She leapt out of bed, running straight for the bathroom.

Ugh, it was so gross. She whimpered as she grabbed her cotton pad and cleansing water. She hated waking up with makeup. No matter how much she took off, it always felt like adding to the makeup already crystalized to her face.

She tried not to rub, since she didn’t want dry skin, but she wanted this off fast. Did she have time to take a shower? A shower, do her makeup, and her hair? It didn’t matter. She needed one, because she didn’t shower yesterday.

She let out a whimper before locking the door and starting her shower, trying to make it fast. She had such plans for today. Full glamour makeup. Painted nails. Cute outfit. Gorgeous hair. She was sixteen now, after all.

Once the shower was off, she sped through her morning routine, except now she had to blow-dry her hair, too. She was in her bathrobe, trying not to panic.

There was a knock on the door. She didn’t break eye contact as she unlocked it, going back to blow-drying her hair. There were fifteen minutes before they had to leave, and she wouldn’t make it. She had to be fast, for Nick’s sake.

Nick opened the door, grabbing his toothbrush.

“Why didn’t you wake me up!” Evelyn yelled.

He gave her a curious look as he squeezed toothpaste onto his toothbrush. “Huh?”

“Why didn’t you wake me up!” she yelled again over the blow-dryer noise.

The curious look remained as he started brushing his teeth. Evelyn turned off the blow-dryer. “Why didn’t you wake me up? I’m going to break out now! My skin care routine!” She yelled even though the blow dryer was off.

Nick gave her a dry look before pointing to the toothbrush in his mouth, keeping him from speaking.

“Ugh!” She turned the blow dryer back on. Nick finished brushing his teeth and slipped out of the room as Evelyn finished drying her hair. She threw on her previously planned outfit of her cute shorts and top. Instead of gold sandals, she switched to flats. Her toenails weren’t pained, so there was no point showing off her week-old painted toes.

She whimpered again as she ran to the bathroom, grabbing her curling iron to give herself softer curls. She wanted to put her hair in heatless curls after her shower last night, but that never happened.

Nick appeared at the door again, checking his flip phone.

“I know!” she said.

“Have you had breakfast yet?” Nick asked.

“No! I’ll skip it today.”

A frown tugged at his lips. “Evie, you shouldn’t—”

“It’s either that, or do my makeup!”

Nick blinked at her. “Uh—”

“Shut up, Nick.” She placed the last lock of hair in the curling iron. “Can I trust you to drive steady to school while I do my makeup?” She gathered her things with her other hand and stuffed them in her makeup bag.

“You’re seriously not going to eat breakfast?” Nick asked.

“I don’t have time!” Evelyn said. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

Nick didn’t look at her. “I tried. You were out.”

The zipper was stuck, and she kept tugging harder. “Ugh!”

Nick eased her hands away before gently zipping the bag, handing it to her.

Walt appeared behind Nick, smiling. “Happy birthday, my girl.”

“Thanks, dad!” She gave herself one last look in the mirror. She desperately needed to do her makeup. The full glam look she wanted for her birthday was out of the question, but she forced herself to be fine about that. She could do her natural makeup look in the ten minutes it took to drive to school. She’d done it before. It just hurt to do her everyday thing for her birthday.

“Running late?” Walt asked as Nick slipped out of the bathroom.

She grabbed her makeup bag. “I went to sleep without doing my nighttime skin routine.”

“Ah.” Walt seemed to understand. Evelyn gave one more whimper, imagining the zits that would appear in the next few days. She turned and noticed Walt holding up a small gift. “I wanted to give you your first birthday present.”

“Oh! Thanks dad!” She grabbed it, her hands shaking. They were going to be late to school. Nick was at the end of the hallway, leaning against the wall, waiting patiently. “We’re going to be late.”

“Don’t worry about it. This is important,” Walt said as Lydia walked up, her hands around her coffee mug, smiling.

“I just… remember, we’re late. Don’t get on Nick’s case about it,” Evelyn said as she unwrapped a small box underneath.

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Walt didn’t say anything. Evelyn had opened the lid of the box and saw a key inside. The nerves, the scrambling she’d done this morning, it all stilled. At first, she couldn’t believe it. It was a key. It could only mean one thing. She picked it up, staring at it wide eyed before her gaze shot to Nick. Her older brother was still leaning against the wall, making that face where he did his best not to glare. She knew that look. The one he gave her smart phone. Or her laptop. Or literally every other huge purchase her parents gave her and neglected to give him.

Nick noticed her looking at him and pushed himself from the wall, turned around, and headed into the kitchen. The nerves returned, and her heart pounded as she looked at the keys. “Oh my god,” she said, staring at them. “Oh my god!”

“Happy birthday, Evelyn.” Lydia placed her hand around her shoulder and kissed her forehead.

“Oh my god!” Evelyn wasn’t sure how else to respond. She almost couldn’t believe it, but then again, she could. Walt led her toward the outside, showing her the car. It was a newer model, though not completely brand new. They weren’t poor, but they weren’t exactly Derek level rich, either. A gray, almost silver color car sat in their driveway. It was gorgeous. It was hers.

Nick never got one.

She smiled through it anyway, trying to show her excitement because she did feel excited. This was crazy! She had a car! But it felt tainted, like every huge purchase from her parents.

“Thanks, dad.” Evelyn was happy she hadn’t done her makeup yet. There were tears of excitement and hurt running down her cheeks. Nick was nowhere in sight, and it made it easier to show a more genuine excitement. But her heart cracked. She shouldn’t accept. She should demand her parents give something to Nick. It felt like a betrayal that she accepted anything at all.

She hugged her parents, feeling both thrilled and heartbroken. These two emotions fought inside her, but she smiled the whole time, anyway.

They were officially late. School had already started, but Walt assured them this was a special occasion. She wanted to make sure that meant he wouldn’t get on Nick’s case about this.

“I’ll call the school and let them know,” Walt finally said, before getting into his car to go to work. “Happy birthday, Evelyn.”

She sighed, holding the key to her car. It felt surreal. She waved at Walt, then at Lydia as they drove off to work. Once they were gone, she stumbled into the house, leaning against the dining room table.

“Oh, hey Evelyn. Are you going to eat breakfast, then?” Nick asked, as calmly as ever.

She didn’t know why this, of all things, was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Nick was behind her as her shoulders shook and tears filled her eyes. She covered her face.

“Evie?” Nick asked, slightly alarmed.

“They didn’t get you a car,” Evelyn said.

“Yes, they did.”

“Dad gave you his old car so he could buy a new one. That doesn’t count! I can’t accept this.” She pulled the keys out of her pocket. “I can’t do it. A phone made sense. Laptop was extravagant, but—”

“Evelyn, stop,” Nick said. “Seriously, stop. Don’t worry about me.”

She turned around, not caring what she looked like because she still didn’t have makeup on. It couldn’t smudge if it wasn’t on her face. “I am worrying about you. How can I accept a car?”

“I told you last night. I’m not jealous. Happy birthday,” Nick said.

Evelyn was shaking, rubbing her arms. “It feels so gross.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I’m nothing more than a hypocrite. I keep trying to fight for you, but then they keep giving me gifts, and I accept them.” She placed her hands on her cheeks. “This is too much. I’ll have them return the car. It’ll be my own rebellion. I’ve got to show them I’m on your side.”

“Don’t be stupid,” Nick said.

“Stupid?”

“Come on, Evie. Think about it. The car from before was getting old. This is a nice model. I’d rather drive a nice one than the one before. Seriously, don’t worry about me. I knew this would happen, and I’ve accepted it.”

“You can accept it all you want, but it’s still not right,” Evelyn said.

Nick shrugged. “I told you I’m not jealous. This is essentially a gift for both of us. It’s just one they gave you on your birthday.” Evelyn tried to believe it. The icky feeling remained. Nick motioned toward the bathroom. “Dad’s already called us in and said we’d be late. Eat breakfast. Do—” he gestured toward her face, “—whatever you wanted to do to your face. If we show up by lunch, it counts as being ‘a little late.’”

Evelyn stared at her brother. “Really?”

He nodded. “Go on. Happy birthday.”

Evelyn tried to relax. School had already been going for about fifteen minutes. It would be nice to not be rushed. Her curls were already flattening. “You really wouldn’t mind?”

Nick picked up his book. “You think it’s an enormous sacrifice for me to miss a bit of school for once while you get ready? To drive a nicer car? Honestly, Evie, stop worrying about me.”

She tried to relax, already thinking about what to do now that she had a bit more time. Nick motioned toward the kitchen. “My only stipulation is you have breakfast first. You work way too hard at cheer to not eat anything.”

Evelyn smiled. “Well thanks, Nick.” She walked over and pulled out a small box of raisins and her bran flakes. Nick shook his head, almost rolling his eyes, but moving into the front room with his book.

***

The bell rang, and Derek felt dread as he gathered his things from AP Biology. He’d dodged Emma all morning, but he doubted he’d have the same luck now. Emma had his school schedule memorized, and no matter how fast he got out of class, Emma was there.

Mr. Anderson gave Derek a dry look. It was a common look he had ever since he saw Derek making out with Emma in CCNC club. He was pretty sure it meant Mr. Anderson cared, but was also annoyed that more work was needed to make sure his girlfriend’s new part succubus, part fae friend wouldn’t try anything.

Derek walked out the door, hardly taking two steps before he heard Emma. “Derek!” Arms circled around his middle, squeezing the air out of him. Her claws dug into him again.

“Hey Emma,” Derek said.

She spun him around before kissing him. He tried to be courteous, waiting for her to notice. It didn’t take long.

She broke away, her nose scrunching up. “Did you…”

“Totally forgot to brush my teeth.” His breakfast consisted mostly of garlic bread, too.

Emma’s brows furrowed, but she shrugged, pulling out her backpack. “No matter.” Her container of mints clinked as she pulled it out. “Open up.”

“I mean, isn’t it gross how much bacteria is in a hu—” Emma tossed a mint into his mouth, cutting off his speech. Derek coughed, feeling it sail down his throat.

“All better.” She leaned over to kiss him. Derek held up a hand, coughing.

“It… it went… straight down.”

“I’ve got a million of these.” Emma opened the container again and pulled out a mint. “Open wide.” Derek stared at Emma, not sure what to think. He opened his mouth as she leaned over, placing the mint on his tongue before closing his jaw again. “We’ll be ready to go by the time you get to English.”

Pippa walked down the hall with the students, and Derek kept staring at Emma. He swallowed, feeling another mint go down as he kept his gaze on Emma’s eyes to make sure there wasn’t a hint of red in them.

“Ready to go?” Emma asked, grabbing his hand.

Derek pointed at his mouth again. “It, uh…”

Emma shook her head with a smile. “God, Derek. You’re such a dork.” She took out another mint. “Stick out your tongue.”

Derek did, watching out of his peripherals to see Pippa disappear down the hall. He was so focused on Pippa that he didn’t fully comprehend that Emma had licked the bottom of the mint before placing it on his tongue. He held back a grimace.

“That should get it to stay. Don’t you think?” Emma asked.

Derek stuck his tongue back inside his mouth, scared about what Emma might do to him if he kept it out. He said nothing, feeling the mint on his tongue as he stared at Emma. “Come on! Take me to my P.E. class. Ugh, Ms. Jones always demands I get dressed faster. Like she doesn’t need a few extra minutes in front of a mirror herself.”

He forgot she had her fingers wrapped around his hand as she dragged him forward. A lot of things slipped from his memory when Pippa arrived. Mostly, he was figuring out the proper way to react to someone licking the bottom of a mint and sticking it on his tongue.