Chapter 2

I got off at the next station and took the return train back.

Faye sat on the platform bench with all of them around her.

Mom held her and gently patted her back, while Dad stood on the other side gripping her hand. Kellan knelt in front of her and coached her through each breath.

"Don't be scared. I'm right here.

"Look at me. Slow it down."

Faye sobbed so hard she could barely breathe, her fingers locked around his sleeve. Kellan let her hold on without a single flinch.

I stood a few steps away and watched them for a long time.

Mom spotted me and went off immediately. "Oh, so you decided to come back? You know she can't be away from you, so why did you get on that train?"

I pressed my lips together. "She pushed me."

The moment the words left my mouth, Faye's tears spilled over. "Why would you say that? Is it because I asked to go out? Are you mad at me? Is that why you pulled away on purpose?"

Kellan lifted his head, and his expression turned dark. "Faye had an episode because of you. She couldn't breathe. Instead of caring about her, the first thing you do is point fingers and try to shift the blame.

"When did you become like this, Alina?"

My eyes burned. "I didn't do anything."

Dad shut me down. "Enough. This isn't the time for your petty grudges."

It was always the same. Everything Faye did was justified. I could not even defend myself without being in the wrong.

I braced a hand against the wall. My vision went dark. I had not eaten a single thing since the night before.

"I don't feel well," I managed, my voice rough.

Kellan frowned and started toward me, but Faye's breathing suddenly hitched. She collapsed against his chest. "I can't breathe again."

He turned back and pulled her close without a second thought. "Take it slow. I'm right here."

Mom looked anxious. "Let's go home. There are too many people here. It'll only make her worse."

They moved toward the exit in a tight circle around Faye. Kellan held her against him and shielded her from the crowd with his body. Dad carried her bag and flanked her other side. Mom walked ahead and glanced back every few steps with worry etched across her face.

Not one of them looked at me.

I tried to follow, but my legs buckled. Right as I was about to collapse, an unfamiliar girl caught my arm.

"Are you okay? Is your blood sugar low?"

Her face was full of concern. She pressed a chocolate bar into my hand, and I tore the wrapper open and put it in my mouth.

The bitterness spread across my tongue. My vision stayed blurred for a long time before I could bring myself to whisper a thank you.

When I got home, Mom directed a pair of installers in the living room. "Put them in that room."

She pointed to my room.

"Mom, what are they installing?"

She did not look up. "Cameras."

Her tone was flat, as though she talked about putting up curtain rods. "Faye had two episodes today because she couldn't see you. The cameras will let her check on you whenever she needs to."

I looked over. Two cameras had been mounted in opposite corners. When one of the installers adjusted the angle, he muttered under his breath, "Full coverage, no blind spots. It's like monitoring an inmate."

Mom's face hardened. "Watch your mouth. This is to keep someone safe."

Faye sat on the couch and hugged a tablet to her chest, looking pleased. On the screen, every corner of my room was on full display.

Kellan walked over to me. "It's just a couple of cameras. It won't change your life. Once Faye gets better, they'll come down. Just let it go for her sake."

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

They all seemed to have forgotten one thing. Faye's panic disorder had never been formally reassessed.

Her first episode had been the year we applied to high schools. I had tested into the top prep school in the city, and the moment she heard, she collapsed and gasped for air.

A doctor gave a preliminary diagnosis of panic disorder and recommended a full evaluation and treatment plan. She refused and claimed I was her cure. As long as I stayed by her side, she would be fine.

I gave up my spot and followed her to the same public school.

Senior year, I scored first in the entire district. I could have gone to the national art institute, but she spiraled again and cried and begged me not to leave. I ended up at the same ordinary state university.

After that, every hangout with friends had to include her. Every date had to include her. Even the graduation trip I took with Kellan had to be booked as a room for three.

Everyone told me to wait and be patient. I had waited 7 years. I had been patient for 7 years. She had only gotten worse.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. The firm in Lavenne had sent an email asking whether I could still make my original start date.

Six months earlier, I had won an award at a national design competition. One of the judges, a designer at the firm, had taken an interest in my portfolio and invited me to join multiple times. I had kept hesitating because of Faye's episodes.

I looked up at the camera. Its red light blinked steadily.

I lowered my head and typed my reply.

"I will be there on time."

Then I booked the earliest flight to Caselle, 3 days away.