LOGINBrooklynI know what you might be thinking.That I’m some obsessed ex. Some lonely, pretty girl who does nothing but stalk her ex and everyone else who’s walked away from her life for no reason at all.Well…I’m more than that, just so you know.And it’s not called stalking if I’m just trying to be sure everyone’s okay.I think.Tracy’s getting better at vlogging, actually building a large following base—not as large as mine. But yeah.And those rumors about her being with Dean? A part of me hoped to God they were just desperate gossip, something people had made up to distract me.The other part…“I don’t give a shit.” Andy, on the other hand, seemed more interested in the physical world.She’d started showing up at school clubs I’d have sworn she’d never be a part of back when she still acknowledged my existence..And that charity event at some retirement home?Performative.She seemed to always have a smile on whenever I saw her. Either that or she was surrounded by people. People I
Sydney“Oh my gosh, yes!” Maeve squealed, eyes wide. “Yes, Sydney!”I stared back at her, startled. “Yes, what?”“This is it!”“This is what?”Instead of answering, she pushed off my bed and stopped in the middle of my room, grinning.“This is where it begins.” She gestured with her hands. “You and Tyler.”Still, I blinked at her. “What are you talking about?”Her smile finally faded. She tilted her, looking at me like the answer was that obvious.“You met his mom.”“Oh my god,” I almost groaned, trying harder to hide my smile. “She caught me snooping through her stuff, Maeve. That was a terrible first impression.”“No,” Maeve folded her arms, taking a step closer to me, her oversized top slipping further down one shoulder. “You were being…aware of your surroundings. Observant. And you found something so impressive you would’ve complimented her if you hadn’t been so startled.”I wouldn’t have.“I took something from the case.” I said instead.“Doesn’t matter.” She clasped her fingers
SydneyTyler paused for half a second, then blinked.“Why would I be?”“Your mom.” I replied. “She didn’t look…particularly thrilled to see me.”His jaw did that thing again, but before I could fully register it, he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.“She was just just surprised, Sydney.” He said. “I mean, you did open the case.” I tucked my hair behind my ear and looked away. “I was just curious.”That earned a quiet laugh from him. “Okay. But my mom isn’t angry. And I definitely am not in trouble for bringing you to my house.” I met his gaze. “Really?”“Yeah.” He scoffed, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms. “My mom isn’t a monster. She’s just…protective.”I smiled a little.“Right,” My shoulders relaxed slightly, but my fingers found each other again as I tried to avoid his gaze.I failed. Something else creeping to my mind.“So…what about earlier?”Someone shrieked from a distance.Tyler’s expression didn’t change. “What about earlier?”“At the parking lot
SydneyI couldn’t remember the last time standing in someone’s presence felt so terrifying.And it wasn’t just because I’d been touching something I wasn’t supposed to.It was…her. Tyler’s Mom.I mean the last time we’d locked eyes, she’d been on her way to Principal Lawrence’s office after I’d gotten her son in trouble.Now, she’d caught me standing in front of her trophy case with a picture in my hand.The way she’d looked at me like I’d snuck into her house. One brow raised as she looked at the picture in my hand.I’d felt guilty instantly, my words stumbling over each other without eventually forming words that made actual sense.I should’ve listened to that voice in my head.But of course, I just had to find out even more about Tyler Sinclair.Child star? Child athlete? Athlete from birth?I still didn’t find the right words to describe everything I’d seen in that case, even as I sat in the passenger seat of the car.‘Focus, Sydney.’I took a breath, forcing myself not to look a
Tyler They both turned at the same time, their eyes following me as I walked towards them. I kept my voice controlled. My eyes on Mom. “Didn’t know you’d be back so early.” “Neither I you.” She said firmly. “But I got to meet with your…guest. So I guess that’s something, right?” From the corner of my eye, I saw Sydney glance between us. And I just knew whatever would come next, mom wasn’t going to care who was listening. “Great. Glad you two are…bonding” I glanced at Sydney. “Sydney?” I’d barely gotten her name out before she stepped away from the trophy case, taking her place beside me. I could practically feel mom’s patience dangerously running thin. But I didn’t care. We all should be grateful Sydney hadn’t been in my bedroom. I turned to her, lowering my voice before I could think about it. “Please take this to the car for me. I just want to—” “Sure,” She took the books from me, her fingers brushing mine before she turned to Mom. “It was lovely meeting you, ma
TylerIt was two books. Two books and I’d be down.Sydney and I would stop by that diner in the busy part of the city, and maybe I’d finally get over that ridiculous feeling in my chest that returned every time I thought about the glint in her eyes when she’d offered to come with me.Maybe I could finally get over the look Coach had given me in the gym and the disappointed groans from the guys, which had almost driven me insane.Mom had no business coming home that early.Or maybe I’d just been so occupied with everything else that I’d almost forgotten what she could be sometimes. Petty.“Feel free, I guess,” I’d told Sydney before climbing the stairs, leaving her standing there looking a little lost.It was almost funny.Cute.But I’d planned to be quick, so she didn’t feel like I’d abandoned her in a house she didn’t know.So I shut my room door and headed straight for my reading table.It was a mess.A few books hung loosely off the stack, two pencils lay on the floor, one almost
Sydney Two days after I had ketchup stuck to my butt, the gossip grew louder. No one whispered anymore or tried to hide their mouth when they spoke, or cared if I was right there. “I still can’t believe she’s Brooklyn Prescott’s sister.” “Yeah, talk about differences. Are you sure they’re
Tyler “Sydney Walker,” I’d repeated all day in my head. And the moment Brooklyn yelled my name, running toward me on the basketball court, and I found out that that curvy genius she hadn’t stopped blabbing about all week was her sister— Everything shifted. I swear I’m not a bully. I’ve neve
“Okay, rule number one,” Maeve said over the noise in the cafeteria. “Don’t challenge Tyler Sinclair in algebra.” I tried my best not to look around. "Why? He was wrong.” Maeve picked up a food tray and stopped in front of me. "I'm not blind, Sydney. And no one else in that class was. We all saw
Sydney Being Sydney Walker had never been easy. Not when I was little. Not now, as you’re reading this. At first, I was just that antisocial, nerdy girl who never put up her hand in class even when she knew an answer, who never looked anyone in the eye in the hallway, the girl who ran home the s







