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Emma chirped, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness.
"Not hungry," Julian dismissed then turn to me. "Skylar, are you hungry?"
"Can't be bothered to eat," I mumbled, already beeling for the sofa. I collapsed into it, pulled out snacks from my backpack, and started munching.
This is my motto, never stand if you can sit, never sit if you can lie down.
"Rough trip?"
Julian asked with concern.
"Kinda,"
I said around a mouthful of chips, pulled out my tablet, started coding with my left hand, scrolling through videos with my right, and my mouth working on autopilot.
Julian and Emma were staring at me like I'd just beamed down from Mars.
Emma drifted over, pretending to be kind. "Skylar, I know things were ... different where you came from. No one taught you proper decorum. It's a bit embarrassing for the family, honestly. But don't worry—I'll teach you etiquette."
"Can't be bothered to learn,"
I said through a yawn, then added, "The mine's pretty busy. Shouldn't you be rushing off to help your real family?"
I thought since she might want to see her birth parents too, that's why I came back.
But Emma's face crumpled. Her eyes instantly welled up. "If you want me to go, I'll just leave."
"Whatever," It was obvious. She played the cool girl about the whole switched-at-birth drama, but she still wanted to compete.
For what?
Money?
Like I cared.
I wanted to tell her I don't care about money, but I knew she wouldn't buy it. Nobody would.
So why waste my breath?
Julian sat beside me. "Mom and Dad had to fly to Zurich for a few days. They'll make it up to you when they're back. Don't overthink it."
"Okay,"
I nodded, I nodded, feeling my spirit already trying to detach from my body.
Julian looked helpless, then turned to Emma. "Is her room ready?"
"It's almost perfect. I want everything just right for her. Maybe she could stay in the guest room tonight?"
Emma suggested, the picture of consideration.
