#Chapter 43: Mean Girls

Nina When I got home, Jessica and Lori were both furious. “Where were you!” Jessica yelled as soon as I walked in the door. I didn’t even have a chance to hang my jacket up. “You totally ditched us,” Lori chimed in, folding her arms across her chest. “We thought you got kidnapped or something. Then that freak typhoon hit and you still weren’t answering your phone.” “Okay, mom and dad,” I said, tossing my bag down on the counter. “I’m sorry. Just, you know… I was lonely, and there was a cute guy.” Jessica let out a big sigh. “Well, you could’ve at least let us know you were leaving,” she said. “But I know with everything going on lately, stuff like that happens.” Meanwhile, Lori didn’t seem convinced at all. She had always been more intuitive than Jessica and could always see through a lie, but she didn’t say anything this time. Still, seeing her hurt expression made me feel awful for lying and I couldn’t let myself walk away like this. I took a