Free The Right Kind of Wrong by Jade Eby Page A

remember what it's like to lose someone."
    I slam my hand down on the counter. "Yes, I do. And you didn't find me plagiarizing anything, did you?"
    Grandma gestures towards the empty chair. "Sit."
    I huff but sit down across from her. I really look at her and it's the first time I've really seen her in a long time. The woman from the old pictures is still there, but her face is now a beautiful map of wrinkles. How did I miss that when I lived here? Every valley and crevice reminds me of the years I've had with her. Her bruised and blotched hand reaches for mine. I let it stay. She looks into my eyes and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear with her other hand.  
    "Let it go, Kara. You're going to spend so much energy hating the boy, you're going to miss out on the things you can gain from him. Plus, it sounds like you two need each other if you want to win this competition."
    I groan. "I don't need him, Grandma. I almost lost everything I worked for because of him. I had to clean up the mess he put me in. We're only doing this project together because we have no choice. Doesn't mean I have to like it."
    I run my hands over the slick table cover and avoid meeting her eyes. I've never lied to my grandmother. I've never had to. But I don't tell her that I'm the one that let Vince take my part of the project. That I'm the one who should carry the blame. I don't tell her I'm holding onto a grudge because the rest of me is so damn angry at everything else. It feels natural to be angry at Vince, too.  
    Grandma shakes her head and gives me a pained smile. "You're as stubborn as your grandfather. Don't know a good thing when it falls into your lap."  
    I get up and kiss her forehead. "I need to get some sleep. Busy day tomorrow. Night, Grandma."  
    Vince is waiting at the top of the stairs, his arms crossed.
    "Goodnight, Vince." I hope he hasn't been standing there long.
    He grabs my arms and pulls me into him so his mouth is near my ear.  
    "Let's get one thing straight. I don't need you either. But we both need to win this competition and I will do whatever it takes to get us there. Got it?" His whispered words drip venom.
    This side of Vince is giving me whiplash. I pull away from him and clear my throat. "We have a busy day tomorrow. Be ready at eight."  
    He moves out of my way and I walk to my bedroom. His door slams shut. I slam mine louder, determined to have the last word.  
    Because, I always do.

    Light pours into my grandparents' room. Little window decals cause bits of color to dance along the walls. I snuggle under the blankets, wanting just a few more minutes of slumber. Once I'm awake though, there's no falling back to sleep. Stupid body.
      I pull my favorite pair of sweat pants and a sweatshirt from my suitcase and go down to the kitchen. Grandma stands at the sink looking out the window. When I reach the bottom step she turns and her eyebrows rise in surprise.
    "I see college has done some good for you. Up before seven, I can't believe my eyes."  
    "Well if it wasn't for the light pouring into the bedroom, I might still be perfectly comfortable in bed. I don't know how you slept up there for so many years without the light bothering you."
    "I never could sleep well after your grandfather got up for work. I'd stay in bed for maybe another half hour before I'd get so bored, I'd get up and get going. You just don't remember because you slept until noon."
    I smile. "What can I say? I was a teenager." I point to the coffee pot. "Is that fresh?"
    "Just made it. Help yourself."
    I fill half of my mug with coffee and the other half with fresh milk. "I'll be outside for a little bit."  
    It's the type of morning that dew and fog mingle with the chill and stillness in the air. I love these mornings. I don't have to close my eyes to pretend I'm in a dream world. I remember sitting in this exact spot wishing for the day I could leave. Now that I'm back, it feels as if I never left.  
    The screen door screeches