Free Dream of You by Lauren Gilley Page B

belly.”
                  It was a nickname she had long loathed, mainly because it wasn’t true and she’d never had so much as a pudgy stomach, but also because it made her feel about twelve. Though almost two years younger, Nicole had a wonderful way of making herself sound superior. And in the eyes of their parents, she was . Varsity cheerleader, class treasurer, junior prom queen and a shoe-in for senior homecoming queen, she had been voted most popular and best personality, brightest smile and most likely to succeed by the yearbook staff. She loved fashion – LV purses and Michael Kors dresses – and her obsession with color was taking its toll on her over-processed hair. Little Miss Popular, Nicole Grayson was the favorite sister and enjoyed lording it over her sister’s head at every opportunity.
                  “Oh, if only I had a sweet name like that for you,” Ellie said through her teeth. She swept the door wide and made a gallant motion with her arm. “Do you want to come in, or is this a drive-by assault?”
                  Kyle made an insulted sound in the back of his throat.
                  “You’re always so funny ,” Nikki said as she entered, her boy toy at her heels. “I don’t know why you’re single.”
                  Ellie stared at the door a long moment after she closed it, the familiar, acid taste of anger climbing up the back of her throat. She listened to their feet shuffle across the ancient, scalloped hardwood floors and took deep, calming breaths. She had no defenses when it came to Nikki and Kyle. Her job, her writing, her academic achievements – none of it was valued in their eyes, none of it made up for all her “flaws,” as Nikki called them.
                  “Oh my god! What’s with all this… cake ?”
                  With one last big in-and-out, she headed for the kitchen. In the white tile, dark wood and avocado refrigerator oasis of Grammy’s old kitchen, with its Mexican tile floors and all of Paige’s colorful appliances, Nikki was as welcome as a pimple. She had pulled her purse – Burberry – across her body as if to shield her from the mass amounts of boxed and frosted cakes that awaited delivery when Paige returned from her current run. Kyle was in the process of opening a box to get a look at what was inside.
                  “Don’t,” Ellie snapped, and he backed away like the cardboard had burned him. “Each one of these costs fifteen bucks apiece. You lick it, you buy it.”
                  “Fifteen dollars for a piece for ass-fattener?” Nikki asked, incredulous. “That’s stupid.”
                  “They’re good freaking cakes.” Because Kyle was still staring at them, Ellie stepped between him and the island, and he ducked his head to avoid eye contact. Still a coward, as always. “But since they offend you so much.” She pegged her sister with a sharp look. “Maybe we can cut to the chase and you can tell me why you’re here.”
                  Nikki had very blunt, rounded features – the boys had always said she was adorable – and when she crinkled her nose, it compressed her cheeks and gave her the look of a crying infant. “My god, you are so rude , Noelle. And you wonder why you don’t have a boyfriend.”
                  “I don’t wonder about anything,” Ellie said more firmly than she needed to, “except why you’re here .”
                  Nikki shrugged and glanced away, playing disinterested. “Maybe if you’re nice, I’ll tell you.”
                  A quick, stupid smile snuck across Kyle’s face and then was gone again.
                  “You came to see me. Don’t play games with me in my own house.”
                  Nikki’s gray eyes – the only trait the two of them shared now that their hair color