Page 58 of #Lovestrong

Declan

I'm glad the school weeks fly by. Winning the Homecoming game tonight was awesome. The only thing better was catching Lena showing her promise ring to a group of Junior girls. It was cute watching her fiddle with it all week. We're not openly flaunting it, but it makes me happy to see she isn't shying away or lying when people ask her about it.

Across the parking lot, I spot her and Candice leaning against the trunk of my car, chatting with my parents while my sister stands a few feet away with Myra and a few of her other friends. Everyone is spending the night at my place tonight because Mom insisted on helping the girls get ready for Homecoming tomorrow. Mr. Gary and Mrs. Deb are coming over around seven tomorrow night so we can take pictures and the dance starts at eight. I've never looked forward to a school dance, but I'm excited for this one.

The girls don't know it yet, but Jackson and I are already working on our Prom-posals. A lot of people think they're stupid, but Jackson and I are going all-out dork for this. I mean, we only get one Prom, and these girls love our antics. We're going straight-up, sappy, over-the-top, Harlequin Romance style, uber in love Prom-posals.

As soon as Lena sees me, she pushes off the car and breaks into a full run across the parking lot. When she slams into me, her arms encircle my waist and I hug her to my chest, stumbling back a few steps as I laugh. She's always so excited after the football games.

"Mmm, I do love when you do that," I say with a chuckle.

Lena looks up at me with a smirk on her face. "You played great. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, baby." I kiss her before sliding my arm around her shoulders and turning to head to my car.

Both my parents smile and congratulate me and Jackson. I glance over at my sister, who's staring daggers at us while Myra whispers in her ear. Darcy's eyes flicker from me to Lena and instinctively, I tighten my arm around my girlfriend, pulling her closer to my side.

Myra looks up at us with a sinister smile on her face. The longer Darcy stares at Lena, the bigger her grin gets and the more my stomach drops. One of the downfalls of being a twin is I know my sister too well, and that look on her face tells me she's planning something. Whatever it is, there's no way it’s good or pleasant.

She better leave Lena the hell alone. I've had it up to my eyeballs with Darcy's crap this year. I don't understand her issue with Lena. She doesn't even know her, and neither does Myra. Their ignorance and just downright meanness makes no sense to me, or anyone else for that matter.

"Hey, Mom," I say, not taking my eyes off my sister. "Is Darcy staying at the house tonight?"

My mom glances at Darcy and raises her eyebrows. The smirk falls right off Darcy's face and she looks down at the ground before turning her back on us to talk to her friends.

"No. Your father and I are letting her stay at Myra's for tonight. Y'all can get ready for the dance at home. She made it clear she doesn't want your father and me taking pictures anyway." My mom rolls her eyes and it's easy to see she's over Darcy's crap too.

I give my parents props when they're due, and they are where Darcy is concerned. My parents have spent years putting up with her antics. Hell, I'm honestly surprised Darcy even got into college. Lord knows she only attends class when she feels like it. I don't take my eyes off Darcy as she walks over to us, a fake smile plastered on her face.

"Mom, I'm gonna head to Myra's now."

"Okay. Remember what I said. You come right home after the dance tomorrow."

"Yep. See you tomorrow at the dance, Lena."

I stiffen as she says Lena's name, my chest tightening as my mind races a mile a minute trying to figure out what's going on in that evil brain of hers. Lena snuggles into my side and runs her hand up my chest. When I look down at her, she's got a tight lipped smile on her face, and I shake my head.

"Let's go to your place, babe. I'm kinda tired."

I kiss her forehead and let my lips linger on her skin. "Okay, baby."

I swear, if my sister does anything to bother Lena tomorrow, I’ll make her life a living hell.