Once, the sight of them together would’ve crushed me.
Now, I just felt… hollow.
Carla spotted me first. Her voice rang out, falsely sweet. “Debbie! Want some apples? Beta Muxim gave them to us. Darrell said you love them.”
Darrell turned, grinning like we were friends. “Debbie loves apple pie,” he chimed in.
I met his gaze, unflinching. “No,” I said. “I don’t like it.”
He blinked. “What? Of course you do. We both—”
“I said no,” I cut in, steady. “You love it. Not me.”
Carla’s expression twisted, a mask of innocence and hurt. “Did I do something wrong? I only wanted to share with you…”
I could see right through her act. Every time I refused her false kindness, Darrell treated me like the villain.
His voice snapped like a whip. “Debbie, what is wrong with you? Carla’s being nice. Could you stop being petty and just try to get along?”
I bit back the storm of emotion threatening to rise. Arguing was useless. I was done being the one who always had to defend herself.
I managed a forced smile and reached for the basket. “Thanks, Carla,” I said, selecting three apples. “I need to get to class. The pups are waiting.”
I turned away, but before I could step forward, Darrell caught my arm.
Debbie's POV