By the time winter break rolled around, I thought we'd finally get some quality family time—just the three of us.
I never imagined she'd still try to come to my house.
Sabina gazed at me with those pitiful eyes. "Maisie, I couldn't get a ticket home, so I guess I'll have to stay at your place this break."
"I'm your big sister, after all. You wouldn't turn me away, would you?"
I was already irritated.
"Sabina, you can call yourself my sister if you want—I don't care. But our family of three is going on a trip this break. There won't be anyone home."
"Besides, it's almost New Year's. Your family's okay with you not coming back?"
"In my heart, your family is the only home I have. Whether I go back to that other place doesn't matter. Since the three of you are going on a trip together, I'll just stay at the house by myself."
I wasn't sure I'd heard her right.
"Did you just say you want to stay at my house alone for the entire break?"
"Yeah. Is that a problem?"
"Of course it's a problem!"
I shut that down immediately.
"Sorry, but no—I'm not comfortable lending you my house to live in by yourself. You need to figure out how to get a ticket back to your own home."