They Both Wanted Me Every Day — Now They Both Want Sunday to Last Longer Without Me Chapter 02

They Both Wanted Me Every Day — Now They Both Want Sunday to Last Longer Without Me Chapter 02

On the way back, Frank Morrison, the bulter, watched me in the rearview mirror.

“I saw Mr. Sterling and Ms. Hale’s cars earlier. Thought I might not get to pick you up today.”

I leaned against the window. Rain outside blurred the streetlights into smudges of neon. Staring too long made my eyes ache.

Frank kept talking. “Mr. and Mrs. Vance are always busy out of town. Good thing you have them. Mr. Sterling and Ms. Hale really care about you.”

I set the lemon bars on my lap. The paper wrapping was already soaked through from the tea.

Yeah. They’d cared for me for seven years.

And when you care for someone that long, you get tired.

…

Sophomore year, my dad shoved me from the regular track into the honors program. Nobody wanted to sit with me. They said I had nothing but the Vance money—empty as a new vase.

Ethan sat on my left. Nora on my right. First and second in the grade. They didn’t talk to me either.

Ethan’s family was in debt. He bought only a roll for lunch. Nora’s mom was sick. She picked the meat out of her meals and packed it in a small container to take home.

The first time I noticed, I pretended I didn’t.

The next day, I brought three meals.

Ethan wouldn’t eat. Nora wouldn’t either.

So I shoved my workbook at them. “Tutoring fees. Take it or leave it.”

After that, they tutored me every day. I brought them food every day.

People laughed at them for latching onto the Vance heiress.

I slammed the table and yelled back. “You get first and second place too, then we’ll talk.”

Ethan glanced at me that day and crossed out the formula I’d gotten wrong. Nora pushed her lunch box back and said quietly, “Don’t bring shrimp next time. My mom can’t stand the smell.”

That was the first time she’d ever said something personal to me.

From that day on, I thought we’d be like that forever.

My dad said not to give out Vance favors lightly. I didn’t listen.

When Ethan needed startup money for his first company, I sold the pearl necklace I’d received at my coming-of-age ceremony. When Nora wanted to open her own atelier, I leased her my storefront for a dollar.

They had too much pride to take handouts. So I made them write promissory notes.

Those notes stayed locked in my oldest storage trunk.

Ethan said back then, “Lena, I’ll protect you.”

Nora said, “Anyone who makes you cry will have to go through me.”

…

The car pulled up to the Vance house. Frank opened my door.

Just as I was about to get out, my phone lit up. Nora had sent a photo.

In it, Ethan’s wrist wore the old leather cord I’d given him. Nora’s fingers rested right beside it.

She wrote, [Lena, would you wear that white dress tomorrow? Ethan says you look sweet in white.]

I stared at the word “sweet.”

Suddenly I remembered sophomore year, when they first got picked on. I was the one who stood up for them—like the hot-headed, reckless rich girl I was.

I texted back, [Okay.]

And threw the lemon bars in the trash by the door.

…

The next evening, Ethan’s car pulled up on time. He got out with a gift box.

“Put this on.”

I opened it. The white dress from Nora’s photo. Too tight in the waist, too low in the neckline.

I didn’t like it.

Ethan closed the lid for me. “Nora picked it out for a long time. Don’t spoil it for her.”

I looked up at him. “It’s my birthday. Why do I have to cater to her mood?”

Ethan paused mid-motion adjusting his cuff links. “She’s been busy all day for you.”

“And you?”

“I’ve been busy too.”

“Busy wishing Sundays were longer with her?”

He went silent.