"Oh my God, Amanda…" Juliet pulled her into a tight hug, holding on a second too long. "How are you? Tell me you're okay."
"I'm fine, big sis," Amanda said, though her eyes searched Juliet's face. "But you—what's going on at work? Tell me everything."
Juliet exhaled slowly, like the weight of the house had followed her home. "It's… stressful.
Exhausting. Every single day feels like I'm walking on broken glass." She paused, her voice lowering. "But I'm managing."
Amanda leaned closer. "Managing how?"
Juliet swallowed. "He told me about the accident."
Her fingers tightened unconsciously. "Reckless driving. That's what caused it. He lost his brother… right there." Her voice trembled. "He survived."
Amanda's expression shifted, the room suddenly heavier.
"He thinks he shouldn't have," Juliet continued, almost in a whisper. "He said it like… like he died that day too, just not physically." She shook her head. "But he's trying to adjust. Slowly."
"And him? The way he treats you?" Amanda asked carefully.
Juliet hesitated. "He's… different now. Not as harsh as when I first started. Still difficult, but…" She trailed off.
"But what?" Amanda pressed.
Juliet quickly looked away and reached into her bag. "His mother gave me this." She handed over the money.
Amanda's eyes widened. "All this? For me?" She looked up, stunned. "You have to thank her for me. Please."
"I will," Juliet said softly.
There was a brief silence—too quiet.
Then Juliet added, almost reluctantly, "He asked me something oneday."
Amanda's curiosity sharpened. "What?"
Juliet hesitated, then said it quickly, like ripping off a bandage. "He asked if I had a crush on him."
Amanda blinked… then a slow, teasing smile crept in. "So, Sister Juliet… do you?"
Juliet's head snapped up. "What is wrong with you?" Her voice rose, sharp, defensive. "I'm telling you something serious and that's what you're thinking about?"
Amanda folded her arms, unfazed. "You didn't answer."
"I said go and get ready for school!" Juliet snapped, turning away.
Amanda laughed under her breath. "That's how I know it's true. You always get like this when you're hiding something."
"I said go!" Juliet's voice cracked this time.
Amanda grabbed her bag, still smiling. "Alright, alright. I'm going."
But even as the door closed behind her, her words lingered—
That's how I know you have a crush on him.
They echoed in Juliet's mind, louder with each passing second… until silence itself began to feel unbearable.