REID

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Reid jogged down the creaky stairs, and into the kitchen. “Good morning, Mother,” she said as she helped herself to potato porridge.

Mother smiled and nodded. “Good morning. Oh Reid, I wanted to let you know - I’ll be signing them up this afternoon.”

Reid smiled triumphantly. “I’m glad to hear that. Father agreed to it?”

“They’re still too young for him, but he eventually agreed. It really is mainly about convenience - it’s just easier to have them taken care of in school than here. And we really could use the extra work I’m getting.”

“I agree.” Reid swallowed the last spoonful of porridge and tied on her preymark. “I’m going now. Have a great day!”

She left the house in good spirits, pride giving a bounce to her step. The twins being put in school was all her doing - she was the one who had first suggested it to her mother, who had planted the idea in her brain. Victory number one.

Coughing away a clump of ash, the night before suddenly came to Reid’s memory. She sighed deeply and her gait slowed. A rush of heat came over her face. She was embarrassed by having admitted that she missed those days too - the warm conversations she and Ember used to have. Then over time, things just changed. They stopped talking so long. A chill settled, and it hadn’t really been broken since.

Reid stopped in her tracks, her face stern. “Reid,” she hissed. “Get a hold of yourself. Those days are gone and they aren’t coming back. I’m living a new life now. I don’t need anybody. I’m fine as I am - I’m perfect as I am.”

Shakily, Reid took a deep breath. Sometimes she scared herself by feeling these emotions, by wishing for things she knew she shouldn’t want. There was a softness inside of her she didn’t like to admit she had. She needed to be strong and hard. Remorseless.

She took one more deep breath. “I’m making good progress already - I just need to… to keep at it and stay strong.”

GLENN

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Glenn closed the door and walked down the hall of the administration headquarters, then looked up and saw Reid coming through the main door. She looked up, and her deep blue eyes widened ever so slightly.

But then she raised her chin and walked in the opposite direction.

Glenn frowned, getting a strong sense that she was trying to communicate something to him. He had thought a lot about Ember’s words yesterday, about Reid being her sister and the pretty one of the family. It had only increased his admiration - was it love? for Ember, his wish to affirm her and show her that he really cared about her. But, now knowing that Reid was Ember’s sister, he needed to make an effort to not shun Reid. Snapping back to himself, Glenn hesitated, then called out, “Hello, Reid!”

Reid halted, then swiveled, her eyes narrowed as if she was indecisive - or suspicious. “Hi,” she said slowly.

“I saw your sister the other day - Ember,” Glenn said, hoping his voice hadn’t softened too obviously when he said Ember’s name. Just trying to be friendly, and nothing more.

“You did?” Reid asked after a pause.

Glenn inhaled, and nodded. Something suddenly had changed in Reid’s mannerisms. Her voice was quieter, stonier.

“I did,” Glenn said.

One side of Reid’s face smiled, almost dangerously. “How long have you known her?”

“Oh, I just ran into her recently - I’ve known you longer,” Glenn hastened to say, feeling a strangely urgent need to downplay his true feelings.

“I see. Well, it’s been nice talking with you,” Reid said calmly. “I hope we’ll see each other again soon.”

Glenn nodded, smiling faintly, as Reid turned and strode down the hallway. Reid rather confused him - she seemed to say things she didn’t mean.

“But why would she?” he murmured. “I’m probably making more of this than it actually is.” He sighed and shook his head, making his way to the door. Really, it probably isn't anything.

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