Kate Hopper's life hadn't been exactly easy.
Ever since her little sister had fallen ill, it seemed her life turned into a game of dominoes, and as each one fell, it felt as if things got harder and harder.
When her life got uprooted from New York C...
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STEVE HAD TAKEN Kate to his house right after school.
This wasn't an unusual thing for either of them. The girl had actually stayed at his house many times before. This time, however, a sense of awkwardness hung in the air, just as it did before all of the parties he'd thrown: they both knew what was coming.
"I still don't quite understand why I have to be here," Kate said, not looking up from her math homework as "Uptown Girl" played in the background.
"Because you're my friend," Steve replied. She only glared at him in response. "Oh, come on, don't look at me like that. Look, it'll be fun. Promise. Besides, I need your support."
She sighed, shaking her head, but looked back down and continued her homework.
"I know you love me," Steve said, watching her for her reaction. When she didn't reply, looking unfazed, he thought he'd change the subject. "Hey, my mom restocked the liquor cabinet the other day if you want anything. I know you don't normally drink, but—"
"Sure," Kate replied, not even looking up to him.
Steve gave her an unreadable expression, his heart skipping a beat. "Y–You sure?"
"Yep," she said, popping the "P." She still hadn't looked up from her homework.
His stomach churned at the thought of giving her a glass of wine, even if it was just wine—usually, Kate had been all right with not drinking. He thought that part of it was because of her dad's alcoholic streak, maybe because she liked watching him make a fool out of himself when she was sober, but he never bothered her about it, even if he thought it might help her become less anxious. Nonetheless, he always asked just in case, and most of the time, the answer was no unless they were at a party (and by party, that meant a real party). However, this time had seemed different. "You sure nothing's wrong?"
