The girls felt proud of themselves for helping Isabel figure out if Caelan was right for her, so they walked away feeling happy.
Once her friends were gone, Isabel quickly took my hand and explained, “Ms. Warren, please don’t be upset.
“I asked Caelan to act like he was interested in me. If I didn’t, they would try to set me up with someone, and that would be annoying.”
Seeing I stayed silent, Caelan was displeased. “Nellie, we were just acting. Don’t be so petty.”
Before, I would have made a big fuss and made everyone uncomfortable.
But after everything that happened, I did not care anymore. “I’m not angry.”
The pain in my stomach got worse. I held my belly and could not stand up straight.
“Caelan, can you take me home?”
Caelan clicked his tongue with irritation. “Nellie, enough! Is this how you show you’re not angry?
“Stop pretending in front of me! You need to stay here until the party is over! You’re not going anywhere!”
Then, he put his arm around Isabel’s waist and walked away.
I hid in a corner and tried to withstand the pain. My face was pale.
Finally, the party ended.
However, Isabel said her emerald earring fell into the pool.
When Caelan heard this, he turned to me and said, “Isabel and I have another event to attend.
“Nellie, jump in and get it.”
