LENA
I sat cross-legged on the floor between Evan and his sister, cards fanned out in my hand. The soft buzz of the ceiling fan stirred the air, carrying the scent of buttery popcorn and the fruity shampoo Sienna must have used.
"What even is this game?" I asked, squinting at the mess of cards in front of us.
"It's simple," Evan said with a lazy grin. "You lie."
"Convincingly," Sienna added, nudging me with her foot.
"Not your best skill, Lena," Evan teased.
"Gee, thanks," I muttered, but I smiled. It felt good in this moment. Light and easy, like I was a regular girl hanging out with friends and not someone whose entire life had been turned inside out.
We started the first round, and I threw down two sevens, declaring them kings. Evan immediately called my bluff.
"Your lying face is terrible," he laughed, grabbing the cards. "It's the eyebrows. They twitch."
"They do not!" I protested, but even Sienna was giggling.
