Deleted scene # 4. Do it for me

“ ’Kay Chris is on the way; I’ll see you when you come up.” You aim to hang up the call only for Jade’s voice to catch you at the last minute.

“Wait, I forgot to tell you why I called.” Jade coo’s, her voice is sickeningly sweet,                                                                                                           

I knew it! You’d be kidding yourself if you tried to deny the brief self-satisfaction when she said it.

“Oh, so that whole 'needing a reason' shtick was bullshit, then?”

You can hear Jade’s car door opening, then slamming shut. The clicking of her heels on the ground of the carport followed soon after.

“Ugh, that’s beside the point. Anyway, you will go out to eat with Auntie Em tonight without me.”

If you knew anything about Jade $p_lastname, it’s that she never takes no for an answer. She would get her way somehow, even if it meant lying,  cheating, or stealing. She would do so gladly.

You had witnessed Jade do some morally questionable things, yet you knew she would never do that to you, regardless of whether your relationship was good or bad.

[[Continue|1.17]]

“What, why? Jade, it’s a tradition. We’ve gone since we were kids; you can’t just not go.”

Tired of sitting around, you began picking up dog toys and placing them back on $d_name’s bed.

“Oh, come on, you know just as well as I do. You’re her favorite. I don’t feel like going; she won’t mind.”

Your eyes flicker towards the large windows, looking out at the Chicago skyline, the streets dusted with snow. “You two had another argument,  didn’t you?”

“Well, if you knew that, then you know why I’m not going. Plus, I need Chris to look over some documents. Besides,  $ch_heshe probably needs help to set this place up for your anniversary  tomorrow.”

<i>Maybe $ch_heshe didn’t forget our anniversary after all. </i>

“You’ve been so busy with work and the wedding planning. It will be nice to get out and spend time with her.”

You hated to admit she was right.

“Jade-“

“Go without me. Come on $p_name, do it for me. Don’t you love your sister?”

Choice 1 [[“Yeah.” of course you love your sister.|1.17a]]

You have always been close to your sister, the two of you had been inseparable growing up.

There had been some distance since getting with Chris. But that’s being expected when you two began living together.

It’s only natural that you spend more time with the person you’re going to marry than your sibling. Jade seemed to take it all in stride, even going on double dates with you.

“I’ll go, but you and Auntie Em really need to talk it out. She’s the only relative we have in Illinois. You can’t keep butting heads with her.”

Choice 2 [[You take a moment to respond, “Not even a little.” |1.17b]]

Jade’s voice catches. “Deny it all you want, but I know you do.”

“I’m going, but because I want to.”

You have nothing more to say, choosing to end the call. Your relationship had always been strained; the distance between you wasn’t accidental. It was fully intentional on your part.

Once Chris and you had become a couple, you didn’t need to make up an excuse for not seeing  Jade, because most of your time was spent with Chris.

It’s only natural that you spend more time with the person you’re going to marry than your sibling. Jade seemed to take it in stride.

Your childhood memories that once bound you had faded, leaving behind a sense of familiarity and tension.

Choice 3 [[You say nothing, hanging up the phone.|1.17c]]

You didn't feel like stroking Jade's ego. Knowing she needed no help in that area, it was easier just to let her be. Jade likely knew you would go, regardless.

Your aunt would be happy to see you either way, maybe even more so since Jade isn’t coming.

The two of you had drifted apart over the years. Childhood memories that once bound you had faded, leaving behind a sense of familiarity without closeness.

Once Chris and you had become a couple, you didn't need to make up an excuse for not seeing Jade, because most of your time was spent with Chris. It's only natural that you spend more time with the person you're going to marry than your sibling. Jade seemed to take it in stride.

Choice 4 [[Of course you love her. Right? |1.17d]]

You weren’t sure how to describe your relationship with Jade. If you two truly loved one another or simply withstood one another’s existence.

There had been a distance between you two for a while now. Ever since Chris and you had become a couple, you didn’t need to think about whether you wanted to spend time with Jade. Because most of your time was spent with Chris.

Your childhood memories that once bound you had faded, leaving behind a sense of familiarity without closeness.

It’s only natural that you spend more time with the person you’re going to marry than your sibling. Jade seemed to take it in stride. At least, Jade seemed to.