Fusion by Imogen Rose Read Free Book Online Page B

completely. She’d have to adjust back to what it was like before.
    A shower had become a necessity. I stood under the hot spray for ages, letting the drops wash away my anger. The irritation was replaced by remorse. Poor Ella. She must be wondering what the heck was going on. One minute I was lending her stuff, and the next I was back to my old rules. She’d had a whole year of the other me. At her age, that probably felt like forever. She’d probably forgotten what I had been like before. I turned off the water, dried myself, got ready super fast, and rushed down the stairs.
    All the chatting stopped as I entered the kitchen. Everyone looked up at me, their faces grumpy. Ella had obviously told them.
    “Ella, I am so sorry,” I said quickly and walked around to her chair. “I’m having a hard time getting used to things. Everything has changed. But I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I am really sorry.”
    She looked up and nodded slightly. “So, it’s okay if I take your Pucci, then?”
    The little monkey. “Yes, I guess. But let’s talk about other borrows before you help yourself. Okay?”
    “I suppose. Most of your bags are in my closet. You said you didn’t want them.”
    Sheesh! I took a deep breath, breathing out again to maintain my cool. “Let’s talk about that later.” I turned to sit down between Ali and Maria.
    As Mom passed me the bacon, Ali leaned in and squeezed my arm. “Totally with you. Can’t believe you let her have them in the first place! Can’t see you getting them back, though. But no worries, we can always go shopping.” She smiled.
    “And replace my whole bag collection?” I whispered back.
    “Oh, she doesn’t have them all. Just the Pucci, your MJ clutch, and the Chanel messenger.”
    The Chanel messenger! My pride and joy. It was all I could do to not throw a complete wobbly. I’d have to find a way to get that one back. She could keep the other two. I bit into the bacon, catching Kellan’s look from across the table. Well, not exactly his look: his full-blown snorts of laughter. I threw a piece of bacon at him. “Stop! It’s not funny!”
    He held his hands up in surrender as he tried to stifle his chortles.
    “Enough, Arizona. No throwing food around.” Mom’s tone was stern and final.
    “So, what’s everyone doing today?” Harry asked, trying to lighten the mood.
    “I’ve got a playdate with Jonas and Sally,” Ella said. “Mom, you’re taking me, right?”
    “I’m dropping you off, Ella,” Harry said.
    “That’s right.” Mom stood up. “I’ve actually got to head into my office for a while, so I will see you later. Call me if you need anything.”
    “Is Dad coming home today?” Ella asked.
    “I’m not sure, but I’ll try to find out. See you later, Munchkin.” Mom kissed the top of Ella’s head and left with Bruno.
    “Ella, you ready?” Harry asked.
    “Yes.” She threw me a cursory glance before reaching down under the table and emerging with my Pucci. And they were off.
    Ali laughed. “Little monkey! But you can’t really blame her. You’ve been shockingly disinterested in your bags.”
    “And on that note, I am going to head out,” David said, leaving just the girls, Kellan, and me. They had already finished breakfast, so they hung around while I chowed on mine.
    “Are you totally back to your normal self?” Maria asked. “Including your obsession with bags.”
    “I’m not sure what that means. I am just me. I think.”
    “You think?” Maria raised an eyebrow. “I guess you’re all confused? I mean, you were thinking of cheering yesterday…”
    “What’s so strange about that?” I asked snippily.
    “Nothing, I guess. Except that you haven’t done it for so long. Try not to take everything so personally. We’ve all been living with another you for almost a year. Imagine what it was like for us! It’s great that you’re back to normal, but give us a break. It took us a while to get used to the other you.”
    Ali