‘siblings with benefits' relationship is perfect for both of you. But what if you two were to actually start dating?"

I shook my head.

“She doesn't want to start dating. She skipped her

Girlfriend of the Week slot, for one thing. I'm certainly more comfortable with Belle as my ‘little sister’ instead of my girlfriend, and she's stated plainly that she's happy with that role in my life.”

“Is she? Or is that a cover for her true feelings?"

I sighed.

“I'd like to think she's sincere.“

“Then what was all that shit between her and Holly?" Naimh raised her eyebrows. "What happens when some hot babe at Berkeley makes a pass at you?"

I chuckled.

“Knowing Belle, she'd probably want to drag that hot babe into a threesome and suck a creampie out of her."

“Well, maybe," Naimh conceded. "But what if that hot babe wants to stick around and become a little more meaningful to you? What happens if your ‘little sister' decides she gets to make the decisions about who is good enough for you or not?"

I pursed my Lips and thought about it. My initial reaction was to protest and say that Belle would never do such a thing as interfere in my love life that way, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized she was perfectly capable of acting in such a manner. The hostility she'd shown to Holly was evidence enough, and that didn't even factor in her recent admissions of jealousy

“Well, I suppose she and I will have to talk about that sort of thing,"

I said finally.

“I really don't intend to start dating her or anything, because I genuinely believe our relationship is better the way it is and I'll make that clear. Everything else... we'll have to work out. I mean, I don't have any choice otherwise. The reality is that we ARE going to Berkeley together, and nobody else is coming with us.”

“That didn't have to be the case."

I gave her a puzzled look.

“What do you mean by that?"

Naimh shrugged.

“Mari, Zofi, Alice: they all got into Cal. But they made the best choice for themselves and picked the schools they really wanted to be at rather than make a decision that was based solely on you."

I frowned. "Mari and Zofi I knew about. Alice got into Cal?"

Naimh nodded. "She didn't tell you?"

I shook my head.

“Gonna have to ask her about why she'd hide that from me."

“Maybe she's feeling guilty about choosing her school over choosing you." Naimh frowned. "Don't get me wrong: I'm thrilled I won't be alone. It would've sucked even more for me to go to UCLA without her.