Tara was sitting on the bottom step of the stairs, she looked up as Alina appeared “I’m not trying to cause trouble I’m so sorry if I started something” Tara said she looked at Alina"Tara!" Alina called, but too late. She turned to Calder, anger in her vivid blue eyes. "Did you have to?" she snapped.
Calder was taken aback. He had never seen Alina angry before, and he'd known her for twelve of her sixteen years. He came further into the room, hurt by her glare.
"I'm sorry!" he said.
"That's not enough!" Alina said, frustratedly, "Can't you get this? Tara doesn't have a place—doesn't have anyone—how can you drive her out?"
"She's not the only one who doesn't have anyone," Calder replied, almost inaudibly. He turned away. Alina jumped up off the bed.
"I'm sorry—Calder, that was inconsiderate of me." she said, "I can guess how you must feel, but can't you please deal with it in some other way than being—being obnoxious?"
Calder's eyes darkened. "That's what you think of me?"
"No!" Alina denied, "Of course not. You were going to be my big brother, remember?" she pointed out, slipping a slim arm through his. "It's just... Tara's going through the same. And I can't help you. You haven't even let me try. But Tara might. So I ought to."
She pulled away from him and ran out of the room. "Tara?"