The Truth According to Ember

by Danica Nava

I was just Ember Lee Cardinal, a sometimes liar, but mostly an overall good person.

I crossed my legs at my ankles as Queen Clarisse Renaldi taught me when I

was a kid. If dorky Mia Thermopolis could be a princess, then I could get hired here.

“It looks like you have no idea what’s going on in your own department, Horowitz,” Mr. Stevenson said as he stretched his arms overhead.

Lol

“I could use it, and if it acts up, then we can take it to a field and beat it to shit.”

Lol

“Ember, do you have a date?” Danuwoa asked me, and I caught on. “No, Dan, do you have a date?” “Afraid not.”

Lol

There was no one to help them if I ever broke down. I had to be everything for everyone, and as exhausting as that was, it also defined me. I wasn’t an artist. I

wasn’t a great cook. But I was dependable, and I showed up for those I loved. That had to count for something in this life.

Yes yes yes

“You worry too much. I’ll make sure your bras are out of sight, but know that the man has already noticed your membership in the itty-bitty titty committee.”

Lol

Danuwoa broke the silence. “So, uh…Native Daddy, huh?” “You heard?!” I was beyond mortified. “Every word,” he said with a laugh. “For the record, I don’t have daddy issues.”

It was dark, but the streetlights illuminated him enough. He wiggled his eyebrows. “Wanna start?” I pushed his chest, laughing at his dumb bravado. “Shut up before I jump out of this car.”

Natalie was wasted as an executive assistant. She could run a company.

I didn’t fear her. I wanted to be her. She was the most incredible person I had ever met.

“I never had friends that were that good-looking. He looked like

a fine young man. I saw that smile. He likes you.”

Lol Aw the aunt ships them.

“With benefits? Isn’t that what you young kids do nowadays?”

Lol

That was the problem with hope. It created expectations, and when they weren’t met, you were left feeling crushed.

The hussy within me wanted to test-drive more than just cars today, and I didn’t know if we could help ourselves from just completely going at it in a pretty spacious SUV.

They're so cute!

“One percent,” Danuwoa corrected me. “What?” “How the other one percent live. Half the population does not fly on private jets.” “It was just an expression,” I grumbled.

“And I was just teasing.” He crossed his arms and smiled. “Stop doing that.” “Teasing you?” “That and smiling and being likable in general.” He took a step toward me and lowered his voice. “I promise to try

to hate this car for you. Is t...

Giggling And kicking my feet over them.

“You’re a little bossy one, aren’t you?” To Danuwoa he said, “How do you keep her in line?” He chuckled like he’d cracked the world’s funniest joke.

“Have you told Danuwoa?” I smiled my most mischievous smile. “No. I want to see his face.”

“You’re cruel to that man, and all he ever did was like you.” “He teases me just as much, if not worse. He still won’t change his name on my company computer. It still says ‘Native Daddy.’ I have to hide my laptop whenever he messages me.”

They are cuties.

“It was only some slight turbulence. You okay?” “You call that slight? The whole plane jerked up and down! We are in a metal can in the sky!”

“Your freak-outs are kind of cute.” I pushed out of his arms. “I had a slight”—to use his word—“moment of panic. I’m fine.” I cleared my throat.

They're too cute.

“Be careful, Danuwoa, I wouldn’t want to ruin you,” I said, laughing. He sat up and rested his arms on the bed. “It’s funny. I woke up this morning thinking,

‘I hope this girl destroys me.’ ”