She couldn’t tell if she liked having you around, or if you were just as annoying as Wybie and his ‘wuss puss’. She supposed it didn’t matter, because whether she liked your company or not, you were almost always around near the pink palace.

For example, she’d sometimes spot you at the edge of the woods, just walking with Wybie— which is how she concluded you were his cousin. You came down every now and then to help him and Grandma out.

Of course, Wybie just had to have her meet you. Which was fine, by Coraline standards. It was nice to have another girl around. Boys sucked. Plus, you both were thirteen. So it was even better.

Currently you were both sitting on the porch steps of the Pink Palace Apartments. There wasn’t much fog today— and plus, Wybie was out in town. Much to your dismay.

“The other mother is better then my parents. She actually cooks good food.”

Coraline huffed, as she told you about her vivid ‘dreams.’ She knew they were real. Not that anyone else believed.