Mallory King is not a liar.

She just likes to embellish the truth a bit.

Mallory King is not a liar, so why does she feel like one when she sees the look of disappointment on Soren Carter's face.

"Really, Mallory?"

She shrugs.

"It's not like I said 'Soren Carter loves me', maybe she just got confused."

Okay, she thinks, she definitely did say that, but he doesn't need to know.

Soren frowns.

"Mal, she's not like that, she doesn't assume. She either knows, or she doesn't."

God, even when Noelle Parker isn't here she manages to disgust Mallory.

So pure.

They aren't a thing alike, and a small part of her wonders if that's why Soren loves her.

"Mallory."

"Huh?"

He groans, rubbing his temple.

She leans forwards, placing her fingertips at his forehead and pressing down in smooth circles.

"Mal, stop."

So she does, rocking back on her heels, arms swaying by her side.

"I love you, Soren."

He sighs.

"Mal, you're like a si - "

"Please don't finish that sentence, Soren."

"God, Mallory, why can't you just understand. I can't love you like that. I will never love you like that."

No.

Deep down Mallory knows he can't mean that, he just needs to realise that he loves her.

She just needs to force it out of him.

Besides, how much can Noelle Parker really mean to him?

"Soren, you can learn to love me."

He laughs, but it is dry, and humourless.

"No. I can't. Not when I love her."

"Noelle Parker is nothing, Soren."

He shakes his head.

"Noelle Parker is everything."

God, Mallory King hates Noelle Parker so much.

"It's either me or her, Soren. You have to choose."

"What?"

She straightens up, chin held high.

"You heard me."

He stares at her, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Mal - "

"Choose."

He pauses for what feels like a decade.

"You were always a sister to me, Mallory King."

And then he is walking away from her.

Soren Carter is walking away from Mallory King, and God, she doesn't know what to do.