16 Chapter 14 – When Plans Go Awry
Wearily prying open my eyes; Blinking a few times in a hopeful attempt at adjusting to the ridiculously bright light. An unidentifiable pressured sensation manifests around my cheek as I narrow my eyes questioningly towards my brightly smiling yet undeniably gorgeous Imouto comfortably laying down across my chest, who in turn graciously reclines her finger away from my cheek (I guess Sherlock Holmes's services won't be required for this particular mystery).
"Enjoying yourself this early in the morning are you Sis?" Eve giggled in her typical infectious manner before gracefully lowering herself towards the floor.
"I have to admit you make quite the comfortable bed Onii....Must be all that extra fat on you." Flashing a playful wink in my direction, my pathetic attempt at a cold stare was instantly rebuked reverting in a small fit of laughter.
"Anyway Baka were getting late, you'd better jump in the shower as soon as I'm done...Oh by the way Mr Popular someone's been blowing up your phone!" Eve casually stripped off her pyjama bottoms whilst walking upstairs, revealing her indescribably sexy hushed pink thong. Pausing momentarily in apparent contemplation, her wry grin was easily perceptible even from my unseeable position sat behind her as she proudly quipped under her breath: "It isn't polite to stare Onii," before happily disappearing upstairs.
I instantly found myself questioning Eve's motives behind that sultry display of exhibitionism. Was that merely recompense for my recently positive actions? Or perhaps a small reminder of her untouchable status above any female that happened upon my path?? Whatever the case Eve's perfect curves would have any heterosexual male sibling drooling on occasion, as I asked myself the question of what could have been had we not been siblings??? Staring pensively into the distance, I realised the answer in all probability was a resounding nothing!!! Curse my pathetically introverted self-conscious nature!!! Grabbing my phone in stark irritation, the awaiting message did nothing towards helping lift my disintegrated pride:
[Hey Shimon it's Lucy, apologies for messaging out the blue, however Eve kindly sent me your number upon request. We have to provide Miss Valdez our report for Barcelona on Friday and considering it's already Wednesday, I thought we had better meet up after school today and finalise the details. See you then! Xx]
Whilst ordinarily I'd be flabbergasted in absolute ecstasy at the minutest possibility of messaging the unfathomably beautiful Lucy Hardy, the planetary alignments felt particularly cruel considering today's already convoluted prior arrangements. Hopelessly shaking my head whilst wrapping my hands around my towel, my proceeding actions had become almost glaringly obvious leaving me with the tiniest (yet most significant) of questions remaining: How the hell am I going to explain this shit????????
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Though quite the cliché of phrases, you really could cut the tension in the air with a knife, (frankly I'm pretty sure even a blunt scissors would suffice in this case). The waitress carefully laid some menus down on the table in-front of us, before nervously scurrying away without so much as a backward glance. Staring towards the less-then-cheery faces situated around the cramped table, I began cursing that quick-thinking waitresses good fortune under my breath.
Myself and Scott were sat on one side of the table, whilst Rea, Eve and Lucy were on the opposite side. Were I to visit a scandalously overpaid psychiatrist following my midlife crisis, would he pinpoint this particular moment in my life as the moment everything went downhill?
"Well Shimon I'm happy to say I've finally solved the centuries long mystery surrounding your inevitable lack of presence around meetings, or any social gatherings for that matter.....You completely and undoubtedly suck at planning."
As if having undergone hours of intense synchronized practice, the girls instantly raised their hands whilst unceremoniously pronouncing in unison: "WE SECOND THAT!!"
Gazing helplessly towards the unsympathetic faces surrounding the table; My head drooped shamefully towards my hands as my seemingly short lived social life flitted haplessly towards the heavens, never to be seen or heard from ever again.
"Umm.....Just checking, but are you guys here to discuss what happened to Mia?" Lucy's softly spoken words were met with silent agreement. Lucy's standing as the unchallenged class rep coupled with her numerous friendships pointed to a certain inevitability towards knowing nearly all situations within the school grounds. Mean-whilst I found myself immediately reclining in fear upon noticing Rea's full on death stare out of the corner of my eye:
"Do you even know the definition of a date Shimon??"
"I...I...." However Scott didn't allow me to finish, (though I imagine that sentence was doomed to fail the instant I opened my mouth). Quickly shifting his glance between myself and Rea, an almost inevitable wide grin began pursing across his annoyingly effeminate lips:
"Wow Shimon managed to get a girl this hot to go on a date with him??? I'm impressed!" The look of confounded irritation immediately drained from Rea's face, replaced with what can only be described as unparalleled pleasure thanks to Scott's indirect compliment.
"If Shimon managed to convince me to go on a date, why would Rea be too hot for him all of a sudden??" I wasn't the only individual at the table to gaze wide-eyed in shock towards Eve's nonchalant revelation. Were a therapist to witness this scene, I imagine he'd be licking his lips in glee whilst planning a 5 star, once in a life-time, no expenses-spared trip to the Bahamas!! To cut a long story short...Your killing me here Eve!!!!!!!!!
"Hahaha wait this is too much, first you take your own sister on a date and now you take your other date to a group meeting??? Shimon you are comedy gold my friend!" Scott's hysterical laughter became ingrained in my memory for years to come following this slightly harrowing incident. Mean-whilst in real time; The girls were chattering away and giggling between themselves, mean-while Scott had his head down chuckling in hysterics whilst continuously slapping his hand towards the table, seemingly oblivious to the presence of anyone else. On a side note I'm pretty sure I've had recurrent nightmares of this exact situation and suffice to say....It never ended well!!!
In his typical assertive alpha-male behaviour; Scott drew everyone's attention via coughing ostensibly into his fist whilst ushering towards the waitress to bring us some drinks, before finally turning his attention towards an unusually apprehensive looking Lucy.
"So Miss Hardy what heinous crime did you commit, incurring the punishment of being dragged along to this tragically comedic procession??" Brushing his golden-blonde locks to the side whilst flashing his disgusting fastidiously rehearsed award-winning smile, failed to induce the typically over-exaggerated, swooning response expected from a clearly disinterested class representative.
"Me and Shimon were placed in charge of planning the summer festivities....I thought that's what we'd be discussing."
Lucy's underwhelming response inevitably irked Mr Class President, (welcome to the world of rejection pretty-boy). Turning his attention towards myself, a sneering smirk instantly replacing his typically amiable, (though in my view overly-conceited) look.
"Well Lucy I think I speak for everyone present, when I say how grateful we are in the knowledge that at least one extremely competent person will be planning our summer festivities." Tension when coupled with aggression can morph into a completely different (and far more dangerous) monster, easily perceptible yet extremely difficult to tame. A deathly silence tainted with anxiety enveloped the table; Narrowing my gaze towards Scott, a confident grin pursed across my lips as I gladly accepted his unspoken challenge:
"You needn't worry so much Scott, after all I was considering requesting two separate trips; One trip will consist of the normal, useful, friendly and intellectual individuals like myself and everyone else seated at the table. Mean-whilst the other trip will comprise of the remaining useless, intellectually-deficient, waste-of-space Assholes like you and your knuckle-head buddies.....What d'ya say Scott, problem solved??"
"I'd choose your proceeding words very carefully Shimon, unless you've forgotten that we're no longer team-mates." Scott drew his face menacingly close towards my own, his calm demeanour now but a distant ethereal memory as his cheeks blazed an ugly shade of crimson. If circumstances differed my reaction would have reciprocated in kind; However being present in a very public area whilst in the close vicinity of my nearest and dearest, I allowed the adrenaline currently coursing through my veins to induce the former of a fight or flight conundrum:
"Really??? And just what pray tell are you going to do if I don't pretty boy???" (So thought's really can progress into verbal reality, who'd have thunk it?)
"ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!" Eve drove her hands full-force towards the table whilst simultaneously jumping to her feet, the two males present immediately cowering in almost unimaginable fear.
"If the two of you are unable to contribute anything even remotely useful, I highly suggest you leave!! I expect substantially better from my so called Onii and the other half of the Student Council President....Am I making myself VERY CLEAR??" Eve glared angrily from her commanding position towering high above myself and Scott. However Eve's words were irrefutable, there were far more pressing issues then our heated prideful, (and very childish) exchange. Swallowing my fanciful pride I silently nodded my apologies to Scott who replied in kind. Before sheepishly apologising to the girls as well as the other shocked diners within our close vicinity, as a scathing Eve quietly reclaimed her seat.
Rea in typically level-headed fashion; Aiming to restore some parity to our current ideal exaggeratedly cleared her throat, instantly drawing the attention of everyone seated:
"Shimon....Considering you organised this outing, have you any thoughts on the best way to proceed in regards to our current dilemma??"
Though a necessary diversionary tactic, Rea's words caught me slightly off guard, leaving behind an intense feeling of trepidation. The weight of the groups gazed focused upon myself whilst silently awaiting a sufficient response felt unnaturally foreign, thankfully my spur of the moment decision to consider acceptable solutions during my walk to Veno's finally paid dividends:
"I could be completely wrong in my assumptions here, however from my own personal observations, Ronnie's strength is derived from her tightly-knit group of friends. If we could dissuade a few girls away from her totalitarian actions, we instantly dissolve a large fraction of her metaphorical power...Sort of a divide and conquer game plan."
Internally breathing a sigh of relief upon successfully relaying my hurriedly thought-out idea, I diverted my gaze hesitantly towards my recently aggravated ex-teammate. Ronnie and her clique considered Scott to as a good friend thereby providing us with a possible in-road into her group and therefore his co-operation and approval of our plans was sadly almost imperative.
Scott didn't return my gaze; Instead staring almost unflinching towards the table, his unerring silence coupled with his tightly clenched fists painted a picture whereupon words were unnecessary.
"Most of the girls in Ronnie's group are actually perfectly hospitable and well-mannered, regardless of your listless pre-conceptions Shimon." Scott was clearly struggling to keep his venomous anger in check, the calm demeanour and inviting outlook he had become renowned for at school, felt more a convenient facade. Though I suppose the idea of espionage between close friends could invoke hesitation within even the most timid of individuals. Regardless of the details, this delicate situation required a skilful diversionary method of questioning in order to steer our conversation towards a positive conclusion:
"So what are you suggesting?"
"I think....We should talk to Jenna." Eve looked particularly unconvinced by Scott's suggestion, raising her eyebrow in stark apprehension:
"You're referring to Jenna Knight? From what I've heard she's as ruthless as Ronnie." Scott instantly shook his head in disagreement; For some reason proceeding to wave his hands around in some form of theatrical expressionism whilst rebuking Eve's apparent misconception:
"She's developed a bad reputation due to her unapproachable attitude and also her....Historical issues." Scott brought his hands together, melodramatically resting his chin comfortably on top before inevitably releasing what seemed like an extremely over-exaggerated sigh.
Had I unknowingly passed out and become embroiled in a dream involving the release of the hit new drama "A dramatic day in the life of the fake Ass-hole known as Scott Taylor??" (Long titles are apparently a thing in Japanese anime these days).
"I've known Jenna for a long time, deep down she's a good person and furthermore she's the only girl Ronnie will listen to. The only problem is I don't think she'd listen to me as we've had our own differences.....But she might listen to Shimon." Upon hearing my name I could almost see the inevitable reaction before it transpired; The gaze of everyone currently sitting comfortably around the table, instantly became fixated upon myself in complete astonishment. Silently motioning my shared confusion towards Eve, I turned and stared questioningly towards Scott:
"Me.....Why me exactly??"
"You have a way of getting what you want.....You always have." Scott remained eerily unperturbed, refusing to turn towards me or even acknowledge my presence as he spoke. On the surface Scott's words seemed void of malicious intent, however there appeared to be a more sinister undertone hidden deep within his emotionless words and phrasing.
"Shimon could you come with me for a moment please, I'd like to take a quick look around?" Rea flashed one of her enviably gorgeous smiles in my direction, before motioning with her hand for me to quickly follow suit.
Nodding my head in silent agreement; A shift in scene could help relieve some of the pressure in this tense situation and furthermore Rea's demeanour implied her question was more of a requirement as opposed to just a mere suggestion. However the moment we had moved out of sight from the rest of our group Rea's hidden motives became clear, instantly entwining my hand in hers whilst whispering seductively into my ear:
"Shimon I hope you haven't forgotten our date, you owe me some alone time after the other day." There was no doubting Rea's sensuality: The intoxicating scent of her perfume lingered behind every tiny or sudden movement, her strapless white dress perfectly hugging each and every beautifully toned curve, even something as insignificant as a sideward glance or incidental hair flick was performed with an arrogance demanding your pure and unadulterated attention.
"I'm sorry Rea, there's been so much going on and I...." Rea had no intention of allowing me to finish; Whilst we stood together hand in hand staring into one another's eyes, she confidently tilted her head slightly to the left and leant in kissing me tenderly on the lips. The subtle yet unequivocal utilisation of her soft lips and tongue perhaps suggestive of previous practice. Subsequently the intense flow of adrenaline and testosterone currently coursing through my every artery and vein ensuring the incessant pounding of my heart, prevented my ability to formulate or articulate any possible question or thought I may have had.
Moving barely a few centimetres away, a wry smile etched across her face whilst seductively licking her wet lips. Rea gazed almost hypnotically into my eyes whilst the light twinkled perfectly off the oceanic blue of her iris, melodically reciting only a few necessary words:
"Too bad I can't wait around when your involved Shimon." With her pre-requisite conditions resoundingly fulfilled, Rea pranced away towards the counter without so much as a backward glance or cheeky sideways look. A wide grin plastered across her face; Intentionally hidden from my watchful gaze as I remained absolutely still, gulping large swaths of air in an extremely hopeful attempt to regain even an iota of composure.
