9 Chapter 8 - A Two-Some Becomes An Unwanted Three-Some
In actuality an 8 minute walk was a gross under-estimate. Eve generally power-walks besides me like she's prepping for leg-day at the gym, Lucy on the other hand appears to want to break the international record for the slowest walking pace ever recorded. Not that I'm complaining, after all I'm pretty sure I've dreamt of this scenario....A trillion times!! Though I'm pretty sure it won't end like my dream, the details of which shall remain an eternal secret never to see the light of day....That includes the prying eyes of you readers for that matter!
"Actually there was something I forgot to ask Miss Valdez, what happens to the student's who don't come on the trip?"
To all you confident Alfa-males out there, this sentence will mean very little however remember my self-conscious blithering idiot syndrome? Being able to string together a few words into one perfectly articulated sentence in the presence of a beautiful girl (who doesn't happen to be Eve) is a truly astounding achievement for a self-conscious loner like myself.
"Oh they'd have to attend classes on the days were off, the Summer Festivities are generally held on one of the last days of school so teachers will still be available."
"Wow that sounds like it would suck." Lucy's infectious smile returned as she covered her mouth with her hand and giggled at my little quip. Funnily enough when I was younger the popular girls would often point and laugh at me due to my slim build, slightly oversized forehead and unsociable persona; This girl on the other hand.....
"Drink?" Lucy suddenly blurted out.
Lucy's sudden random choice of words...Or word for that matter; Failed to register as I stared towards her in a state of utter confusion, however Lucy refused to elaborate instead conveniently taking out her phone and texting someone. Upon arriving at my house Lucy half-heartedly waved goodbye when the meaning of her outburst finally hit me (at least I hope it did):
"Hey Lucy how about that drink from before?" Oh crap I shouted that out without considering all credible possibilities. What if Lucy was actually answering a call on a hidden Bluetooth headset? Or what if she has some form of involuntary speech disease? Or what if.....
"I'd love to!" Lucy turned around and began walking back towards me; Her luscious lips pursed into an warmly endearing smile, momentarily captivating me.
Holy shit did Lucy Hardy actually just agree to come over to my house for a drink?? Am I dreaming or something?? Pinching my wrist caused me to yelp under my breath.....OK so I'm definitely not dreaming.....Relax Shimon you can do this, just pretend she's Eve and you'll be fine....Wait a second that would make me an extremely comfortable Siscon; What the hell think up a better plan you tool!!
"So....Shall we go inside?" Gulping loudly, I suddenly became extremely conscious of Lucy's vicinity to my own as she stood shoulder-to-shoulder beside me in-front of my house door. Did Lucy always smell this good??? Oh crap what drink am I going to offer her when we get inside?? I can't just offer Coke or something lazy from a bottle, perhaps tea?? After all Eve always praised my tea connoisseur abilities....Yeah let's go for tea that should work.....But first let's open the door, that might help.
Taking a deep breath after nervously closing the door inevitably failed to calm my nerves as Lucy tentatively stood with her hands behind her back just in-front of me. The only possible sight more incredible than the one situated directly in-front of me would require two Lucy Hardy's from alternate realities...And definitely Rea.....And possibly Eve.....Christ I really need to stop Sis-Conning.
"Um...Lucy why don't you take a seat on the couch and I'll whip up some tea....How do you like your tea by the way??"
"Half a teaspoon sugar with some milk please."
"Don't forget me Onii." Eve's familiar voice followed her arrival down the stairs as I froze...Oh man, I was barely prepared for Lucy coming over but now Eve's here too?? I'm getting a really bad feeling about this.
"Onii I'm impressed.....First you muster the courage to ask your gorgeous sister on a date and now you actually brought Miss Hardy over??" Eve's hand slid softly down my arm as she whispered seductively into my ear; Sending fresh shivers tingling up and down my spine.
"Me and Lucy were chosen to organise the Summer Festivities this year.....Lucy came over to discuss our idea for a trip to Barcelona for a few days."
"You lost me the second you opened your mouth Onii....Lucy fill me in whilst Mr Nervous over here does something useful with his life.....Like MAKING THE TEA!!!"
Eve pranced over towards Lucy taking a seat besides her on the couch; Having what sounded like a typically girly conversation between themselves whilst I leisurely boiled the kettle.
There's something extremely comforting about pouring a steaming kettle into a cup; The intoxicating fragrance from the tea-bag as the aromatic particles disperse into the surrounding air, enchanting your senses whilst softly caressing your nostrils and eventually soothing your very soul.
"So Onii was the shocked look on your face when you realised you weren't alone, due to having your lewd plans scuppered?" Sigh....Can't a guy just dream in peace once in a while??
"Wait what!!!! No.....No Lucy I swear I had no intention to...." One look towards my radish-tinged face caused my evil sister and Lucy to burst out laughing...Who the heck needs horror movies when you can just gather together a group of females?? Talk about scary.
"Sor....Sorry for laughing Shimon...Shimon has always been very hospitable towards me Eve." Lucy smiled brightly towards me as I walked over towards the girls, carefully placing the cups on the table before sheepishly scurrying back to drink mine behind the counter.
"Aww look at Onii he's blushing....Guess you made quite the impression on him Lucy."
"I'm not blushing!!! I just.....Oh forget it you ass." Laughably failing at my pathetic attempt to inconspicuously hide my flushed face behind the counter as I finished drinking my tea. All of a sudden I felt a familiar warmth as Eve wrapped her arms around me, hugging me close before whispering softly into my ear:
"You'll be fine, just relax Onii."
Flashing me one of her radiant smiles before turning around to face Lucy:
"Thanks for the tea Onii, sorry I couldn't sit around longer Lucy I have some things to sort. Take care and hopefully I'll see you soon." Eve hugged Lucy before calmly disappearing upstairs; Precariously leaving myself and Lucy on our lonesome. Frankly I'm unsure whether to write Eve a thank-you note or snip some of those perfectly silky blonde locks of hers.....
"You can come sit over here you know Shimon." Lucy's words were softly spoken as she calmly motioned for me to sit besides her. Taking a deep breath before anxiously walking over and taking a seat besides Lucy, Eve's words suddenly reverberated around my mind "Just relax".....Easier said than done I thought. Sitting a few inches away from this gorgeous specimen is one thing, creating conversation when I'm a nervous wreck is another.....Perhaps I should wait for divine intervention??
"So Shimon.....Do you have a girlfriend?"
Hahaha clearly whatever all-powerful being heard me has one fucked up sense of humour.....I'm pretty sure Eve underestimated my inspired ability to screw up even finely gift-wrapped opportunities. Anxiously gulping I pathetically forced a whispered reply:
"I've never had one....Why do you ask?"
"No reason really, though I'm quite surprised you've never had a girlfriend, Eve seems to think very highly of you."
"I think Eve's just happy to exploit any possible opportunity to tease me." If I'm completely honest, the cold beads of sweat currently pursing down the back of my neck and forehead don't scream unbridled confidence. Nervously chuckling I took a few sideward glances to try and gauge Lucy's reaction however her expressions remained completely unreadable.
"I heard Eve refused every guy who asked her out, yet she went with you. I mean I know she's your sister and all, but still she's probably one of the most popular girls in school."
It's impossible to deny that unequivocal fact, after all Eve is a 10 in almost every department (including her ability to annoy the crap out of me). However if word reached my classmates that I'm a Sis-con, my non-existent social life will reach lows only spoken of in hushed whispers in the darkest reaches of hell.
Stuck in one of my typically self-engaging daydreams I didn't notice Lucy had stood up beside me and was quietly grabbing her things.
"The tea was awesome Shimon.....Sorry I really need to get going."
Having never been in this precarious situation before I was typically unaware of how to react, taking a few calming deep breaths my right arm involuntarily raised towards Lucy. Glancing towards my hand, Lucy's cheeks turned a dark shade of red as she shook my hand and softly giggled.
"I take it you don't hang around many women Shimon?? I'll see you tomorrow at school take care of yourself."
Lucy took one last innocuous glance towards me, providing her customary wave before opening the door and silently walking off into the distance. Wearily placing my back against the door and forcing it shut, a lingering feeling remained that I had completely blown an unmissable opportunity.
"After all that you offer her a flipping handshake??? What are you 12??? USELESS ONII!!" Eve's unmistakeably shrill voice though typically unhelpful, was tragically truthful.
"URUSAI BAKA!!" I screamed back at the top of my lungs (Shutup idiot in Japanese).
Eve sighed as obnoxiously as possible before emphatically slamming her door closed, creating sound waves large enough to have shattered the iceberg culpable for destroying the Titanic. Dejectedly slumping onto the couch, I couldn't shake the feeling I had forgotten something...Oh yeah that text message from earlier!!:
Hey Shimon it's Rea....Sorry we didn't get a chance to talk more at Adventure World, I was sort of preoccupied....But it was great seeing you and Eve again, plus you looked soooo different dude!!! Anyway save my number and I've got a surprise in store for you tomorrow!! Catch up soon XoXoX
God any more surprises like today and I'll definitely require some in-depth research into under 20 life insurance policies!! Wearily closing my bedroom door behind me, I collapsed face-first onto my bed unsure whether today could be considered evolutionary progression or just pure-unadulterated pitiful regression.
