Touch Problem

Xin (pov)

I hate being myself! I can't touch my own family, especially my Father. When I turned 3 years old, I got hospitalized. I almost died! Just because I was touched by my playmate who happened to be a boy. The doctor told my family that I have "Hypersensitivity". A lot of doctors got curious about my case and tried to cure me. Their million dollar question remains to be "Why does Xin act like she wants to throw up or kill a man when they try to be near her or when they try to touch her?" Since that day, my parents gave up trying to find a cure for me. My sister is the only one I can talk to. She's also the only one who can touch me. So, she avoids having sexual intercourse with men. Why? Because once it happens, she will be gone in my life. I fear for that moment to happen. I feel guilty that because of me, she can't find her true love or be happy with someone else. Her name is Veronica, by the way. She assured me that she's fine as long as she's with me, as long as I'm happy. It doesn't matter to her if she's not in any relationship.

I avoided a lot of people, even though I'm gay. I also avoided many girls and women because I don't know how my body will react to them. It's like my body knows that the girls or women have had sexual intercourse with men. I don't know what having a normal allergic reaction is like... BUT once I was touched by a man, he will end up in the hospital.

I remember the time when I was in my sophomore year in a private all girls high school, my Maths teacher, Mr. Denver, intentionally gave me detendtion. He almost died when he tried to sexually harass me. A lot of teachers came to the detention room when they heard Mr. Denver's pained screams. Nobody tried to go near me that time. I was so mad that I felt like wanting to kill everyone inside that room. I don't know how to explain it...but...it felt like darkness consumed my being. I heard Mr. Denver's pained cries when I kicked him hard on his ribs, abdomen, and when I punched him multiple times. I think I might have broken his jaw. Even my parents are afraid of me that only Veronica, my sister, was the only person whi helped me calm down. This is the reason I don't have any friends.

I live with Veronica in a 4 bedroom apartment. Each room has its own bathroom and comfort room. I don't know why my sister loves this apartment though. I don't talk too much but I am smart. Way too smart compared to girls my age. I stopped going to school and started helping my granmother in her company. You can call me a computer genius and I love hacking for fun! Oh, but I don't do dangerous things like hacking the government or the CIA. I'm being paid well. A little too much for my liking though. I love helping my grandma in her work but I don't go to her office. I work at the comfort of my own room. I just send whatever files that grandma asks of me.

Veronica also works at grandma's company. She is actually being groomed as the next CEO of the company. It is a billion dollar company with branches all over the world. It is famous for creating video games. As for my grandpa...well... he was left behind by my grandma. He's a manwhore even though he is okd enough to know what's right from wrong. I don't care about him.

I was drinking mineral water in our living room after exercising in our mini gym. I love working out. In fact, our mini gym was made just for me. Working out keeps me healthy because my job requires for me to just sit and type in front of my computer. I was startled when the door suddenly opened. My sister came in and I saw 3 other girls following her which made my left eyebrow twitch. They stopped talking when they saw me.

"Hey, I thought won't come out of your room this day." Veronica said as she fidgets.

I wiped my sweat from my forehead down to my six pack abdomen. This is the first time she brought other people home. She knows all too well what the consequences are if she brings other people here. My gray eyes with a bluish hue focused on my sister who is avoiding my gaze. I just fixed my black hair that covers my left eye and still didn't respond to her.

"L-Look, I'm sorry for not telling you about this in advance... B-but... anyways, I want you to meet my g-girlfriend, Heidi. Heidi, I want you to meet my sister, Maxine." A long haired brunette walked towards Veronica and held her hands, calming her down. Veronica finally looked in her eyes like she's afraid of something.

I held my breath for a second and placed my water at the table. I breathed slowly and gripped my hands tightly as I feel my rage surging. I wanted to control myself so as not to yell at my sister and hurt her visitors. I clenched my jaw and sighed. "Let's talk after I shower." I immediately left for my room. How could she? How could she keep this secret from me for so long? Since when is my sister gay? Her being gay is not a problem. It's just that I am hurt because I thought there were no secrets between us.

After showering, I wore a knee-length, black, leather shorts that I paired with a white, fitting, V-neck tshirt that shows my collarbone and traces my toned muscles. I am by no means, a buff muscle girl. My muscles are just toned. I breathed deeply to calm myself before going out of my room. I heard them laughing and murmuring in the living room.

Veronica smiled at me when saw me. She's sitting on the big, black couch with her girlfriend, Heidi. I didn't smile at her and just sat on the couch in front of them, emotionless. The other girls sat on the vacant ottoman chairs.

"They are my other friends, Cherry and Amara." Veronica pointed at the two girls. Cherry is a red-haired girl with a bob cut. She is small and cute. She waved her hand and I nodded in response to her. Amara, on the other hand, is blonde. Her hair was braided like that of Valkyrie's. She's tall and she wore a short, short pants that showed her toned legs. She looks intimidating but her blue eyes shows a certain warmth into them. She said "hi" but I also just nodded in response to her.

I looked at my sister, folded my arms and relaxed my back on the couch. "How long?"

Veronica breathed deeply and looked into my eyes. "2 years. We met at college. She's not my classmate though. Just... schoolmates. We became friends through Amara. I'm sorry for not telling you this."

I kept my face emotionless. "Is she...you know, sa free to be around me?"

"Yes. She knows about your condition...So as Amara and Cherry. Don't worry. Heidi never had any sexual interaction with men so, she's safe to be around you. Well...about Amara and Cherry, they have had a few boyfriends. They can't be within 5 meters from you." Veronica fidgeted while she looked at the floor.

I felt chills run down my spine after hearing it. I got up and backed away. I looked at Amara and Cherry, released a deep sigh and clenched my fist.

Veronica stood up as she got extremely nervous with my reaction. "A-are you alright?"

"Why are they here?"

"We are having a sleepover. And I think we must try curing your condition-"

"How? By touching them?" I pointed at Amara and Cherry, their faces filled with worry. "You know what happened to mom when she tried to touch me before. So, how will a stranger help me with my condition when I am like this?" I was getting angry at this point.

"That's how,Xin. A stranger. Try to be with anyone, just girls. Try to interact with them. Maybe it might help you with your situation."

"Enlighten me." My eyes are now filled with rage while I look at them. The atmosphere was getting heavier by the minute.

"I was the one who suggested this to her." Heidi gestured for Veronica to sit, which she did. "If men are your problem, then why not try with women? Granted, something happened with your mom at that time, but you have been with them since you were a child. You were pressured and stressed because of them. AND, I think there is a problem with the way you think abput other people. You already have ypur prejudice about others even before getting to know them. I don't think you have a problem with women."

I didn't respond. Instead, I walked slowly towards Heidi. All the girls immediately stood up. Veronica went and stood between us, anxious as to what I will do.

"Move Vicky." I said in a deep voice.

"No, you need to calm down, Xin."

I moved fast and pushed my sister down the couch in the blink of an eye. The girls didn't see what exactly happened but I was already holding Heidi's face. Our faces, inches away from each other. I looked into her eyes and I can see her fear but she also looks determined. I slowly tapped her forehead. I held her hand and kissed the back of her hand.

"It's nice to meet you but I'll think about it. And sis, please no more secrets." I looked at my sister who was still stunned about what have transpired. "At least I didn't hurt her. She's safe." I looked at Amara and Cherry. "To you too."

I walked back to my room. What Heidi said is not advisable but at the same time reasonable. I turned my computer on and got the papers I need to finish my job. I have to finish this before the deadline. I must send this to my grandma. I must talk with my sister alone. I don't want anyone else with us, for now.