Sibling Secrets

Alex stumbled upon an article about environmentalism written by Sarah Johnson and his eyes widened in recognition as it reminded him of Teacher Edison's assignment for him on his first day in the committee.

He read the entire article, not missing a single comma, completely absorbed in it. He was so focused that he didn't even see the Aerospace boys entering the classroom and taking their seats around him.

Upon finishing the article, Alex sighed deeply. "Wow," he muttered as he rubbed his temples. "No wonder Sarah was upset when Teacher Edison made me write this. This could be the most important essay of her life."

"What are you talking to yourself about?" Henry asked, raising his eyebrows.

Alex realized his friends were already in class with him and he shyly put the newsletter in his bag, smiling. "Oh, hi, good morning."

"Good morning indeed," Steve said with a huff.

"Good morning bro," Joe echoed. "Why didn't you wait for us to come to school together? Why did you sneak off and come early?"

Alex made a face and pouted. "Well, they were handing out the newsletter today and I wanted to have a look for myself," he explained. "And you know how I hate all the screaming girls in the hallway when we walk together. It's much better to walk alone and sneak in here."

"Don't you remember that the girls will still be looking for you when we walk together?" Philip asked, pouting. "My love, my loveee! Where's Alex today!" he imitated.

Alex made a face. "Oops, sorry," he said.

"Forgiven," Brad said as he put his arm around Alex. "We know you're still a dork on the inside despite your superior genes and extremely cute face."

"Remind me to tell Nancy that her boyfriend has gone gay," David whispered.

Brad shot David a look, but he quickly changed the topic. "So, Alex, when are you going to confess to Deliah Johnson?" he asked casually.

The Aerospace boys gasped in unison before Alex and David covered their mouths to keep them from attracting attention. "You want to ruin the surprise for Deliah?" David hissed, while Alex frowned at them. "Do I look like I want to confess to her?"

The Aerospace boys looked from David to Alex and then back to David. "Can you make this easier to understand?" Joe groaned. "So, Alex, are you going to confess or not?"

"Not," Alex muttered, shooting David an accusing look. "I never said I wanted to."

David's eyes rounded. "But yesterday I saw you getting close with her! Most guys would have given her a bouquet by now."

"I'm not most guys, okay?" Alex raised his hands in surrender. "I never thought about confessing and I won't do anything unless I'm sure. I don't even know the girl!" he groaned.

"But she's cute and bubbly and pretty," Henry said.

"If you want her, you can have her," Alex huffed. "I only said she was pretty, but I didn't say I felt anything special for her. Why are you guys so eager to be matchmakers anyway?"

"If you don't know, we're officially in the Del-Lex fan club," Philip grinned. "Deliah-Alex."

Alex's eyes rounded in surprise.

"Yes, man, there's such a thing," Steve laughed at Alex's reaction. "When fans can't get the guy they want, they pair him off with the girl they don't mind losing to."

"And that's of course Deliah Johnson." he explained. "And we support

you because...we support you with any girl.

Just so you prove your sexuality as male,

dude."

Alex rolled his eyes and got out of his seat. "I can't believe you guys, that's ugh." he shuddered. "I'll have to wash my eardrums from what I heard."

"Yah we just wanna see you have a

girlfriend, man!" Joe called. Alex shook his

head in amusement and went to his locker to retrieve a book.

He couldn't believe how...mother-like the

Aerospace boys were behaving. It was like they couldn't wait for him to be married off!!

Alex sighed as he thought of Deliah.

Well she is quite cute, he couldn't lie about

that. But just deciding to woo her from such

a short period of time, wouldn't that be

rash?

Alex shook his head as he closed his locker. "The boys need their own love Life ASAP"

********

Alex walked the long way back to class just because he had enough time, taking a detour through the back of the school. Suddenly, he heard a loud MEOW, causing him to pause and wonder where it came from.

At that moment, Sarah appeared from behind a pillar, rushing to her locker to retrieve her books before the next lesson. She was surprised to see Alex and awkwardly bit her lip.

Alex wondered if he should try saying hi again, but Sarah made the decision for him. She averted her eyes and hung her head as she rushed by him, her shoulders brushing against his for a moment. She decided there was no reason to be friendly with one of the most popular students in school, when all she wanted was to fade into the background.

Alex huffed at Sarah's behavior and made a face. "Double rude," he muttered.

He continued on his way back to class when he heard the distinct meow again.

Alex listened for a while longer and followed the sound to the direction it came from. He couldn't help but smile when he saw three kittens and their mother cat feeding on a bowl of milk and some cookies left by someone. Alex picked up one of the kittens and chuckled softly as it nuzzled his palm.

He looked back at where Sarah had gone and shook his head. "Can't be her. She doesn't do nice stuff like this."

*********

"Hey Dad," Alex plopped himself on a seat in his father's study room back at home.

His father, being the principal, was actually a kind-hearted man with a usually fierce face that used to scare the first-year students, but as they got to know him, they came to adore him. "Dad, why did you call me in?" Alex asked, sitting in the chair like a five-year-old.

Mr James looked up from his reports and removed his glasses, massaging his eyes. "Oh, nothing much. I really only wanted to talk to you about your first few days in Grenville High. How's the school?" Alex smiled. "It's mighty fine, especially because my dad's the principal I might add."

Mr James gave him a look and Alex nodded. "Okay Dad. But honestly it's fine." he assured.

"The teachers are nice and helpful and well, uh I haven't really talked to anyone else yet because there's Aerospace and all.."

"Don't limit your social circle just because you're are amongst the Popular Aerospace, Alex." Mr James advised.

"Although I must say those Aerospace boys are pretty adorable." he chuckled. "The teachers are good too?" Mr James inquired.

Alex shuddered when he thought of Teacher Edison from the Newsletter Department. "All except Teacher Edison" he mumbled.

"You know Teacher Edison from the Newsletter Department?" Mr James inquired

"Yeah, I joined the committee a few days ago and you wouldn't believe how she's trying to suck up to me," replied Alex, frowning. "I'm not saying she's all bad, but she's pretty obvious when she tries to brown-nose just because I'm your son. I don't quite like that."

Mr James chuckled. "I knew that woman was like this," he said, shaking his head. "Been aware of her tactics for ages. Don't worry, son. I won't let her earn an unworthy promotion."

Mr James leaned forward. "On a side note," he said, "how about the girls in the school?"

"Not you too, Dad," groaned Alex. "The Aerospace guys keep trying to pair me off with someone."

Mr James laughed. "You should know that although I'm the Principal, I don't really mind if you date someone, you know," he said, grinning. "So, no girls?"

Alex huffed. "Well, there's this one girl," he said, immediately thinking of Sarah. "But she seems mean. Her name Sarah Johnson from my class, she is also in the newsletter committee, and she's just rude and demanding and not all that friendly. I don't like her already."

Mr James frowned. "Oh?"

Alex nodded. He thought about the rest of the girls in school. "Well, there's this other girl. She's called Deliah Johnson, and I think she's really popular or something?" he said, shrugging. "The Aerospace Boys keep trying to pair me up with her."

"And what do you think about her then?" asked Mr James.

"She's cute," replied Alex, nodding. "I'll give her the benefit of the doubt."

Mr James looked deep in thought after that, and Alex stood up. "I see you're busy, Dad. I'll get going," he said, darting out of the door and leaving his father alone in the study room.

Mr James tapped his chin in thought. "Sarah and Deliah Johnson, huh?" he mused. "Funny pair of sisters they are."