Chapter Four

Juley walked into the kitchen a few minutes later, clad in her favourite cotton pyjamas and her hair still slightly damp. From the aroma the food was emanating, she could already tell that Gary was probably right about his sister being an expert chef. Juley was already salivating before she took a seat at the kitchen table beside Gary.

"That was quick," Gary commented as she sat down. "Nice PJs by the way," he added with a chuckle.

Juley gave him a hard stare and would have likely punched him if not for Solange's intervention as she placed a plate of food in front of her. Juley loved the pyjamas she had on, but she knew they were kind of childish and so Gary was obviously making fun of her.

"Enjoy," Solange said.

Juley nodded her thanks and picked up her fork. She dug in immediately. The moment the food touched her tongue, Juley closed her eyes in enjoyment as she chewed slowly.

"T-t-this is r-r-really good," she said in between her second taste.

"Thank you," Solange said, beaming. "Glad to see you are enjoying yourself. Gary, you might as well follow suit," she sternly told him as she noticed his untouched plate. But she stopped herself from reprimanding him any further as she realised the reason why he hadn't touched his food. He was staring intently at Juley and seemed lost. He didn't even hear Solange talk.

Solange cleared her throat loudly, and that brought him out of his daze. "Eat your food," she told him once she had his attention.

"Oh, yeah," Gary said awkwardly as he realised what he had been doing and suspected that Solange must have noticed it. He picked up his fork and started eating.

"Gary tells me today is your birthday," Solange said as she seated herself opposite them.

Juley nodded, her mouth too full for her to make a statement.

"That's one cake on me," Solange said. "Do you have any allergies or preferences?"

Juley swallowed her food in haste in order to reply, "None at all. I'm a f-f-foodie, so I eat literally everything."

"That's so nice to hear," Solange remarked. "That means you will absolutely enjoy the cake I'll make for you. I wish I could always have someone like you around to appreciate how hard I work in the kitchen."

"Don't I appreciate your efforts enough?" Gary interjected.

"Not as much as Juley. I mean, she is literally beaming just from this little meal. Meanwhile all you and Harry ever do is eat hastily, belch and ask for more. You guys never even take time to actually enjoy the meal." Solange complained.

"We always enjoy your meals," Gary retorted. "Even when they're not as good."

"What?" Solange was literally fuming at this point. "When have I ever made a not so good meal?"

"Like I would tell you, considering the state you're in," Gary said, ignoring her after.

After a moment of silence, Solange said, "But still, it'll be great to always have female company. I could use a bit of that."

"You c-c-could always make f-f-friends," Juley said, trying to join in the conversation.

But the looks that comment put on their faces made her wish she hadn't spoken at all. Solange bowed her head, while Gary put one of his hands on his sister's, as though trying to comfort her.

" S-s-sorry if I br-br-brought up something sensitive," Juley quickly apologized. She tried to think of a way to lighten the mood, but could come up with nothing. Then she looked at her empty plate and knew what to do.

"T-t-thanks very much for the meal, Solange. It was r-r-really great. If I wasn't so t-t-tired, I definitely w-w-would have gone for s-s-second and even t-t-third helpings."

This seemed to work the trick, as Solange immediately beamed. "Don't mention it. Don't worry about it," she said as she noticed Juley getting up from her seat with the plate in her hand. "You should just go get some rest. Leave the cleaning to Gary and I."

"Are you s-s-sure? It r-r-really is no problem for me. I k-k-know Gary has school later on today. I w-w-wouldn't w-w-want to impose."

"It's alright," Solange insisted.

"Alright. Good night then." She said to them as she stood up.

"Good night," they both replied.

Molly nodded, and walked away. She was so tired, she couldn't wait to get under the sheets.

Once they heard the door of her room close, Solange pounced on Gary.

"You like her, don't you?"

"What? I don't know what you are taking about." He picked up their plates from the table, in order to avoid making eye contact with his sister. He had never been able to lie to her.

"You like her," Solange repeated. She followed him to the kitchen sink as he started doing the dishes. She knew he was trying to avoid her, and she wouldn't let him get off so easily.

"As I said, I don't know what you are talking about."

"Oh, come on. You have never been a good liar, and especially not with me. It's very obvious. Have you seen the way you look at her? Like she's a piece of pizza and you're some starving caveman."

"What? I don't look at her like that," Gary denied.

"Someone's in denial," Solange singsonged. "She's kind of cute you know. Not in the usual way, but she has a certain sense of innocence. And I love her slight stutter. I think it even makes her more cute."

"Sounds like you're the one doing most of the liking."

"Oh please. Atleast I'm honest about liking her. Unlike a certain coward who can't even accept their feelings." Solange taunted him.

"Okay, okay. I admit it," Gary raised up his hands as though in surrender. "I do have feelings for her. But those feelings will do me no good. She's going back to her home town this evening, and I doubt I would be anything more than that stranger who was kind to her one night."

"Oh! I didn't know that that was the case." She looked at him with sad eyes, but they beamed up when an idea came to mind. "Then why don't you give her the perfect birthday experience later on today? You know, a little something she can remember you by."

"I have school tomor-"

"Oh please, will you stop it already with the good student act?" Solange slapped his head with a kitchen cloth. "I am sure you won't be missed for just one day. I'm trying to help you here."

"Even if I agree to do it, don't you think I'll just end up more sad at the end of the day?"

"Maybe you would, but you would at least have memories to go by."

Gary seemed to be in deep thought as he dried the dishes. "What if she doesn't feel the same way about me?" He suddenly asked.

Solange sighed in exasperation. "I really love you bro, but you are so dumb at times. I'm not asking you to ask her out or anything like that. Just a casual day full of fun."

"What if I try to kiss her and she rejects the kiss? That won't be fun."

Solange couldn't control her laughter at this point. "You're not even being serious right now. You're so crazy."

"I'm being serious, sis."

"So, it's settled then," Solange concluded, without caring about his opinion. "I'll be awake a few hours later to bake her cake, and you will surprise her with that in bed."

"Jeez, is that even necessary? It sounds so cheesy and cliché."

"This is the reason why you are still single," Solange told him. "Goodnight," she faked a yawn. "It's best I go to bed before you change your mind."

"Goodnight," he replied.

"Don't forget to dream about Molly," Solange half shouted on her way out of the kitchen.

"Jesus Christ!" Gary exclaimed. "I'm pretty sure half the neighbourhood could hear that."

Solange just giggled, as she continued on her way to her bedroom.