The Cuz

The milk splashed into the cup rather bubbly with its rich white foam rising slowly. It was lifted to a certain mouth. A mouth that always spoke too much and made this annoying sound when it spoke. The mouth of a misunderstood, over-confident genius named Dib.

A cup of milk in one hand and a plate of cookies in the other, he made his way over to the living room. If you could call it that. In front of a large tv, Gaz played determinedly with a video game that buzzed and bonked. She was winning as usual.

The front door opened suddenly with a bang and their father entered the room.

"I'm off to Lusma-ed for the International World-Saving Geniuses Convention," he said in his usual, quick way. "I don't know how long I'll be gone, but your cousin will be here to look after you."

"Cousin?" asked Dib annoyingly. "We don't have any cousins."

"Stupid," murmured Gaz. "Of course we do. Don't you remember Lar?"

"Lar.that name."

Dib suddenly opened his eyes wide as recollections of a nightmare seemed to flash in front of him. They were of Dib as a two-year old. One image was of him running away in terror as a short figure chased him with something sharp in its hand, with Gaz calmly looking it by. Another was this evil smiling figure that laughed and poked and prodded him while he tried to squirm away. Dib shuddered. Oh no, her.. he remembered.

"We don't really need a baby-sitter," said Gaz indignantly, "We can take care of ourselves."

"Nonsense," replied the Professor, "You need SUPERvision."

ROAAAAARRRR!!!! SCREEEECCCHHHH!!!

"Oh, there she is now. Goodbye, kids."

By the time Dib blinked again, the Professor was gone.

Suddenly the door rang. The door opened with a whoosh and a tall, slim, dark figure stood. Dib stared in anticipation. Gaz played away. The figure stepped forward. It was a teenager with hair like Gaz's but longer. She wore small circle sunglasses, a closed knee-long gray jacket and black pants and boots. She stood with her hands in her pockets and suitcases near her feet. The light seemed to shine behind her.

Dib just stared. Gaz finished her game, turned off the TV and went to Lar.

"Hi, you must be Lar," she said without any emotion.

"And you're Gaz, I bet," the girl replied with a smile.

She looked at Dib and bent over to him. Everything seemed abruptly to go dark and the smile from his nightmares appeared. It seemed menacing to Dib. "That just leaves Dib. Ha ha."

"Um, hi," he cracked.

"Lemme show you to your room," said Gaz.

The darkness quickly disappeared and Lar stood straighter. "'K."

The two then left Dib alone without another word.

Later in the living room, Gaz continued her playing and Dib sat on the couch reading a book. Lar came in silently and sat down. This obviously surprised Dib, because he suddenly threw his book the air. Lar gave him a confused look.

"Can I play with you?" asked Lar to Gaz. "No."

"Even a two player game?" "No."

"Why? Afraid I'll beat yoooou." There was an eerie quiet. WHAP! She threw a controller at Lar. "You're on." Dib frowned. "I'm outta here." No reply. Gaz and Lar were too focused to say anything.

THREE HOURS LATER.....

Dib came back in the room. "You're still playing!"

No answer.

All of a sudden, they stopped. "Argh, you win." said Lar defiantly. "Guess you're better than me at this." "You're better than Dib." "Hey!" Gaz looked to Lar and added as-a-matter-a-factly, "You're good, but you could use some work." "Well, it has been awhile since I last played."

Dib was amazed. This person from his nightmares had received a compliment from Gaz. That didn't happen. That wasn't supposed to. Something was wrong.