My Sister
Split apart for the better part of their lives, two twin sisters are reunited only to learn how different they are from each other. Through hidden secrets, betrayals, love, tears and heartaches, they try to find the bond of sisterhood they once shared as little girls and the meaning of family.
Chapter 1
MINA
I danced into the arcade on cloud nine. I was so happy there was no end in sight. Not even the happiness I felt upon gaining my first and only boyfriend whom I had been madly in love with could compare to the joy and felt in my very soul this hour, well since three hours ago when the best news of the world reached my ears! I had been dying to tell someone this but only now was I going to get to fess up to my boyfriend and friends!
It's been ten years! And now she was finally coming back!
I burst into the crowded arcade in a flurry of whirls and tunes and all attention turned on me. I loved attention so I smiled and winked before dancing off to where my friends were sitting.
"Hi guys!" I greeted excitedly.
"What's got you in such a good mood eh goddess?"My boyfriend said as he walked toward me with a tray of food. He sat it on the table in front of my friends and I run to him. I threw myself in his arms and he twirled me around.
"Look…even her cat is dancing." This came from Amara who was walking toward us from behind me with her girlfriend Michelle, The violinist. I looked down to see Artemis caught in a sort of spin formation looking up at me sheepishly, well as sheepishly as a cat can get. I ripped myself from Andrew and rushed to Amara's arms.
"Well Mina, it's not odd to see you in such good spirit but this is more than the norm." Michelle commented.
"That's cause something amazing is going to go down real soon!" I squealed.
"Stop the screeching you air head!" Rei, my fiery tempered friend yelled in annoyance.
"No matter what you say you won't bring me down today!" I replied as I twirled around on one leg.
"Mina, it's not nice to keep us in suspense." Amy, my genius friend said.
"I know I know!" I turned to Andrew with a big smile.
"Guess what?!" I said excitedly, trying not to screech but failing miserably. I'm quite sure they winced again but it was all good.
"Um….Artemis is pregnant?" he said and a bark of laughter came from Amara as the other's giggled. Artemis in question gave a meow of protest.
"Nooo…but I promise we will see a child soon from the cat section." I replied.
"Ok, then what."
"A certain someone with long blonde hair, twinkling silver blue eyes, a heart shaped face…"
"She seems to be describing herself except for the twinkling silver blue eyes since hers is sky blue and the only time there is a twinkle is when she is up to no good." Lita, my Yankee friend commented off handedly.
Andrew's eyes widened as his lips stretched into a wide toothy grin!
"Who is loving, caring, somewhat crazy, fun and a bundle of joy!" He continued on my description though he took the personality aspect of who I was describing.
"Now he is describing her." Rei added.
"With long legs, 5 foot 3, and a gorgeous smile…" I continued, ignoring their rude comments.
"She is definitely describing herself." Amy commented.
"Who has the same face as you…" Andrew continued.
"Is coming to town!" I squealed the last part out.
"She is!?" Andrew demanded.
"Yup! When I got home, mom told me so!" I replied beaming at him. He laughed heartily.
"Finally! There's definitely going to be something going down this summer!" he said as he picked me up and twirled me around.
"Does anyone know what's going on?" Rei asked the others.
Laughter answered her question.
"From what I gather, I can only say Serena is coming back! Right?" Lizzie who had answered Rei's question turned hoped filled eyes on me.
"Yup!" I answered.
"Yes!" she said jumping up.
"Who is Serena?" Amara asked. Andrew, Lizzie and I stopped to look at Amara as if she had asked the dumbest question on earth.
"What?" she asked from our stare.
"Serena is Mina's twin sister. We've never met her before but Mina used to go visit her every summer in London except for these past five years." Amy answered.
"You have a twin?" Michelle asked in surprise.
"Oh great, another air head to add to this group of misfit." This was said by Darien who had sat quietly since I got into the arcade. He was Andrew's boyfriend and a hunk to booth! But he was a very unlovable, anti social and a sarcastic jerk!
Andrew laughed at his comment.
"You can say that but I doubt even you will have the will power to resist Serena's effect on people." Andrew replied and Darien snorted.
"I'm not you who seem to have a fondness for air heads." He replied.
"We'll see." This Lizzie said. Darien raised his brow at her but did not comment.
"Well, I'm just glad she's finally coming back. It's one thing to talk to someone on the phone for ten years, another thing completely to see and hug her." Andrew said.
"So true!" I replied.
"I wonder how she looks like now." Lizzie said.
"Last I saw her she looked exactly like me, well only her hair was darker. More golden than light blonde like mine." I answered.
"Why did you stop going to see her every summer this past five years again?" Rei asked and I sighed, finally, depression had managed to break through my wall of happiness.
"She has been traveling for the past five years every summer. So she said for me not to come because she wouldn't be there." I answered.
"But couldn't you have gone to visit your father?" Amy, whose father traveled the world painting, was very sensitive about someone spending time with their father.
"I would have gone to see him but he was traveling with her so there would be no one in the house to welcome me." I replied.
"Why were they traveling so much?" Lita asked.
"Serena said they always planned to travel together just to see the world. Father felt he was getting old five years ago so they should start." I replied.
"Couldn't you have gone with them?" Rei asked.
I shook my head no.
"They leave the day school gets out for summer and return the day before school opens. Mom doesn't like me gone the whole summer." I answered.
"Ah, that makes sense. Your mom is very protective of you after all." Michelle said.
"How long is she coming to stay? Just this summer?" Lizzie asked.
"Yeah."
"Awwwwwwww! I wish she would just live here!" Lizzie whined.
"Me too Liz, me too. I miss her so much." I said, thinking about my twin. I was a bit depressed. Serena had put a bridge between me and herself for the past five years. She never really speaks of herself, is always avoiding direct questions and I hadn't gotten to talk to her much. One call a month, sometimes months will pass before she calls me. And when I call her, I never get her.
"Hey? What's wrong?" Andrew asked and I shook my head. My misery had been clear on my face but issues with my sister were the only matters I never discussed with anyone else.
"I'm just thinking how lonely it will be when she comes and leave again." I lied.
"So true." Andrew said with a sigh.
"Maybe we can convince her to stay with us, you think?" Liz asked.
"Mmm, good Idea." Andrew said.
"I doubt Serena would want to stay though." I said.
"There is no harm in trying." Andrew said with a wink. I looked up at him and smiled, he was right, there was no harm in trying.
"Why wouldn't she want to stay?" Amara asked.
"Cause she goes to a prestigious school there." I answered.
"Oh, what school?" Michelle asked.
"It's a finishing school for Art and English majors." I replied. Serena was an amazing artist and a great writer. I hoped to see her latest art and read her latest story when she gets here.
"Wait a minute. Isn't she in high school? So how can she be majoring in any career right now?" Darien asked.
"Well you see, the school recruits young people with talents. Yes, this year she finishes high school like us, but when she finish, she already has credits up to third year of college since she took college classes in that school." I answered.
"She sounds smart." Amy said with twinkling eyes. She had a thing for academics.
"She is. You wouldn't believe it by the way she acts but she is very smart. And she is an incredible artist and writer. When we were young, she often drew for us or would write a story and read it to us by the fire when all our families were gathered together. And she had only been what? Seven or eight at the time." Andrew said proudly.
"Well, I would most definitely want to meet this jewel of yours." Amara answered.
"You will!"
"By the way, when exactly is she getting here?" Lizzie asked.
"A month after graduation!" I answered.
"Mmm…maybe we should plan a welcome back party. What do you think Mina." My eyes sparkled with excitement!
"Yes, yes YES!" I squealed again and Andrew laughed, hugging me from behind.
"Yes yes what?" Molly asked as she neared us. Behind her, Melvin, her boyfriend of forever followed.
"SERENA IS COMING BACK!" Lizzie, Andrew and I all said at the same time.
"Really?!" Both Molly and Melvin asked, their eyes shinning.
"Yup!"
"When!?" Molly demanded.
"A month after graduation!" I answered.
"Yes! Wohoooooooooo! This is awesome news!" Molly cheered. Other than me, she had been Serena's best friend since childhood. Serena had always been hers even though she had been gone for ten years.
"Yeah. So we were planning on a welcome back party!" Lizzie said.
"Most definitely!" Melvin said.
"I gotta go! Mom would love to hear this. I got to pick a present. A dress….kyaaaaaaaaa! I'm so excited. See you guys later!" she said and grabbed Melvin's hand. She ran, dragging him behind her.
"Did I just hear you say Serena is coming back?" Hanahime, my arch nemesis asked.
"Yes, what' business is that of yours?" I asked testily.
"Calm down darling. It is great news that Juban's shining star would soon come to visit." Hanahime said. Since we were little, she and I had never gotten along though for some reason she got along fine with Serena.
She clapped her hand loudly on the table and all attention turned on her. I hated her. She always grabbed attention and because of her I had lost my place as captain of the cheerleading squad this year! She was little Ms. Perfect, from a rich family and a snobby miss popularity!
"Attention everyone. Great news, it has just been confirmed that Serena Tuskino will soon grace us with her presence!" she exclaimed and I buried my head in my hands. A cheer went out as those who remembered my sister began to chatter.
I walked to her and slapped her.
"What?" she asked in surprised as she stared at me.
"Did you have to do that?" I hissed at her.
"How dare you slap me!?" she screeched and threw her hands at me. It turned into a big cat fight as we went at each other, pulling hairs and throwing fitful punches. From behind Andrew grabbed me back just as someone went to grab her. But she had her hand in my hair and mine in hers. We pulled as those trying to break us up pulled. Finally they managed to pull us apart but not before I managed to scratch her cheeks with my hand. She screamed in pain and scooted back.
"Hime-sama!" her clowns of friends run to her side to attend her as mine did the same to me.
"Are you out of your mind?! You know her father could easily kick you out of school!" Rei hissed in my face.
"I don't care!" I hissed right back at her. There was noise in the arcade that I couldn't pay attention to all that were being said around me. I was very disturbed at my actions. I should not have done what I did and I was even surprise I could be so violent considering I had been dubbed the most nonviolent girl in school.
"You!" Hanahime screeched. "You will pay for this! How dare you scratch my lovely face! I'm going to tell my father; violent girls like you should not be permitted into the school!" She screeched and continued on with very colorful choice words I do not care to repeat. I sighed, the tiny victory I had just earned suddenly felt like a cross on my back, a burden I could not carry.
Andrew draped his arms around my shoulder and led me to the back of the arcade. In the back room, he knelt before me on the floor as he sat me down to inspect my face and hair to make sure nothing was out of place, then he run his hand down my hair to push it down.
"Mina?" he asked softly and I looked at him as tears trailed my face.
"What am I going to do? I have one more month to graduate! What would happen if they kick me out of school now?!" I was not foolish to think that I could easily go to another school and finish up. Once I was out of school, I would have to relocate to a different country all together to finish my education. Her family would make sure no other school in the whole country of Japan would accept me. I know because it is so often done to other people Hanahime didn't like. Now I had just given her valid reason to through my life into disarray.
"Oh Mina." He said softly as I laid my head on his shoulder and clung onto him. He circled his hands around me and rubbed my back lightly.
"It' will be ok, everything will be fine you'll see." He soothed and I cried. No, it wouldn't be ok. Hanahime was very merciless and she had hated me from kindergarten. This was her perfect opportunity to ruin me and get rid of me for good.
What a fool I am.
Soft music, the quiet chatter of passengers and the soft breathing of my daughter was the only noise that disturbed the otherwise peaceful atmosphere of the flight. I looked out, to the clouds we passed through. The gentle sway of the fluffy substance, the undisturbed way they moved so slowly about gave me a sense of peace and quietness I could only hope for in my life. I looked down at my daughter whose head rested just underneath my left arm. Just an hour before she had been lively looking at the clouds but now she was sound asleep. I wish she was awake to keep my mind occupied so I wouldn't have to think of anything but unfortunately, life had never been good to me.
I returned my gaze to the clouds, trying to will its peacefulness into my otherwise chaotic life. Was this a good idea? Going back to my place of birth? And what did I expect to find there? Open arms? A welcoming committee? Yet there was nowhere else I could go to. Back to the place it all began, could I really start anew? Could I finally carve a future of happiness for my little girl? Could I really escape the shadows of my past? The blood on my hands?
"Oh Hotaru, I really really hope that this trip will be a blessing onto you if not me." I said and closed my eyes, lulled in by the quiet whispers of sleep.
MINA
The ceremony had begun beautiful as we all walked in front of the audience and took our seats. The filled was green and the white seats were decorated in flowers of our school colors, blue and white. Cheers filled the atmosphere as one by one we were called up to receive our diplomas.
The first group of people who had been called up was people going specifically into art, then drama and the rest of the miscellaneous things. Among those groups were Lita and myself of course. Being that my last name started with an A, I was among the first to be called up. At the mention of my name, applauses thundered around and I did a little spin for my audiences and fans alike. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of people who cheered for me; I was more popular than I thought. I knew then that Minako Aino would forever be remembered by these people and the career I had chosen, which is acting and modeling was the best choice I could have ever made.
Yes, I had graduated against all the threats of Hanahime. Andrew had managed to get a hold of Serena who had called her and asked her to forgive me and not have her father expel me. Because of the love and respect she had for my sister, Hanahime gave in, though not before making me beg for forgiveness in front of the whole school. She had had her fun but even still, I was without a doubt more loved than her.
Listening to all the cheers and vows of love coming from my fans, I believe it was worthwhile for me to humiliate myself by begging her in front of the whole school. "There are times pride had to be lowered in other to gain something." Serena had once told me. In lowering my pride and begging for a chance to complete my education, I had not lost the respect of my classmate but instead gain their respect. It was an event in my life that would soon be forgotten, but if I make it big, even she would be begging to have my autograph.
I took my diploma, made a little curtsey and blew a kiss at Andrew before walking off the stage to go sit back on my seat.
Hanahime went after me, received her diploma before going to sit down. She had received an adequate amount of cheers but those cheers had mostly come from the audience. Barely any of the students of our school had clapped for her. If she noticed it, she didn't show it.
The name callings went on until it was Lita's turn. It was amusing how every sports club and all members of the cooking and gardening club got up to cheer for her. Of course we, meaning me and her friends, all got up too. But it made me realized that Lita might possibly be the most loved among our group of friends. She was energetic, a great cook and very strong. Before we meet, she had a record of violent fights, but since we became friends, she's been as mellow as a tom cat. She has such a big heart that you wouldn't expect from her amazon look and height. 5 foot 9, she was the perfect size for a model but she prefer cooking and gardening over looking glamorous and having people adore you. Of all of us, she will probably make the best of wife.
Then finally we came to the business section. Rei was in business section. She had always said she wanted to be a business woman as well as a singer. She earned lots of applauses though it was notable that all the applauses were mostly from the male population. Rei was beautiful and glamorous, the only one who sometimes makes even me jealous. For as long as I've known her which was really in middle school, she had always attracted attention from both genders. The girls noticed her and immediately becomes jealous and envious, the men notice her and they instantly fall in love. So it was no surprising that other than our small group of friends, most of her other friends were male. She once said she could have lots of girlfriends but it is much easier to be friends with men than women, there was less drama involved. I suppose to some degree she was right but still, there was nothing like female bonding. If it wasn't for us who could she talk to about when her monthly period was going right? Who could she whisper to about what guy is cute or what guy have a tight ass?
Molly and Melvin were soon called after her. Melvin planned to major in banking and so did Molly but hers was slightly different. She was the only heir to her mother's jewelry store; she planned to study business and money management in preparation of taking over when her mother retired.
Finally we got down to Amy in the last group. She wanted to be a pediatrician so she was with the health science section. She received a lot of applauses too which baffled pretty much all of us. Who would have thought the quiet girl had such a fan club. Then again, her kindness in offering to help students failing classes and being technical support for all levels of academics was bound to earn her a place of respect and admiration in all of our hearts. She deserved the applause. She blushed madly which was cute and nearly tripped but righted herself. Laughter ensured, but it was a good natured kind of laughter so she did not take offence.
Amy who was our Valedictorian went up to give her speech after which I lost track of the events. I probably must have dose off, oh well, the important part had already passed so no harm done. Finally, we got to throw our hats into the air while screaming and laughing heartily. The nightmare of our days was finally over and as of that moment, we were high school graduates!
After catching my heart or whatever hat that landed in my hands, I run off to find the rest of my friends. Being that Lita was the closes to me, I found her first and together we went to the section of the park that wasn't so crowded. Standing in front of our families and friends were the rest of the girls. Ken and Andrew rushed to Lita and me as they saw us approach. Rei had beaten me to getting a hug and possibly a kiss out of her boyfriend first after the graduation but that was alright. Andrew picked me up and spun me around. We laughed happily before he sat me back on my feet and kissed me. I wrapped my hands around his neck and whole heartedly kissed him back.
"No public display of affection!" Someone said from behind him. Instinctively and reflexively, I pushed Andrew away.
"Yes!" I said as I stood at attention before realizing that rule applied to only those still in the high school. I was no longer a high school student and teachers could not boss me around anymore! Though my actions and outburst brought chuckles and laughter from everyone. I turned to whoever had commanded no public display of affection and found our favorite teacher, Ms. Haruna, giggling.
"Hello everyone. I just wanted to congratulate you on graduating and wish you the best of luck in your years to come as college students." Ms. Haruna said, her eyes a bit watery. Ms. Haruna had been our teach all through middle school and high school, despite how tough she was, she had never failed in her duties as a teacher. She always made time for anyone who needed her, whether it was in regards to school or not. She was the teacher we all turned to when other teachers were being unreasonably or other new policies and ruled is added to the school regulation that students saw as unfair. She was the one we turned to when we are failing classes, she always found someone to help us in whatever subject it was.
Our beloved Ms. Haruna. We would miss her terribly.
"Aww, Ms. Haruna! Don't worry, you haven't gotten rid of us just yet!" I said happily.
"Oh no…." she said in a groan.
"Hey!" I said, indignant but I knew her oh no had been a joke. We weren't ready to part with her and neither was she with us. Impulsively, I hugged her and she hugged me back. The girls joined in and we had one big group hug.
Afterwards we went about taking pictures with all the students, just us, random people, us and our families. We had an amazingly fun time.
"Guess she didn't make it." Amara said as we prepared to head back home.
"Who?" Rei asked.
"Trista. She was on her way here. She said her flight was a little delayed due to technical reasons but she was sure she'd get here before the ceremony was over." Michelle answered.
"Ehhhhhhhhhhhh!?" we all said, all meaning everyone except Darien. Please make a note that Darien is the silent type that never really talked and his nose was always stuck in a book or something. Nothing ever comes as a surprise to him. More often than not I often forgot he was with us even when he is standing right by me. Yet at the same time his slightest movement could draw so much attention. He was very charismatic, but he had a switch on and off button. Ninety percent of the time it was on the off.
"Ms. Trista is coming?!" Andrew asked and I stared at him. There had been a time he had a huge crash on the beautiful mature woman we had come to love and respect as an older sister. Sometimes I fear that he still loves her. Though why he called her Ms. Instead of just Trista as we all do is well beyond me.
He saw my look and gently ruffled my hair. That was the only assurance I needed in knowing we were ok and that not even Trista's presence would divert his love and attention from me. Andrew was my first love and I hoped he would be my only love.
"Yup. Let me call her and see if she is here." Amara said and took out her phone.
"She also said she had someone to introduce us to." Michelle said.
"Who?" Lita and I asked at the same time.
"She didn't say but she said we would be very surprised." Michelle answered.
"Watch her bring some man." Darien said and we all turned eyes to him.
"Jealous?" Rei asked teasingly. On the surface she looked like she was teasing but I knew better. Rei had been in love with that immovable stone of a man for ages. He used to say a lot that women were annoying and he had no intention of getting into a relationship. He had turned down loads of girls, beautiful and beauty challenged alike. Because of that Rei shied away from revealing to him her feelings for him. Other than Andrew, Rei was the second closest person to him then comes Trista. Rei feared that if she confessed to him and he didn't want her, it would mess up their friendship. I understood how she felt but how long could she keep her feelings locked up? I warned her if she doesn't fess up and deal with the aftermath now, by the time her feelings spill it, it would be one messy show. But she was very confident that it would not spill out. I hope she was right.
Darien snorted at Rei's question. When standing by each other, there are no two people best made for each other than Trista and Darien. They both had a lot in common, it would be so easy for them to be in a relationship but neither was ready for that commitment.
"I'm telling you, Darien has a heart made of stone. Not ice because even that melts." Andrew said.
"I agree!" I said.
"Agree to what?" I knew that voice yet it sounded so foreign. Shock vibrated through my body and I whipped around in a blink of an eye. Standing by a grinning Lizzie was Trista. Tall and magnificent as always. She held the hand of a little girl with shoulder length hair and dark eyes and hair. Holding the other hand of the kid was none other than…
"SERENA!" Several voices, including my own, collided in a scream of delight, surprise and shock. I didn't even take the time to look at her properly. I threw myself in her arms and she caught me. I hugged her so tightly, not even aware when Andrew, Molly and Melvin joined in on the hug. I heard her laughter and I felt all warm inside. This was the power Serena had over me and a lot of people. She calm the storm or raise it, it was all under her control.
"Mina…" she gasped and I blinked. I moved back and she sucked in air.
"Opps…sorry." I said sheepishly.
"I'd forgotten just how tight you can hug." She said in between gasps. She finally straightened up and looked at me with a smile. I wanted to jump up and down, excitement buzzed around inside me. Happy tears filled my eyes and trailed down my cheeks.
"Always the cry baby aren'tcha." She said as she gently touched my right cheek and dried the trail of tears there.
"I can't help it. I haven't see you in forever!" I said as she went to the other cheek.
"I know and I'm really sorry about that. Come now, dry those tears. A smile suits you better than a frown." She said and hugged me. I hugged her back but made room for breathing. My hand wrapped around her shoulders and she raised her hands up to sooth my back.
"You said you would come a month from now so what happened?" I asked as we broke away from the hug.
"That had been a lie. I knew if I gave you the exact date of my arrival, you guys might do something as silly as a welcome back party." She said and from behind I heard a cough.
"Awww, it would have been a great party too!" I said in dismay but she laughed so my dismay didn't last long.
"Molly, you've grown." She said as she opened her hands out for the red hair. Molly embraced her long time friend before pulling back to look at her.
"I always knew you would grow up to be a beauty but this, you're more gorgeous than I thought." Molly said and Serena laughed at that.
"You're one to talk." Serena replied before turning to Melvin. The two embraced and Serena ruffled his hair.
"Welcome back Serena." Melvin said, his eyes dancing with happiness. When we were little, he had a hug crush on Serena. I hope he wasn't having a relapse.
"Glad to be back. I've missed you all so much." She said before looking up at Andrew.
"And big brother is big as always." She said to him.
"It's the crown food. I think someone put in growth medicine." He said in a conspiratory whisper and Serena laughed.
"You never change." She said lightly.
"But I see you have. What happened to the little girl who used to follow me wherever I went to?" he asked.
"Sorry to burst your bubbles but that was Mina." Serena said and we giggled.
"Oh yeah." He said, running his hand through his hair. He grinned and opened his arms for her. She stepped in and the two hugged.
"Well I'm feeling loved already." Trista said and Serena laughed. In our excitement in seeing Serena, we had forgotten all about her. Well, Amara and Michelle hadn't though. Serena stepped aside as we all went to hug her. After I had my turn of hugging her, I stepped back to stand by Serena. I wrapped my hand around her waist and bumped into something. I looked back and Darien stood staring at me.
"Darien!" I said in surprise. Then looked toward Trista where Darien stood right by her. I looked from Darien to the man that stood next to me until their differences registered more than their similarities.
"Oh my. Who are you and why do you look so much like Darien?" It was a stupid question but I was too much in shock to care. The others who hadn't notice him turned to him then to Darien then back to him then back to Darien again.
"Wow, he could be your twin!" Lita said.
"Everyone this is Seiya. He is my personal secretary and would be staying with me here until business is over. Please welcome him into our circle of friends." Trista said.
"Like I said." Darien commented and we laughed.
"What did you say?" Trista asked with narrowed eyes.
"When Michelle told us that you said you had someone to introduce us to, Darien said that someone was a man." I answered.
"And he is a right. As far as I know, Seiya is a man." Trista replied.
"There isn't nothing not manly about him." Serena said, winking at Seiya. He covered his mouth though it was obvious he was smiling and holding in laughter.
"Well then, who is this little one?" I asked staring at the little kid glued to the other half of Serena. Something about the way the little girl held Serena so possessively irked at me.
"Everyone, I want to introduce to you the love of my life. My world and my reason for living. Everyone this is Hotaru, she is my daughter." There was a golden silence as we all tried to assess her words and somehow find some flaw in it.
"Come again?" I said.
"Hotaru…" she said picking up the little girl and sitting her on her waist.
"This hearing impaired woman here is your aunt. She is my twin sister, Mina. That's Uncle Andrew, another Aunt, Molly and another uncle, Melvin. Say hello." Serena said to the little girl who was my…NIECE!?
"Hello." The little girl said.
It broke the spell on all of us.
"What!?"
"What do you mean daughter!?"
"When!?"
"Where!?"
"Why?!"
"With who?!" I was confused who was asking what and I'm not even sure what I asked.
"Five years ago. In London. Because I slept with a man. And the father is undisclosed." Serena answered the vast questions that had been thrown at her without actually answering anything. But something she said caught my attention.
"Five years ago…you said you were going world traveling with dad." I said softly, the lie finally sinking into my head. I was hurt, badly.
"Five years ago I wasn't going to be there that summer, until I found myself pregnant." She answered, not a trace of sorry or remorse on her face.
"Well then why didn't you call me back to come? And when I called you all summer long you kept telling me about your supposed trip!" I yelled, I felt so betrayed. She sighed and shook her head.
"Imagine a thirteen year old girl pregnant. Do you think I could have just told you like that? Those were my darkest days, I was too scared and I was too ashamed to call and tell you. You who looked up to me, to call and tell you that your role model was pregnant and had no idea who the father is, how could I? So I lied, and one lie turned to two and with each lie I had to tell ten more to cover it up. By the end of the summer I was having trouble believing that I was pregnant, so convincing had my stories of world traveling with father had been that I was thinking the reality was the dream and the dream reality." She looked at the sky all the while as she spoke.
"But still, I wish you could have told me. I would have helped." I said. The hurt was deeper than the lie or the betrayal; it was that she couldn't trust me.
"I'm sorry. At the time all I could think of was myself and my situation." She said. I felt torn. There was a look of sorrow in her eyes that begged me to approach her and hug her. But the part of me that felt betrayed wanted to just run away and hate her, be mad at her.
In the end, the decision was taken out of my hands as Hotaru slid to the floor in a dead faint.
DARIEN
Drama.
I knew from the moment she showed up that life was never going to be the same. I watched as she was nearly choked by her sister and one by one she hugged the rest of her friends. I looked at the girl called Serena, trying to find a hidden meaning behind it all but there was none. She was supposed to have silver blue twinkling eyes, a bit of an exaggeration in my book which proved to be true. Her eyes were nothing of silver blue. It was dark indigo or midnight blue with specks of silver in it. Her face showed signs of weariness and her whole bearing spoke of someone who had been through hell and back with lasting scars. Where was this fun, bubbly girl I had heard so much about? As soon as they yelled out her name, I had expected her to jump into their arms in giggles and annoying chatter like Mina, but she had been very calm.
She looked like she was watching her actions, as if she was trying to keep control of herself or of an unknown situation. For someone who is supposed to be light hearted and warm and bubbly, she sure didn't act it.
And to top it off, she had a baby. I guess now I understand where Mina's flirtatious actions come from. Already her big sister was banged up. Children….at the age of thirsting she gave birth. The disgust I felt was raw. And if that wasn't bad enough, she didn't even know who the father was from what she had said. She had lied, betrayed her sister and had a baby without knowing who was responsible. This girl I had just met, if not officially introduced, was proving to be something utterly different from all the stories I had heard of her.
Apparently, apart from being a much loved person, she had been a child star on a TV show that had been very popular then. But the man who was writing the stories died and things got messed up which lead to many arguments and stress in their family that eventually broke them apart.
Now she was back, at 18 with a child of 5 years. If this was the girl Andrew and the rest thought I would be fond of, then they knew very little of me.
As if all that wasn't enough to take in, her daughter decided to save her mother from questions by fainting and giving us all a fright. The agony with which she screamed out her daughter's name surprised me. Quick as a cat, she was up with her daughter in her hands running off to find a taxi. Of course I took a short cut to get my car and met them upfront where a Taxi had stopped. As many as cloud climbed into it got in and we sped of to the hospital.
We literally had to hold her back as the doctors took her daughter to the examination room. We waited in the waiting room, silent as statues. Well we were but she wasn't. She was walking from one side to the other, hitting the wall, leaning against it, sitting on the floor, folding her legs in, getting up and doing it all over again. And with each action silent tears trailed down her cheeks. She was pitiful and it disgusted me all the more. If she wasn't ready for the responsibilities and consequences of having a child, why the hell did she get herself pregnant?! Now the poor child had to suffer for her mistake.
Even without examination, I could easily guess what was wrong with the child. Malnutrition. She was far too bony though Serena looked fine. Selfish as well I had no doubt. Starve your daughter and feed yourself, how nice.
An hour later, the doctors came back with the child and immediately she rushed to her daughter and picked her up.
"Oh honey, are you ok? How do you feel." She asked, her voice very soft.
"I'm sleepy mummy." The child said, laying her head on her mother's shoulder.
"Doctor?" she turned her attention to the doctors.
"Are you a relative?" The doctor asked.
"I'm her mother!" Serena snapped. I guess she gets that a lot.
"Um…" The doctor said intelligently. She sighed.
"My apologies Doctor. It's an issue I have, here…" she said as she grabbed her purse and opened it. Inside she took out a plastic bag and dropped her purse which I caught.
"Oh, thanks."
"Whatever." I said and sat it by her feet. She raised a brow at me but said nothing. She opened the bag and took out a neatly folded piece of paper and an ID card. She showed them both to the doctor. I realized the paper was the child's birth certificate and the ID was actually her driver's license.
"Oh I see. I'm sorry for my mistake. Yes your daughter, she suffers from Malnutrition. You need to take better care of her and make sure she eats three times daily at least. Let her get plenty of sleep and also lots of sunshine. But most importantly she need lots of water in her system." The doctor explained.
"Yes of course doctor. She's just been having trouble eating lately but I will make sure she eats three times a day or more, I promise." She said.
"Good. And seeing as you are friends with Darien, he can help you out in choosing the right food for your child." Dr. Carlos said and inwardly I groaned.
"Who is Darien?" she asked looking confused.
"The Mr. Grinch I've been telling you about." Mina answered.
"Since when did I plot to steal Christmas?" I answered with a roll of my eyes. Serena turned her attention to me, looked me up and down before turning to the doctor.
"He is in medicinal training here. He is well knowledgeable in the field of medicine and on his way to becoming one of the best doctors in the world."
"Oh." Serena answered but I could not understand the meaning behind her oh.
"Thank you doctor." She said.
"Come see me for a checkup next week at 2 pm alright?" Dr. Carlos instructed and she nodded.
"I sure will. Thank you so much." She said again.
"No problem. Now if you don't mind, I will like to return to work."
"Oh yes, please do."
"A good day to you then. Darien I will see you later."
"Yes Doctor." I answered. He turned around and walked away. I turned my attention from his retreating back to Serena and found Seiya walking up to her.
"Here." He said stretching his hand out to take the baby. "Your hands will get tired."
"Oh it's fine." Serena answered. He chuckled.
"I don't bite Serena." He said. She stared at him, considering something. Then her gaze fell on Trista as if to assure herself something. I saw Trista nod once and she sighed. Then gently she transferred her daughter into his arms. He brought the child close to his chest and she rested her small arms around his neck.
"Shall we go then?" he said looking at Serena. She looked up at him and smiled a little.
"Yes please." I raised a brow but said nothing.
In a single fill line, we left the waiting room and exited the hospital building. The group was divided into two, half road with Amara and the other half road with me. Serena, Seiya, Trista, Michelle, the sleeping child, Mina and Melvin all rode with Amara and the rest rode with me.
"You know, we didn't even get introduced." Lita commented but there was no reply. From the front passenger seat, Andrew sat silently in thoughts.
"Care to share your thoughts?" I asked. He looked at me and sighed.
"Serena." He answered.
"I figured that much."
"Something is wrong with the whole picture. I can't but feel I don't know her as I used to. She's had a child for five years and she didn't tell me, me! Even when there were things she couldn't tell Mina or Molly, she always told me. And her eyes, so dark it scares me. It makes me wonder what kind of life she has lived all this time that could fill her eyes with all the experience of age and the world." He said and sighed again. There was no comfort I could give him, I didn't know this Serena girl and from what little I've seen, I didn't really want to know her.
"She sure isn't the bubbly type I was expecting." Rei commented.
"I think she is a good person though." Lita also shared her thoughts.
"I'm still trying to get over the fact that she has a daughter. At 13…" Andrew said, looking off into the distance.
"I just want to know who the father is and beat some sense into him." Lizzie said.
"What makes you think it was his fault? She could have very well seduced him." I said snidely. They all looked at me sharply.
"What? It could be the truth!" I defended myself.
"No, Serena isn't like that." Andrew answered.
"Really, tell me how she's like. You only knew her as a little girl. The last you saw of her she was eight. People grow and change Andrew. You cannot confuse the image of her as a little girl to the teen she is now." I said mercilessly.
"Darien! That's enough! Don't speak as if you know anything! You don't know her and I will not have you insult my friend like that!" Lizzie snapped. I felt like an ass. I had let my disgust of her take over my duties as a friend who is suppose to be comforting my friend.
"I'm sorry." I said.
There was no more talk after that. Silently we drove home.
MINA
The car ride was very silent. There was too much questions brewing through my head. I wanted to ask her so much but I knew it was not the best place to question her. And…I was still hurt. Her distrust in me hurt me so badly. She is my twin yet I felt I knew nothing of her. Her pains, her sorrows, what makes her happy, her life. I knew nothing. I had always associated her with the girl she had been in the past that seeing who she is now is such a major turn over. What had happened to her? Her eyes were so dark, so filled with mysteries I couldn't begin to unravel. And somehow I also knew or felt that she was never going to fully open up to me.
"Hey…" she said suddenly that we all stared at her. She blinked and chuckled.
"Sorry. But I need help." She said.
"With what?" Molly asked.
"I need to find a job as soon as possible. But I want a job with good pay and where my daughter can often stay with me." She said.
"Why do you need a job?" Melvin asked.
"College doesn't pay itself you know." She answered.
"Oh, right." He said with a sheepish grin.
"Oh you don't gotta worry about that. Father said he would take care of both our college tuition." I said.
"All the same, I still rather work this summer." She said.
"But…"
"Mina please." She said and I shut up. Something in her tone was very much annoyed.
"What sort of job are you looking for exactly?" Michelle asked after a minute of silence.
"Anything really. Secretary, waitressing, tutoring…anything like that."
"Can't you work for Andrew?" Amara asked.
"I guess…" she didn't sound too pleased with the idea.
"Well, ok. We will keep look out for you and pick up some applications wherever we find any ok?" Michelle said and Serena looked up gratefully.
"Thank you." She said.
"By the way, I'm Michelle." Michelle introduced herself.
"And I'm Amara."
"Pleased to meet you both. I'm Serena."
"Yeah, we know." They both said with a chuckle and Serena laughed too. They chattered about random things and I sat quietly listening to them. But Serena never said anything that would give me a clue as to how she had become the way she was now.
Amara dropped Molly and Melvin off first before taking us home. It was late, u pm. We had missed dinner. Serena took Hotaru from Seiya, thanking him gratefully. Something in his smile gave me a pause but I didn't wonder much about it.
"See you guys later." We both said as we…well I waved them off since she was holding her sleeping daughter. We walked to the door and it opened before we could knock or I could get my key out. Mother stood there with a big smile and I rushed into her arms. I needed some sort of closure I suppose.
"I was wondering if you two would ever come home." She said.
"Hotaru got sick so I had to take her to the hospital." Serena answered.
"Oh. Well get in." she said and opened the door wide. I stood by her side a second for Serena to enter, and with her arms around me we followed after her. She took Hotaru straight to the guest bedroom that would now be hers. When we were little, it was supposed to have been her room but we both preferred sharing one room. Now I wish we could go back to sharing a room but I knew she wanted her privacy. We weren't kids anymore and I had to accept that, whether I liked it or not.
Mom and I stood at the door and watched as she tucked Hotaru in. she knelt on the floor by the bed and placed a hand gently on Hotaru's forehead. She closed her eyes and prayed I suppose. Mom and I backed away and left them. We said nothing until we reached downstairs and she held my face.
"What's wrong sweetie?" she asked.
"Serena. I mean she has a daughter… and I never knew." I confessed, tears falling down my cheek.
"Oh I'm so sorry sweetie. I'm sure she has her reasons for not telling you." Mom said soothingly.
"How can you be calm about this mom?" I asked. I didn't get it. She sighed loudly.
"Because I knew." She fessed up. My eyes opened wide and I took several steps away from her.
"You knew? All this time? You knew and never told me?!" I screamed at her.
"Sweetheart it was not my place to tell you. She asked me not to." Mom said in her defense.
"And you listened to her?" I asked shaking my head. "I'm her twin! Her sister! Does that mean anything to you two?"
"Sweetie." She said as she tried to approach me.
"Just leave me alone, both of you." I said and ran up the stairs.
"Mina!" I didn't turn back to mother's calling. Inside my room, I slammed my door and rushed off to my bed and cried. Why did I feel so empty inside? I felt so betrayed, so frustrated!
I don't know how long I cried for. I looked up when a knock came at my door.
"Mina? Can I come in?" Serena asked from the other side. I didn't answer. The door opened slowly and I heard it close gently behind me. I was facing the far wall and she sat at the foot of the bed with my back to her.
"Can we talk?" she asked but I said nothing. What was there to talk about? She couldn't trust me then to tell me her secret and troubles, what could she tell me now. She sighed.
"Mina, I am so sorry that I hurt you like this. But please put yourself in my shoe, what would you have done?" she asked. I turned my eyes to her and glared.
"I would have told you. You would have been the first to know and you know it." I said and turned back to my original position.
"I apologize for the hurt I've caused you. I was only concerned with myself, I didn't think at all how you would feel." She said but I didn't respond.
"I was scared. 13 and pregnant. I…I didn't know what to do. I was so scared. Scared to ask for help, scared to tell you because I feared you would scorn me, that you would hate me." Still I said nothing. She sight and stood up.
"We'll talk in the morning. Goodnight." She said and walked to the door.
"If…if you had the chance to do it all over again, would you have told me?" I asked. The answer took a minute in coming.
"No, I wouldn't have told you and for that I'm sorry."
"Then you and I have nothing to talk about in the morning." I answered,
"Mina…"
"Goodnight." I said sharply and pulled the blanket over my head. I heard a sigh before the door closed behind me.
"I'm sorry." I heard from behind the closed door. But sorry wasn't going to be enough.
I fell asleep on an empty stomach and with tears drenching my face and pillow.
The world was so unfair.
What had happened to the twin magic we shared so strongly as little girls? I girls little girls do really grow up.
SERENA
6 am found me awake in my bed praying. After which I went downstairs to help prepare breakfast. Mina was still sleeping so it was just me and mother. Funny how in my thoughts it is easy to refer to her as mother but in reality I loath to give her that title. Silently we prepared breakfast, there was nothing much for us to discuss. She hadn't seen me for ten years, neither had I seen her. She was a stranger to me and me to her. Over the past ten years, the only times I ever talked to her was when I told her to keep my pregnancy from Mina. A second to deliver the message that I was returning to Japan, that had been it.
She tried to make conversation but I wasn't in a talking mood so she stopped, feeling discouraged. After we finished preparing breakfast, I returned upstairs to take a shower. I sat before the mirror and let my hair out of the wrap and combed it down. I had no idea what to do for the day or how I would get around. Last I had seen this place was when I was eight. While we were driving back to the house yesterday, I saw many familiar places but there were just as many unfamiliar places. I sighed, I needed to get a car soon.
"Mommy?" I turned around sharply at Hotaru's voice.
"Hey honey. Come here." I said and opened my arms. She got off the bed and rushed into my arms. I hugged her tightly.
"Mommy, can I take a shower?" She asked.
"Of course. Run to the bathroom and I will be right there."
"Ok." She said and run off. I quickly turned back to the mirror and pulled my hair into a high ponytail and let some frame my face. It was not for beauty I allowed my hair to frame my heart shaped face; it was just more convenient for me when I need to hide my face or eyes from prying.
Inside the bathroom, I bathed my daughter and dried her off. Then I moisturized her alabaster skin before clothing her in a dark navy pleated skirt and a white blouse. I paused a moment while moisturizing her skin and sighed, she was so pale as if she had never had a moment of sunlight on her skin though in truth we spent so much of our time outside of a building. I combed out her shoulder length hair and placed sandals before her so she could place her tiny feet in.
"Mommy, what are we doing today?" Hotaru asked.
"Well before we do anything, we must get food in us. Then you can help me map up today's activities k?" I said to her.
"Ok!" she said, her eyes lightening up. It wasn't often she could smile so unguarded, so when she does, my heart truly warms up.
"Besides, if you don't help me decided what to do, the tickle monster will attack you!" I said laughingly as I chased her around the room. I caught her right by the bed and picked her up. I placed her on the bed and tickled her mercilessly until she was laughing so hard tears fell. I laughed with her and I would imagine the scene we made was very carefree.
"Mercy!" she screamed and I stopped tickling her. I laughed as she glared at me after she had calmed down.
"That is what happens when you run away from me." I said to her as I walked toward the door. I stood there with the door open and stretched my hand out to her.
"I had already agreed to help you!" she justified herself and I chuckled.
"Yes you had, I was just making sure you weren't just saying it." She took my hand and looked up at me as we began to walk.
"I never just say something and not do it." She said again which was so true but I hoped it wasn't. When was she ever going to get to be just a child? Make mistakes? Doesn't fear those mistakes because of the brutal consequences but learn from it? I looked down at her and I felt like crying. But my tears had longed dried out. Was she going to turn out like me? Looking into her eyes all I could see was a mere reflection of me and once again I was filled with the bitter taste of reality, at least that which we have lived.
"Mama?" Hotaru asked worriedly when she noticed my silence.
"Tell me sweetheart, what is it that you want the most in the world?" I asked her.
"To be with you forever." She said and I smiled looking down at her.
"I know that. But other than me, what would make you very happy?" I asked but she shook her head.
"I can't be happier than when I am with you. I don't need anything else apart from you." She said and I sighed. Were these typical things children of four years old would say when asked this question? Wouldn't they normally want some toys or food or something …well….something kiddish?
"I see. I guess one thing we can do is go take pictures today." I said absent mindedly.
"Can we mama?!" she stopped and said excitedly. I looked down at her and saw the shinning hope in her eyes.
"You want pictures?" I asked her.
"Yes!" she exclaimed with a vigorous nod of her head. I had never known she wanted pictures that badly.
"Well then we will go take pictures and then get an album to put the pictures in ok?" I said and she hugged me.
"Thanks mama." She said and I hugged her back. I picked her up and we discussed what kinds of pictures we would take as we headed to the dining room for breakfast.
"Good Morning." I greeted Mother, Mina and Uncle Ken.
"Good Morning." Hotaru repeated after me shyly.
"Morning Dear." Mother responded.
"Good Morning Serena. Please, come, sit." Uncle Ken said. Uncle Ken is actually my Mother's second husband, in other words, my step father. Though I have known about him since mom and he got married, only with my return to Japan had I gotten a chance to meet him. He had a kind face and merry eyes. Told bad jokes but he seemed to have a sense of humor. He had brown hair and he is pretty much an average businessman. Nothing really striking about him. Which made me think that mother really had wanted someone very different from our father in every way. Though that is not exactly true, father had once had a sense of humor.
Uncle Ken was sitting at one end of the table and mother at the other. On the other side Mina sat, totally ignoring me and in front of her were two chairs for me and Hotaru. I sat Hotaru on the chair closest to Mother and I sat on the one near Ken.
"Your mother tells me you helped prepared this delicious breakfast." Uncle Ken said.
"Oh, just trying to be helpful." I replied. I had no idea what to say to this people, other than Mina the two of them were like strangers to me. How do you react to a mother you hadn't seen or talked for ten years? And a man you met but the day before who is your stepfather at the age of 17? Besides, other than Hotaru, I rarely had conversation with anyone so I wasn't exactly the best conversationalist.
"Well from what I've been told, I wasn't expecting this food to taste so heavenly." He said and I blinked.
"Ken!" Mother said.
"What? It's a compliment!" he said with childish indignation.
"I do admit I wasn't exactly a home economics person when I was a child. But being a mother does require you to know something of food preparation I suppose." I answered. When I was a child, I was known for burning water, literally. I would put water on the pot to make something, but I wouldn't be sure if it's boiled enough or its suppose to boil even more, and by the time I would decide it has boiled enough, the pot was empty and black at the bottom. And when I could cook, the food would be burnt, or tasted like mud or plain poison. And the smell wasn't exactly enticing either. I don't know why but I could not cook to save my life. When father and I had moved to London, he had hired a cook to teach me how to cook. It took me nearly a full year to be able to prepare actual foods (from other countries as well mind you) and what not. Afterwards the cooker left the house and it was up to me to do everything, cooking, cleaning, ironing, everything.
"Well I think you are a good mother then. I'm quite sure Hotaru enjoys your meals very much." Uncle said. Hotaru turned to him and nodded. There was a look on her face that was caught between a smile and fear. I understood that look. Uncertain. Not uncertain whether she liked my cooking or not, but uncertain whether the man who addressed her meant her any harm. I ruffled her hair in assurance that she would be safe no matter what.
"I like mama's food a lot." She finally answered. After that we fell into silence as we ate. There wasn't any real tension, just an uncomfortable feeling, as if we were trying too hard.
"So, what do you plan to do today?" Mother asked, looking from Mina to me.
"I'm going to hang with the girls." Mina answered, staring at her food as she ate.
"Do you want to go look for a job with me?" I asked her.
"No thanks." She said curtly. I sighed.
"A job, don't you just want to rest for a while? You know, go see your friends and hang out with them for a little before getting a job?" Mother asked.
"Besides, why do you need a job?" Uncle Ken said.
"I'm a mother. I need to take care of my child and I'm about to go to college, well at least I have a year left of college which I need to pay for my tuition and other necessities. Besides, summer break is only two months, I don't really have much time." I answered.
"We will take care of all that." Uncle Ken said.
"Thank you but I rather do that on my own. Please understand that." I said. They all looked at me, even Mina before she rolled her eyes and stood up.
"I'm done. See you later mom, dad." She said and kissed both of them on their cheeks.
"Auntie Mina, don't you wanna go take pictures with us?" Hotaru asked. I looked at her; she wanted Mina in the pictures too?
"Don't call me that!" Mina yelled and my head sharply turned to her.
"Mina!" Mother said.
"Don't call me Aunt anything! I am NOT your aunty you hear me you little brat!?" she yelled and I stood up. Looking at Hotaru's scared face, my temper roused. I turned to her, my eyes cold and serious.
"I don't care if you hate me. I don't care what your problem is. And I don't care if you want to yell, scream and curse at me but don't you dare take your anger on my daughter do YOU hear me. If being in this house with us bothers you so much, you can be sure she and I will be gone soon enough. But in the mean time, I will NOT tolerate you raising your voice at my daughter!" I said through gritted teeth.
"Fine, get the hell out of here with your lying self!" she screamed back at me. We had a sort of staring contest until Uncle Ken interrupted.
"Enough the both of you! What's wrong with you Mina?! Before Serena got here all you talked about was her!" Uncle Ken said.
"All I talked about was the sister I thought I knew! Obviously it isn't her!" She yelled again and ran out of the living room and climbed up the stairs. Silence fell some time as we continued to eat.
Uncle cleared his throat. Does he never get tired of trying to make small talks?
"So….how exactly are you going to go about looking for a job? You can use my car if you want." He said.
"But then what will you take to work?" Mother asked.
"I can call Johnson to pick me up." He replied.
"No but thank you though. I'm fine. I will get a cab to take me around." I said.
"That can get expensive. Here…." He said trying to get money out of his pocket.
"It's alright. I have enough money for cab rides." I told him.
"But…"
"It's fine really. I'm covered." I said. Which wasn't exactly a lie or the truth. I had money on me but very little of it. And while it would last me through several cab rides today, I wasn't certain whether it will last me tomorrow or in the upcoming week. I will just make do with what I can.
"Well if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. This is your home now and forever ok?" he said.
"Thank you." I replied. But what is a home when no one really wanted you around? It seemed only he wanted me around. Mina had just made it clear she didn't want me or what is mine in the house and mother was too uncomfortable with me around, so why would I stay in a house that only a total stranger wanted me around? Besides, I needed to create an environment of homeliness for Hotaru. I wanted her to grow up like any other child. Free to laugh, cry and do whatever she wanted to do.
Finally, breakfast came to an end and I helped clear the tables and washed the dishes. I left Hotaru in the living room to watch TV while Uncle Ken went about packing his work necessities. Mother stood by me in the kitchen as we washed the dishes in silence. After all was done, I was about to go upstairs to grab my purse when we heard a car pull up. Mina came down the stairs too and answered the door when the door bell rang.
At the door was Seiya, Trista's Secretary.
"Hi Seiya. What are you doing here?" Mina asked. I bowed my head a little to him in acknowledgement and turned to leave. Being that he was Trista's secretary, I was certain he was here to for Mina.
"I came to see Serena." Come again? I stopped in my tracks and turned to him with a raised brow. Mina stood aside and I turned back to the door. I walked to where he and she stood.
"You came to see me?" I asked.
"Yeah. Since you spoke of looking for a job yesterday, I figured you might be going job hunting. And I really don't have anything to do today so I thought I might come help you look for a job." He said. We stared at each other for a minute or two, me trying to comprehend his words and him staring for staring sake I suppose.
"Let me get this straight, you want to go around looking for a job with me because you are bored?" I asked.
"Pretty much." He answered.
"But I thought you were Trista's secretary." I said.
"I am but she wants to rest today with her friends."
"So why don't you go rest with them?" I asked.
"Because I could be doing something more productive as in helping you than sitting and chilling for the whole day. Don't you need a ride?" he asked.
"Oh." I said and considered. His help would definitely save my little money for future needs. "Very well. I thank you for your offer and yes, I would most appreciate it if you can give me rides for the day."
"That's what I'm here for." He said. I chuckled.
"Thank you. Let me grab my purse and Hotaru and we can leave." He nodded and I turned around. I went to the living room first to tell Hotaru to get ready to leave, before climbing up the stairs to the guest bedroom to grab my purse. When I came down the stairs, Hotaru was waiting for me. I took her hand and said goodbye to Uncle Ken and Mother before walking to the door where Seiya was waiting alone.
"Where is Mina?" I asked.
"She left. Said she was going to the crown where everyone was gathering." He answered.
"I see." I said, a bit disappointed but what else was new?
"Is everything ok?" he asked. I looked up at him and smiled as best as I could.
"Everything is just peachy. Shall we be on our way?"
"Yes ma'am" he stepped aside and I walked out holding Hotaru's hand. He quickly ran to the passenger side of the front to open the door for me. It was a convertible car and since it was such a nice sunny day, the hood was down.
"I will ride at the back with Hotaru." I told him.
"As you wish." He said before opening the back door. I dropped my purse in the car and picked Hotaru up to the back seat behind the drive. I strapped her in with the seat belt before returning to my side with the door still open and him standing there waiting patiently. I climbed in and he closed the door. I strapped myself up to and waited for him to sit at the driver's seat.
"So, where are we going?" He asked.
"For now we will go to restaurants to fill applications. I don't want to go restaurant that are so far so stick to restaurants of about 30 minutes walk from the house." I told him.
"Ok. But you know, just call me if you ever need a ride to anywhere ok?" he said.
"Thank you." I said, leaving no promises.
He backed out of the drive way and onto the road we sped off.
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