ii.

Cleo shuffled down to the kitchen for another box of tissues. She'd been through four boxes already, and it was only the second day of her cold. Kim was miserable too, which meant she was her own charming self; manipulative, irritating, and unreasonable times ten. Cleo tried to time her few but necessary trips outside her room so that she wouldn't come into contact with her younger sister. She was hard enough to deal with when in perfect health. Congestion and sore throats only served to worsen their strained relationship.

While she was downstairs she decided to take more pills and pour herself a juice. It hurt to swallow but it hurt worse when she felt parched. Besides, Lewis always swore on the miraculous healing properties of proper nutrition during a cold. Cleo wondered if he would stop by today with a care kit like last year when she had the stomach flu. She was hardly devastated to be missing school, but it was starting to get lonely with only Hector for company. She opened the pantry where there should have been a good stock of tissues, only to find the space empty.

That was when Kim made her appearance. Unfortunately, her timing wasn't so great today.

"Kim," she questioned with an unnatural rasp, "Where are all the tissues?"

"Where do you think?" she snapped, an octave lower than usual because of her plugged nose. "I've got a cold too, you know!"

"There were four boxes in here just this morning!"

"You're so clever, Cleo. Maybe someday I'll be able to count as well as you." Kim took the glass of juice off the counter and headed back towards the stairs.

"Hey! That's mine!" Cleo tried to sound indignant, but it turned out more like desperation as her hacking cough took over.

"Finders keepers!" Kim shot back. "Just like the stuffed fish you left on the counter. If you want him back, you'll have to give me five dollars."

"Stuffed fish?" she asked hoarsely, trying to recover her voice with a new glass of juice. "What stuffed fish?"

"Dad never gave it to you?" she shrugged. "Lewis brought it over before he headed off to Mako Island with some girl. I thought you brought it back down and left it there because you're stupid like that."

"What do you mean he's going to Mako? With a… a girl?"

"Someone named Rikki. That's all he said. Oh, and that he hopes you feel better, but whatever. If you want the fish, pay up. I'll be in my room."

"Kim!" the glass was slammed on the shelf with little consideration for what happened to the remaining juice inside. "You give me my fish!"

"You're in no condition to bargain, Cleo." She crossed her arms and stood obstinately at the bottom step on the stairs.

Cleo stomped forward and once she reached Kim didn't stop but brushed past her, racing up to the bedroom to find her present from Lewis.

It didn't take long. Kim hadn't made any effort to hide her thievery. The larger, stuffed version of Hector sat on her bed amongst a pile of assorted magazines, Cleo's missing travel cup, and no less than seven unopened boxes of tissues.

"DAAAAAD! Cleo's in my room!"

"Girls!"

"I'm just getting my things she stole again!" Cleo scooped up as much as she could carry and took off.

"That's not fair! You can't have four boxes and only leave me with three!" Kim tried to push her way into the room, but Cleo planted her feet and kept her shoulder pressed hard against the doorframe.

"You were going to take seven and leave me with nothing!"

"I only got sick today! I'm going to need more than you!"

"I'm older, and have more mucus!"

"That's not how it works…"

"Of course it is." Cleo scoffed. "Lewis says…"

"Lewis is an idiot! And so are you!"

Cleo knew she was being juvenile, but she couldn't help herself. She stuck her tongue out at Kim and gave her a shove, buying just enough time to close the door to her room and retreat with the items she'd collected, fighting back tears the whole way.

Once huddled on the bed with her prizes, she wiped away the tears, frustrated that Kim had made her congestion worse from crying.

Lewis wasn't stupid. She knew she shouldn't care what Kim said, but everything was especially hurtful today.

The fish was perfect. He was the right hue of orange, and his bulgy eyes were just like the live copy's, but bigger, like the rest of him. Hector the Great, she decided his name was. The extra tissues were from Lewis, too. She knew because the boxes had the pink shells and starfish on them. Her mum only bought the plain old boring boxes without lotion. "They're too pricey, Cleo. And the regular ones suit your sister just fine," she'd say. At least someone took her preferences into consideration above Kim's.

Cleo wished he would have stopped in. Not that she wanted to risk giving him their cold, but a wave from the doorway would have been nice. Now she was disappointed in herself for not emerging from her room more often.

Mako Island. What was he doing there? Cleo was familiar with the place; her family had taken a few camping trips to the island when money was tight and they couldn't holiday somewhere more upscale. But why did Lewis want to go there with a girl? A girl named Rikki. He didn't have a very fast boat. Was he planning to row them there? It seemed like a big hassle for one trip. Besides, Cleo knew the island was surrounded by sharks. And mangroves.

Was it possible Lewis and Rikki were dating? No way! Lewis didn't date! He was too busy with scientific theories and controlled experiments to pay attention to girls. The most he spoke to anyone of the opposite sex was with Cleo, and they'd been best friends since grade school. He would have told her if he had someone on his mind in that way. Unless something had happened since Cleo had been out sick; something between him and the girl, Rikki.

Cleo poked her finger at one of Hector the Great's bulbous eyes and sighed.

It was the worst day ever.

Author's Comments:

Poooor, sad Cleo! Whatever could be wrong with Lewis?