Ch.3

When I got home I ate lunch and cleaned the house on automaton. My mind was working overtime trying to find a rational explanation for whatever it was that had happened. I relived the scene that had been burned into my memory for the hundredth time today, but to no avail. I could make no sense of it. The more I tried to figure it out the more confused I became. It was mystifying; I had been in almost every class with him since kindergarten, then one day he looks at me and something changes; although what that was still eluded me. I finished cleaning and started on the laundry, all the while puzzling over that strange occurrence. I stewed over it all day, but was no closer to a sense of understanding than when I had started; if anything I understood even less.

Amber had been sending me odd looks throughout the day, a few times I was certain she would question me, but she never did. After dinner, when we were doing the dishes she finally asked, what I knew had been burning inside her.

"Kim?"

"Hmmmm?"

"What happened today? You've been acting weird all day."

"Nothing really"

"Oh come on, like I'm going to believe that. I know you Kim. What happened?"

I debated on whether I should tell her or not. I knew she wouldn't give up easily, and lying was useless, she could always see right through me. I sighed and turned to her.

"Maybe something did happen." I said reluctantly.

"I knew it!" she exclaimed triumphantly, then got down to business. "Now tell me what it was."

"I'm not exactly sure what it was." I said still hesitant, but curious to hear her opinion on the matter.

"Just tell me what happened!" she said exasperated.

I related the events of the day, playing down a few things and skipping one or two things, but she got the overall effect; after all she was my sister.

"Wow, that's really…, wow."

"I know, and for the life of me I can't figure it out." I said frustrated.

She stood there for a moment sifting through the information in an attempt to find a motive, but came up empty.

"I don't know Kim, I've never heard of anything like it." then she smiled, " But it must be good!"

"What do you mean?" I asked completely bewildered by her change in attitude.

"Think about it; Jared has noticed you, and you know what they say, 'Any publicity is good publicity.'" She said excited.

"Amber, you know as well as I do that that is a load of crap, and besides I'm sure that isn't the case. He probably was sick and is still out of it from the medicine they gave him."

"Kim, that's the load of crap." She said, knowing I pulled that one out of thin air. "I'm right, he's finally realized what a beautiful, smart, funny person you are and was dumbstruck when he saw you again after how long he was gone. You'll see. It's the only plausible explanation."

"You're wrong, that is the most absurd idea ever. It's impossible." I said with conviction.

"I guess we'll find out on Monday then won't we." She said with a determined glint in her eye.

"I guess we will." I said equally determined.

"And when I'm right, you're going to get a gallon of ice cream at the store."

I laughed at that, she had an addiction to ice cream. "Deal" I agreed, positive she was wrong.

She didn't laugh, and with a most serious expression on her face she held out her hand. I took it and as we shook on it she looked me in the eye and said "Deal", before walking out of the room. Call me crazy, but watching her stride confidently out of the room, I actually felt a tiny sliver of fear that she might be right. I shook it off and put the last of the dishes away. Praying she wouldn't do anything embarrassing trying to win the ice cream.