I didn't return Ashley's sweet smile as she set a cup of hot, dark tea before me on the dining table, along with a plate piled with food. I kept my face blank, even when I burnt my tongue with my first scalding sip of the drink. Instead I stared at my English teacher, sitting across from me, watching his every move. He smiled at my sister when she gave him his coffee and even kissed her on the cheek in thanks. I was so pissed I couldn't even think of my food.
When Ashley went to pour her own self a cup Mr. Benson turned his dazzling smile on me. He was the most liked teacher at the high school, which was saying something. But it was just because he was young and good-looking. I admit that I liked his class too, it had been my favorite last year; he was outgoing and made the period pretty enjoyable. Or it had been like that; I seriously needed to rethink some things. It was hard to remember all the good times I'd had in the class with my teacher turning out to be a pervert.
"You know Alexis, I knew your sister looked familiar, now I see; she reminds me of you. The resemblance is uncanny." He said.
Yeah sure, besides the fact that she was perfect and I was too tall and lanky right? Bastard, I thought to myself. How was it that someone as good looking as him was out looking for some loose woman? Maybe that was just his style.
"Oh yes, we both get our looks from our mom." Ashley smiled as she took a seat. Seriously? She was bringing up mom now like it was normal? I really didn't like her attitude at the moment, she was too cheery; she was acting just plain fake. I simply scowled and decided to stare at the refrigerator magnets; right now they were far more interesting.
"So, Alexis, how has your summer been?" Mr. Benson tried to stretch for a conversation. I merely ignored him. I knew that my behavior was unacceptable, but so was this guys presence in our home.
"Alexis! Don't be rude, answer Kevin." My sister scolded. She barely ever called me by my whole name. Hell, she was doing a lot of unexpected, abnormal things today.
"It's been fine, Kevin." I said with repulse. There was an awkward pause, "Tell me, how exactly did you and my sister meet?"
"Oh! Well I imagine it to be something like that movie 'Pretty Woman'." Kevin smiled, nauseatingly my sister giggled and smiled back.
Did he really just refer to himself as a rich guy picking up my whoring sister? Or was I thinking too hard? Everything Kevin Benson said I was taking as an insult; I REALLY didn't want him in the house any longer.
What was my sister thinking? There were so many secrets in here that could be so easily found out, I was wishing I had something similar to the 'Bat Cave', someplace to hide all our skeletons. When I finally replied to my teacher I made sure the hatred could be easily detected, I had no intention on keeping up some nice façade.
"So, you were just looking for a good time and decided to pick my sister up huh? It's interesting she brought you here though. What? Did you pay extra or something?" The look on my sister's face suggested she wanted to strangle me, which was a first too.
Kevin just put up his hands in defense, "Whoa look, I just thought your sister might want a ride home."
"So you're telling me you guys didn't have sex last night?" I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair.
"I never said we didn't. I—" he was nervous now.
"And that you didn't pay her to?"
"Well, I—" he fumbled over words.
"Enough!" Ashley shouted. I looked up at her lazily, "Alexis, this disrespect will not do!"
"Disrespect? You disrespect our names by bringing up mom! You disrespect me by bringing him into the house! You disrespect yourself nearly every night!" I yelled.
"Does it look like that's what I want?" the hurt is obvious in her voice and I regret the last thing I'd said, though it was to late. "I do it for US Alex!"
"You could have done anything else!"
"DO YOU THINK ANYTHING ELSE WOULD SUPPORT US THAT WELL? I've got no schooling Alexis! You know nothing would have paid as well!"
"ISN'T WHAT I DO ENOUGH? I CAN EASILY SUPPORT US!"
"YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN'T! NOT ANYMORE!" she screamed, we were standing, the table between us, and our faces red with rage.
I knew this fight would come up one day, it'd been hard pretending as if everything was normal. But nothing was normal about us. I robbed banks and my sister was a prostitute. I stared into her eyes…my eyes; sisters shouldn't fight like this; especially with the low blows I've pulled. I calmed my self and sat back down.
"That doesn't mean you bring home scum like this sis." I said with a sneer towards Kevin.
"Kevin is kind, and sweet. He's not like the others." Ashley's voice softened, although she still didn't sit down.
"Yeah, because he's not disgustingly ugly or old. Look past the appearance sis," I sigh as I get up, "You met him exactly where you meet all the other revolting filth. He's exactly the same as those guys, just with pretty wrapping." I begin to walk out, "I want him out by noon Ashley." And I'm gone up the stairs, without even touching my breakfast.
The next time I head down the stairs, I find Kevin halfway out the door, kissing my sister good-bye. He sees me, waves and says, "Later Alexis!" with a cheery smile, as if nothing uncomfortable had happened at all. I just stand three steps up, fuming.
Once the door had closed and we heard the car drive away, Ashley whipped around in fury. I'd never her this mad since mom had left us.
"Alex, I'm—I'm not mad at you." She began slowly.
"Sis, just spill it."
That lit a fuse, "How dare you! How dare you behave that way! I know you're more mature than that!"
"Well sorry sis, but I didn't know I had to respect every sleaze-bag that walked through the door." I walk to the bottom of the stairs.
"The next time he comes around, I expect you to be on your best behavior!"
"The next time?" I was dumfounded, "Sis, he sees you as a prostitute, that's why he picked you up! And what? You're fine with that?"
"Look Alexis," Ashley leaned up against the front door and rubbed her forehead, "I haven't had a boyfriend in so long, why can't you just let me have this one? You know him, he can't be that bad."
"For one sis, one's personality in there professional life has nothing to do with what they're like in their personal life. And second, I won't let you have this one because of where you met him. By him picking you up at 'work' shows his intents, who he is as a person, and to be brutally honest; my first impression of him outside of school today, wasn't the best."
The look on my sister's face was crushing. I felt my heart ache. I couldn't stand her being like this, "Ashley, I'll be civil next time." Her face brightened up at this, she looked at me, her eyes slightly twinkling.
"But, if he does something stupid, something that hurts you," I round the corner to face the kitchen intending to look for food, "I'll kill him."
