Sorry it's been a short while but since I had to take the last 3 days taking finals, I've been exhausted . But, now it's regents week and I have no school :D (though I do have to work on play write for a scholarship :/ )so I should be writing everyday so I estimate… four more chapters? Enjoy!
"Do you have to go, Karen?" the young state asked her older sister as she continued to brush her hair.
"Yes, Natalie. I promised Hendrick I'd have lunch with him."
"Why can't I go with you?"
"Well be-because," she said becoming flustered, "you see…ummm"
"Oh," the young girl said putting two and two together, "you're sweet on him [1], aren't you?"
"Yes," Karen sighed defeated, "I've loved Hendrick ever since I was about your age and I know it sounds strange but he loved me too and I haven't been able to have lunch with him or anything because of Britain so…"
"It's alright. I'll go have lunch with Massachusetts."
"Thank you," Karen responded opening the door to her room only to see a note fall from the outside door knob reading: Karen, you're sister should join us for lunch. You would get to spend more time together and I would get to know her. I'm sure she would like that. –Hendrick. "Well then," Karen said showing her sister the note, "I guess you're coming with me."
"Karen, New Jersey, I'm so glad you came," Hendrick said giving Karen a quick kiss and ruffling the younger girl's head.
"Heeyy," New Jersey whined lightly smacking the Dutch man's hand off her head, "You're going to mess up the pretty braid Karen made for me."
"Oh," he said moving his hand from her head to her cheek looking into her hazel green eyes, "I'm sorry. I just thought there was something in your hair," he said jokingly.
"Ummm," she mumbled being captivated by his eyes, "it's okay," she said before looking the other way.
"Henrick," Karen whined in a childlike voice, catching the blonde man's attention, "don't tease her like that."
"Fine," he grunted taking his hand away from her face and taking a seat on the red picnic blanket on the ground.
The three of them spent the afternoon in the meadow eating their food and talking. Well, it was the young dirty blonde state that did most of the talking while the older female laughed and the blonde male listened. He found out so much about her: that she liked to chase butterflies when she wasn't with her sister, that she slide her peas on Massachusetts' plate when he wasn't looking, that she hated thunderstorms, that she loved braids, especially when her sister did them for her, and most importantly, he found out how much she loved and cared for her sister, Karen. That fact only made him feel almost guilty about his secret desire for her. Almost.
"I'm so glad that I get to see Karen a lot more now," New Jersey said as she took a bit of her PB&J, "Britain hardly ever let me see her because he thought we would conspire against him. He was right, but still."
"Natalie, don't talk with your mouth full," Karen said semi scolding her little sister.
"Sorry," she said after swallowing what was in her mouth.
"Hey, Nat- I mean, New Jersey," Hendrick's voice interrupted, "you got a little jelly on your face."
New Jersey blushed from embarrassment and proceeded in wiping her face, but before she could do so, the Dutch man's thumb wiped off the jelly from the corner of her mouth causing the girl to blush even more. He chuckled at her reaction and licked his finger, tasting the sticky condiment.
"No wonder you eat three of these," he said in a deep playful voice, "it's delicious."
New Jersey simply smiled and nodded in agreement and began having a conversation about jelly and peanut butter with the blonde man and laughing. Karen, on the other hand, sat quietly as a small singe of strange jealousy began to flow through her body. She knew that Hendrick was only trying to get along with her sister, but she was a little upset that he seemed to be paying more attention to the dirty blonde girl than he was to her. Karen let out a small sigh as the two continued to chat and laugh until an idea came to her head.
"Henndddriiiccck," Karen said in a playful tone, leaning her body against his and resting her head on his shoulder, "come lie down with me like you used to after we had lunch."
But the Dutch man simply ignored her and continued his conversation with the young girl.
Karen sighed defeated as Hendrick pulled her sister closer to him. "Your hair is soft," he muttered as he ran his hands through her loose bangs. The young girl giggled at his compliment and let out a small yawn. As sleep slowly began to take over New Jersey, she began to slump forward and was eventually leaning against Hendrick and using his lap as her pillow. The Dutch man simply grinned at her and patted her head.
"Aww she's so cute when she's sleeping, Karen," Hendrick said turning his head towards the older female. However, he felt a small surge of guilt hit him when he noticed the upset look on her face. "Just like you were," he continued, pulling her closer to him.
"Hey," she said pretending to be hurt, "you mean I'm not cute anymore?"
"Of course you're not," he said smirking as she let out a gasp. "You're beautiful," he finished, pressing his lips against hers. Karen smiled to the kiss and wrapped her arms around him to make it more passionate. When he pulled away, he looked into her eyes and smiled, making Karen feel bad that she was jealous of her sister.
"You know," she said resting on his chest, "I was a little jealous when you were paying more attention to Natalie that you were to me."
"Why? She's just a kid," he said letting his fingers run through her hair, "she's your sister that just so happens to look just like you."
"I know it's silly and childish," Karen mumbled into his chest, "but she's so cute."
"Yes she is," he thought as he eyed the younger girl as she slept, "Yes she is."
