Chapter 1: A Family Bond
"Come on, Nina! It's time to go. You've had way too much to drink. We have to work in the morning," said Anna, yanking her sister's arm.
"Naw, girl. Come on, the party just started. Oh, yeah," Nina yelled, dancing on the lighted floor. The club was packed with people and everyone was having a good time. Nina wasn't about to give that up just for work. The dee-jay switches songs. "Oooh! This is my song! I like the way yo' ass is vibratin'! Make that ass vibrate!"
I should've known I shouldn't have taken her out this late. She's gonna have a huge hangover.Anna couldn't just leave Nina for they only had brung one car. She waited for another hour and a half, for her sister and at 4:30, she was finally ready to leave.
"Okay, sis. I'm ready to go." Nina looked at Anna with a confused face. "Oh, I'm sorry, Anna. I guess I should've called it a night a while ago. Let's go home now."
"Finally! I'll drive because... well you know... one drink and you're out of it," said Anna, grabbing her car keys from her purse. The girls left the club and went home to get some sleep before work the next morning.
The next morning: (7:00)
Nina walks into the kitchen to find Anna sitting at the table eating breakfast.
"Good morning, sis," said Anna, "I fixed you some breakfast. It's on the stove."
"Thanks. I'm sorry for not leaving when you wanted to. You were right. My head is throbbing and I wanna throw up."
"Hey, I know you like to get your club on so don't even worry about it. Just be careful next time." Anna paused for a few seconds. "I remember when you would never apologize to me and we would fight all the time over stupid shit. I'm so glad we got a second chance to be sisters."
"Yeah, maybe moving to Merrillville... well the U.S. did some good. If we would've stayed in Ireland, it might continue to remind you of the bad times."
"Well, I'll always remember those bad times because they hold our mother and father. At least some good things were there," Anna said.
"I guess..." Nina stormed off to the bathroom to vomit what she had in her system. After a little while, the girls got ready and left their apartment for work.
At the mall: (Food Court)
"Nina, I want you to go in the back and get some more chicken for the cook," said Mr. Jennings, Nina's boss.
"Sure, no problem," responded Nina, still feeling the effects of drinking.
A tall, blonde haired man came up to Nina. "Hey, Nina. I was wondering. Are you feeling okay," asked the handsome man.
"Yeah, Paul. I'm much better now that you're here. You always seem to brighten up my day."
"Glad I could help. Uhm, do you wanna go to the movies later on tonight? I hear Will's Smith's new film is a huge success."
"Sure, pick me up from this address at nine." Nina handed Paul a small sheet of paper.
"Ms. Williams! Mr. Phoenix! Get back to work," shouted Mr. Jennings. The employees quickly scrambled to finish their jobs.
At Rave:
"Thanks for shopping at Rave! We hope to see you again," said Anna, working the cash register at the store.
"So, Anna. How was the club last night," asked Janyne, one of Anna's co-workers.
"It was great! Nina, of course took advantage of the night, but it's all right. Have you talked to your boyfriend lately?"
"Nope. He's been busy helping out his sick grandmother. My man is so devoted to people. Plus, he knows what I like. That's a win win," said Janyne, giggling, "but... when are you gonna get a man, girl? Time's wastin'."
"I don't know. There really isn't that big of a choice here in Merrillville."
"Sure there is. You just don't where to look. During our break, I'll show you where."
"Well, okay," Anna said, "You better know what you're talking about."
Anna and Janyne continued to work, helping customers find what items they needed out of the store. Anna, putting her taste in fashion to use, loves the job she has. While working there, she managed to make a new best friend. Her and Janyne are very close and help eachother out.
Nina is in the back room, still gathering chicken for the cook. Nina has a huge infatuation on Paul and was excited when he asked her out, but Nina knows how to control herself (when she's not drunk, of course).
At 2:30:
Anna and Janyne walk into the Food Court. "This is where I'm supposed to meet a guy," asked Anna, confusedly, "I mean come on. What's the deal?"
"Simple Anna. Guys are always hungry and the Food Court is their heaven at the mall."
"I guess. Well, what do we do now? It's been a while since I've done this."
"What do you mean? Is there something you haven't told me yet," Janyne asked. Janyne always liked to know the scoop, especially if she thinks someone is trying to hide something.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just... when I was living in Ireland, all I would have to do is walk down the street and I would get noticed, but ever since Nina and I haved patched things up, that doesn't happen anymore."
"Really? Well... Oh my God! Anna, turn around!" Janyne turned Anna around in a rapid motion. She spun Anna in the direction of a studly man. "Go over there and talk to him. He's sexy. He's got a beard, muscles, and height. Go over there and put them "Anna moves" on him," said Janyne, sort of pushing her towards the man.
Anna, mesmerized by his good looks, puts her game face on and seductively walks over there to him. He was carrying a huge garbage bag. She approached him with her femininity.
"Hi there. Do you work here at the F.C.," asked Anna. It was a stupid question for the man had on a red shirt labeled "Merrillville Mall Food Court."
The man looked up at Anna and got lost in her beauty and seductive pose. "Yes, ma'am. I'm Mr. Pheonix. Paul Pheonix. May I help you?"
"It's not often you find a good-looking man with a job around here. I just came over to meet you."
"That's awfully nice. You're pretty hot yourself. Can I get your name?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's Anna. So, I just moved here recently and don't really know anyone. Would you mind showing me around Merrillville? Wait, I'm sorry. You're probably busy with work and other stuff. I didn't mean to waste your time."
"It's no problem at all. I'd be honored to show you around," said Paul. "How about I take you out to dinner tomorrow night? Around nine-ish?"
"That would be great! Here's my number. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
"Sure. Goodbye, pretty lady." Paul went back to work and Anna walked over to Janyne.
"So, spill! What did you say? What did he say?" asked Janyne, desperately eager to hear Anna's detailistic story.
"We're going out tomorrow night," said Anna, blushing. "I'm gonna talk to him tonight, because I don't want him coming over to pick me up 'cause the house is a complete mess."
"See, aren't you glad you listened to me?" said Janyne, one hand on her hip.
Anna smiled and the girls walked back to Rave.
At the Williams' home: (7:00)
Nina is sitting on her bed, reading a book called Milk in My Coffee. She is about to get ready to get dressed when Anna jumps on her bed.
"What's up, sis?" asked Anna, apparently happy.
"Nothing at all. Why are you so cheerful today? Did you get laid or something?" said Nina, turning over to face her younger sister.
"Guess what? I've got a date tomorrow with the most sexiest guy. We're going out to dinner and he's gonna show me around town."
"That's nice, girl. I have a date tonight. I'm going to the movies, though."
"Tonight?! I'm gonna help you get ready!"
Anna took Nina's hand and pulled her to her bedroom closet. She tossed outfits to the side rapidly.
"I guess you don't think none of these will work, uh?" asked Nina.
"Oh, we'll find something. God works miracles," Anna said, joking.
Anna, not satisfied with Nina's dark wardrobe, drags her into her own room and gives Nina a silk black shirt, a red mini skirt, red heels (stiletto of course), and accessories. Then, she pulled Nina into the bathroom to do makeup and finish making Nina look purely beautiful.
"I have to admit Anna, you sure know how to make a gal look good. Thanks for the hook up."
"Please. It was nothing. So, what time is your date arriving?"
"He should be here around nine. What time is it now?"
" It's 8:50. I hope he thinks you're hot."
Nina smiled and walked into the living room, her heels tapping on the hard bathroom floor. She was looking absolutely gorgeous. She had let her hair grow out some since the ordeal in Japan and she liked it here in the U.S. It was a chance for her and Anna to start fresh new lives as sisters. Although Nina really doesn't remember much about her parents, she's glad that she has Anna there for her.
"Nina, a black truck just pulled up! I think it's him," said Anna, excitedly. This was Nina's first date since they had been in the U.S.
"Anna, get away from that window before you scare the crap out of him," Nina said, pulling Anna into the kitchen to wait until the man rang the doorbell.
"Awww, you're no fun!"
The doorbell rang. Nina patiently walked over to the door. She couldn't stop smiling. She opened the door. "Hey, Paul. Won't you come in?"
Paul smiled, gave Nina a warm hug, and walked into the house. "Wow, you sure know how to clean a house," he said, sarcastically, "How do you clean at work if you're house is like this?"
Nina blushed and giggled. What a flirt! "Let me introduce you to my younger sister, Anna."
Anna walks out from the kitchen. She stares at Paul with a bewildered gaze. "Paul Pheonix, what the hell are you doing here?"
"Wait, you two know eachother," asked Nina.
"Remember that date I told you I had tomorrow? Paul was my date."
"What the hell, Paul?" Nina said, angrily, "Why are you trying to date both of us?"
"To be honest I didn't think you two would find out. I didn't even know you were sisters," Paul explained.
"Well, that's too damn bad because you ain't gettin' none of this tonight," said Nina.
"And this body is no longer available tomorrow so get your lyin' ass out my door."
"But ladies, I'm sure we can work something out."
"Get the fuck out of my house. Goodbye, Paul," Nina said, pointing towards the door.
Paul walked out and drove off. The girls hugged eachother and apologized.
"We're not gonna let some anus face man get in between us, girl. We sisters! Can't nobody break that up," said Anna.
"You damn right! Help me get out these clothes. so I can get comfortable again," said Nina, already slipping down the mini skirt. "This is a lesson for him to learn. Thinking he can play to women like that."
"I hear you. Hey! Let's go out to eat tonight to get our minds off of him," suggested Anna.
Nina agreed. Her and Anna changed clothes and headed for Applebee's to satisfy their hunger.