Chapter 14

"You hungry?" Ray asked Emily as they walked in to their empty apartment.

"Not really," she answered. "I think I just need to get back to bed."

"Okay," he said. "I'll bring you some juice though—" he trailed off when he saw the look on her face. "Just, give me a break, all right?" he asked.

"Fine," she said, resigning herself to his offer. "Just so you know, this whole you-the-doctor thing is getting a little weird. I can take it in small doses, but—"

"But you love me anyway, right?" he interrupted with a smirk as he opened the refrigerator.

"That's one word for it."

"Okay, okay, Emily," Ray said, suddenly sounding weary as he straightened up to open a cabinet. Emily must have noticed it too, because Ray suddenly felt someone wrap their arms around him. He looked down and returned his sister's hug.

"Thanks for everything," she said into his chest.

"Like I said, no one else I'd rather do it for."

After a moment, Emily said "Okay, well I'm going to go to my room." She took the juice Ray had poured with her.

When she got into her room, Emily immediately kicked off her shoes and pulled off her sweatshirt. She grabbed her book and tossed it on the foot of her bed, remembering that she'd wanted it earlier. She settled herself against her pillows, and let out a deep breath.

Ray had left the kitchen and had collapsed on the couch. He squished his eyes closed and massaged his temples. This was the first chance he'd had to process what had happened between him and Neela earlier.

Dude, you kissed her. Call it what it was, not "something that happened." You kissed her. You kissed Neela! Ray smiled at the thought. Yeah, I kissed her! Once the novelty had worn off slightly, another thought occurred to him. What's next? Are things going to be weird? Is she doing that "chick thing" and turning it over and over in her mind, analyzing it from all angles? Hang on, that's what I'm doing right now! Has she told anyone? A friend? Someone I know? Has she told Abby? Has Abby told anyone? I've got to talk to her, I've got to call her—

The ringing of the phone interrupted his thoughts.

"'Lo?" he said into the receiver.

"Hey, it's me," Neela's voice floated over the line pleasantly, sounding a little bit hesitant.

"Hey."

"I was just thinking—"

"Yeah, me too."

"Okay, well we should talk."

"Yeah."

"We probably shouldn't do this over the phone."

"I know."

"I'm free right now, actually, if you want me too…" she trailed off, her voice full of hope.

"Yeah, sure," he said, hating the fact that he seemed to have been reduced to quick-worded statements."

"All right, I'll come over. How about if I bring something to eat?"

"That'd be great, thanks."

Silence hung thickly for several moments.

"Well, I'll see you," Neela said quickly at the same time Ray said "Um, okay then." They both laughed.

"Why is this so uncomfortable?" Neela asked.

"I don't know, maybe because it's new, and because it's us?"

"Maybe," Neela said, not sounding entirely convinced. "We'll talk. I'll see you later."

"Yeah, see you." Ray hung up the phone, staring at it. Then suddenly, he threw his arms in the air and shouted "Yes!"