Thank you, Wolfess. The review was great! And I didn't know that about Doppler/Livesey, so thanks for that tidbit. :D Thank you, my sympathies to you (for the drama previously mentioned), and yes, at times it most definitely can be a drag. As for Silver, I'll see if I can fit him in, haha. In response to the second review: Oh goodness, I know what you mean. I just pulled a "Kayley" recently and don't really care either. xD Oooo, thank you, I'm glad you mentioned Leland Hawkins! I was actually trying to find a way to fit him in, but I can't think of one as of yet (darn, lol). Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I greatly appreciate it! Best wishes to you as well! :D
Thank you, Rosalie. Haha, yes, he was punched. xD (Since I already responded to your review, I won't go as in-depth here.) Thanks, dearest! ^^ Oh, and I think you'll enjoy this chapter. *hint*
Thank you, Emilie. You're welcome. (= Yes, I really would love to read your stories! (If you ever feel like sharing, let me know ;-]) Oh, that's awesome! Haha, when I talk, I sound like…well, I guess I sound like my age [negative 2,652 divided by negative 156], but my voice is a bit mousy sounding, haha. My writing makes me seem more mature as well, so I totally understand that. My greatest sympathies, and I'm overjoyed that things are turning around. ^_^ And thank you for the compliment, that means so much to me. Haha, yay, a Christmas gift! I'm glad you see it that way, lol. I don't have many family members that live close enough, so just a few people are coming over. Enjoy the holiday break, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and best wishes!
I wish you all a Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year!
Chapter Fifteen
Part One: Surprise Visit
As Kayley dressed, she heard a knock on the apartment door. "Mum," she called, "Door!" Half a minute passed before there was a slight knock at her own bedroom door. "Yes?" Kayley said as she fastened the hook of her gold chain necklace.
Julianna poked her head through the bedroom doorway. "It's for you. Your guest is waiting in the living area."
Completely baffled, Kayley stooped one of her shoulders. "A guest? For me?"
"Who is it?" she asked, genuine surprise flowing forth in her voice.
Her mother smiled. "Come see."
Utterly intrigued and fascinated, Kayley completely forgot about tying her hair band, which she still held in her hand, and immediately exited the bedroom behind her mother. They walked down the short hallway, Kayley trying to peer around her mother as they neared the living area. They came to the end of the hallway, where it opened up into the entryway and living space. Julianna continued on, entering the kitchenette, allowing Kayley to finally gaze in the direction of the living room. She stopped short. Jim was standing in her living room, studying her family portrait displayed above the fireplace.
She wanted to exclaim his name, but her voice wouldn't come to her. She wanted to run up and hug him, but her legs wouldn't move. She was paralyzed. Stunned, the girl just stood there and gawked at him.
Finally, Jim turned away from the portrait and noticed Kayley. He stared back at her. Even totally shell-shocked, she was gorgeous. He finally caught his breath. "Morning."
That word seemed to break her from her trance. She shook her head in disbelief and smiled. "Good morning…what…what are you doing here?"
Jim stood where he was, hands in his pockets, and opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He seemed to be searching for an answer he couldn't find. Finally he shrugged. "I dunno."
She smiled and nodded. "Well, for whatever reason that brought you here, I'm glad," she said quietly, still conscious of the fact her mother was nearby.
They continued standing there awkwardly, facing each other, unsure of what to say or do.
Julianna was watching all this from the kitchenette. Noticing the awkward situation and realizing she probably had something to do with it, she exited the kitchenette and with a warm smile walked past Kayley. Mrs. Evans headed for the bedroom area. There was a creak as a door opened and then closed.
Kayley watched her mother go into hiding, and then she turned back around to face Jim. "So…"
"I uh…just wanted to see if I could give you a ride to school." He stared down at the floor as he spoke, barely looking up at the end to study her reaction.
"Oh! Yeah, umm, let me go tell my mum—"
Jim looked up. "She already cleared it."
Kayley tilted her head. "You asked her already?"
A shy smile crept onto his face. "Yeah, when she let me in. She was rather surprised to see me too." He took a step forward and lowered his voice. "To be honest, I wasn't sure how'd she receive me. She let me right in. It was nice."
Kayley was a bit surprised at her mother's reception of him as well. If she had feared that her mother and Jim might be on a strained relationship, she was relieved to know there was nothing to worry about. But she knew it couldn't be easy on her mother, which made her appreciate this small gift of kindness even more. She nodded her agreement. "Yeah."
He was boring into her, obviously feeling more comfortable now that her mother had left. Feeling the smoldering intensity of his gaze, she dropped her eyes. And that's when she noticed she was twirling her hair band in her fingers. She was obviously nervous. "But why?" she asked herself. Was it because her mother was still around? That was definitely part of it, but she sensed there was something deeper to it. It had something to do with herself, but she couldn't think of any logical reason. Then it hit her. The night before, she had tried—and failed—to get something started—and he had quickly put an end to it. She had been so utterly humiliated, and yet, at the same time, she really didn't care, which only left her questioning herself. Her face began to burn and the twirling of the hair band grew faster.
A part of her wanted to address the issue and get it over with, and the other half wanted her to keep her miserable trap shut. But she knew she would only feel terribly awkward and it would nag at her until it was finally addressed. "I'm sorry," she spluttered.
Jim cocked his head ever so slightly to the side. "Huh?"
"For…um…what happened yesterevening," she choked out. Her face felt as if it was on fire and she wanted to hide it behind her hands.
He offered his sideways grin. "Don't worry about it."
She finally peeked up from her hands and, seeing his smile, happily forgot her embarrassment. "Thank you," said she, offering her own shy smile.
"Well, I'm ready to go whenever you are," he announced.
"Let me get my pack and tell Mum goodbye. It'll only take a moment."
"Sure."
Kayley ran off to her room, tied her hair into a ponytail, got her backpack, and then made her way to her mother's bedroom. She knocked on the door before turning the knob and pushing the door open, only to find her mother sitting on the bed, seemingly waiting to be given the O.K. to leave. Julianna, smiling, lifted her eyes to greet her daughter.
"Mum, we're going now."
"All right," Mrs. Evans said, standing, "have a great day and work well!"
"Wouldn't do otherwise." Kayley blew a kiss to her mother and then turned to leave before hesitating in the doorway. "Oh, and thanks for…you know."
Julianna nodded. "Of course."
"Love you."
"Love you more."
"Bye," Kayley whispered as she offered a small wave of her hand and backed out of the room.
Jim was waiting for her by the entryway door. Kayley slung her backpack over her shoulder. "Let's go." And with that she led him through the hallway and down the stairs. They finally stepped out into the sunlight and Kayley spotted the car. She walked over, waited for him to unlock it, and then climbed inside as Jim got into the driver's seat. She sat her backpack down on the floor and then pushed the belt into the safety slot. "Thanks again—"
His hands cupped her face and he kissed her. "I'm sorry, I was just waiting all morning to do that," he apologized afterward, seeing her shocked expression.
She slowly shook her head. "It's perfectly fine, I wanted to give you a hug earlier and couldn't even manage to do that." She blushed and glanced down at her hands, which were wringing. "And I like surprises…the good ones."
Jim pulled away from the curb. She fixed her eyes on his face, drinking in his features. He had a perfect jawline, smooth skin, beautiful blue eyes, and hair that was so desirable to run her fingers through that it was hard to resist. He was gorgeous (she would argue that he was even more gorgeous than the Brit Douglas Poynter, for whom girls would kill). Yet, there was a darkness about him, something she couldn't place and it left her mystified, and this in itself intrigued her even more.
She smiled, leaned over, and blew his bangs out of his eyes. "It was a good surprise." She pecked his cheek. "And you're a wonderful surprise, darling."
His dazzling smile returned, and Kayley felt there was no such sight in the world that was more beautiful.
During the rest of their ride to school, they discussed an English project and school in particular. Her favorite subject was history, obviously. Her least favorite was Pre-Calculus. "It's difficult. Well, more or less challenging. I like challenges, don't get me wrong, it's just that I've never really cared much for numbers," she explained. She took a breath and a moment to glance out the window and up to the sky. "Gorgeous morning."
She returned her bright eyes to focusing on Jim. "What's your favourite subject?"
He shrugged. "I dunno."
"Oh, but you must have one."
"Eh."
She crossed her arms. "All right, what's your least favourite?"
He gave her a look which meant they were all pretty much of equal lameness to him.
"Oh, so I guess the question is which subject is not as despised as the others." She looked at him with a glint in her eye. "Which is it?"
He was silent and Kayley began to feel uncomfortable, wondering if she had badgered him. She looked back out the window and tried to occupy herself with thoughts of something else, like the weather.
"English," he finally announced.
She whipped around and studied him with curious eyes. "Why English?" she asked.
"Cuz that's the only class we have together."
Kayley mentally awed. It was so sweet and unexpected that she didn't know what to do but to sit there, look dumb, and think over what he had said. "'Tis my favourite as well," came her reply a few seconds later.
He shot her a critical, questioning glance. "I thought it was history."
She shook her head. "Not any more."
They pulled into the school parking lot. No words were spoken as they climbed out of the vehicle and walked toward the school, for they were not needed. Jim draped his left arm over her shoulder, and Kayley wrapped her right arm around him, and together they entered the school.
Chapter Fifteen
Part Two: Reluctant Turncoat
Monique was striding down the hallway of Bronx Academy High School. Today was going to be awesome, she just knew it. The clouds were beginning to part, her favorite song was playing in her head, she wasn't sleep deprived for once, and she felt confident; she was Regina Mundi, Queen of the World.
As she breezed past the walls of endless lockers, she spotted her friends Viola and Violet across the hall. Wanting to greet her friends, she skipped her way across and hopped to a stop in front of them. "Hi guys!"
Viola shushed her. "Quiet!"
"Huh?"
Violet narrowed her eyes at her sister. "Oh shut up, biscuit head!" She turned her brown eyes on Monique. "We're just discussing the latest hot topic," she whispered.
Monique perked up. "Oooo, what is that?"
Viola's and Violet's eyes widened and Viola began snickering. "You mean you haven't heard the news?" Violet laughed.
Monique shook her head, her pin-straight blonde hair swishing back and forth.
Violet scoffed. "It's only the hottest topic around. Everybody knows." Violet shook her head and swore, then continued, "Man, now I know what they mean by the expression 'dumb blonde'."
"Hey!" Monique squeaked.
"Oh shut it," Violet said, rolling her eyes. "If you really wanna know, just turn around."
Monique, still slightly offended, took a quick glance behind her and then flipped back around, about to say "so?" But then she made a double-take. Her mouth fell open. "Oh em freakin' gee, is that…it can't be…!" She swung her big blue eyes in the sisters' direction, hoping they'd confirm what she had just seen and therefore prove to her she wasn't going crazy.
Viola shrugged and Violet smirked. "Seeing is believing."
She still couldn't believe it. Monique had to look again, just to prove to herself what she had seen was correct. Kayley and Jim were latched onto each other. They were together. "How had I not seen this?" she asked herself aloud. She smacked her forehead. "It was so flippin' obvious! Gah, I feel like an idiot!"
Violet patted her on the back. "It's cool, Blondie. Don't beat yourself up over it."
A worried expression came over Monique's face. Monique, along with the rest of the student body, had seen part of Zachary Mason's scuffle with Jim Hawkins that one day, and she knew it had something to do with Kayley. Rumor had it that Zachary was a "typical Carter" (a term she coined after a run-in with a guy who couldn't take "no" for an answer), which could be bad for Kayley, especially now. "I wonder if Zach knows…"
Monique watched the couple a second longer before swinging her gaze back at her friends. "How long has this been official?" she asked in as casual a tone as she could muster.
"Since yesterday," Violet replied with a pop of her gum.
"Oh, that's why I didn't know, I couldn't come yesterday because of a check-up," Monique explained, still feeling a little defensive over the "dumb blonde" dig.
"Don't sweat it, Blondie, get over it," Violet said with a mocking pat on the head.
Viola just started shaking her head in a sad, slow motion. "He's so hot. My type of dude. Bummer."
"Not like you ever spoke to him anyways," Violet bluntly reminded her sister.
"Just wonder how she makes 'em happy," Viola said, voicing her inner befuddlement.
Violet grinned devilishly. "Oh, I'm sure she has her ways."
The sisters exchanged glances and began chortling. Cackling. Monique felt uneasy. "What does that mean?"
Violet rolled her eyes and then shared a knowing look with her sister. "Innocence, it sucks." Then she refocused her dark eyes on the inquiring blonde. "You are so naïve. Think about it. You know his reputation. What could she do that would satisfy him?"
Monique thought for a moment before gasping, "Ewwwww, t.m.i.!"
Viola arched a heavily penciled eyebrow. "T.m.i.?"
"Too much info!" Monique covered her heart with her hand, appalled. "And that's disgusting! Kayley isn't that kind of girl anyway. Besides, Hawkins' record is with the law. He has no such reputation for being a sleazebag."
Violet shrugged. "Whatever you say. I honestly don't care if they're—"
"Look, I gotta go," Monique announced, cutting off her friend. "See you guys later." With that, Monique walked away, head down.
She couldn't believe her friends sometimes. She loved them, most definitely, there was no disputing that. But sometimes they just disturbed her so much that she couldn't stand to be around them. This was one of those times.
Lost in her thoughts, she walked smack-dab into the middle of Zachary Mason. He whipped around, fury in his eyes. That is, until he realized just who had klutzily bumped into him.
Panicking, Monique cried, "Whoops, sorry, Zach! I wasn't watching. I'm über sorry!"
Zachary's gaze softened. "It's okay, sis. Just be more careful."
She smiled. "I will." She began to walk away, but he grabbed her arm.
"Hey, you ran into me pretty hard, that deserves an explanation."
"Well, I didn't 'run' into you; I just walked into you." She offered an apologetic smile.
He narrowed his eyes. "Being evasive, eh? Mo, what distracted you?"
"Umm…heh," she laughed nervously, "I was daydreaming about…" Her eyes flicked from student to student, searching desperately for an excuse, and finally landed on a "Rock Star" t-shirt. "…singing with The Click Five!" she exclaimed.
It was a well-known fact that Monique was obsessed with The Click Five, or more precisely, Kyle Patrick. "There was a time I would have fought to be that chick with the lollipop," she had once declared in reference to the "Jenny" music video.
Her older brother rolled his eyes. "Sis, you gotta get your head outta the clouds."
Monique bowed her head. "I know…" Sighing, she stole a glance at her watch. "Goodness, class will start soon, so I better get to my locker." She waved her hand. "Bye, Zach." With that, she dashed off toward her locker. It was one of those moments when she felt like wiping imaginary sweat beads from her brow. "That was close," she exhaled. "Good thing that's over with!"
O~o~O
Having received her heated cup of noodles, Monique began her way to her table, where Viola and Violet were awaiting her. On the way, she espied Kayley and Jim sitting together at their own table. She smiled to herself.
"So what's the cat grinning about?"
Monique cringed. She knew that syrupy voice all to well. The girl pivoted toward the direction of the voice, only to see what she had expected, her brother sitting alongside his buddies.
She'd have to be quick and witty. "Do I have to have a reason?" She smirked and leaned on her right leg. "I mean, you tend to smile for no apparent reason."
Zach scowled. "I do not."
Monique nodded her head slowly. "Ah, but you do."
All eyes were riveted on the petite blonde, and confidence surged through her. She set her steaming Styrofoam cup on the table. "In fact, I think sometimes I see you wearing the silliest grin on that chiseled face of yours as you hum to…oh gosh, what's the song…?" She mockingly tapped her right forefinger to her chin.
Zach's teeth clinched. "Monique," he hissed, "I'm warning you…"
"Oh yeah! 'Chopsticks'!"
Zach's buddies snickered. His own face was crimson, and he was boring into his sister with fiery, fierce eyes. His fists were clinched so tightly that his knuckles grew white.
Monique stood her ground. "Relax. It's not like I revealed your deepest, darkest secret or anything."
Zach grunted. "Just count yourself lucky that you're my younger sister, Mo."
Some of the boys stopped snickering and one of them voiced an "Ooooo."
Monique hadn't expected that and she was taken slightly aback, though she tried not to show it. She tipped her head to the side. "And if I wasn't your sister?"
Zach's temper could get dreadfully out of control, even with a girl. He thought back to when he had shoved Kayley. He never intended to push her, but he got so angry with her that he couldn't control himself. Lost in memory, his gaze automatically flew to Kayley's table. And a new expression lit on his face.
Monique couldn't read it and she began to feel uneasy. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "Zach?" she asked, a tinge of fear sounding in her voice. "You were, like, joking, right?"
Zach's scheming thoughts were broken and his gaze swung to his sister. "Of course," he sang in a sickeningly sweet tone. He stood up and enveloped his stupefied sister in a hug. "Walk with me."
"Umm, okay." She picked up her cup and wiggled her fingers at the boys whose mouths were agape, their expressions dumbfounded. "Bye boys!"
Zach led her off into a corner of the cafeteria. Monique glanced around nervously. "Zach, whatcha doin'?"
He placed both hands firmly on her shoulders. "Sis, you just gotta do something for me."
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "I don't 'just gotta' do anything for you." She made to emphasize her point by stubbornly, defiantly crossing her arms before her in a "so there!" manner.
He tightened his grip and squeezed her shoulders until it rather hurt. He needed to get the message through to her that he was through kidding around. "You embarrassed me."
"Really?" she asked in sarcastic shock. "Seems you do a pretty good job of that yourself," she retorted, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Zach grimaced. "Want me to tell Violin and Violeta—"
"Viola and Violet!" Monique hissed.
He continued as if he hadn't heard her. "What you say about them behind their backs?"
Her blue eyes widened as if they were going to bug out of her head. "You wouldn't!" she gasped.
"How they need to mature—"
Recovering, Monique scoffed. "I didn't know the word was in your vocabulary."
"And get their own lives?" he continued, not letting her little jabs get to him.
She smirked, feigning more confidence than she was feeling, hoping it would somehow deter him. "You wouldn't dare."
Zach chuckled to himself. "Oh how little you know me. I'm not afraid to get dirty to get what I want."
Her confidence faltered and she indignantly crossed her arms. "Obviously."
Zach smiled mischievously. "You're good friends with Kayley, right?"
That was a topic she didn't want to get on. She had seen the fight; she knew how determined, persistent, and nagging her brother could be when he wanted something and couldn't get it. She had to find a way out. "No, not good friends," she stammered. "If you can even say we're more than acquaintances."
"Liar!" he brazenly proclaimed with as much conviction as if he was condemning her guilty of blasphemy. "I've seen you at her table before."
Her eyes clouded over, which only proved to him he was not wrong in his assumption.
"I need you to eat with her again."
Monique shook her head in confusion. "I don't understand."
Zach sighed. "You don't get it. See, Kayley…turned me down when I asked her out."
"Good. She's too nice for you," Monique quipped. "And pretty, for that matter."
Zach snarled. "Mo, I need you to go over there and begin talking me up—but don't make it obvious."
"Why?"
"I want her."
Monique gawked. "That's positively prime evil! She's got a boyfriend now, Zach. Look for yourself!" she exclaimed, pointing at the couple.
"I know," he growled with hatred. "That's why I need you to do this."
Before she could manage a retort, he pushed her toward the tables. "Think of your so-called friends. After all, they're the only social life you've got."
Monique shot him a dirty look over her shoulder and grudgingly trudged onward.
"Oh, and uh, while you're at it…"
Monique shot him one last reproving glare.
"…kill Jim for me."
A chill raced down her spine and she shuddered at his words. At him. Her own brother. He was a man possessed, so much so that he was putting his own sister in the midst of his problems; a pawn in his sick, screwed up game. She didn't want to do this. All she wanted was to feel secure again; assured life would continue on normally…which would be made possible if she bid as her brother desired. She'd have to suck it up.
Monique sighed, took a deep breath, and forced a smile. She approached the table at which Kayley was taste-testing a sandwich concoction of Jim's.
"Kayley, hello," she chirped.
Kayley glanced up from the sandwich in her hands. "Oh, hullo."
Monique held her gaze expectantly.
"Would you like to sit with us?" Kayley finally offered, much to Jim's dismay.
"Oh, I don't mean to intrude!" Monique claimed—despite the fact she was already pulling out a seat at the table. Jim rolled his eyes.
Monique's gaze flitted from Kayley to Jim and then back to Kayley. "Nice weather we're having, huh?"
Kayley shrugged. "Sure, I guess."
"If you like the cold," Jim added.
Kayley nodded. "I like it, but I know must people don't."
"Yeah, I suppose it's not the kind of weather a skateboarder prefers," Monique added casually, shooting an inquisitive glance at Jim.
"I suppose not," he answered.
"Yep. I know my brother hates the cold. It freezes up his muscles. If it were up to him, every day would be full of sunshine and warmth and all that good stuff."
"Oh, you have a brother?" Kayley asked, handing the rest of the sandwich back to Jim.
"Mhmm! Older brother by a year, and because he's older, he sees it as his duty to look out for me," Monique fibbed.
"Oh, I see. That's nice," Kayley commented as she took a bite out of her fuji apple.
Monique smiled wanly. "Yeah, it is, I guess."
There was an awkward moment of silence, which gave Jim reason to believe he could change the subject to something else. Such as why Monique had decided to eat with them instead of with her two other gal friends, who were questioningly looking over from their table.
Just as he was about to voice his thoughts, Monique set down her cup of Top Ramen. She looked thoughtful. "I think he's lonely. He tries to cover it up, but I can see through the big goof's mask."
"Hasn't he any friends?" Kayley asked concernedly.
"Yeah…" Monique stirred her fork in her noodles. "He does. But that's not exactly what I meant." She bashfully glanced up at Kayley and smiled, then tilted her head Jim's way.
"Oh…" Kayley replied in realization, smiling self-consciously. She was aware of a slight burning sensation in her face, signaling to her she was blushing once again.
"You noticed?" Jim asked, sounding a tad smug. However, his eyes were dark and unsmiling. He hoped Monique would take the hint and leave.
Monique colored. "Yep." She looked back down at her noodles, uncertain of what to say next. She casually peeked over her shoulder and scanned the room for her brother. She spotted him at his table, and with a wave of his hand motioned for her to continue her evil work. "Ya know," she said, returning her gaze to Kayley, "he's really a pretty decent guy. He's tall and has good manners…most of the time," she couldn't help but add.
"Wunderbar, good for him."
Jim looked at Kayley with curiosity shining in his eyes. "German?"
She smiled. "Ja, liebling."
Monique bit down on the side of her cheek. If she remembered correctly from her German class, liebling translated as darling. That definitely was something she wasn't expecting.
"It's very pretty." He took one of her hands in his.
"Danke."
"Just beautiful," Monique cooed before clearing her throat. "And," she said, flipping her fork in Kayley's direction, "He's an awesome skateboarder. Not to mention rather good-looking. Oh, and he has the most intense eyes."
Kayley stared blankly at Monique, not sure what to think. In all truth, she was a bit disturbed.
"It's not weird for me to say that; I've heard enough from my friends," Monique quickly explained with a wave of her hand.
Jim raised and eyebrow. "Then why doesn't he date one of them?"
Monique shrugged. "They're not smart enough I guess. He likes intelligent girls, girls who have brains in their heads and can manage themselves." She shot a meaningful smile at Kayley.
Instinctively, Jim's grip tightened. Was it him, or was something just a bit off, here? Monique was talking up her brother more than she should be. He sensed a trap.
"He really likes the quiet type," Monique continued.
Jim smiled in relief. Kayley was certainly a talker, no doubt about that. Kayley felt his grip on her hand relax and she reassuringly patted his knee.
"Figuratively, I mean," Monique spluttered, catching herself. "He doesn't mind a girl who speaks her mind, and he just adores girls with quiet dispositions. You know, the kind who'd rather stay home and watch a movie or read instead of going out and partying. I guess that's another reason he doesn't like my friends. He likes modest girls." Monique smiled emptily, having just presented the biggest lie of the decade.
The dream girl Monique had just described was Kayley, and Jim knew it. "What the hell is her problem?"
Luckily for Monique, Kayley stepped in before Jim could go off on the blue-eyed, sweet-voiced fabler.
"He seems very sweet. It's a wonder he's still single."
Jim was no longer outraged at Monique. He was horrified, and thus his eyes flew to Kayley. She squeezed his hand, convincing him she wasn't interested in anybody else.
Monique looked down at her noodles. "Yeah…" she answered quietly.
Within a few unbearably awkward moments, the bell rang, and Kayley and Jim bid Monique farewell. After they had left her company, Monique stood and began on her way out. As she approached the corridor, she saw her brother in the corner of the cafeteria, motioning for her to join him. She tossed her empty cup in the garbage and dragged herself over.
"How did it go?" her brother asked eagerly, clasping his hands together.
Monique tossed her blonde hair over her shoulders and crossed her arms. "Considerably well. Zach, you're gonna have to be patient with this. She fell hard for him, I can tell."
"How can you be so sure, they haven't been together that long!" he said, his face falling.
She sighed. "Zach, a girl can sense things, and I sensed it with her. She even called him 'liebling'."
Zach's expression was blank, not comprehending what the word meant.
"It's German for 'darling', a term of endearment." Monique was silent, waiting for that to set in, before she continued, "And another thing. I don't believe Jim's buying my innocent act. He stared daggers at me the entire time. I think he suspects something's up."
"All the better!" Zachary exclaimed excitedly. "Get 'em all riled up and sweating bullets." He rubbed his hands together, delighted with a new scheme of making Jim jealous.
Monique shook her head. "I don't think so, Zach. He seemed mad enough to kill you. And I don't mean to burst your evil bubble of epic wickedness, but I didn't give her your name yet—"
"Why not?" he cried.
"Zach, use your head." A hand flew to her forehead and she closed her eyes. "Oh, I'm going insane, look at the ridiculous things I'm saying! What am I saying, 'use your head'? You never do." She opened her eyes, ready to readdress the issue at hand. "It's too soon! If she had heard your name this early in the game, she would have been repulsed. The fight you guys had wasn't that long ago. Let her get to 'know' you a little better first."
Zach grinned at his sister. "Clever! For once I'm actually proud of you!" He gave her a noogie.
"I'm not," she whispered inaudibly, a tear rolling down her cheek.
O~o~O
School came to a close and students were cramming the hallways, collecting their books and other items before leaving for their homes. Monique collected her things from her locker before squeezing through the crowd to approach her brother. "I'm ready," she announced upon reaching him.
"'Kay," Zach grunted, shimmying his books out of his locker. He stuffed them into his backpack. "Let's go—" His words hung as his eyes were drawn to the sight of Kayley and Jim exiting the school, Jim's arm draped over one of her shoulders, her free arm wrapped around his middle, the two of them leaning toward the other. Zach gritted his teeth before finally turning his eyes away in disgust.
Monique studied him critically. "You okay?"
"Of course!" he spat, flinging spit onto Monique's face. She wiped her face with her baby blue sweater sleeve. His angry expression softened. "Sorry," he said sheepishly.
"It's okay. Today's a day for uncomfortable, disconcerting experiences."
Zach, formulating another devilish plot, tuned out her useless babble. His eyes were focused on the couple as he spoke. "Mo, I need—"
"Oh no. Forget it. You already got me wrapped up in your little game. I want nothing else to do with your wicked plans." She began to storm away, but before she could escape, he grabbed her by the arm and swung her around.
"This is still part of the deal. I want you to spend every waking moment with Kayley and report back to me each night."
Her blue dazzlers darkened as she realized there was no point in arguing. "Do I still have to uphold the first part of our agreement? About making you sound good?"
"Yes, duh."
Monique nodded sadly. "Figured."
He frowned. "Well, what are you standing there for? Go!"
Meanwhile…
Jim and Kayley strolled toward the parking lot. Jim was searching for a way to delicately word his worries. There was a sustained silence before Kayley finally glanced up. "Is something wrong?" she asked sweetly.
"No…yeah, it's Monique. Didn't something just seem a bit odd about the way she gushed over her brother? It's not normal."
"'Twas a bit queer," she agreed.
Jim stifled a laugh. "Queer. That's the word for it." They walked on. "It seemed like she was trying to prove something" he said uncomfortably. "Did you notice that?"
"Yes," she replied slowly. "But we are girls and I'm sure it's much easier to talk with one from her own gender. I wouldn't worry about it. Methinks she was just trying to clarify something for herself, darling."
He grinned. "Say it again," he requested, barely able to restrain himself from nuzzling his nose in her hair.
She smiled flirtatiously. "Darling. Mein liebling."
He wrapped his arms around her and stared deeply into her hazel eyes. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
And Monique dejectedly watched from the curb. Trying to tear them apart was futile. And wrong. Not that she wanted to break them apart. And not that she had to. "You don't have to do this." Her eyes lit up at that thought. She turned away, a new determination shining in her face. She couldn't do this to them. She wouldn't do this to them, she decided. "This is Zach's fight, not mine. It's time I give him a piece of my mind." Just then, a beaten-up Chevy pulled out of a parking space. "Speak of the devil." She marched into the street, stepping in front of her brother's moving truck. It screeched to a stop as he slammed on the brakes. As she walked over to the passenger side, she could see his face through the windshield; he looked as if he had just seen a ghost. But she didn't care. She threw open the door and climbed inside.
He was still staring straight ahead, even after she had swung shut her door and fastened her seatbelt. The old vehicle slowly began creeping forward before halting again. He turned toward her, shock still residing on his face. "Wait…what happened?"
She shrugged. "Nothing."
"No, what are you doing back here already? You were supposed to go with them. I was gonna pick you up wherever you ended up later," he said. His lips formed into a scowl. "What do you not get about that?" he asked harshly.
Her confidence diminished. "They left already," she lied. "Drive."