CHAPTER THREE

Pssst! Psssst! Laa-na!

I felt a nudge at my side, and I rolled over, bringing a pile of blankets with me.

Hmph!

There was another nudge. I was groggy; there was a slight haze over my vision. I let it take over without a fight while nestling under miles of warm blankets, ignoring the provocation outside of my slumber. I shivered as a pocket of cold air entered the warmth around me, seeming to mold to the shape of my body. I shuddered, closing my eyes tight, nose scrunched. A little body wiggled on top of me, and I felt a little finger tapping my forehead until my face turned towards the ceiling. Anna pressed her forehead to mine, her nose aligning itself with every angle of mine that it could reach. She giggled.

I opened my eyes to two deep, indigo blue eyes staring into my own identical ones. Anna and I were complete opposites, of body and of heart. Physically, she was delicate; I was a chiseled figure under an artist's hands. Strong, square planes of my face compared to her delicate features, my angular body was jagged, rough, with only the slightest bit of curves. Anna was softly rounded, a kitten next to the jaguar. Her button nose was small and curvy; mine a long slope until its rounded point; her lips soft and pouty, the color of a rose. Mine were long and thin, a dull pinkish color, unexciting and ordinary. Anna had light blond hair and the fairest of skin, contrasting to the dark chocolate of my hair and my olive skin tones. Emotionally, Anna was outgoing, fun, always smiling her little toothy grin, dimples flashing. I kept to myself, rather being alone than with other people, and smiling wasn't something that came naturally to me. It seemed like I was never happy like Anna. Sometimes I look back, wondering if I was ever like her, so carefree. I doubted it. We were so different now; I don't know how we could ever have been alike. She had a joy in her, a little spark; I would do anything to protect that little piece of her from burning out, the piece that I have always wanted and been incapable of being for myself. My light burned out a long time ago, if I ever had one in the first place. Anna and I were total and complete opposites.

No one would ever guess that we were sisters if it weren't for the eyes. The infamous indigo eyes, a true mystery in itself. It was the farthest thing from a family gene; Mom had a light caramel color, and Dad had a deep forest green. But it was deep, indigo blue eyes Anna and I shared, a light, iced gray around the iris' and a deep cobalt color on the outer rims. Flecks of a lighter blue highlighted the dark indigo and full, dark lashes surrounded them. It was the one thing we had in common, the one thing we shared as sisters.

I groaned, and Anna, happy with the sound, rolled off of me. I sighed, thankful for the now easy flow of air in my lungs. As I turned, preparing to roll over once again and fall into the folds of sleep, I came eye to eye with two little feet.

"Anna, don't you even –"I started, but it was too late. Covers and pillows went flying as Anna jumped all around, squealing with obvious glee as I bounced up with the springy mattress. She flew feet into the air, slamming down all around me and all over me, every time making me spring up a few inches off the lumpy mattress. I was all too awake then, and I sprang up, Anna attempting to dodge my grasping arms. I wound my arms around her and pinned her down, her breath heaving in her undying laughter. I put my forehead to hers in defeat, and she cackled. Anna was, no doubt, the most dangerous creature alive.

"Your evil," I mumbled to her, pulling away and propping myself up on my elbow.

"No I'm not!" she disagreed, her eyes still filled with laughter.

"I think you are."

"I'm a super hero! Super Heroes are not ev-ul." She emphasized, like I was losing my mind.

"Yeah. Well, I think you're an exception. But Super Heroes have weaknesses, you know, Anna." I smiled down at her, watching her eyebrows fall down over her eyes in disgust. I took a little curl of her hair, looping my fingers through it.

"I don't have a weakness. I'm invinscable!"

"Doubt it."

"It's trueee!"

"You're a liar."

"No I'm nawt!"

"I can prove it."

"No, you can't!" I laughed at her face. It looked outraged at the simple fact that I questioned her judgment.

"Well, I'm a superhero too, you know. Wanna guess my power?" I grinned, and Anna's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Her curiosity won over and she finally asked, grumbling, "What is it?"

"Your weakness."

"I don't HAVE a weakness!" She cried out. Her lip jutted out in defiance.

"Well…I guess I'm going to have to show you my power then." My fingers moved from the curls of her hair to her smooth neck, tickling her bare skin. I felt her squirm beside me. My fingers moved faster, and I had to use my arm to hold her down as she squealed. Anna was laughing now, incapable of stopping, tears brimming her eyes and threatening to run over. I moved one hand to her stomach, and I felt her stomach scrunch and her body twisted away from mine, tears of laughter falling on her cheeks. She screamed, and I laughed into her hair.

"No, no, no, no! Stop it Lana, stop it! No! Ahh!" She giggled, barely able to catch her breath.

"Say Uncle," I demanded, face all business.

Anna kept silent, eyes streaming. She shook her head slightly, as much as she could, her cheek scrunched up against my hand. My other hand moved to under her arm, tickling.

"Uncle, Uncle, Uncle!" she screeched, and I let go with a satisfied smile. Anna looked over and glared at me, her nose scrunched in her defeat. I smoothed it out with a finger and laughed.

"Fine!" she sighed in defeat. "I have one weakness. But I'm still invinsicable."

"Okay," I agreed, and she stuck her tongue out at me.

I climbed out of bed, grabbing a sweater as I headed to my dresser. It was still slightly dark out, the sun just rising. I swung around, looking at my clock.

"6:00? Anna! It's only six o' clock!" I shrieked, exasperated.

"Yup!" she agreed with a smile. I shook my head, grabbing a pair of sweats and a tank top. I put my hair up in a messy bun and grabbed my toothbrush; there was no way I was going to dress up to do anything this early. I was sure there were bags under my eyes, but I rarely ever wore makeup anyways, I didn't see the point. Sending a last glare to Anna, still lounging on my bed, I opened the door to head to my bathroom, almost walking right into Mom.

"Good, you're up. I have to go out, so you're responsible for Anna," she said briskly, all business. "I have money and a list on the table, we need groceries. I've worked extra hours this week and your father is still out on a business trip, so you need to stop and get those. Take your Toyota. I won't be back home until later tonight, I have a few things to do, so don't wait up. And by god, take care of Anna properly."

"Yeah, sure." I replied, pushing past her. When didn't I take care of Anna? I snorted.

"What was that?" Mom asked, her tone stern.

"Um…I snorted…?" I answered hesitantly. I didn't know what else to say to her; tell her I was acting out my pig impersonation? I didn't think that would go over well.

"Alana, that is so un-ladylike. I hope you don't act like that out in public." 'Course not. People might think I had emotion if I did that. Mom shook her head and turned towards my bedroom door, blowing Anna a kiss, the perfect mother before she walked out the door. I rolled my eyes, walking into the bathroom to finish getting ready.

I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth, then combing through my wet hair and putting on the comfy outfit I had picked out.

"Anna, let's go." I called, and I heard little feet pounding behind me as I walked down the stairs. I grabbed a strawberry frosted pop tart and handed half to Anna, walking towards my blue Toyota in the driveway, shopping list in hand.

"Can I get this?" Anna asked, clutching the Chips Ahoy package.

"Anna," I repeated for the hundredth time, "you can get two things. Right now, you have Teddy Grahams and Fruit Rollups. You have to keep it down to two things."

Anna looked down at her items, a line of concentration on her brow; it was a tough decision. She held out the Teddy Grahams, replacing them with the Chips Ahoy. We had been through this ten times already; there were random bags of food stashed in all of the wrong places throughout the store.

I looked down at my list. I had gotten most of the essentials; all I had left was my two items of choice, Anna's, Wheat thins, eggs, and 100 calorie packs for Mom's 'new' diet. No junk food allowed unless it was strictly portioned.

I pushed the cart up the next isle nonchalantly, most of my weight leaned on the cart. This was way too early for me.

My eyes zeroed in on the Wheat Thins, and I walked across the aisle, staring up at the yellow package. It was on the top shelf, and at 5'3, I knew reaching it would be a challenge. Oh well, I thought to myself, suddenly wishing my sandals were an inch taller. I went on my tiptoes, arms stretched forward. I was inches off. I balanced a hand on the shelf in front of me and willed my arms to extend. I grunted, not moving.

An arm shot out from behind me, easily grabbing the box. I stumbled in surprise, and I felt a hand at the small of my back. The hand didn't move as I adjusted myself on my feet, and I turned to see Eric staring down at the package, a frown on his face.

"Of all things, you honestly picked Wheat Thins?" he looked disgusted, glaring down at the offending package. "You have a whole store of junk and cookies and shit and you pick Wheat Thins?" Eric looked over at me like I was crazy.

I was in shock; I didn't know what to say. I barely knew him, and already he was jumping into a friend to friend conversation, like I ran into him every day. I didn't even want to see him. Did I? I flashed the thought out of my brain, tried to focus on the current situation. Failed. I tugged at my sweats, riding low over my hips, and pulled down my tight white tank top; an attempt to cover the inch of skin exposure from the hem of my shirt to my sweats. I felt exposed, out of my element.

I looked at him, realizing he was waiting for an answer. I was annoyed, at him or me, I didn't know. I didn't know what I was feeling at that moment; I was numb of all emotions. I just looked at him. He didn't repeat his question; he didn't look at me like I was crazy. Eric just waited. I decided to be civil and answer him, have a small conversation with him this time. Just to be civil, polite. I told myself sternly. I didn't know who I was trying to convince by saying it.

"Wheat Thins? Moms, not mine. Chip and Ice cream junkie, myself." I shrugged, nonchalant.

"Ah. I see. Well, I might be able to talk to you then. Even run into you here and there. But, you know, that all depends on what kind of ice cream you're talking." There was no hesitation in my answer this time.

"Ben and Jerry's Cinnamon Bun."

Eric nodded, obviously contemplating my choice. It was then that I realized we had been walking, Eric pushing my cart as I randomly threw in the boxes I needed without comprehending my actions. I was mildly surprised to see I had almost everything I needed. Anna trailed behind us, still looking at all the food, making crucial decisions.

"I wouldn't have pinned you for a Ben and Jerry's type." Eric smiled over at me. He reached over and grabbed the list from my hand, walking briskly across the aisle to put more food in the cart. I was surprised at how comfortable he was, so casual. I was still uptight, noticing everything around me with a critique eye. Eric was so nonchalant; I don't know why that surprised me so much. He wasn't like most people I knew. I didn't like how different he was, so hard and easy to comprehend at the same time. He was a mystery and I had to admit to myself I was intrigued. But I wasn't one to stick my nose into something that might bite back.

I was at Eric's heels now as he reached over the cool freezer to get eggs. He lifted a box up at eyelevel to me, and I just nodded. I then remembered his response to my ice cream choice, and I turned to him.

"You're surprised at my ice cream?" I asked, annoyed.

"I expected Breyer's or something. Friendly's. A plain flavor like Vanilla or Chocolate or Strawberry. Maybe even Black Rasberry."

"Why is that? They're all boring." I looked at him, daring to speak what I was thinking.

"Not like that," he said, thinking. "They're not boring. They're…plain, basic. Not complicated or fancy. Like you. You're so down to earth, but you're different. You don't express things but you have more than the people that do. You're special."

He looked right at me as he said this. I had to look away, gather my thoughts before my eyes met his green ones. Piercing. I didn't understand him. He had just met me, barely talked to me. How could he assume he knew so much about me? And brutally honest at that, saying things many people probably wouldn't say to other people out loud. I wondered if something was wrong with him. I didn't know what to say or what to think. So I went with instinct. I pushed him away.

"You don't know me at all; how can you think any of that?"

Eric looked over at me, stopped the cart, turning his body towards me.

"You know, it's useless doing that to me." He smirked.

"Do what?"

"Try to make me run away. Maybe you're a little bit of that Ben&Jerry's Ice cream after all. No one dares try it, and no one dares get close to you. But you know," he said, attempting to hold back a smile, "I don't give up easy. And you interest me."

"Are you seriously attempting to charm me by comparing me to ice cream?" I looked at him. "And you still don't know what you're talking about." I shook my head as his smile grew.

"You're trying to hate me and you can't." Another smirk.

"You know, I might actually enjoy the Wheat Thins." I looked at him. "I might even love them."

Eric looked at me coolly. "Nice try. Either way, I might have another reason to stay around; whether you like Wheat Thins or not." He challenged, turning away from me and walking to Anna farther up the aisle.

"Anna," he asked her, "Do you like Wheat Thins?" he pointed to the package he was holding. Anna hid behind the packages of food in her hand, shy, and shook her head no. Eric smiled down at her and turned to me, walking straight by.

"Looks like I'll be sticking around," he replied with a smile. I couldn't help but laugh. At what, I didn't know. It was almost automatic, and I let the feeling envelope me before I had a chance to regret; I wished it would last. I knew better. But it felt so real, it felt so right. Maybe it was.