And here we are back with The Sisters! Again, thank you all for your continued support and I hope you all enjoy the chapter!

(Emma's POV)

It was completely dead silent as my eyes widened at her admitting that 'I was right' and then widened even more when she just threw the pillow over her face away across the room and almost knocked one of my high school gymnastics trophies off the shelf.

And I probably would've been more annoyed and upset about it if she didn't immediately fling her hands over her face and then groan into her hands in near self-loathing (something I am not used to seeing from my sister), "Agh… am I really that stupid? SERIOUSLY! How could I not notice a guy is into me? And that Owen… OWEN of all guys is into me?!"

I just kept sitting there in silence, mostly because I really had zero idea how to even respond.

Understanding dating and boys have never been my quote 'forte' ever and has usually always been Kitty's, so… yeah, I have no clue right now. Honestly, I really didn't even know why it's looking like she specifically came here to talk to me about this since the only things that make me 'qualified' in any way possible are the fact that I currently have a boyfriend and my boyfriend also happens to be Owen's friend.

So… yeah. No clue what I'm really supposed to say right now.

But, Kitty just kept talking as she said, "But… I don't get it, Em? Owen and I have always been friends and he never really seemed like he was 'into me' until just recently. And I keep trying to think, but… I don't know? Did 'something' happen? Or… I mean, I'm not exactly questioning why a guy is into me or anything, but… ugh, I don't know? I just don't know how to even feel right now."

It was quiet for a few seconds until I finally started, just trying to 'mentally work through this' more than anything, "Why? Is it making you feel weird that Owen likes you or did he do something that made you feel?…"

Kitty almost immediately cut me off as she sat up, turned toward me, and put her hands up as she started, "NO! He didn't do anything like that. And there's nothing wrong with Owen! He's one of my best friends right now. He's a sweet guy, he's fun, and he's always down for anything and everything every time we hang out. But, like I said… I don't know what to think right now. I've just never thought about Owen like that. We've always just been 'friends', you know? Or… I don't know? I literally have no idea what to do right now."

She looked like she was thinking as she kept looking at the floor and wringing her hands a little in her lap. It was dead silent again for a few moments except for the clock 'ticking' out in the hallway.

Then I have no idea what compelled me to do this as I quirked up an eyebrow again before I asked, more out of some weird curiosity than anything since I had no idea about anything going on right now, "Why? Do you not like him or… do you like him like that or… something?"

Immediately her eyes went wide and her head whipped around so fast that I almost thought her head was going to do a full-range turn with her neck like an owl as she responded, "What?! No! Or… I don't know? I mean, like I said, there's nothing really wrong with Owen. He's a sweet guy and we're friends! But, you know, he's just not really… 'my type'."

Right as she said that, this 'opinion' I've had pretty much fermenting like an awful dry wine in the deepest corner of my mind for years just got pushed to the forefront of my brain as I crossed my arms and gave her a 'look'.

Kitty immediately picked up on it as she gave me a weirded-out look before responding in total confusion, "What?"

Again, I don't know what was 'possessing me' right now to do this (except that this was something I have 'felt' for a while) as I just directed, very pragmatic and nothing short of matter-of-fact, "Um, okay. I know this is coming from me here and no offense…" Before I could even finish my sentence she gave me this slightly annoyed yet knowing look as she crossed her arms and cut in, "Alright, you're saying 'no offense', but I'm pretty sure that means you're probably going to say something to 'offend me' anyway, right?"

I just kept giving her a look as I asked straight to the point, "Do you want to hear what I have to say or not? Otherwise, why are you even here in my room right now after not saying anything to me for the past 24 hours?"

She kept giving me a slightly annoyed look at just bluntly tossing that out there like I usually do, but at the same time I think she also 'saw my point'.

After all, how was I wrong right now?

Because everything I just said was 100% fact as far as I'm concerned. My sister has avoided talking to me for an entire day, stayed in her room most of that time, and then just now came to me in my room and seemed to want me to 'say something' about whatever is going on with Owen having a crush on her.

Eventually, and even though I could still tell she hated admitting I was right about her 'intentions' right now, she just let out a slightly frustrated yet defeated sigh before saying, "Okay, okay, fine. Go for it."

Well… definitely no turning back now.

And just like that, I owned up to exactly what I wanted to say, "Okay, Kit. Again, I have no idea why you're even talking to me when it comes to 'boy stuff', but if you want my opinion right now, then here it is. Because right now, I just want you to think about something for a second here. But… since when has 'your type' ever worked out for you?"

Her eyes somehow got even wider before almost looking like they were going to fall out of her head until she finally directed, sounding nothing short of offended yet defensive, "Emma!"

I felt like I wasn't even speaking 'as a sister' but more 'lawyering her' (as Kitty always has to accuse me of doing) as I continued, "What? I'm just stating the facts here. And 'fact is', all the guys you ever dated up until now sucked and you could always clearly do so much better."

"EMMA!" She directed even louder in offense as she stood up and threw her hands out in front of her.

But, I didn't even budge as I kept continuing on, realizing now that maybe it was a little harsh but yet also still needed to be said regardless as I stood up too and directed, "Face it, Kit. You may be more experienced than me when it comes to boys and dating since I've only dated 2 guys in my entire life, but you know I'm right on this one. All the guys you ever 'went for' ended up being a bunch of stupid jerks. Hot jerks… but still jerks. Honestly, the only guy you dated who was 'okay' was Kyle back when you were still in high school and… I'm still really suspicious about that one since you still never told me how you guys broke up to this day. But, whatever, even then, Kyle also wasn't necessarily that 'great' and you could clearly find someone better."

Again, even I knew I really 'crossed a line' and hit a 'point of no return' here since I finally just said my piece on my honest opinion of all the guys Kitty's ever crushed on or dated so far in her life.

Sure Kitty's only had a couple serious boyfriends like me, but she also casually dated WAY more than I have.

And as her older sister… I was never that impressed.

Look, I know people can accuse me of being 'judgmental', and sure I may be 'picky' when it comes to all the guys I've ever just 'liked' at a minimum or 'dated' at a maximum.

But when it comes to Kitty and even though we 'drifted apart' for a while until this past year, I always cared about her. She's my sister and I just want her to go out with guys that deserve her… and also preferably guys who aren't 'bad influences' more than anything.

Even though I don't really know exactly what point I was trying to make right now. I think I just felt better that I just let that out from the corner of my brain where 'all that' has been weirdly sitting there for years.

Honestly, I was kind of 'waiting for it' at this point until I looked up and got even more confused when I saw her looking back at the floor again.

Her expression wasn't angry or even offended anymore. I mean, 'frustrated', yeah. Oh yeah, definitely 'frustrated', but… she mostly just looked like she was thinking as we sat back down on my bed in silence for almost a full minute until I finally heard her sigh and admit, "You're right."

I whipped my head up completely and went wide-eyed again as she kept going, adjusting herself from where she was still sitting on my bed to face me more as she kept going, "Emma, look I… I'm sorry. I know I choose to come in here and talk to you and you're just giving it to me straight up here whether I really wanted it or not. And… you're not wrong. Like I said back during the race, 'the truth hurts', right?"

Kitty paused to let out a slight and almost self-deprecating laugh and smile that matched. Well, until the self-deprecating smile she continued through a sigh, gripping a hand into her now really short hair that I was still getting used to, "Actually, if anything, I'm the one always 'playing matchmaker' with you and my friends and dishing out 'love advice' and seem like I know everything, but… what do I know?! I don't even follow my own advice when it comes to dating. Because again… you're right. All I do is go for 'hot guys' that end up just being a bunch of stupid jerks."

I don't know why, but I felt a slight twinge in the pit of my stomach.

Ugh… crap.

I bit my lip out of some weird sense of 'guilt' I was now feeling in some way (despite still not regretting a single thing I just said… and would definitely say it again) before I started, trying to salvage whatever this is somehow as I started, "Kitty, look, I…"

"Don't. I know I always accuse you of being harsh and blunt and everything, but… even I know I needed to hear that. So don't be sorry about it… at least not this time." She cut in, causing me to look up and see her giving me a slight smirk and me knowing very well how she meant that with her giving me a free pass on 'bluntly lawyering her' this time.

I eventually smirked back before we both laughed knowingly about it.

After the laughing slowly died back and things went silent again, I just saw Kitty scoot closer to the middle of my bed toward me before sitting on her knees and extending out her arms as she offered with a slight smile, "Truce?"

I rolled my eyes a little before smirking back and replying in agreement, knowing exactly what she wanted, "Truce."

I turned toward her and gave her a hug.

Again, I am definitely not a 'hugger' by any stretch of the imagination, but for my sister?... I make an exception.

We held the hug for a few moments until I heard her ask, "Just a question, but… how did you know about Owen? Or was it really that obvious?"

We both backed away as I bit my lip for a second before shrugging and admitting, "Eh, pretty much… That and Noah told me after I asked for 'confirmation'."

Kitty's eyes went wide for a second before she started, almost like she was trying to work through her thoughts out loud, "Wait, Noah? Ugh, seriously, did EVERYONE know about Owen liking me except for me?!"

I mean… that's almost what it seems like.

But before I could say that outloud, Kitty asked, "Wait a sec, what else did Noah say? Did he say anything to you about 'when' Owen started liking me?"

I quirked up an eyebrow before saying, "Um, not really. After the coffee house and the sled hill, I just noticed 'something' was going on when Owen was around you and I just more asked Noah as another 'resource'. He didn't really tell me the 'why or how'."

"Wow, that's shocking." She immediately commented curiously as I gave her a look with a quirked eyebrow as I retorted immediately, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kitty just shrugged before casually replying, "What? I'm just saying, for Miss Future Attorney over here, I was expecting more info and follow-up questions from you."

I responded in the same way as I crossed my arms with a shrug before responding, "Not really. For a case this 'cut and dry' about a crush, I had all the evidence I needed to have it be 'case closed' as far as I'm concerned."

A couple moments after I said that, I saw her just... thinking.

Eventually, I tilted my head before asking, "Are you okay?"

It was quiet again for a second before I heard her start, "I… I don't know? I mean, yeah, I'm 'okay'. But… I just don't know how to feel? Like I said, I like Owen a lot and he's had my back more than Will or Jade have ever had my back. But, I don't know? I just never thought about Owen 'like that' ever."

As I took that in, even I felt like I was really thinking until finally I just started, almost 'thinking outloud', "Okay, I know we're talking about 'Owen' here and I can't believe I'm even saying this right now, but… he's honestly pretty much like the guy version of you in more ways than I can even list."

Her eyes went wide for a second before she rolled them slightly before saying, "Oh come on, Em! I don't…" I was really quick to cut in as I started, "No, not when it comes to 'gross stuff' since Noah told me about several different 'instances' and 'incidents' about Owen's gas that I've never even heard of or thought was possible before. What I mean is that you Owen have pretty much the same personality. You're both extreme optimists more often than not, you both extroverted partiers, and more often than not you both act and do things respectively and constantly without thinking in your own ways. Although for Owen it's mostly food-related and you just constantly put yourself in danger for no reason."

She let out an exasperated sigh before rolling her eyes and crossing her arms as she retorted, "And here we go again with you always needing to bring up the 'blindfolded tobogganing' story. C'mon! It was one time!"

I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes back before giving her a stern look before elaborating, "I only bring it up because that was the worst one of MANY reckless things you've ever done up until now! Or need I also remind of the other stupid thing you did when you were in grade 6 when you biked down the neighborhood hill? You could've gotten seriously hurt!"

Unsurprisingly all she did was scoff and brush it off as she rolled her eyes again before saying, "What? C'mon Em, who didn't bike or ride their scooter down the big neighborhood hill when we were kids? Hello?! It's called having fun!"

All I did was narrow my eyes at her even more before directing, "Kitty, you went down the hill with Ben Jameson standing on the back of his BMX bike, going backwards, WITHOUT a helmet! SERIOUSLY?! Were you trying to get yourself killed?! Or paralyzed and needing to be fed through a tube?"

"Emma, WHAT?! I was fine!" She immediately retorted as I instantly followed up, "Fine? The bike hit the curb at the bottom of the hill and you flew into a rose bush! Then I had to help you explain all that to mom about how you got covered in scratches and blood all over your shirt from said scratches and…! Ugh, whatever, we're getting off topic, so can we just agree to disagree here so I can make my point?"

It was quiet again between us as we just kept looking at each other before both of us just closed eyes for a second and sighed.

After which we both looked back up and gave each other a nod before Kitty started again, "Okay, sorry… go for it."

I took a second to 'even out' before continuing, "Look Kit, I'm only saying that you and Owen have more in common than you think. Again, even I can't believe I'm saying this since I can say a lot of things about Owen, but… he is a nice guy, maybe even too nice. That and you hang out with him way more than I've ever seen you hang out with any of your other friends which is really something considering you hang out with them a lot too. I mean, if you aren't into him like that then that's fair, but just because he doesn't seem like 'your type' from past experiences… maybe he is 'your type' in a way that you just didn't think about? Again, I can't believe I'm actually saying this about Owen right now, but maybe you should at least just talk to him and think about it first before anything else? Either way, it'll probably help you sleep at night at least."

I almost couldn't believe all of that just came out of me and even Kitty was too since even she was looking at me in shock. I didn't really know what else to do as I looked at the floor for a second, trying to figure out where to go from here.

Well, until I heard Kitty say sounding calm but also weirdly 'playful' almost, "Honestly, that's some pretty solid advice, big sis."

I whipped my head up to see her giving me a small smirk with a playfully raised eyebrow and crossed arms. After a second, I mirrored her expression before remarking, "Really? Because I still have no idea where that even came from. Or are you just saying that since that sounds more like something you would say to me?"

She held her expression as she shrugged before replying, "Probably why I think it's good 'boy advice' then if I would even say it."

I shoved her shoulder a little as we both started laughing about it. Once the laughing died down, she started again, "But, for real, you're right. I should just talk to Owen about it at the very least. His family usually breakfast together in the morning on weekends and he'll sometimes come out with me when I take pics around town for my portfolio. Maybe I'll try to ask him tomorrow morning."

I looked down for a fraction of a second until I heard, "And… thanks for listening, sis."

Right then she pulled me into another hug, making me tense up again for a second. Eventually, I relaxed a little and gave her a hug back with a slight smile as I gave in.

Hey, Kitty and I may have 'differences'... a lot of differences, but no matter what and like I keep saying… she's still my kid sister.

Okay, I honestly LOVED writing this chapter! For one, I just like a good sibling moment. Then two… I thought it was kind of fun to have a bit of a role reversal here between Emma and Kitty. Back during the race, Kitty was more often than not the 'level-headed one' giving Emma advice on her relationship with Noah and also getting Emma to trust her and others more. And as much as I love that dynamic with Kitty as the younger sister giving her older sister relationship advice… I wanted to interject my own headcanon of how much Emma has grown since the race as a person and a sister and how I personally picture Kitty in her personal life. Since Kitty is basically Emma's polar opposite with Emma being EXTREMELY competitive, blunt, and not the most popular girl back in school when it came to boys… I could see Kitty being the TOTAL inverse of that! Honestly, I kinda picture Kitty being pretty popular and well-liked when she was in school and (using her interaction with Mickey in Brazil as a reference) she was probably a little bit of an unintentional 'heartbreaker' with the boys as an adventurous, cute, and nice girl. But, despite this, I could also see Kitty being the kind of person who is very good at giving relationship advice, but not being the best at 'knowing how to pick 'em' in her own dating life. After all, it was never directly confirmed if Kitty was dating or in a relationship during the race, so this gave me even more creative liberty to give Kitty the dynamic of not being as 'lucky in love' and unfortunately gravitates toward good-looking guys that usually aren't that great of quality on the inside. I don't know. I just like it because it's something different. :) Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and constructive feedback is always appreciated if you can spare it.

Stay Classy!

Dexter1995