Cursed

Chapter 7

"Who's this?" Christopher asked Winter the next morning. He gestured to Lucas.

"That's Lucas," Winter explained. "My grandfather thought that he could show us around the school."

"He's not in our grade," Christopher said, eying Lucas suspiciously.

"He's a senior," Winter said. "He's only a year older, so he'll probably have a lot of classes with us."

"Great," Christopher said, unenthusiastic.

"Shall I walk you two beautiful ladies to class?" Lucas asked. Summer giggled and nodded. Winter just rolled her eyes and stayed back with Christopher.

"I don't trust him," Christopher said when Summer and Lucas had walked away.

"Why not?" Winter asked.

"I just don't," Christopher said. Winter frowned, but didn't press for details.

"He's just a friend, I promise," Winter said.

"Good," Christopher said, "because I wanted to ask you something." Winter's heart skipped a beat and her stomach filled with butterflies. "Winter McKnight, will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes, I will, Christopher Columbus," Winter joked.

"That is not my last name," Christopher laughed.

"Okay, Christopher Mason," Winter said. Christopher smiled. He leaned in and kissed her gently. Winter's cheeks flamed red from the excitement. She'd never been kissed before. She smiled and took his hand in hers and led him to class.

***

"He what?" Summer exclaimed. Her huge doe eyes were even wider than normal, which made Winter internally laugh.

"He kissed me," Winter replied giddily. Her stomach was still inhabited by butterflies from the kiss and her lips were still tingling from his touch.

"I can't believe that you actually got your first kiss before I did," Summer said. "It's unbelievable."

"Am I that unlikeable?" Winter asked, feigning shock.

"Yes," Summer joked. They both had to shut up when the teacher came into the classroom and started lecturing on being quiet. They giggled to each other right after her speech. Summer handed Winter a folded up note.

So was he a good kisser?

Winter rolled her eyes. She scrawled down a quick message (Why do you want to know?) and handed the note back to her sister.

I'm just curious. Can't a girl be curious about her twin sister's first kiss?

Not when the girl would just love to swoop in and see how good he is for herself.

Shut up! I am not like that. Tell me how it was! Tell me every little detail.

It's not that interesting. We were walking to class. He asked me to be his girlfriend. I joked and called him Christopher Colombus, and then I called him by his real name. Then he kissed me. And yes, he was a good kisser. It ended way faster than I wanted, but I'm praying for a second kiss. Longer this time. ;-).

OMG! He asked you to be his girlfriend?!? We need to have a talk about open communication!!

I don't have to tell you everything, Summer.

But you should, Snow White.

Shut up.

Summer got up a threw the note away. As she walked back to her desk, she threw an evil/joking smile at her sister. Winter glared at her jokingly just as the bell rang and they were dismissed for class.

***

Winter's phone rang loudly as she walked home from school. Summer looked at her, confused. No one ever called either of them. Winter answered the phone quickly. 

"Hello?"

"Hey, Winter," a voice from the other side of the line said. 

"Christopher!" Winter exclaimed. "How are you?"

"I'm good. How are you?"

"I'm doing great. I'm walking home right now."

"Hey, I wanted to know if you wanted to go out tonight," Christopher suggested. 

"Sure," Winter said. 

"Okay, how about seven? We could grab some ice cream at Culver's."

"Sounds great," Winter said. "I'll see you then." She hung up the phone, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "I'm going on my first date with Christopher tonight," Winter told her sister.

"Oh my god!" Summer exclaimed. "You have to let me help you get ready."

"Okay," Winter agreed. "I'm so nervous. I've never been on a date before."

"Don't worry," Summer smiled. "The master Summer will get you all fixed up. You'll look like Cinderella when I'm done."

"Aren't I Snow White?" Winter joked. 

"That too."

Winter laughed as her sister half dragged her all the way back home.

***

It took Summer nearly an hour to finish her work on Winter. She did Winter's hair and makeup and picked out Winter's outfit. When she finished, Winter looked at herself in the mirror. "Wow," Winter said in astonishment, hardly recognizing the girl that looked back at her. Her shoulder-length brunette hair had been curled into light waves that framed her face. She wore a simple, casual white dress with cap sleeves that fell almost to her knees. Her eyelashes were coated with mascara, making the now thick lashes curl outwards. Her eyelids were brushed with a simple brown eyeshadow, but it made her look more mature. Summer had made her cheeks a rosy pink and her lips a deep shade of red. "I look..."

"Absolutely amazing," Summer finished. "I did some good work."

"I didn't know I could look like this," Winter said, still staring at her reflection. 

"Stop staring," Summer playing scolded. "It's rude." 

Winter laughed and turned to her sister. "Thank you, Summer."

"Eh, it was no big deal," Summer said. "I'm just happy to know that I got to contribute to my sister's first date." Winter smiled and hugged Summer. "I'm happy for you, you know," Summer told Winter when they pulled away. "I'm glad you finally found a guy worth your time. God knows there aren't many worthy of the McKnight sisters."

Winter laughed again at her sister's humor. She picked up the grey clutch that her sister had agreed to let her borrow. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. "That's my ride," Winter told her sister.

Summer smiled. "Go have fun. You deserve it."

"Thanks," WInter said. "For everything," she added. "I don't think I could've done this without you. I don't know how other girls go throughout life without a twin sister." 

"I don't know either," Summer said. "Now go! Your ride is waiting."

Winter hugged her sister goodbye. "I'll see you later," Winter said. 

"See you later."