Wednesday.
For the hundredth time I pick my phone to call Zee. And just like everytime before, I end the call before it even goes through. I feel like such a coward. I'm usually not like this. As you already know by now. But I just can't call him.
Why? Because this time I have to call him to cancel our date. I know it's the least of my problems I have now. But still, it's important.
Why? Why? Why? Why did this have to happen when everything was going good.
Yesterday, I spent the entire day walking along the Hudson river. I drove all the way to our estate along its banks. It has a very ancient and majestic feeling to it. But it's very quiet and calming for me. We have a house keeper and some other people there, who were very happy to see me. But they could tell I was upset and wanted space. So space was what I got. I spent the rest of my day there. It was very calming and just the thing I needed.
Back to the present. I have to call him. I didn't go to school today.
Don't be a coward Shanaya. Call him.
I hated when I felt like a coward. So I called him.
Ring ring.
Ring ring.
Pick up.
Actually don't pick up.
I was kind of hoping that he wouldn't pick up so I didn't have to directly talk to him. I could always leave a voice mail.
And that's what I did. After attempting to call him three more times of course. I didn't want him to feel like I was ditching him.
So when he wouldn't answer even then, it finally switched to voice mail.
"Hey, you've reached Zayden Miller's cell. So I'm currently unable to answer your call. Major bummer. Leave me a message after the beep. Beep. Haha. Just kidding. Here's the real beep.. " I heard the beep noise just a second after. Wow. That was properly coordinated and probably the most adorable thing ever. But maybe I'm just biased.
"Hey Zayden. This is Sasha. I'm so sorry but we've got to cancel our date for today. Major bummer. A slight family.. situation has come up and I can't make it. I'm sorry. So the date.. I'll take a rain check on it. So.. bye I guess. "
The entire message came across as weird and I sounded anxious but it'll work I guess. I hope he calls.
After having a light brunch, I head to the airport. Jason's flight should be here in half an hour, so I decide to just relax in a Starbucks. I'm so excited to see him. It's been only a few weeks since I last saw him, but even then.. he's literally my soulmate!
As I sat there, happily sipping my caffeine, I felt something fall on my shoulder.
I screamed.
It was an arachnid. For those of you mundanes who didn't pay attention in their biology class, an arachnid is basically a spider.
So now you know why I screamed and are a little more educated.
Back to the point, I had a spider on my shoulder and I screamed. This caused several things to happen at once:
1. An old lady in front of me got startled and poured hot coffee over her poor clueless husband.
2. A barrista knocked over an entire section of pastries.
3. A kid next to me, who probably wanted to join in on the fun, startes screaming too.
4. And my personal favourite, I poured my scorching cappuccino on a very familiar person behind me, who was also the source of the spider. A person who just lost the silly smile on his face because the coffee probably burned some sense into him.
Jason.
My annoying yet lovable little brother. He's not really little but he gets annoyed when I call him a kid, so. All older siblings probably relate to this. * Evil smirk*
"Hey sissy." And he proceeds to hug me, destroying my very cute dress in the process.
"Jason!" I push him away and flash him a you're-so-screwed look. I apologized and payed for the destruction.
Then I dragged Jason out who still had the nerve to flash me a goofy smile and planted his butt on the hood of my car.
I flash him my angriest look but I'm trying really hard not to laugh.
"I see you're very pleased to see me." He says sarcastically.
I still don't say anything.
"What? So you won't even talk to me now?"
Hmph.
"Come on sissy. No hug?" He says with an adorable pout.
I turn around so he can't see me smile.
"What's up with you? I see you haven't been laid for a while."
I turn around and stomp my foot dramatically.
"Jason!"
"Whaat? So it's true?"
"That is none of your business."
"Well atleast you're talking to me."
He smirked.
I give up and ruffle his hair, smiling.
"How've you been little brother? Paris treating you well?"
"It was amazing. Hot girls everywhere. So many girls wanting to hook up with me. It was heaven."
I smack him.
"You're such a perv. I don't know how the girls tolerate you."
"I think my insanely good looks help. You should know, many hit on you too. Obviously because you share my good looks."
"Yeah. Yeah. Blah. Blah.
How aren't you jet lagged yet?"
"Because.. I don't know. I'm just pumped. Got too much adrenaline in my system I guess."
"Hmm.. well I hope you're hungry. I made your favorite dish at home."
"Dios mio senorita! Qué estamos haciendo aquí entonces?
Let's go home..!"
(Oh my god, what are we even doing here then?)
"Yeah yeah. Don't show off now. There's no one here who you can impress with Spanish. Comprende? "
"Si."
"So tell me, how was Paris really?"
"Like I said, amazing. The girls obviously made it better. We went to a lot of concerts. I have much better taste in fashion now."
"Oh, thank god."
"Hey, watch it. It wasn't that bad earlier."
"Oh please, remember that time when you wore your Neon hoodie with the sparkling pink shoes to a birthday party? And completed the look with green shades and gold chains?" I say admist fits of laughter.
"Yeah, well.."
"Okay, okay. I admit it. It was pretty bad."
"What? Did Jason Pierce just admit that he was *cough* is *cough* bad at something?"
"Yeah. Yeah. Suck it up. You're never hearing this again."
"Oh and speaking of the birthday party, it was Zayden's? How is he? Did you guys catch up? It's been a long time."
"Uhm.. " And I proceeded to tell him the entire story. At the end I have a very comical looking Jason next to me, who's choking on his spit after laughing so much.
"Shut up, Jason. What's so funny anyways?"
"You're so stupid sissy. Who makes a fake identity for this?"
I was actually embarrassed but I would not admit it. 'Coz obviously.
"Whatever. Atleast it's helping now."
"True."
We're both lost in our thoughts for a minute. I keep driving and concentrating on the road ahead.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"I think things are worse than whay mom and dad are letting on."
"I think so too."
"I mean things like this have never happened before. I mean sure there have been a couple of incidents, but nothing that worried them so much before. And there's nothing that we can even do about it."
"That's what I was thinking the other day. There is one thing though."
"What?"
"Uh, uh, uh. Not so fast. I'll tell you later. But first, I'm hungry. How far are we?"
"We're here." I parked and we headed up to our apartment.
The first thing Jason does is throw himself on the couch. I sit by him and he moved so his head is in my lap. I continue to ruffle his hair and he closes his eyes.
"Do you want to eat before you sleep? I made bbq chicken and then there's also the chocolate pumpkin pie."
Oh hearing me utter the words chicken and pie, this little idiot gets up with the speed of light and runs to find the kitchen.
I laugh.
"Do you even know where the kitchen is?"
"Found it."
"The apartment is pretty small. I thought mom and dad would do better considering there's 3 of us gonna be living here."
"It's cozy and it's not small. It's perfect. Exactly what I wanted. Don't be such a spoilt brat."
He chuckles. "I'm not. You know that. I couldn't be even if I wanted to. Apparently because mom and dad raised us to be "good" and "humble" human beings."
"You say that like it's a bad thing."
"Isn't it?"
"Nope."
"I guess."
I see him looking at all the food I've made with I kid you not, him salivating seeing it. Boys and their appetite.
Let me rephrase, teenagers and their appetite.
What?
I have a large appetite too. We have that in common as well.
"Uh, uh, uh. You won't get one bite of that unless you wash up and change."
He pouts adorably. Sometimes I swear I think my brother behaves like he's five.
"But.. I'm so hungry."
"Nope. Clean up. Shoo."
He shows me the puppy dog eyes face and I shut my eyes tight.
"Jason. Go! I swear of you don't go in 3 seconds I will freaking kill you. I'm starving too."
I hear a deep chuckle.
"Okay, okay. I'm going. Bossy much?"
He leaves and comes back in a minute.
"Uhm.. where's my room Cinderelly?
"When will you stop calling me that?"
"Hmm.. let me think. Never."
I sigh and shake my head.
"Come on. I'll show you."
After a very hearty meal he decides that he wants to sleep for a while and I do my homework.
After he wakes up and is high on caffeine, he's completely bouncy and full of energy whereas me on the other hand, am completely worn out, emotionally.
What?
I'm worried about our parents. I know Jason is too.
Maybe he picks up on my bad mood and decides to lighten the air. He's never had a hard time figuring out what I was thinking.
"What's up with you? You look so sad. Is it because now that you don't live alone you won't be able to bring all your 'conquests' home?"
He smirks like the dork he is.
Pft, as if.
"As if. I'd bring them home regardless. Doesn't effing matter to me."
"Then what's up sis?"
"I'm just worried."
"You know what's the prefect thing to do?"
"What?"
"Let's to clubbing." He flashes me a smile.
Oh lord, here we go.