Sophia
It is the first week of July..
..and the day online grades were being posted.
That Thursday morning, I cleverly arrived at Orion University at 6:30am, much to my sister's chagrin. I had sneakily set her alarm earlier than usual, and she was giving me the cold shoulder for ruining her beauty sleep. I doubted, though, that she could keep up the charade.
The campus library always opened at exactly half-past six, and I planned to check the results of my prelim exams on one of the computers.
"Come on, come on," I worriedly chanted to myself as I waited for the page to load.
Next to me, also using a computer, Stacy giggled at my pale face. I shifted to glance at her.
"So glad you're enjoying my uneasiness, Ace," I dryly told her. "Aren't you nervous, too?"
The pretty blonde waved a lazy hand at me. "With you as my tutor, I'm sure I'll pass everything."
My face turned even whiter. "Am I held accountable if your marks aren't well?"
"You've helped me with my studies since grade school and not once have I flunked. I highly doubt that either of us are going to tank in our first college preliminaries, Sop. Now relax!"
I opened my mouth to reply but my brown eyes flickered to the white computer screen.
ORION UNIVERSITY ONLINE GRADES, it read. I swallowed hard, my heart beating fast.
I hurriedly typed in my name and student number, then clicked on the GO button.
My brown eyes widened behind my oval glasses. I cupped my lips with both hands.
Next to me, Stacy was practically floating. She cheered victoriously. "Oh My God! YES!"
I swiveled in my plastic chair to meet my sister's elated smile. "Sop! I did it! I did it! And it's all thanks to you!" Her sky blue eyes sparkled with joy. "My lowest grade is 1.50! Oh My God!"
The happy blonde pulled me into a tight hug, and as she did, her eyes flew to my computer.
"OH. MY. GOD," she breathed, loosening her embrace. But then she held my shoulders and jiggled me from left to right, my oval glasses had gone askew.
"Ace, please keep your voice down---'' I started to say but she wasn't listening to me.
"SOP! You got a flat one in all your subjects! That's incredible! Look at all those ones!"
Across the room, the library wrinkled her nose at us and sent my sister a warning glare.
"Stacy, shh," I shushed my babbling twin.
Her sky blue eyes gleamed with pride. "We have to celebrate this upcoming weekend."
"No we don't," I objected, as I logged out of my account.
"Yes, we do," Stacy retorted, squinting at me. "You'll be a Dean's Lister at this rate."
I blushed modestly. "We should head to class now."
She gave me a this-isn't-over look but logged out of her computer as well,and she stood.
"By the way, Sop," my blonde sister began while we exited the library. "How's Lucas?"
I struggled to maintain my composure. "I think he's fine. Why do you ask?"
An exasperated frown blossomed on her pink lips before she said: "Didn't you say he wanted to court me? It's been a week, and he has done nothing. Nada. Zilch. So what's the deal with him?"
I flashed my twin a close-lipped smile. "Maybe he had to focus on academics first?"
"Bah, excuses," Stacy muttered, fluffing her wavy golden hair as she walked alongside me.
I studied my sister's perfect face, and I wondered for the nth time whether she truly liked Lucas.
She caught my staring at her, and I was startled when she arched a brow at me. "What, Sop?"
"Nothing," I fibbed. But she insisted I tell her and the words just tumbled out of my stupid mouth: "Is it alright if I help Lucas with his courtship for you? He sort of enlisted my services."
Stacy smirked. "Whatever. He can get all the help he wants. I won't go easy on him."
"Don't be too hard on him, though," I absentmindedly told her.
She craned her neck to eye me closely. "Are you sure you don't like him?"
"I'm sure," I answered her, but I felt a foul taste in my mouth when I told her that.
"Well, even if you do have a crush on him, he chose me," Stacy said more to herself.
I fought the urge to grit my teeth at her statement. I couldn't pick a fight because she was right.
And speak of the devil--even though he was more angel-like--Lucas appeared before us. And he was with his brother, Bryce.
"Hey, guys," Stacy greeted them, but she was glancing at Lucas.
"Hey," he greeted in return, raising a palm. Then he looked at me. "Good morning."
"Where are you two headed?" I inquired them.
Bryce answered: "The library."
His black-haired twin smiled at us. "We're checking out our grades."
I nodded at Lucas. "That's nice." Why did it feel so awkward??
"Well, it's almost seven," Stacy pointed out to all three of us. "Sophia and I have to go."
My sister linked her arm with mine,and we resumed our purposeful walk.
"I thought you two were close?" Stacy demanded me. "What was that all about?"
"We were in a rush," I lied.
She rolled her eyes skyward and halted in front of the Fine Arts building.
"See you at lunch, Sop," she bid me goodbye with a hand-wave.
I waved my hand at her, too. "I heard they're serving ice cream sandwiches today."
A giggle erupted from her lips as she climbed up the staircase. "I can't wait."
When she disappeared into the building, I hastily walked to the Humanities Hall, feeling like the worst sister in the world.