by Yuriko Hime
“You don’t know my dad,” I argued. “He’s not right for Andrea. I’m not saying this because I want them to breakup badly. I’m saying this because it’s true. He never loved me as his daughter. How can you expect that he’ll be good to your mom?”
The pain in her eyes reflected mine. “He proposed to her the other night. She said yes. It’s over Glace. We’re going to be family.” She choked at the last word and bit her lower lip.
My world crumbled. She was all I had. I couldn’t give up on us. “What if we tell Andrea everything? Maybe she’d call off the engagement for us. She’ll do it for you.”
Dulce leaned back on the bench and glanced at the stars, looking for an answer there. Like all the dreamers who gazed at it before, she found none. “Your dad told her already. He apologized for lying about you.” She turned to me and frowned. “He also told mom that we broke up because you found someone new. She believed him.”
I wanted to slam my head on the ground. That lying bastard father of mine made the situation worse. I hated him. My voice trembled as I said, “I wish I can love you as my sister, but I can’t. I want to kiss you, breathe each other’s scent, and feel your skin on mine. Sisters don’t do that. Sisters don’t think of making love. That’s all I ever think about when I see you.”
She closed her eyes, hiding the turmoil that was about to escape at any second. “Me too Glace. I want to fly to Neverland like we promised.” Her hands sought the ring I gave her on Christmas. It was positioned on her neck. If she still had that then there was still hope.
“Then let’s do that,” I said a little too forcefully. “Let’s fly away together. I’ll take care of you. You’ll never starve. You’ll never ever be lonely with me. Your days will be filled with laughter. We’ll do whatever we want. I promise that when you come with me, you’ll never wish for anything else.”
She was doubtful. “What about school? What about friends? And what about my mom? Your proposition is tempting, but you know that’s not enough.”
“But you’ll have me.” My voice was broken as I gave her a pleading look, hoping she’d reconsider. “And I’ll have you. For me that has always been enough.”
She scooted closer. I didn't expect her to hug me fiercely. My body turned to mush as I breathed her vanilla scent. It has been forever since we were like this. I was drowning without her. “I’m so sorry Glace. We’re perfect for each other, but we can’t stay together. Even if we become family, please know that you’ll always be the person I want to kiss. Every time I look at you, I see myself wearing a gown and walking down the aisle. Now that it can’t come true, I will love you the best way a sister can.”
“I’ll never love you like that,” I insisted. “I’ll do everything to win you back. Mark my words Dulce. You’ll come home to me.”
The night consisted of her trying to say goodbye and me stubbornly latching on to her. In the end, both of us cried in each other’s arms, refusing to let go. It hurts too much to be apart, even for a second. Unfortunately, the time came when it was too dark to stay out. We had to go our separate ways. We agreed to meet on the weekend. Forced actually. There would be a family dinner at Dulce’s house, and they expected me to come. Oh the irony of it. The dinner was to be our first ever meeting as a family. Everyone would be there, including her mom, my dad, me, and Dulce. Just stab my heart and be done with it.
I was ten minutes late that night. It was my first time being late for anything. The original plan was not to go, yet there I was, standing outside her house like the pathetic loser I was. When the front door opened, Andrea greeted me with a conflicted look on her face. She was probably wondering how to treat me now. As her daughter, or her real daughter’s ex?
Manners took over. “Come inside,” she said, pulling me for a hug. I couldn’t enjoy her embrace, knowing that she’d be my mom for all the wrong reasons. When the embrace ended, I followed Andrea to the living room. “Is it really over between you and Dulce? If you still love her, we can cancel this whole thing.” She sighed. “I’m crazy for Rick, but Dulce’s happiness should always come first.”
Hope began to bloom in my heart. It was the perfect opportunity to tell Andrea that I wanted to be with her daughter. Before I could even say what was on my mind, my dad walked in the living room. “Come to the dining area. Everything is prepared,” he said. “Our sweet Dulce’s cooking smells good.”
Sweet Dulce? Barf! She wasn’t your daughter. I went to the dining area where my baby was busy setting up the table. “I’ll help you,” I said, quickly taking a plate from her hands. Our arms brushed accidentally. It elicited a reaction from both of us. I took a deep breath while she gasped low and blushed. Our parents came in shortly after, squashing my chance to talk to her. We sat around the table awkwardly. I was determined to end this game that my dad was playing as soon as possible. I’d tell Andrea everything no matter what. My happiness was at stake.
Andrea cleared her throat. “Well then, dig in.” Though she sounded cheerful, everyone knew that we were trying hard. We were not a happy family. We would never be. Not like this.
“So dad.” I scooped mashed potatoes and dumped it on my plate. “Why did you decide to lie about me? I bet you thought Andrea was easy to get huh?”
The shocked expression on their faces was priceless. I was just warming up. Dad gave me a warning look. “Of course not,” he said. “It was all a misunderstanding. I didn’t want to say anything that time because you were dating Dulce. Now that you have another girlfriend, that’s all out of the way.”
“But I don’t have another gi—”
Dulce kicked me underneath the table. “Can I talk to you for a while Glace?” she said innocently. She placed her napkin down and hurriedly walked to the direction of her bedroom upstairs.
“Excuse me,” I said before following her. Inside the room, I locked the door behind me, leaning against it. “What do you want to talk about sister?” I made sure to spat the last word with as much contempt as I could.
She looked like she has been slapped. It made me want to take back what I said. Dulce quickly arranged her features to hide how much it hurt her. “Yes, we’re going to be family,” she said. “So please stop jeopardizing this dinner and take it like a real girl. Don’t tell my mom either.”
“About what?” I went to her. “That I don’t want you to be my family? That I’m so in love with you that I want to take you to the bed now and strip you?” I walked continuously to her until she tumbled down on the bed. I pinned her arms over her head. “If you’re my sister, I’m going to commit a taboo so I can stay with you. I’ve always wondered how incest feels like. I guess I’m going to find out real soon.”
She turned her head away. I couldn't figure out what she was thinking. Sweat ran down her neck. “Get off me.”
“Why? I thought you wanted to be family. From what I heard, family members can hug and kiss each other without feeling anything.”
“Not like this,” she whimpered. Tears pooled in her eyes and slowly trickled down her face.
Guilt dominated my heart. I hated myself for making her cry. “I’m sorry.” I stopped pinning her arms and gently wiped her face.
She lay on her side. “You’re not the only one hurt. I also feel like dying. I don’t want to be your sister. But I’ll take you any way I can. If it means we’ll be together forever because of that, then so be it.”
“Oh baby,” I murmured as I cuddled her from behind, my heart and mind ready to explode by the sheer madness of it all. “We’re so messed up right now.”
“Yes we are.” Time passed with silence. “Let’s stay like this for a while. I want to fall asleep like this and pretend that my world is not falling apart.”
“Okay,” I whispered. There was nothing more that I wanted to do than to snuggle to her. To feel her as my hands slowly trailed from her cheek to her feminine hips. She was perfection and I was completely smitten by her. A few moments more, her body relaxed. Dulce's breath calmed in a steady rhythm.
My eyes closed in satisfaction as I inhaled her scent and indulged on her warmth. It was exactly where I wanted to be. Right beside her.
I dreamt a happy dream that night. In it, everything was alright. My father wasn’t an asshole. Andrea had a respectful man beside her. And the girl I loved for 10 years was holding my hand while saying how she much she adored me. It was the first night in days that I slept peacefully.
“It feels like ages since we’ve talked,” Eris said, tucking her right foot underneath her leg. She was sitting on the couch in my library, watching me like a bird while I was seated on the reading nook.
“It was just a couple of days,” I answered. “Besides, you were busy with Patty. Made it to third base with her?” Eris blushed scarlet at my question. Interesting. She wasn’t usually like this. She was a playgirl who would break other women’s hearts. We were very much the same, though I didn’t do the heart breaking intentionally. And I wasn’t a playgirl. Women just fall. I couldn’t fall back.
“We haven’t even kissed yet,” she said.
With a shake of my head, I stood up from the reading nook and walked to her. Right in front of Eris, I leaned down, placing my palm on her cheek. “Want to have sex with me?” My face was straight. “I want to feel warm.”
Eris moved a fraction away. “Are you serious? You’re shitting me.”
I unbuckled my belt as I gazed intensely at her. “It’s not like we haven’t done it before. It’s not like you didn’t devirginize me two years ago. I recall that you were quite excited when you saw everything. So what do you say?” I puckered my lips.
She stopped me from kissing her in the form of a face palm. “Shut up Frio. We both know that nothing happened between us. Why are you even saying that?” She looked sympathetic. “I know what's going on with you and Dulce. It’s going to be okay.”
I collapsed on the couch. “I’m so torn. I want her back.”
“You will,” she said. “The timing isn’t right. Sometimes what you need to do is wait patiently for the perfect moment. When that opportunity comes, grab it and don’t let go. But right now, you have to wait.”
I did a double take on her. “You’ve changed a lot," I said appreciatively. "You used to go out with anyone, as long as they have big boobs and a pretty face. I remember walking on you while you were having a wild night with two other models. Is that Eris gone?”
“Definitely gone.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I think this is the real me. Not the party girl before.” She laughed. “Patty had a way of bringing me out of my shell.”
“You were inside your shell before? Fudge! I’d hate to see what you’ll do now that you’re out.”
Her elbow connected on my ribs. Totally deserved that. But I knew she meant well. She always had my back no matter what. “Shut up you,” she said. Her eyes narrowed. It would do that when she considered something. “Come here. I’ll give you a free hug for looking pathetic.”
“I’m not pathetic.” I let her embrace me. It was different compared to Dulce's. My girl loved to squeeze me to her. It was intimate and made me feel safe. Eris' hug gave off a sisterly vibe. It was nice, but not too much. “Why didn’t I fall in love with you?” I wondered out loud. “It was going to be so easy.” I’ve never regretted being in love with Dulce, even when it hurts. I was just curious as to why I never felt anything for Eris even though she was beautiful too. Not as beautiful as my girl though, I thought with a smile.
Eris patted my back. “Because I’m not Dulce. I’m not that seven year old you kissed at the cemetery. When are you planning to tell her about it?”
“Soon.”
Chapter 23. Double Date
Glace
“I thought it’s going to be just the two of us?” Eris turned her face away to avoid my piercing stare. In the distance Patty and Dulce huddled awkwardly on the bench. Patty appeared as confused as I was, while my ex-slash-love of my life gazed at her sneakers, wishing for sure that she was someplace else. “You tricked me," I said to Eris. I had every right to feel betrayed.
“Technically, I didn’t lie to you,” she said sheepishly. “I told you that I needed help with Patty, but I forgot to add that Dulce was going to come.”
“She’s avoiding me," I complained. "You know that right?” My heart ached at the thought. Dulce was finding every excuse not to talk to me in school. The engagement of our parents came as a shock to us. Though I wasn't giving up, seeing Dulce uncomfortable in my presence wasn’t my thing either.
“This is the perfect opportunity Frio,” Eris whispered conspiratorially next to my ear. “While I impress Patty, you can get Dulce back. It’s a win-win situation. What do you say?" She clapped her hands together in a pleading gesture. Something the old Eris wouldn't do. "Please help me. I’m really awkward with her.”
I sighed. She was right. I’d do everything to get Dulce back. “What do you have in mind for today?”
Eris considered. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I haven’t tried this dating thing before. The models I’ve been with were more like a one night stand.”
I thought of an activity that didn’t require much talking. “What about paintball? You’re good at that. You’ll be able to impress Patty.
Eris beamed at my suggestion. “Let’s go.” She was giddy as she took my hands to force me in the direction of the bench. My gaze automatically went to Dulce when we reached them. She turned away with a blush. She looked really good today, wearing blue fitted jeans, a yellow tank top that exposed her smooth neck, and white chucks. The butterflies in my stomach went overdrive as I noticed her wearing the necklace with the ring.
On my right, Eris stared, or more like gaped at Patty hungrily. Eris was wearing cut off jean-shorts together with her white button down. Her girlfriend looked comfortable in an outfit very similar to Dulce’s. Only Patty’s top was pink, not yellow. As for me, I had shorts, a blue shirt, and sneakers with my usual oversized sunglasses and cap. A girl like me had to be careful. The paparazzi could be lurking anywhere.
“We’re going to play paintball,” Eris said to the two.
Dulce sat straighter. “Seriously? You do know that Patty is not good at.” She was elbowed by her friend midsentence. I winced for Dulce.
Patty leaped to her feet. "Come on. Let's not waste our time here." She didn't give us a backward glance as she moved from the park bench in long strides.
We agreed to use Patty’s SUV to go to the paintball place. To avoid an awkward arrangement, I volunteered to drive the car. Eris rode shotgun beside me. The two friends kept mum at the back. No one spoke the whole ride. Eris was too nervous to even start a conversation. I wanted to punch myself for the whole disaster. At our destination, I paid the rental fee and trudged behind the three as they got their paintball guns and suits. We did rock-paper-scissors to choose our teammate. Mine was Eris. Go figure.
Hiding behind the tree in the arena minutes later, Eris whispered, “We’re so going to beat them.” She was psyched at this. Eris always loved a good competition, no matter who she was up against or what the stakes were. She seemed to have forgotten that we were doing this to impress Patty, not so she could have her kill for the day. “There she goes,” Eris muttered to herself. She crept towards Patty’s way.
I followed behind her, ensuring that my steps were light so they wouldn’t hear us. Eris vanished from my sight when I turned on the corner. Where did she go? I didn’t see anyone. I ducked behind a wooden wall and counted to ten before staring at the arena again.
A splat on my right scared the bejesus out of me. The shot missed me by a hairline. Looking to my left, I saw Dulce hiding behind a metal drum. Though her face was covered by the mask, she was still recognizable. God she was sexy. She made another shot which I missed again as I rolled behind a tree. She was serious at this. I couldn’t surrender to her. Not without a fight.
I inched closer and made my first shot. It missed. I’d do everything to capture the flag that she was guarding. Just like her heart. The
game went on for minutes. Whenever I’d edge forward, Dulce would fire shots at me, missing my body every single time after I ducked and rolled to safety. She had a couple of shots left.
“I’m going to get the flag now,” I called to her from behind a wooden post. “We’re going to win this. Eris will kill me if we don’t.”
“You choose,” she called back. “Eris will kill you if you lose, or I’m going get mad if you win?” I grinned from ear-to-ear. The lady got some spunk in her. How could I compete with what she said? I moved from behind the post and went to her, my hands up in the air. It was a total surrender. She pried her mask off. “What are you doing?”
I got down on my knee in front of her, removing my own mask. “Giving you my submission.” I smiled wolfishly. “Shoot me now.”
A slow and sexy smile spread on her face. “You’re unbelievable.” She shook her head. “Get up. You’ll hurt your knee.” She offered a hand. My heart thumped wildly inside my chest as I took it and stood next to her. Glace one, Dulce zero, I thought with satisfaction.
“Traitor!” Eris hissed, appearing out of nowhere. She ran behind me. Dulce and I turned to her and saw Patty following closely from the other side. They were still at it. Patty stood right in front of the flag, daring Eris to shoot her directly. Not one to be outdone, Eris raised her paintball gun. Patty dodged to the right and stumbled on her feet, slipping on the ground. “Shit!” Eris muttered under her breath before dashing to Patty. “Are you hurt?!” She removed both of their masks and had a worried expression on her face.
“No I’m not,” Patty replied. “But I don’t want to compete anymore. You’re a maniac.” Though Patty didn’t mean anything by it, Eris took it the wrong way. It was the first time I saw her bashful and disappointed as her eyes lowered to the ground.
“Let’s go somewhere else,” I said before Eris had time to wallow in self-pity. I hurried back to the main station and removed the paintball outfit. Everyone silently followed my example.
