CHAPTER 41: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? [BONUS CHAPTER]

"Samantha.... I -I- don’t th-ink we should be doing this," Ingrid said hesitantly. Her eyes moved frantically around behind her large glasses.

Samantha stopped what she was doing momentarily and rolled her eyes, thinking, ’As expected of Ingrid!’

"Don’t be such a wuss! If you don’t want to go. Just stay here and give them any excuse when and if they come up to ask! That works for me. You will be a drag if you come along. Just stay here and continue to be the good girl that you are."

"B-but-"

"Shhhh! You will wake up Gabriel!" Samantha hush whispered as she started to feel annoyed.

She returned to her small task and turned her back to her younger sister. Ingrid was still on her bed with the blanket wrapped around her as she watched her older sister dress up. Samantha picked out a pretty little yellow dress with a cute contrasting black belt fastened on her waist to try to emphasize her ’womanly curves’, which were now beginning to show as she transitioned into the fourteenth year.

She sucked in her tummy and tightened the belt more before getting her desired result. Samantha fluffed up her dark hair, which she had painstakingly added different coloured highlights to the night before and smiled.

"Now for the last part..."

She talked to herself and applied her makeup diligently.

"How do I look?"

Ingrid had a rare smile on her face, and she gave her older sister a thumbs up. "Sa-mantha, c-an you even breathe in that?"

"Who needs to breathe when you want to feel cute and look smashing?"

She asked with a wink and fluffed her hair again. She did look chic and a tad bit older than her thirteen years. She picked up a large hoodie and slipped it over the dress, covering it in its entirety as the dress was short. Even though it was still quite early in the day, the last thing she wanted was to answer questions from anyone who saw how she was dressed up.

Then Samantha headed for her bed and arranged her pillows to form a lump as if she were still in it. Even though it was bright out and no one often checked on them, she had to make sure that her presence was accounted for. She covered the pillows with her blanket and slipped out their back leading door, successfully evading the estate filled with workers.

"B-but you didn’t tell me where you are goin-" Ingrid’s voice trailed off after her older sister had left, and she hugged her blankets closer and lowered herself back onto the bed. She couldn’t tell Samantha what her thoughts really were.

In truth, she did not like the fact that her older sister went out of the estate without authorization, but Samantha did whatever she liked. Ingrid loved her though, because she had always been that stable figure for them since their mother left, unfortunately.

’I hope no one comes here today,’ Ingrid thought. She never liked interacting with people and did not know how she would explain her older sister’s absence. Ingrid could barely exchange greetings with others, not to talk of explaining herself. Barely minutes after Samantha had left, Ingrid’s worst fears came to fruition as their door creaked open.

***

That same morning and across town,

"Hey, what’s up?" The male voice on the end of the phone sounded so endearing that Ava smiled in her still sleep-ridden form.

"You look so beautiful this morning,"

"Huh? I look beau-" She paused and realized that she had answered a video call in her scanty pyjama.

"Ahhhhh! Yo-u, why are you calling so early!?" She screamed and dropped the phone on her bed temporarily. She hurriedly reached for a robe and slipped it on her sleepwear, covering her bare shoulders and other peaking bare body parts before quickly picking up the phone again.

When her face came back into focus, he was a little disappointed—but still cherished what he saw. ’Even her morning face is a sight to behold. No make-up and all, but she still looks dazzling!’ He thought.

"Hey, why are you zoning out Rocky? And why are you calling me beautiful like I am your lover? I am your elder sister’s friend and the same age as her. You should address me with similar respect as you accord her!"

Rocky just smiled.

"It’s a fact that you are beautiful whether you are my sister’s friend or not. That fact does not change! You will forever remain that way to me."

Ava gave up. She had been down that road several times with that little boy, and he was just too headstrong.

"What is it this morning, Rocky?"

His look turned serious. "Do you know if everything is okay with Shelby? I think she is acting too strange."

Ava lowered her eyes and asked, "Why don’t you talk to her, Rocky? Why call me this early?"

"I think she is hiding things from me.... She called me this morning and ..."

Rocky explained the phone call in detail. "All I hear from you Rocky, is that your sister is worried about her husband, and she even came to you, so how is that a problem?"

"It’s not that Ava. I know she talks to you a lot. This whole, ’I like Ian and married him’ BS does not sit well with me. Sh-"

"Don’t you trust her?"

"Of course, I do but-"

"Rocky, she is older and, therefore, has more insights into life than you do. The fact that she consulted you means that she still trusts that her brother has her back. I think all she needs from you now is that assurance.... And talk to her. Tell her your concerns."

"It’s not as easy as that, Ava. I know she has no one but you, so please take care of her for me."

Ava kissed her teeth and asked, "It’s not your place to tell me this about my best friend. Now, I have to go back to bed ..."

"Wait, Ava!"

"What?"

"When will we be going out for our date?"

*********

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