We finished our meal. Our mom decided to drop us at school and then go back to work. Only God knows when she'll come back.
I really felt like walking, probably because I had already gotten used to it. Mom actually gave us our allowance, but I usually saved mine for important reasons. I just had to get into the car because I needed to get to school early.
We got into the car. My mum started driving, while Richard—my dumb brother—kept on chatting with someone on the phone.
He would either laugh anytime he read the message or just smile stupidly.
I looked outside the window. Was I actually torturing myself? This was about ten times more fun and better than walking.
Maybe that's why I looked like I'd lost ten pounds or something... my stomach really looked skinny.
When my mom arrived recently, she was so shocked that she asked if I was even eating or something. And then she suggested I go to the hospital.
Yeah... I was saved, thankfully, because I hated injections.
I was able to convince her that I was going on a diet plan.
And then she gave me her sarcastic face, asking me what I was trying to reduce when I was already like her index finger.
Yeah, that made me sulk for a whole evening... literally, I cried my eyes out.
"I am such a dummy," I murmured smacking my head.
I turned to Richard, who was still giggling annoyingly. I rolled my eyes, as if waiting for Mom to comment—but she didn't.
Someone has to stop this laughing gas from spreading, I thought.
But first—who was he talking to? I stretched my head toward his shoulder and looked closely to realize he was chatting with a girl.
Wow!! I thought.
"So is she, like, your classmate, best friend, or maybe—just maybe—girlfriend?" I said the last part whispering into his ear.
Richard quickly turned his phone like he was caught doing something bad.
"She is just my classmate, OKAY? No need to jump to conclusions."
"Yeah, sure. Let's pass that idea. Everyone knows the only girl in your life you care about is me," I said as I pretended to blush, using my hand to cover my mouth watching Richard glare at me.
"It's funny you think I care about you. They say it's never good to daydream," Richard said, raising one of his eyebrows.
"Who gave you those stupid thoughts? Now, back to our discussion—who is she?" I said, using my finger to poke his shoulder.
"She is none of your business," he replied, going back to his phone.
"Nonsense. If it's a one-sided love, you can tell me. I'm always helpful," I said, getting no reply from Richard.
"Oh my gosh, it is a one-sided love! I'm guessing you like her, but she doesn't care about you. It's kinda fun. You love her—she doesn't even know you . It's okay; some might end good, while others ALWAYS end badly," I continued, placing one of my fingers on my lips while giving a thoughtful expression
Richard sighed, turning to me. "Get off my business," he said.
I cupped my face with this weird grin totally ignoring Richard saying "Rubbish! I saw the way you smiled and laughed when you were chatting with her. I could even hear you giggle so loudly, which was annoying—but being a good sister, I tried to flush out that annoying part. Looking at the brighter side—my brother was smiling,"
Richard actually started to blush, but on second thought—I had never seen a boy blush so furiously.
WOW.
I was so happy that my plan was falling into place.
Sweet, sweet revenge.
"You know what? I could tell you that you are a very lucky boy, having a sister like me—because I'm going to help you," I said, tapping his shoulder.
"Really? You'll help me?" Richard's face lit up, which made my face twitch, but I quickly fixed my expression. My grin wasn't coming back, so I settled for a smile.
Not what I was expecting.
Richard finally said with an angry look .
"Have I ever told you this? Your help brings bad luck to me. I'd rather stick to having a one-sided relationship,".
"So now you agree to having feelings for Miss Rejection," I said, checking my nails, which were already perfectly clean.
"So I'm going to give you some tips on how to approach her. It's going to be hard, but we'll get over this. I know you think you are dumb, not smart, ugly, weird, lack skills in dressing, stu—"
I was about to complete my sentence when Richard stopped me.
"Okay, stop with the insults. Come on—between me and you, who is dumb? Oh, let me answer that—YOU. And talking about ugly, I'm seeing one right here. And your last statement... um, um, stupid? I think that's you," he said, pointing his finger at my face each and every time .
"Oh, don't you dare point at me," I said.
"Oh yes, I will," he replied.
"Who are you calling stupid, huh? Have some respect. I'm literally your senior—don't forget that!" I said, shaking my small fist at the front of his face .
"WHAT! SENIOR! Geez, you really don't have a little bit of shame, do you?" Richard said as he crossed his arms on his chest.
"A senior trying to teach her brother how to start a relationship when she hasn't even been in one before? Guess what—if I'm Miss Rejection, then you are Miss Rejected, because to my own wonderful memory, I've never, ever seen you with a boy," Richard said quickly like he was in some rap battle , his nose flaring open in anger after which he scoffed .
OUCH!!!!...
I really didn't know what to say.
I couldn't even try to utter a coherent speech.
I turned to the window quietly.
I really haven't dated someone before—he was right.
But did he have to be this specific?
How could he even say such a thing?
Oh, and worst part—he called me Miss Rejected.
It broke my small little heart into pieces.
This made me wonder—did I really have a phobia for relationships, or am I really not that beautiful?
I looked outside as I gave out a fake cry.
"Hey, have you studied for your test with Mr. Derrick?" Richard asked after a few minutes, but he got no reply from me.
" so you haven't studied. And yet you want to teach me how to start a relationship? You are a thing. Do you really like getting Cs? Of course you do—why am I even asking? It's not like it bothers me," he said, playing with his phone. He knew I was going to ask him for help, but he just had to rub it all over my face.
I turned slowly to him, realizing I was going to fail.
Not like I didn't try reading, but it was so boring.
First, I tried reading the book—then I fell asleep.
I woke up, tried to read again—but then I slept off, waking up late this morning... all for nothing!!!
I hate maths and it equally hates me . It's a mutual agreement here .
"Please help me," I pleaded softly , holding his arm .
I really hated myself for doing this. It was really ridiculously dumb.
Richard was sort of good at maths _ like really good ...and it would be a cold day in hell if I ever admit that in public ,even if they promise a hundred dollars .
My only option was to register for a math lesson... but hell would freeze over before I committed such abomination.
"I thought I was dumb, ugly, and had low IQ," Richard said, listing the things I did—and didn't—say.
Really, I don't remember telling him he had low IQ.
"ME?! I could never say that. You're the king of smart! Smartest person in the whole wide world—even smarter than... m...," I said gulping softly ,not able to finish the last sentence.
"Sorry, I didn't hear that well. Can you repeat?" Richard said, holding his ear moving his head closer to my face .
I gritted my teeth while glaring at him, not failing to see the small stupid smirk on his face.
"I said you are smarter than me okay ," I finally said , watching the stupid smug smile .
"Are you going to help?" I asked, and he nods.
"But first, you have to take me shopping, then do my laundry for a week," he said.
A frown settled on my forehead at his request ...then I gasped at the second one .
Richard clothes smelled like something a raccoon poop or died on_ and he wanted to me to touch that ...hell nah
"When did you even like shopping?? ".
I knew what he was trying to do— rob me of my money. That's it
Like hell I'd agree to that. For all I knew, he said shopping was for delinquents.
He rather let mum shop his clothes for him or sometimes me or he placed an order .
But the fact here was that , it was my hard EARN money .
Why should I be the one to become skinny and still end up suffering for nothing?
"Don't be dumb. I need new clothes. So—is it a deal?" he said, bringing his hand forward for a handshake.
I glared at his hand before I shook it.
My dignity was better than my money... I sniffled.
I made a mental note to sulk when I got home today.
"Deal," I murmured.
We began our unbearable lesson. When will it end? I thought shaking my head to keep from falling asleep .
It's like anytime I tried to study, this stupid sleep just kept coming.
"Maria, Richard, we're here," my mom said.
"Oh... thank the heaven " I muttered, to receive Richard glare , I gave him a sheepish smile, making him to roll his eyes.
But then... I was going to the bigger one.
School. Mr. Derrick.
And the stupid test.
I sighed again watching my brother open the door before stepping out .
"I am doomed."