I would love to get some comments based on the novel—they really help.
I got down from my mom's car ,walking slowly to where she was standing .
"Maria, come over here," my mom said,making me to frown a little at her stern voice ,but I still walked closer to her , standing in front of her with a small smile.
"I heard what you said in the car," my mom broke the news.
I actually didn't realize she was in the car. What kind of senior will she think I am now?
And she didn't even say anything the whole time .
"But Mom—" I tried to cover up, while Richard kept smiling mischievously.
"I heard enough. Just so you know, I don't need you to be telling him such things. I think he's still small, and I don't want my baby to know those kind of things," Mom said, Richard almost choked on his spit.
A baby? Small?
I grinned lowering my head, trying to act like I was sorry . I could feel Richard glare on me . "Sure, Mom. I promise I won't tell your baby about any of those things,"
"I know you're trying to watch over him, taking care of him—and you're doing a great job—but try skipping all those other parts. All I want from both of you is to focus more on your studies," Mom said, and we both nodded understandingly .
"And Richard, don't ever talk to your senior sister that way. You think she doesn't want to get into a relationship? She's just trying to focus on her studies. I'd even like you to be more like her. She doesn't focus on those things," Mom said sternly , while I smirked.
"Mom, really?" Richard asked eyes wide open , crossing his hands over his chest.
He looked like that was the most absurd thing mom had ever said .
"Yes really. I don't want any complaints coming from either of you or your teachers, got it?" Mom said, and we quickly nodded. She checked her watch.
"Guys, I'll have to be going," Mom said, rubbing her palms on her dress.
"Mom, are you coming back today?" I asked, a little sad that she was going again.
"Come over here," she said, opening her arms to hug me. I hugged her, wrapping my hands round het waist ,while she patted my head softly.
"I'll be gone for a month," she said, Richard furrowed his eyebrows but didn't react much .
I raised my head from her chest.
"A month?! Mom, that's long," I said, still hugging her, looking at her face.
"Yeah, I know, my darling. But you know how my work is. It's really hard for me, moving back and forth traveling. After your dad's death, I had to take up the business. And now that I run it, I really don't have as much free time as before. I'm so sorry you have to feel this way, but I promise to spend more time when you guys get your break this December. I'll make sure to take a break so I can spend the Christmas holiday with you. I promise," she said pinching my cheeks lightly.
Realizing my eyes were already watery, she kissed my forehead.
"Don't cry. You don't want Richard to think you're the baby," she whispered, and I nodded, sniffling. I blinked the tears away while plastering a small smile.
"I'll call you guys when I get to my office. See you soon. Make sure to be good little boys and girls," my mom said as she kissed Richard's head before kissing my cheek.
She walked to her car, opened the door, sat at the driver's seat, waved at us, and blew a kiss. Then she drove off.
I took a long breath in and then out before turning to face my brother, who was already walking to the school.
We entered the school hallway.
At least I wasn't late, I thought.
One mission complete. Next—my stupid test.
"Don't worry, she'll be back soon," Richard said, trying to comfort me.
"I'm sad about two things: that she left again... and that I'm going to flunk my test," I said, burying my face in my palms before letting out a fake cry.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine," Richard said, glancing at me.
I raised my head slowly, staring at him before a small smile came to settle on my lips.
He actually believed in me.
"Cause I thought—there's no way you'll fail when I taught you. I'm the best. Though... you're dumb, but not a real dummy. You just need some push and you'll leave the amateur dummy level. But if you don't get one, you could enter into the professional dummy academy," he said while smirking.
I rolled my eyes with a pout. The minute I thought he would say something reasonable was the minute he ruined my hope.
"Hope murderer," I muttered, which he heard, and chuckled too .
We walked for a while before we heard someone shout, "Richard!"
"Am I hearing things? I think someone called Richard ,when we passed that classroom."
"Yeah, sure. I think I heard it too," Richard said as we turned back hearing his name again .
A girl came into view from a classroom, smiling with her eyes closed. I frowned—knowing fully well I didn't know her.
"Oh no," Richard muttered. I turned to see Richard's miserable face.
This was fun.
When the girl reached us, she didn't even slow down.
She jumped on Richard, making him fall to the ground with a thud .
And there was silence ...
I burst out laughing muttering "Poor Richard," I didn't even move an inch to help the brat.
My brother stood up, hands on his back. If glares could kill, his glare would've ended her.
It felt like an invisible laser piercing the girl's skin. She instantly looked guiltly darting her eyes anywhere but Richard face .
"I'm sorry! Kate's been really bad, but I promise not to fall you again—I was just excited," she said, clapping as she jumped up and down .
She was hyper active .
"I was telling you about this milkshake I bought, and I kept some for you—but then you stopped texting me, and I thought something happened to you!" Kate exclaimed softly holding her head like it would explode .
I blinked twice_ okay thrice actually cause that hit me good .
Now I know what Richard meant by "professional dummy."
"Did you really think he died?" I asked, trying to control my laughter.
The girl nodded ever so slowly.
At this point, Richard was about to burst fire out of his nose, mouth, and ears.
His face was turning red.
This was so much fun.
So it wasn't a one-sided relationship... but an obsessed girl and an angry boy.
"How could you think that Kate you acting like a dummy
DO YOU JUST HAVE TO PROVE TO BE ONE!" Richard yelled while I burst out laughing again , not able to control it .
Kate scrunched her face standing completely still .
I moved back leaning on the locker , because I doubt I would be able to stand for too long . This was so funny .
People who walked by , stopped , chuckling with their friends before walking away . Some patted Richard shoulder to calm down laughing as they walked away .
Richard ignored some of them shrugging their hands off saying .
"Why would you even hug me, saying you thought something bad happened to me? Really . Look—the minute you pop up, the bad thing you speak of happens," Richard said throwing his hand exasperatedly, wincing as he placed one hand back on his waist pointing a guilty finger at Kate .
"No! I can't be the bad luck! I care so much about you!" she said, moving to Richard with a pout before cupping his face . "I am sorry ."
Richard slapped her hands away glaring daggers at her .
Then he turned to glare at me.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked, raising a brow knowing fully well why.
He rolled his eyes huffing as he turned to stare at anything but us .
"Come on, don't glare. Introduce me to this new friend," I said clearing my throat with a bright smile .
"Hi, my name is Kate! What's yours?" She interjected, moving close to my face.
I slightly gulped, taking three steps away from her ,my back now touching the locker .
"My name is Maria—Richard's ELDEST sister," I placed a lot of emphasis on 'eldest ' watching Richard roll his eyes sky high .
"Oh! Richard never told me he had a sister! Sooo... since you're his sister, that means you can automatically be my friend!" she said hugging me quickly .
It was hard .
Or was it brutal .
I wondered if she was trying to squeeze my inner organs because her hug was tight.
I was half-thankful she didn't embarrass me by falling me down. Either way, she still ends up giving people pain through her hug of death.
What sort of person hugs like they want to drain the life out of you?
I managed to escape the hug ,taking a deep long breath .
Someone really needs to teach this girl how to hug.....fast !!!
"That was long... and painful," I muttered remembering finally that I still had a test .
"You guys carry on—I need to go. I have a test," I said, scratching my hair. Kate nodded, while Richard slowly shook his head, signaling me not to leave him.
"Kate, I have to see my sister to her class. I'll be back to see the milkshake. Byeeee," Richard said quickly before joining me.
We walked for a couple of minutes ,Richard spent most of the minutes stretching his waist like he turned sixty from a fall.
You know the boy just had soo much things too say and no strength , a girl could tousle him over and he still stretched after wards ...that means he lacked strength .
Instead of spending my money on getting him new clothes , I should register him for a gym class ....
But hell would freeze over , before Richard take one .
We rounded the corner climbing the stairs close to the maths hall .
I glanced at Richard now saying "Don't tell me you like her. But either way, she's still good, beautiful, and has a strong hug... ready to kill. But why were you pretending? I saw the way you were smiling at the text she sent you," Richard actually sighs giving me that face that said , he didn't really have my time .
"If you have brains, then you'd know people smile for different reasons. She sent something funny, and I laughed. But really—she is a pain in the neck sometimes ...," He finally said . I gave him a curt nod humming a yes like I agreed to what he said.
The real word was she is_ a pain in the waist I thought chuckling when Richard stretched again .
I didn't know the girl much , so I couldn't judge her , or anything beside the girl looked kinda of nice .
I waved at someone who passed smiling , glancing at Richard I said .
"But you know she's okay,"
"What do you mean 'she's okay'?" He asked stopping in his track , raising his eyebrows.
"Let me break it down into something simple—I mean she's perfect for—"
Richard didn't let me finish. He started walking away, pretending he didn't hear me calling.
"Bye!" I yelled. Richard didn't even turn to look back.
As much as it felt embarrassing, I still enjoyed and liked the fact that I was able to ruffle my brother stupid feathers a little .
"Mission accomplished," I muttered clenched my fist while laughing _ skipping to my class.