Alexithymia

Chapter 2 - All for the money

"So.. How was it?" My sister entered my room and immediately jumped on my bed and started jumping. As she continuously jumped, my book unfortunately flew over to the other corner of my room. I groaned.

"What is up with you, Athena?!" I shouted. She keeps on pestering me! "Nothing! I just wanted to know how your date went. By the way, did he kiss you? Ah!"

My eyebrows furrowed and my jaw tightened. What the heck is up with this girl?! There were no kisses involved, there were no conversations too! So how do you expect a kiss after a boring night? Plus, he didn't drive me home! I had to walk myself home because I had no money and I had to wash the dishes of every costumer's plate in exchange for not paying my meals! It was annoying!

But of course, I was too smart for this situation. I am not going to tell my sister what really happened during that night. I'm going to tell a story wherein I enjoyed our food and had a good good night. I needed my money, okay. And maybe if she'd knew I had a great night, she would consider not sending me back to any dates and give my weekly allowance. Good job, Hera. A smile formed in my lips.

"Oooh, I bet you did kiss!" My eyes widened with the thought of getting a kiss from Elijah. Impossible. "Hera's got her first kiss! And it's all because of me."

"Shut up. I didn't, okay. I was smiling because we really had a good night. It was a night worthy to be remembered. Thanks, Athie," Ew! I almost puked with words coming out from my mouth. I definitely didn't had a good night! All for the money, Hera, all for the money.

"I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! Jaco and I had a great teamwork," She smiled and winked at me. Gross. If only you knew what happened then you wouldn't be rejoicing now. "So, isn't he good-looking?"

This time I didn't have to lie. He was handsome but he has this ugly and dull personality of his! What is beauty if the heart is greedy? I mean, how do girls handle him? How does her mom handle him? Because damn, I couldn't!

"Yeah, he is. Too good-looking for my beauty," The amount of humility shown in what I have said is what you call good acting. "Aw, Hers. For the nth time, you are beautiful. Gosh do I have to show you how puberty works again?"

I eyed her and frowned. "I am near being 18. And puberty hasn't hit me yet?"

That made her shut up. She keeps encouraging me and yet she fails. I appreciate her for making me feel good but it never worked. My self-esteem just got lower and lower believing that I will never be as good-looking as my sister.

"Anyway, are you ready for your second date?" I coughed with what I heard and said, "What the hell? There's a second date?!"

She laughed boisterously and nodded. "Of course there would be! Elijah's just the beginning, darling. You'll be meeting tons of guys, alright?"

"But -," She cut me off. "No buts or no weekly allowance. You'll get your allowance this week since you have succeeded my first challenge. Next week's allowance will be based on how good you handle your dates. Ciao!"

I can't wait for next week, I sarcastically thought.

**

"This next guy would be named Ethan Montello. Smart, outspoken and a little bit funny, as they say. I guess you wouldn't have a hard time talking to this guy because he isn't like you. Remember, no dates then no allowance," She winked at me and pushed me off our car. "Wait! How does this guy look?"

"Handsome." What the heck? And then she furiously drove away from me. I was left standing in the middle of nowhere and I have no idea where to go. This week went by too fast that I couldn't believe I was facing another date. Is this some kind of blind date? Or what if my sister is just playing games with me..