Tears Of London

Jo's sister

ERIN

This was not the first time I was cut off while I was with a girl. But it was the first time I saw the girl running away that fast. Jo was really embarrassed, to the point that she had reach her car in less than 3 minutes after her sister came in the room. I have the confirmation Kelly is shameless. I really have a hard time with this girl. She meddles in what does not concern her and that makes me mad.
When Josephine, half-running reached her Clio, Kelly stopped me while we were on the porch.
- I want to talk to you, she asserted by pushing me with her finger on my chest, to get away from the crowd. I don't know what is happening between you two, but it must end right now.
Is she serious ? She must be joking. Since when does she control everyone's relationships ?
- Oh, so you're Jo's mother, now ?
- I'm being serious. I heard a lot of stories about you. And you're certainly not what she needs right now. Jo is stable and not problematic, all that you're not. Do you know she has a boyfriend ?
- That dick broke up with her. You would have known it if you were here when she needed someone.
Her eyes had changed their expression. She was surprised, but all the more angry.
- Well, I guess you have something to do with it, she blames me. Anyways, stop playing with her, she won't be one of those girls you fucked and broke.
- Okay, first, I didn't do anything alone. Your sister is a big girl, and I never forced her to play with me. We were just having fun, and honestly, I didn't really get why this was your problem.
- No, Jo was not having fun. Jo doesn't know how to have fun. Not this way.
She apparently has a weird way to talk about her sister.
- Well, then what was she doing with me ?
- She's falling in love, that's all you've earned.
Her words hit me as hard as if I'd been hit by a bus. I didn't expect that. She must be wrong. It is not the truth. It cannot be.
- Bullshit, I retorted.
- I know her more than you will ever.
- Yeah, I've noticed it. Should I remember you you didn't know about her break up ?
I saw in her face that she wanted to slap me. But she was containing, because Jo was in the car on the other side of the road, watching us. That's probably why she suddenly gave me this horrible hypocritical smile.
- Believe what you want, I don't give a damn. But stay away from her.
With these words, she left to join Josephine in her car. And they left in a hubbub of engine.

*

I have some powder left for you, Malcolm told me when I was back in the living room.
I sat next to him, on the couch, and took the small bag he was holding.
- Your girl, Kelly. I can't frame her, I admitted while sniffing a rail of cocaine.
- What did she do ?
- Bullshit. She acts like she knows everything.
- Yeah, that sounds like her...
Malcolm laughed, then took a gulp of his drink.
- She told me her sister fell for me.
Malcolm wasn't looking at me, busy trying to empty his glass.
- You think she's right ? I asked.
- Man, don't give too much attention to what she's saying. Jo's her sister, she's probably trying to protect her, or some shit like that.
I stayed quiet and, abruptly, Malcolm asked :
- What about you ? You think she's right ?
- I don't fucking know, man.
- Ask her.
I was now staring at him with confusion.
-   Ask her, and you'll see if she's in love.
- What if she is ?
- Reject her. Or date her. It depends on what you want. You love her ?
- No, I retorted in a whisper, with frowned eyebrows. She's a friend.
- Yeah, I knew she was not your type. So, ask her. And you'll see.
- Hey guys ! a voice yelled from the kitchen.
It was a feminine voice. A familiar one. I turned over and smiled when I saw Aliya coming to us. Aliya was the only girl of our crew. Her parents left Palestine for London when she was 8. Malcolm, Aliya and I were in middle school together. I used to have a crush on her, when we were younger. But she's gay, so.
That night, she was wearing a short skirt with pretty stripped tights. With her heels, she was five feet tall.
- What are you talking about ? she asked while sitting between us.
- About fucking love, Malcolm said with irony.
-   Wow, interesting. Erin, you wanna start ?
She was making fun at me, about the last real relationship I had. To make it short, it ended badly. Kinda morbid.
I hated when she was bringing this all up again. That's why I choose to stay quiet.
- C'mon, I'm kidding, she said putting her head on my shoulder.
- Screw you, I said by straightening up.
She laughed in my back. That's like this between us : she tackles me, I get angry, we fight, and we forget. It has always been like this.
- Love you too, my love ! she yelled at me before I disappeared downstairs.