The Gallagher twins

~• 05 •~

—How lucky you are. While you're wearing that dress, I have to be in this straitjacket.

I laughed. It was true, the shirt was very tight. It fit his body. In fact, I could tell how strong her arms were.

—But it doesn't look bad on you. Glamour costs, doesn't it?

My dad was talking to Lauren, telling her that the lasagna had turned out delicious, which was very true. Aidan was nervous. He was constantly shaking his leg under the table.

I was a little confused. Astrid had told me they were just going to hang out and this was a formal dinner.

—Aidan, when is Astrid coming?

—She says she's a few minutes away.

I nodded.

—How does it feel to know you might have a sister-in-law, little brother? —I said, amused, to Ryan.

—Surprised. I thought Aidan would have a girlfriend until he was 20.

—You're so mean.

A knock on the door.

—I'll get it —said my dad.

He walked to the door and we all followed him with our eyes, even Ryan who seemed the most disinterested. We stared at the door as if a murderer was about to enter.

—Hello.

—Hello —said everyone but me.

Astrid was wearing a beautiful dress. She was very pretty. I felt underdressed.

—Hello, ___.

—Hello, Astrid.

Everyone took the opportunity to chat. Then my dad and I went to serve the food.

—I never imagined I would see Astrid walk through that door. This makes me realize that you're not little girls anymore.

—That's weird, isn't it? I guess Astrid is like my sister-in-law now —I put out the plates and started serving—. We're all unpredictable.

—That's right.

We finished serving. Aidan was cooked a different dish, as he was vegan.

—We brought Coke!

—If I liked you before, I love you now —Aidan said and we all laughed.

We sat down in our respective seats. On one side I had Ryan and on the other Astrid.

—It seems like everyone knew Astrid but me —Lauren commented, amused.

And we all started eating.

[...]

The dinner was lively; Ryan told anecdotes, where Aidan was embarrassed. Best of all, Lauren was telling her perspective on the story and we were all laughing our heads off.

I was so full, I had drank so much soda I felt like burping. Thanks to that, I had to go outside.

—We need to talk.

—I think so —I replied. I swung on the garden swing. She sat on the other one, next to me.

—I understood why you're angry. I analyzed it and I realized that.... Yes, I forgot about you. And worse, it was because I was with a boy.

I looked at her.

—I'm sorry. Besides that, I have a question. I don't know, maybe it doesn't, but does it bother you that I'm dating Aidan?

Did it bother me? I didn't know.

—No, that's not a problem. The only thing that's weird to me is how fast it's happening. It's a bit rushed.

—I know, but it's better. It's more serious.

—Okay.

—Sorry —Astrid said to me. She was one of those people who had no trouble admitting they were wrong and apologizing.

—Forgive me too. I exaggerated the situation and it didn't have to be angry, because it's not my problem if you are dating or not.

I sensed that the situation warranted a hug and followed my instinct. She opened her arms to me without rancor.

—Bear hug —and dumb Ryan joined us. He was literally holding our heads, because he was taller.

—Did you hear the talk?

—That doesn't matter, ___.

I gave him a little pat on the arm.

—Tattletale —I said and we started walking away from Astrid. He slung an arm over my shoulder and I did the same.

—It hurt me. You're an abuser.

—Uh-huh. You've got a big hunk of meat for an arm. You didn't even flinch.

—You were looking at me, huh? I'm gonna start wearing more of this style of clothing. 

We went into the house.