36 Questions

The Unexpected Ways Of Aunt Christina

She didn't wait for a response before she entered, the hinges of the door squeaking, my heart thundering. 

    "Hey," she said softly, coming around the corner of the entry-way.  "Wow, you've grown, haven't you?"  My eyes widened. How is this even a thing? 

    Aunt Chrissy (or Christina, I still wasn't sure) was beautiful.  Heart stopping, totally hot...maybe even as pretty as that Brian guy.  Except while he had been more dark, she was light.  She wore a little long-sleeved blue dress (which I thought was a little odd, considering the weather) that wrapped around her figure perfectly, stopping short at the knees, where she had black tights covering her slender legs.  The blue flattered her- it brought out her eyes that matched the shade of Granny's, (I noticed with a pang) and her milky skin was interrupted by an abrupt blush in her cheeks and lips.  Her hair was possibly the most stunning feature, however.  It was a golden piece of sunlight, pulled loosely back into a bun with tendrils framing her heart-shaped face.  It didn't seem like it would be very long, but the thickness and shine of it made me think of Disney princesses, and how their beauty had a real life comparison. 

    She smiled, revealing straight white teeth.  "You're so pretty, I hardly know what to do!"  She exclaimed, still soft, in a bell-like way. 

    "Oh, thanks.  It's nice to meet you."  I tried to sound enthused, but it came out flat and almost nervous.  I didn't like to think that I was shy, not too talkative, but I made conversation when it was needed (how else could I set people up and investigate love?).  Unfortunately, the new circumstances were proving my normal behavior to be stiffened.  Her smile was kind of shy as she went to sit by me.  She smelled like my grandma too, figures.

    "I hope you weren't too bored or lonely.  Sorry, I was away at work.  How are you?"  She looked like she honestly wanted to know, which was confusing, and way more different than I thought it would be.  First not a librarian, and then genuinely nice... I wasn't sure if I liked that or not.  It was almost a hurdle... it would have been easier to dislike her. 

    "I'm fine, thanks... I was just on the internet the entire time."

    Her nod was hesitant, her eyes starting to drift to the bags on the floor.  "Would you like me to help get your room set up?  I'll make you some food..." 

    "Oh, uh, thanks?" Why is she so nice?  This was really the person who didn't want me to come?  Aunt Chrissy's lips flared upwards for a second before returning the tiny smile again. 

    "Great.  Do you have any preferences?" Apparently my face was hilarious, because she chuckled, hugging herself.  "Sorry.  I'm a little nervous, if you can't tell.  I'm not very used to company."   

"What about your boyfriend?"  Her smile stayed frozen on her face. Is that a sore subject?  Should I apologize?

    "He's away a lot." She explained before I could open my mouth.  "Business and all.  And...well... teenagers are something I don't interact with.  I'm used to 5th graders, you know?"

    I tilted my head.  "5th graders?"

    She nodded, biting her lip.  "It's my job.  During the school year, I work at middle schools, and during the summer, I run a program for children that same age." 

    I glanced around the room again, lifting my eyebrows.  So it was obviously her boyfriend paying the bills...

    Aunt Chrissy didn't really strike me as the kind of person to work with an age group that as I remembered could be pretty vicious.  Just when they were discovering hormones, romance... it had been quite the year for me and my obsession with love.  Setting up my friends had been a train wreck of a few months.