Normality, Thy Name is Lynette

Chapter Thirty-Six

Throughout the next day, Slade kept giving me this disapproving look. Finally I pulled him into an empty hallway and asked angrily, “What?”

          “C’mon Lynette, if I can be to dinner on time, then you can to. What were you doing? Or should I say whom instead of what?”

          “Virgin. I am a virgin. I wasn’t doing anyone!”

          He sighed, “Then what were you doing?”

          “We we’re just talking and goofing around and we lost track of time. Sorry. Now, can you stop giving me that disapproving glare?”

          “Am I still allowed to give it to Keegan?”

          “No.”

          “Okay, I will anyway.”

          I groaned. “You’re impossible! Why weren’t you like this with Darian?”

          “We’ve been over this. I knew you and Darian weren’t actually together. I didn’t have to worry about him. Keegan on the other hand is dating my little sister and I have to protect her.” He laughed and ruffled my hand before walking away from me.

          I turned to go the opposite way of him and saw Rain standing there. “You hear all of that?”

          “Most of it.”

          “Wonderful.”

          “Give him a break Lynette. I’d be doing the same thing. Actually, I’ve noticed that your brother and I are very much alike; we both cover up are pain and seriousness with humor.”

          I shook my head. “Slade doesn’t use it to cover it up. He uses it to make himself scarier.”

          “How?”

          “Because he acts like it’s carefree and fun when he is threatening Keegan or whoever. You, on the other hand, try to add laughter and joy back into the situation, whatever it may be.”

          “Even so, he’s a good brother.” He ruffled my hair as well. “Although he needs to find something else to do besides mess up your hair, that’s what I do.” Serious Rain was gone and he left laughing.

          I had to find a bathroom to fix my hair after Slade and Rain had tangled it and screwed it all up. After the restyling was over, I went back to the sitting room where most of us had been. The only one remaining was Cassidy, who greeted me with, “So how was it?”

          I sighed, “I’m a virgin.”

          “But you two were so late?”

          “We were talking because we have things in common unlike some of the couples here.”

          She stared at me. “That better have not been directed at me.”

          “Course not. You must have something in common with Slade to date outside the cloister. I’m sure that’s a rule in every cloister, not just the one in Canada.”

          “Unfortunately.” She glared and walked out.

          I sat on the early Victorian chaise with light blue upholstery. The frame was carved with scrolls and foliage on faceted baluster legs. I was done talking to people for the day and this room was quaint and different. Everything, not just the chaise, was of early Victorian nature.