2- Ivana Is Introduced

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Wednesday

Upon her first time entering the Brockman family home, Ivana was greeted by a welcoming committee. The committee consisted of a tall, broad shouldered boy with a mop of brown curls and a friendly grin, who she recognised as Ben Brockman; a small girl of around thirteen years, with sharp eyes that glinted curiously from under a dark full fringe; and finally, a slight woman, with pale blonde hair and an eager smile. They all stood in the kitchen, where they had obviously been waiting to meet her. She knew they had been expecting her, because before she'd followed Jake into the kitchen, she'd distinctly heard someone hiss the words: "Just act casual!"

"Hello! I'm Sue," the excitable woman extended a hand, her eyes constantly flickering between Ivana and Jake.

"Hi, I'm Ivana," she responded as warmly as ever, shaking the hand offered. "You must be Jake's mum."

"Yes, that's me. Jake's told me a lot about you," she added conspiratorially.

"Oh dear, that can't be good," chuckled Ivana. She was under no illusions about Jake's opinion of her.

"Yep, all bad," scowled Jake.

"Well, I wouldn't expect any less of you, Miss Swan," Ivana shot back without blinking.

Jake just sighed loudly and looked at his mum as if to say "See? Isn't she insufferable?"

If Sue Brockman noticed the look, she ignored it, also choosing not to question the 'Miss Swan'. She'd ask Jake later.

Ivana greeted Jake's younger brother, Ben, and learnt that the girl was his younger sister, Karen. They were all lovely and welcoming, even if Karen seemed a little like she was scrutinising Ivana's very soul. The usual pleasantries were exchanged. Jake scowled throughout and looked typically moody and impatient. Sue was a little overly chipper, but nice. Karen said she liked the way her nails were painted like dice and Ben agreed, but confessed he liked the colours of the Rubik's cube design better.

"Look, can we get on with the work already? This isn't a rehearsal for meeting the Queen; there's no need to break out the curtsies," Jake's exasperation leaked out in the form of heavy sarcasm.

"Alright, Jake, I'm just being polite. You haven't even offered her a drink yet. Honestly, I thought we taught you manners," his mum tutted.

"Sorry, Ivana, dear. Can we get you something? Tea? Coke? Water?"

"Um...coke please, if that's okay?"

"Of course!" Sue selected a diet coke can from the fridge and, handing it to her, asked, "Are you hungry? I was just about to make toast, or we've got a fruit bowl."

"Thanks. No, I'm fine, thank you. Also, we should get started on the project: wouldn't want to force Jake to spend any more time with me than he has to," she laughed.

"Okay then. Help yourself if you're peckish. Be nice, Jake."

"God, mother! We'll be fine," Jake exclaimed, then in an undertone added, "If I don't strangle her after five minutes."

***

Jake re-entered his bedroom after a trip to the bathroom. The time on the clock now read 5.00pm. They'd been working on the project for just under an hour and, although Jake had braced himself for constant jibes and a battle for every decision, the actual work had been almost harmonious. Plain sailing.

I was literally gone two minutes! he exclaimed mentally, when he saw Ivana slumped over asleep at his desk. Her black hair formed a thick curtain, the mass of thin, beaded braids shielding her face from view.

It must be heavy, he thought, carrying all that hair around. When she was standing, the tiny plaits hung down her back and the technicolor glass beads all clinked together at her waist. Must take ages to do too; I wonder who does it?

Just at that moment, she stirred slightly and he realised he'd been staring. He cleared his throat loudly. Head shooting off the desk and plaits moving like a wave on the ocean, she turned to where he was still poised in the doorway.

"Shit! Sorry," she apologised and, despite it being hard to detect on her dark skin, Jake thought he saw her blush.

"So long as you didn't drool on my laptop," he sneered unkindly. She just sighed and turned back to the work. "Have you not been sleeping or something?" he asked, remembering that the teacher had made a big show of telling her off for falling asleep in chemistry earlier. "Is it the builders?"

"Builders? Hmm, yeah, the builders are really loud at the moment," she confirmed without looking up. He resumed his seat next to her and work continued as usual.

***

"You missed her, Pete!"

"Oh, well, what was she like? Was she truly the spawn of Satan, who deserved to be burnt at the stake in the name of ridding the world of evil?" he asked humorously.

His wife answered with a puzzled frown, "No, she was quite lovely. Far more friendly than any of the girls he's brought home before actually. She didn't seem arrogant or nasty like he said."

"Huh. Well maybe she's a good actress? It might all be a facade for the parents."

"Hmmm...yes, but she seemed so genuine and Ben said she was nice..." she trailed off, leaving the feeling of suggestion hanging in the air.

"What?" Pete groaned.

"What d'you mean 'What'?" She attempted to look innocent.

"You're thinking something and I want to know what it is, before you make some dodgy plan to meddle in our son's life unnecessarily."

She attempted the clueless look, but crumbled under his interrogative stare.

"Well," she started tentatively and looking at the ceiling, "I just thought that maybe, you know, the hatred is just a...a cover for...other...feelings."

Pete exhaled loudly and Sue looked offended.

"Look, you cannot go meddling in these things. He might just genuinely not get on with her and even if it were just a cover, you must not interfere. Are we clear?"

"No, but maybe he needs help realising his-"

"You will not get involved. Do you understand?"

"Bu-"

"Do. You. Understand?"

He stared her down.

She opened and closed her mouth like a goldfish for a few moments. He just narrowed his eyes at her. Finally, Sue conceded and her shoulders slumped. "Fine," she relented.

Pete continued to study her for any signs that she planned to go back on her word. She went to stir the dinner and, still looking at the pot, she spoke, "I was thinking we should invite her for dinner."

There was a long wait, whilst Pete tried to think of a reason to say no without accusing his wife of anything.

Eventually, his resigned answer came: "I can't think why not. I really cannot...think why not."

"Great! I'll nip up and ask her," Sue beamed. She looked at his skeptical expression. "Come on! What could go wrong?" Then she hurried out the room.

Wearily, Pete took up stirring the dinner. "God help us," he muttered.

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