Twice The Trouble

Chapter 3: A Blind Date

Sophia

June 5, 2016.

Sunday Afternoon.

"The things I do for you," I groaned before my twin sister climbed down from the jeep.

A teasing grin played across her mouth. "It's because you love me," she giggled.

I rolled my eyes heavenward. Then, I hopped out of the trembling jeep as well.

We started to ascend the gravelly steps towards SM Sta. Mesa, which was crowded.

Almost two feet away from our designated location, I was having second thoughts.

"You know what, we have school tomorrow," I said in an attempt to weasel out of this craziness.

Stacy flipped her long hair and raised a brow at me. "So? This will only last an hour or two."

I lifted my right hand to my forehead and tried in vain to massage my impending headache.

"Ace, I don't think this is a good idea," I told her for what felt like the tenth time.

To my dismay, she wordlessly took out her compact mirror from her pink purse and applied a fresh tint of lip gloss across her full, moist lips.

She clapped her mirror shut, plunked it in her small bag, and turned to me with a firm look.

"You can't chicken out now, Sop," she told me fervently. "Your mystery guy is in there as we speak," she added, referring to the random stranger that she chose for me. He was logged under the name Ladies_man321, and in his most previous chat message, he emphatically stated that he would be the one wearing a charcoal gray polo shirt.

We agreed to meet at Starbucks.

"But what if he's a delinquent!" I exclaimed, becoming hysterical at the worst-case scenarios.

"Oh for--!! He's in a public place, and his profile picture, although his face was hidden, clearly showed that he's around our age, and he's probably not ugly," my sister grunted.

"Stacy!" I reprimanded her harsh criticism, slapping her bare arm.

"If you don't want to do it for yourself,at least do it for me," my pretty twin said, switching tactics.

I noticed her aquamarine eyes sweep over my clothes, and I felt a dart of guilt zing inside me.

She had spent three hours making a horrifying mess of my closet, chastising my wardrobe choices, as per usual, since I owned only plain, baggy shirts and pants, including loose pajamas, formal outfits, and bundles of sweatshirts, which I usually wear without bottoms.

Today, thanks to Stacy, I looked quite good, if I do say so myself. My long brown hair was tied into a low and messy ponytail sitting over my right shoulder. My glasses were back, and the world suddenly looked clearer through my brown eyes.

I wore a green, short-sleeved blouse, dark skinny jeans, and a smart pair of rubber shoes.

"Please, Sop?" My twin batted her long lashes at me, all innocent-like.

"Fine! Fine, but only because I love you, Ace," I muttered in defeat, folding my arms.

A triumphant smile graced her luscious lips. She smiled at me, her azure eyes shining.

"And where are YOU going to be while I suffer through this ordeal?" I asked her.

Stacy smoothed down her pristine golden tresses and answered: "I have a date today."