Twice The Trouble

Chapter 34: Clarification

Stacy

Saturday night. A.k.a. Netflix Night!

We soon left the mall and arrived in Quezon City at 9:40pm.

Once we were inside our bedroom, I took off my pink headband, my pink blouse, gray skirt, and kicked off my black loafers, tossing them across my half of the pink and green bedroom. I then changed into a breezy black tank top, long striped pajamas, and walked barefoot on the floor.

I reached for my black laptop from my bed and placed it on the nest of pillows and blankets that Sophia and I arranged in mere seconds. Every Saturday evening, we would lounge on the cold bedroom floor and watch at least one good movie that we agreed on, using our joint Netflix account. It was a sacred rule never to share our password with anybody, not even our family.

"You all set?" I asked my sister who just appeared in the doorway. She wore her silky waist-length brown hair in a high ponytail, a sleeveless white top, and a pair of men's boxers which came in black and gray checkered print---Bro Mack had demanded his ducky boxers back and went to the trouble of buying Sophia a boxed set of a week's worth of male boxers in return.

It was hilarious, that day he barged into our room and my sister reasonably bargained with him.

She should really stick to girly pajamas or short shorts.

"Yup," Sophia answered me as she--also barefoot--walked towards our Netflix Nest and sat on it.

"How many sugar cubes did you put in your coffee?" I inquired as I lay down on my stomach.

My brown-eyed sister wiggled into a cross-sitting position and slid the pink scrunchie from her slender wrist while I faced my black laptop's glowing white screen and scrolled down and down.

"Just two," my sibling replied quietly. She needed the caffeine to galvanize her body.

While she reached for my mid-length golden hair and started to comb it neatly, I skimmed my keen sky blue eyes up and down the bountiful ocean of movie choices. There were so many.

"Let's watch Horror," I suggested and I smiled, feeling Sophia bunch my yellow strands into one high ponytail, allowing the AC to fan the skin on my face with its cool wind.

"You know I can't sleep properly after watching gory films," she protested.

"Yes, but you always sneak into my bed sheets in the middle of the night anyway."

"You kick when you're unconscious," Sophia complained as she lay on her stomach next to me.

I let out a giggle and nailed my gaze onto the laptop screen again. "How about Anastasia?"

An enthusiastic smile lit up her face. "The 1997 one, with the intricate design and fine details?"

"I'll take that as a yes," I said, then I clicked on the selected movie's small poster.

Sophia rose and hastily switched the lights off, making the entire room pitch-dark save for the white glow from my laptop. She dashed towards our Netflix Night-Nest and laid down again.

"Popcorn?" I offered, shaking the bowl of cheesy popcorn in the air. She punched the PLAY button on the keyboard and swam her fingers in the bowl of corn.

Sophia

After that remarkable movie ended, Stacy gushed about Dmitri and Anya being too good to be true. But as the closing credits appeared, I swallowed down the big lump in my throat.

"What's the deal, Sop? Don't you love that film?" my sister asked me.

I pushed myself off the pillows and blankets, then I flicked open the lights.

"Of course I loved it," I answered Stacy, who moved into a cross-sitting position.

The blonde-haired, blue-eyed teenager searched my face for answers. She sensed my low mood.

Still standing beside the light-switch, I pressed my palms together and pointed downward.

I took a deep breath and exhaled,meeting my sister's concerned gaze. "Ace, I have a question."

Her pretty face crunched up with bewilderment. She told me: "Fire away."

"What if someone-a guy I know-wanted to court you? Would you permit him to?"

I summoned the most genuinely curious face I could wear. I can't have her doubt me.

She stood up from the cold,tiled ground and folded her arms, one hand touching her chin.

"Are you talking about Lucas?" she asked, an unfathomable look on her flawless features.

My heart thudded with anxiety and apprehension. I waited nervously for her answer as I nodded.

Her chin still between her fingers, Stacy lowered her sky blue eyes to the floor, her vibe pensive.

"Lucas.." she trailed off, deep in her thoughts. She glanced at me. "He's nice, isn't he? Smart and a complete gentleman. And I know he's single.."

I crossed my arms to conceal the tremble in them. "Does this mean you're ready to entertain someone?" I inquired her calmly. "It's been some time since you let anyone pursue you.."

"Two years," Stacy confirmed. The fact that I haven't dated in the same duration seemed to linger in the chilly air. It really has been forever since either of us engaged in romance.

A tight knot formed in the pit of my stomach as I watched my sister contemplate her decision.

I asked her: "You seem to be considering this seriously, Ace. So you don't like Bryce?"

"Bryce De Los Reyes?" She blew out a bitter laugh. "I feel nothing for him, Sop.And how about you? You're closer to Lucas than I am. I know you've become good friends with him since the past few weeks. You wouldn't happen to have even a small crush on him, would you?"

The insinuation rendered me paralyzed, unable to move for the next sixty seconds. I gulped.

I waved a non-committal hand at Stacy, and I chuckled softly. "I don't have a crush on him, Ace."

"That's good, because I've decided that yes, I want him to court me," she instantly replied.

I clapped my hands, praying that Stacy couldn't see the plaintive expression pass my face.

"This is great, Ace," I trilled, hurrying towards my twin and draping my arms around her.

"I think so, too, Sop," Stacy responded as she hugged me back.

While she embraced me, I knew she couldn't see my full reaction, and I blinked away the tears which threatened to flee from my somber brown eyes. This was for the best, I told myself firmly. I haven't even moved on from Dale.