Twice The Trouble

Chapter 80: Stacy Finds Out

Stacy

December 10, 2016. Saturday Noon.

"Ace."

"Ace?"

"Earth to Ace!!!"

"What the--" I felt a soft sponge touch my left cheek.

I reached for my foam-covered cheek.

I looked to my right side and saw my bespectacled sister grinning at me. She wore her long brown hair in a high bun, a ladybug-design apron over a plain white shirt, and denim shorts.

Everyone just finished a healthy, nutritious lunch and she happily volunteered us to take care of the dirty dishes, glasses, and silverware.

While Sophia planned to hang around the house the whole Saturday, I contemplated on going to the mall or jogging through the park. Not that I needed to shed off some pounds.

After rinsing and drying everything, Sophia lazed around our bedroom while I took a shower.

I threw on a short-sleeved denim jacket over a cream-white sundress and teamed it with a pair of leather boots. I wore my wavy yellow hair down my shoulders and of course, dangling around my neck is my silver half-heart necklace that said 'sisters ever' (to which is completed by Sophia's other half which said 'twin for' = twin sisters forever).

When I arrived at the mall--SM City Manila, for a change of scenery--I stepped inside the building and was instantly welcomed by a cold breeze, wafts of expensive perfumes, and the scent of fried delicacies. Heads swiveled as I walked past. I never failed to turn heads whenever I went outside.

Feeling a bit dehydrated, I made a beeline for the nearest source of drinks: Jolly Bee. I paid for a tall cup of pineapple juice to quench my thirst. While sipping my fruity yellow beverage, I opted to roam aimlessly inside the air-conditioned mall, wounding through the crowd of mall-goers.

After what felt like an hour of window-shopping and people-watching, my stomach grumbled.

I rode the escalator leading up to the upper floor where the Belgian Waffle stand was located.

Five minutes later, I carried a half-eaten plain, delicious waffle in my right hand as I sauntered to the escalator moving downwards. I pretended not to notice the group of cute guys watching me.

As I walked past TOM'S World--One of the arcade centers in the mall---I paused in front of the glass, transparent wall and peered inside the wide room full of games and kids' rides. There were scores and banks of little children, animated teenagers, and merry adults fixated on their games.

I was about to step into the entertainment center swathed in colorful lights and music when I suddenly caught a flash of red fabric drawing nearer and nearer in my direction.

Turning on the heel of my brown leather boot, I spun around to steal a glimpse of the stranger.

My pink lips parted in astonishment. And I felt like a nightmare, the worst nightmare of my life, unfolded before my sky blue eyes.

A young couple was approaching me slowly as if to savor my stupefied expression.

The tall guy had debonair brown hair, dark blue eyes, and slightly pale skin. He sported a simple red polo shirt with an abbreviated-spread collar, black pants, and black leather shoes.

Clinging to his arm was an equally tall girl. She was a few inches taller than me, and she wore her sleek, light brown hair in a soft curtain reaching her cinched waist. Her model figure was clad in a pale violet, round-necked blouse with short sleeves, boasting her lithe arms while her indigo skirt flattered her full curves and long, supple legs which ended in a pair of black slingbacks.