Antipodes

Twelve

About three weeks later, he received the phone call he was waiting for. His friend from school, Joe came back with some news. His boss, CEO of one of New York's most influential architecture firms asked him to find some new talents for upcoming collaborations, and he called Ryan. The actual collaboration will be with BIG, he remained silent for about thirty seconds after he heard that. They agreed to meet tonight for dinner. He hung up the phone and collapsed on the sofa, still incredulous. His sister sat beside him and handed him a cup of hot coffee.

"You're a God sent!", he thanked her.

"What's up? You seemed like having a pretty exciting conversation".

"I have a dinner with one of New York's most important architect tonight. I don't know how to dress", he said looking at her putting on a sad face, asking for her help desperately.

"Wait, are you back in the business?", she asked.

"Kind of, an old friend is helping me finding new projects to work on".

"That's absolutely amazing!", she said excitedly.

"Really?", he asked her.

"Yes ! Really !", she responded. "Shouldn't you be worried about what to say instead of what to wear?"

"I think I'm still in shock", he admitted. "This is absolutely unbelievable".

"Is it an important firm?", she asked.

"It is one of the brightest in the world, in my opinion. The glowing heart on Times Square is actually their doing. And they have so many projects going on right now in New York", he responded excitedly. He went on and on and she listened to him carefully, not asking questions. She was happy to finally see him excited about something.

Thirty minutes later, he came out of his room wearing a white dotted shirt, black pants and a fitted dark green blazer. He headed to what his sister named 'shoe closet' and spent about thirty seconds looking at it. He picked a pair, sat on the couch beside the door and started struggling to put them on.

"No", said his sister from the kitchen. "You are not wearing Vans tonight!"

"Why not? It's a classic", he said a bit irritated.

"Because it's a business dinner and you are meeting with some architecture guru", she reminded him.

"He's a cool man", he said. "Plus, if he don't like my sneakers then he won't like me. Screw this, I'm wearing them sneakers!", he said clapping his hands and getting up.

The door rang.

"You're expecting someone?", he asked.

"Fashion police?", she replied laughing at him and going to open the door.

"Haha", he said, not laughing. 

She opened the door and Ryan heard what sounded like a "Hi, bitch !", which he concluded was not intended for him.  Kacey entered accompanied with a tall skinny boy, in her age. He had the same pale blue eyes and brown hair. Roxy hugged Kacey then kissed the boy. The boyfriend, he assumed.

"Hi Ryan !", said the girl over excited from what Ryan could see.

"Hi", he said trying to remain polite. He was more concerned by the boy, he looked older than the girls. 

"Ryan, this is Sam, my boyfriend and also Kacey's brother", said his sister holding the boy's hand in hers.

"Hi", said the boy taking Ryan's hand and shaking it. "It's nice to finally meet you".

"Nice to meet you too", he replied. "Hum, are you planning something tonight or what?" 

"No just some Tarantino marathon", replied his sister. Kacey added an exciting "Yeah !"