You Don't Know..What you Don't Know

Chapter Two: Summer

The next day unfolded much like the one before.

Anna had fully embraced her new mission in life: transforming me.

I wasn't complaining.

She experimented with a new eye-shadow technique, braided my hair into a loose side braid, and rejected nearly every piece of clothing I owned.

"No."

A T-shirt landed on the bed.

"No."

A pair of shorts followed.

"Absolutely not."

I sighed dramatically.

"Do you hate everything in my suitcase?"

Anna looked over her shoulder.

"Your clothes don't match your face anymore."

"My face?"

"Your face."

I wasn't entirely sure what that meant, but apparently it was serious enough to warrant a complete wardrobe intervention. By the time she finished, we'd gone through at least five outfit changes before she finally found something she deemed acceptable.

The rest, according to her, belonged in a donation bin.

"We're going shopping," she declared. "You need clothes appropriate for an actual teenage girl."

I should have hated this.

The old Tia would have.

So why was I enjoying every second?

Athena, the little Greek goddess who lived inside my head, already knew the answer.

Maybe because if you run into Torri without your cousins around, he'll stare at you again.

I rolled my eyes.

"That's ridiculous."

Or maybe he'll actually talk to you.

I hated when she made good points.

The trip to the mall took forever.

Anna rejected everything I picked up.

I loved everything she chose.

Oddly enough, I didn't even mind.

This was the most time we'd ever spent together.

Growing up, Anna had always seemed untouchable. Beautiful. Sophisticated. Older.

Out of reach.

Now we were spending entire days together.

For the first time, it felt like we were becoming more than cousins.

We were becoming friends.

By the time we returned to Greektown, the afternoon sun hung low in the sky.

I changed into a pair of jean shorts and a teal tank top Anna had approved of.

Approved might be an understatement.

The top showed considerably more skin than I was used to.

Normally I would've changed immediately.

Today, I decided to take a risk.

My basketball clothes were tucked safely inside my backpack anyway.

If Anna discovered I intended to play ball later, she'd probably have a heart attack.