I Don't Really Know...

Chapter 26: Secrets and Shopping Trips

“I can’t believe it.” She finally speaks, and I feel empty.  Like someone had just hollowed me out, as if was a pumpkin.  I can’t feel anything.  

 

“...But...but it can’t be.” She lets out a light laugh, almost hysteric.  I’m like a rock, sitting there for no purpose but to get in people’s way.  How could I have been so ignorant?  I shouldn’t have written anything.  Why did I write that stupid name, why?  

 

“No, no, your initials...they aren’t FL!” She says, as if trying to convince herself.  “Besides, why would you of all people do something as naive as this?” Her laugh becomes louder.  I have a feeling of dread, fused with relief.  

“I mean, who leaves notes on other people’s things?  Honestly...but wait…” She stops and bites her lip.  “How did they put the note back in my-”

 

“Zoie!” I hear my brother calling, and almost cry out with solace.  “Zoie!”  I see him approaching us and call out his name.  Mila, stunned from the sudden yell from both of us, froze for a minute, and hasn’t started to completely realize that it had to be me.  I turn to her and hand her the pen she had let me borrow.

 

“I have to go, sorry!” I throw my backpack on and dash towards my brother, grabbing his shoulder and steering him towards our late bus.

 

“Keep your head down, and ask me about my day. NOW!” I say in a hush, and he immediately starts to laugh.

 

“I can’t believe that happened to you.  Right?!” I nod, satisfied with the cover.  

 

“It was beyond embarrassing!”  I chuckle, shaking my head in disbelief.  Just as we turn a corner of the school, I look at Mila from the side.  Her face is full of confusion, doubt, and incredulity.  She walks to a line of cars and slowly opens the door of one, speeding away.  I sigh, taking my hand away from Jaison.

 

“Sorry.”  I avoid eye contact with him.  

 

“For what?  You know, you just kind of made me laugh like a psychopath about a phony embarrassment that you had.  What’s not weird about that?”  His eyes hold a mischievous twinkle as he nudges my side.  Giggling, I ruffle his hair as he swats my hand away.  

 

“So, what actually happened for you today?” I ask, grinning.  He proudly stands tall.

 

“Well, little sis-”

 

“Little sis by a minute-we’re twins, now get over it.”

 

“Fine.  So, sis, I got asked on a date.”

 

“Seriously?!”

 

“No, it’s a joke.  My day just sucked like always.”

 

I look at his face closely.  He looks weary, tense, tired.  He has dark bags that darkens the blue of his eyes, which flicker left and right.  His lips, usually always in a small smile, now hangs down.  I groan, putting my arm around his shoulders.