This Romantic Novel [√]

Chapter 9: The Persistent In-Laws

I sat on the chair (coughing softer than before) waiting in this thick tension. Luke, Cooper, Penelope and I were sitting in the dining area, as Julian was sitting on my red L-couch in the TV room next to us, watching his favourite TV shows. However, I would rather enjoy watching with Julian on my sick day than giving secret glances at Luke and Cooper, who were doing a silent staring contest.

"Do something," I mentally communicated with Penelope, who was peering at me too.

"What do you want me to do?" I could feel her saying.

"Break it up," I gestured with my eyes, using my eyes to point towards the two who were still staring like couples.

Seeing Penelope's eyes following, she suddenly coughed loudly - and intentionally.

"So Luke," Penelope called, "I never knew you, Jade and Cooper went to the same school together," She gave a nervous smile.

"Uh, yep we do-" "I brought you soup Jade," Cooper cut Luke off.

I responded by lifting my head towards Cooper, seeing a big smile on his face.

"Oh, thank you," I smiled softly. I then took it out of his hands, placing it in front of me as I opened the lid to smell the delicious soup. "Wahh~ thank you, big bro," I smiled at him too, before gazing down (grasping the spoon that was there) and taking a sip of it.

However, I was focused on the soup that I didn't realise the tension began once again (even thicker than heavy fog) between Luke and Cooper.

"So," I listen to Cooper. I look up at him whilst resuming on eating my precious soup t, "What makes you think that my daughter would get inns with you - Luke," Cooper said his name harshly, acting like a dad; using his thumb and index finger to outline around his mouth - or known as an imaginary moustache.

But Penelope and I both looked at each other, as we knew that we were thinking about the same thing.

"You're so overprotective, Big Bro - playing the father," I thought, causing me to sigh mentally.

"Well, Cooper," Luke began speaking with such confidence, "First off, we know each other since high school,"

"Yeah, so?" Cooper said, appearing with an intimidating glare that Luke was giving in too.

"Okay," I heard Luke mumble, "But even if I didn't have a chance to talk to your sister during high school, remembering her made me know more about her and only her; she makes me feel things that no one really made me feel before," He finished.

Hearing him confessing, I felt my heart twirl in excitement; as my stomach turned and had butterflies in my tummy. My face turned hot as I continued to be flustered by his words, making me not eat any further.

"Oh dear," Penelope said as I looked up to see her standing up, advancing towards me. "We should let you finish your food in the bedroom," She suggested.

Knowing what she was doing, I hastily agreed. Standing up from my chair (with the help of Luke) who held my arm for support. "Uh, thanks," I beamed at Luke before holding onto Penelope for support - who was still next to me - along with my soup.

"Let's go quickly before the tension grows again," Penelope whispers in my ear, she then gently dragged me towards my room.

Once again, agreeing with her; I tried my best to walk swiftly - approaching my bedroom before anything happened.

"Let's talk," I overhear Cooper say to Luke while Penelope whispers to me.

~~~

Arriving at my bedroom, Penelope let me sit up on the bed; with my back leaning against the headboard as she placed a small table in front of me - placing my food on top to make sure it was stable.

"Thanks, Penelope," I thanked her before digging into my soup.

Eating my soup, I didn't notice the silence (or Penelope's expression) that wanted me to spill something. It was not until later when I considered peering up at her to see she watched at me. I swallowed the soup before asking.

"What?" in a blunt tone.

She delivered a serious look before smiling with excitement. "Okay, okay," She paused, "So tell me everything about you and Luke," She began, switching to her inner gossip girl.

"What do you want to know?" I question in the same blunt tone.

"Like were you in the same class in high school?" She answered with a question.

"Every year," I returned, proceeding to eat my food.

"Did you talk to each other often in high school?"

"Not often enough,"

"How did you meet again,?"

"Walking past him when I was going home,"

"Did anything happen during that meeting?"

"Nope," I lied.

"Did you go anywhere with him?"

"High school reunion,"

"Did you meet him coincidently?"

"Picking up Julian from dance practice - only to realise that he was his dance teacher,"

"Know his favourite drink,?"

"Iced Americano,"

"His Passion?"

"Dancing,"

"Any other 'dates' that you went with him?"

"Meeting up with his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend to eat out,"

"Ooo, was it awkward,?"

"At first,"

"Does he still love her,?"

"No comment"

"You Jealous,?"

"No comment,"

"Have you done the deed?"

I choked and coughed.

"What makes you think that?" I continued, coughing afterwards.

"Just curious," Penelope, shifting her head away from me; knowing that she was smirking.

As I finished my coughing attack, I wiped my mouth with my sleeve and continued eating again (like nothing had ever happened) whilst feeling Penelope's eyes gawking at me in silence.

"No comment," I speedily dodged.

"No Comment?" She repeated before sulking like a child.

"Oh don't sulk on me," I started to become annoyed by my sister's presence, "I gave you an answer,". I then took a sip of my soup - forgetting that annoying presence as my conscience turned to my delicious soup.