The Stepsisters - English [Completed]

Four

"KIDS, we are home!" I heard my mom's voice then the front door opened. I saw my mom step inside and Uncle Primo was behind her.

Lily and I were cuddling on the sofa while watching Girl from nowhere on Netflix. It was a natural gesture for us. There was no malice. And I love snuggling with Lily. Her warm hug comforts me. It was the weekend so there's no school or any practice for now.

By the way, the series was really nerve wrecking. The acting was really good and it is too good to be true. Totally recommended!

"Mom! Uncle!" I ran to them like a child and kissed them one by one on their cheeks. Lily has silently followed me and made the same gesture to our parents.

One thing I love being in the house is that I can freely express myself. I am more like the clingy, childish, and whining child. While Lily was the quiet and cool kid.

Nevertheless, they love me for being like that. But at school, well, let's not talk about how a two-faced b***h I am.

"I missed you, kids." Mom hugged both Lily and me. "Don't grow up too fast, please," she added.

"Let me join," I heard my uncle say. And I felt his bone-crushing hug to the three of us.

Well, Uncle Primo is a big muscled guy. He looks younger than his real age. Same with mom. Why is it that the more they age, the more they look younger? Life is really unfair.

"Alright, let me just bring our stuff upstairs then we will go somewhere you wanted to go," Uncle Primo announced then he lifted their baggage upstairs.

"Is there a place you wanted to go?" Mom asked while we walked back to the couch. It was still ten in the morning so we still have plenty of time to catch up.

Lily and I excitedly look at each other. There's this place that we really wanted to go and we are just waiting for the perfect timing to tell them about it.

"We want to go to the newly opened Ocean Park!" Lily and I exclaimed at the same time.

"Okay, kids. Mom and Dad will make it up to you. So, get your lazy ass upstairs and we will head out exactly at eleven. Go!" Mom said.

That was our cue. Lily and I raced upstairs. I heard my mom telling us to be careful but we were just so happy that we just fled to our rooms to prepare.

This family is very particular about the time. So, if anyone sets the time, even if you are ready or not, you will need to adhere. Or else, they will leave you. I know that because I am saying this based on experience.

I took a quick shower and dressed up quickly. I wore my light pink sunny dress and white Adidas sleek shoes that Uncle Primo gave to me. I applied a light makeup and a lip tint then when I was satisfied with myself, I went outside my room. It was fifteen minutes before eleven and I decided to look for Lily. 

I went straight to her room and as I predicted, she was not there. Unlike me, Lily just wears what is comfortable for her. I ran downstairs and saw Lily in the living room playing on her Nintendo switch.

She did not even notice me because she was so engrossed in what she was doing. This time her shoulder length hair was down and her bangs were smoothly organized. She's wearing her favorite yellow hoodie and she just wore simple black shorts. She's using her Adidas sleek shoes as well. I smiled. At least we wore similar shoes today.

"Are you ready, girls?" Mom asked that broke me in trance. I was unknowingly zoning out while looking at Lily. She's really getting cuter every day.

"Yes, Mom!" I answered.

Lily was still busy playing. She was really concentrating on what she was doing that she did not notice me and mom beside her. She tends to be like that when she’s playing. She doesn’t want to get disturbed.

I guess I know the culprit.

I nudge her a little on her shoulder to let my presence be known to her. That got her attention and she looked at me. She looked like a lost puppy with that questioning look in her eyes. Why does she look so cute in everything she does?

"Let's go," I said to her and restrained myself from squishing her cheeks. 

"Oh, okay. Sorry." She politely answered and smoothly took off her Air-pods from her ear. 

And I was right; she was wearing her air-pods earlier that is why she was oblivious of our presence.

"Let's go, Nini," the nerd said before I could even react. She was holding my hand and started walking outside the house. I just rolled my eyes and smiled. Really typical Lily. 

+++

The ride was long so we decided to drop off to one of the take-out food chains and we just ate in the car.

Uncle Primo was the one driving. Lily and I actually know how to drive already as we took driving lessons from both of our parents whenever they were around. We have the student license but they just let us drive nearby.

In an hour and half, we reach our destination and line up to buy the tickets.

Lily was now wearing her yellow mask. She's not sick. She used that to protect me. Whenever we are outside together, to make sure that no one is going to catch us together, she's the one adjusting. I feel bad about it but Lily was willingly doing it for me.

Who am I to complain when she's the one who's insisting to protect me?

Anyway, Uncle Primo and Mom were used to seeing Lily like that. They just thought that Lily is not really comfortable to be seen by other people. The nerd is really an introvert and they were just glad that I can convince Lily to go out sometimes. 

Our parents did not really know what's the real situation of the nerd and I at school. We managed to keep ourselves out of their radar. Lily had experienced extreme bullying before but the nerd was so good as well to reason out that our parents believe what she says. Even if sometimes, I was part of those injuries and bullying, she always had ways to divert everyone's attention from the true incident. As I've said, Lily always protects me.

I know I am such a selfish person. But hey, who are you to judge?

Back to the Ocean Park, we did have a blast! It was really amazing and we did enjoy it a lot. We went to as many attractions as we could. We ride their rides. We watched the Penguin, Bird, Sea Lion shows. We bought souvenirs and took pictures a lot. 

I was really having fun. I was so glad that no one from school or I haven't seen anyone from school yet that was here today. 

Sometimes, I forget about the surroundings and I just cling to Lily like a koala. Like what I am doing in our house, I naturally hold her hands and drag her wherever I want to go. She will just smile at me and you can't hear any complaints from her.

One thing I like about Lily is that, even though she's really unsociable, she has a good taste in fashion. So every time I want to buy something, I will ask her opinion first. So far, Lily did not disappoint me with her choices. 

Uncle Primo and Mom gave us time together and they went on their own as well. We just agreed as the adults need to enjoy themselves too, right?  

Time flew so fast and I was really enjoying the scenery in the Oceanarium, which is our last stop for the day before we go home, when someone called my name.

"Jenny? Oh yes, it was you. I thought I was mistaken." I stood frozen when someone called my name and talked to me.

"H-hi, captain," I stuttered.

"Hey, good to see you here." She then gave me a hug. I tried to smile without getting awkward. "Just call me Lara when we are outside the school," She added and stepped back.

I was actually nervous. Luckily, Lily was two meters away from me when Lara approached me. She was tying the lace of her shoe. When she noticed that someone was talking to me and recognized who she was, the nerd went to the other side smoothly. 

There were lots of people that time, so Lily just easily hid in the crowd. I sighed in relief.

"Good to see you here, too." I answered after seeing Lily a bit far away from us.

"Who's with you? Are you on a date?" Lara teased me.

"Oh no, cap---Lara. I am here with my par---Mom." What the hell is going on with my tongue? I can't even speak correctly now. 

"Oh, I see. Well, enjoy then. I will see you at school," Lara said and waved goodbye.

I did the same. I sighed again in relief when she left. God, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I was not really ready to get busted here. We should be more careful next time.

When I felt relieved and I was sure that no one inside the Oceanarium was from school or at least I think of, I went where Lily was.

But to my surprise, a beautiful little girl was talking to Lily. She was not that little, I think she's the same age as ours and we have the same height. I just called her little because Lily was taller than her. 

The beautiful girl’s features were familiar, brownish long wavy hair, cute eyes and adorable lips. I really think I saw her before. I'm just not sure where but she really looks familiar.

I was just standing nearby and observing them. The girl was really excitedly talking to Lily. I can't see Lily's reaction because she has her back on me. But I saw that Lily removed her mask. Hmm, is she someone special for Lily to remove her mask?

Ouch. Why is my heart aching?

It took them a couple of minutes to talk and no matter how I tried to eavesdrop; I couldn't hear what they were talking about. I was so afraid to go near, you know, because someone might see me with Lily.

But I don't really like the girl who's talking to Lily now. She's really smiling a lot and really happy talking to the nerd. Lily seemed to be excited as well. Thank god, they finished talking like forever, when the girl answered her phone and acted as if she needed to go.

She even gave Lily a long hug! And I even read in her mouth the last words she said before she departed. She said, "I missed you so much."

Ouch. What's wrong with my heart? Why is it hurting?

I was holding my chest when I heard my phone ring and vibrated. I set a special ringtone for every individual in the family so I will notice immediately who was calling me. 

Maybe Lily heard my ringtone too, so she looked back and noticed me there. She turned off her phone and put it back in her pocket, and then she smiled that signature smile of hers and walked towards me.

My heart skipped a beat because of that smile.