His Monumental Ego

DEFENSIVE KURT

KURT'S POV

"Oh, it's good that you came home very soon," I said to Sheena at the door. I noticed that her clothes were different this morning. Lavender color. The color reminds me of someone, of course.

"Yeah, Lacey gave it to me," she answered weakly.

"Who?" I repeated, even though I clearly heard it earlier, I just wanted to make sure.

"Shut Up! I don't want to say it again; I know you heard it," she said while turning her back to me.

"And why did you let her?" I pulled her back.

"Oh, you heard it; try harder, brother. Oh, I feel like she's your type," she said, laughing as she climbed up the stairs.

"You and your silly thoughts," I barely shouted.

She stopped for a moment. "Don't fool me, don't me, brother! You and Lacey are so good at it. Don’t use that on me." she said, laughing.

I'm still infected. "Why did she give that to you?"

Sheena rolled her eyes in annoyance."Well, I would get wet in the rain if I didn't ride in her car. You know what? You've got a lot of questions because, in real life, you like her."

I didn't pay attention to what she said. "Hurry up and get dressed! We'll eat together," I demanded before she turned around and entered her room.

We started eating. We really have a habit of eating at the same time. Next to me is Tanya, my youngest sister. Sheena was next to Mom. She's been living here since she went to college, so she doesn't have to spend more to get a dorm because the price of rooms for rent here in Manila is quite high. Her family is in the province. Her mother and my mother are sisters, which explains why she quietly looks like my Mom.

"You are so hungry," I commented to Sheena.

She rolled her eyes again. "Gosh, it looks like you just want to ask something, eh!"

"Why, did something happen?" Mom asked in a curious tone.

"Nothing, don't pay attention, Mom," I answered.

Sheena replied, laughing at Mom."Big Brother has a pretty stalker, Auntie!"

I fixed my eyes on her. I want to remind her that there is a child listening next to us.

Mom turned to me and said, “Really? Kurt? You're keeping a secret, aren't you?"

"It's nothing, Mom. Don't believe her," I said while looking at my cousin with a threatening stare.

"No, I'm all ears. Shen, tell me the story,” Mom said to Sheena.

My cousin looked at me and wanted to laugh. Her eyes were asking whether she would finally say what was on her mind.

I shook my head and continued to eat with a 'It's up to you' look. Tanya was quiet next to me, who didn't care what we were talking about.

"Ahem, auntie, because hmm...m-there's a girl who really likes Kurt at school, but don't worry, he doesn't like that beautiful girl," Sheena said to Mom, emphasizing the word 'beautiful'.

I locked my gaze on Sheena. She winked, as though she was still pleased with herself for mentioning Lacey to Mom. Did that name make its way back into the house?

"Eh, why aren't you sure about what you said that my son doesn't like the girl you're talking about?" Mom questioned Sheena.

"Just ask him, Auntie. I don't have anything to say about that," she replied. Despite the fact that she had betrayed me to Mom, I felt the need to evade the subject.

"Kurt?" Mom asked, turning to face me.

"I'm still eating, Mom." That was my only evasive response. Sheena tried hard not to giggle at my reaction.

"So, do you like her or not? Well, now, I still haven't heard that you have a girlfriend, Kurt. You're not gay, son, aren't you?" Mom said to me, a bit confused.

“ No, that's the answer to your first question, and No, I'm not, is the answer to your last two questions. Is that fine with you? Now let's go back to eat, end of discussion." I told the two, determined to end the conversation.

The two remained silent and continued eating.

After a while, Mom spoke again. “Nice blouse, Sheena. I really like that color. Lavender." I heard Mom say to Sheena.

"Ahmm, it's not mine. It was just lent to the girl who had a big crush on Kurt, Auntie," Sheena replied hesitantly to Mom.

There she goes again. The conversation went back to Lacey again. I don't know whether to be annoyed or laugh. I noticed that Sheena didn't want to talk anymore, but knowing that my mother was really curious, it was really hard to avoid her questions.

"Hmm, she has good taste. Is she your classmate? What's her name?" It's one question after another.

"Yes, Auntie is my classmate, Lacey," Sheena answered simply, as if she was praying that the conversation would not go on. Sheena kept looking at me.

"That's very kind of her. Sometimes you invite her here. I want to meet her.” Mom stated.

Sheena glanced at me again. I gave her a bad look in return. She avoids her face to me.

"Oh, Auntie, someone seemed very angry at me," she answered without holding back while laughing, which made me almost want to walk out.

Mom scowled as if she disagreed with what Sheena had said, then looked at me with a puzzled and doubtful expression on her face. "And who? Aren't you, Kurt?" Certain that her thoughts were right.

Even when Mom is inclined to think fast when anything like this is addressed, I know she is trying to prove something to me.

"What drew me into the discussion?" I avoided asking." "I didn't know anything about that, Mom."

"Why do I get the impression you're being defensive, Kurt?" Mom said.

"No, I'm not"

I turned to Sheena, who was now very amused by the conversation.

"So who's this Lacey?"

Good heavens! We're not done talking about Lacey yet?

Mom is like a detective.

Lacey, what did you do to us? My mind wandered.

"Who is Lacey, Kurt?" Sheena inquired, suppressing her smile.

"Crazy, it's not me who's being asked, but you." I started to lose out of control. " If you don't really stop..." I threatened her.

"There's really something about her, eh? Care to tell me?" Mama laughed. Sheena and I were silent. "Anyone?" Mom looked at us in exchanged glances.

I'm at a loss for words. I don't want him to learn anything about Lacey.

I rubbed the back of my neck. I have no idea how to answer.

"What now?" Mom suddenly shouted.

"Maybe next time, Mom? Is there a deadline?" I just laughed and said to at least ease the awkwardness of the situation.

The two laughed together. My youngest sister joined in too. She must have been listening to what we were talking about. It's really nice to live when you have only women at home.

This is all your fault, Lacey!