My sister's boyfriend

Chapter five - Lies and arguments

Zoe's POV:

Josh went to university. Surprisingly, I was the first one he called when he arrived. I don't know if I have to feel honored or weird. We have never been so close before. I'm not saying that this is something horrible. He is a good person. I'm sure he has what to learn from the boys in his future team. Since he went there, he has been calling me daily. Once, I walked out with his friends. It wasn't that bad, but I didn't enjoy it much. The thing is that we haven't spent much time together. In school, we barely talked. Let's say that I had nothing to tell them. We were too different. Also, I was focused on my lessons. The good thing is that Josh liked the boys from his new team. He was afraid that they wouldn't understand each other well. Luckily, that didn't happen. Here is what happened at home. Elina called my parents. The moment I showed myself on the camera, she ended the call. I don't understand why she doesn't want to talk with me. I must have done something to her. There is no other reason for her behavior toward me. I sent her a message, but she didn't see it. Maybe they are marked as spam. I have no idea what to do with her. She won't talk with me. Well, she has to do it. I still haven't told her that I would study at the same university as her. In my defense, I never had a chance. If she is not talking with me, I can't do it. My parents think it's a good idea. I'm afraid of my sister's reaction. I don't want her to get mad at me because of this. It's enough that we don't talk much. I hope that we can solve our problems.

Elina is coming home today. Mom told me this. She told them this before I showed up. It looks like I wasn't supposed to know about this. Well, too bad. I live in this house as well. Maybe she expected me to be at university. I don't know how long she will stay here, but we can go together. I'm sure this is not a good idea. Every day, things get more complicated. I know that she has a boyfriend. I can make him talk with her and understand what the problem is. The thing is that I have no idea who he is.

Currently, I am in my room, listening to music. I planned to read in the backyard, but it's hot. I might do it later. I wish Josh had been here. I could've made him come here. Well, I can call someone else. No, I don't want to go out. In that case, I can spend the day with my parents. I'm sure they won't mind me. I walked downstairs to search for them. Mom was cooking something. She always does it when she has time. Soon, my dad came as well.

- Hello, lovely parents.

- Oh-oh. Honey, she wants something again. - my dad said

- Relax. Zoe, can we help you?

- Yes. I want one of you to entertain me.

- No offense, honey, but why don't you go out with people around your age?

- Why should I do it? You are better than them.

- What do you want us to do? - my dad asked

- I don't know. We can work on something together.

- That is a great idea. Let's go. I have plenty of work to do.

- No problem. I'm here to help.

- I'm glad to hear it

Dad and I went into the garage. He was fixing old things. Some of them might be older than me. It's not like I mind. I like spending time with him and my mom. I will miss them when I go to university. When we finished there, we went for lunch. The food was delicious. Mom is the best cook I know in the whole world.

- Now I want some help with dinner. - my mom said

- No problem. What do you plan to cook?

- I still don't know.

- How about something light? Like a salad, for example.

- I will make one, but we need a main meal.

- We can make fried zucchini. What do you think?

- That is a good idea. I can make fried potatoes as well.

- Then we have a meal.

- Yes, we do.

Mom and I got occupied with dinner. Dad went to finish his job in the garage. As we were cooking, I heard the front door. This must be Elina. Mom turned off the stove and went to check.

- Elina, hi.

- Hey, mom. How are you?

- Hi.

- Zoe. You are here.

- Yes, where should I be?

- I don't know.

- Hi, Cole. - my mom said

- Hello, miss Monroe.

- This is Zoe.

- H-hi. - I said and looked at him

- Hey.

I should stop staring at him, but I can't. How can he date my sister? Weren't there better options? I mean, I know her. She probably did something to convince him. Soon, I looked away. It's better that way.

- Mom, I will go back into the kitchen.

- I'm coming too.

- I will go and take a shower. See you after half an hour. - Elina said and left

- You can't do that. - I said, but it was too late

- So, you are the sister.

- Yes, why?

- Nothing. I didn't know you existed.

- Excuse me?

- Elina never told me about you.

- I wonder why. If you want, I can show you around.

- Why not? What are you cooking?

- I'm only helping. Mom is doing the main work.

- I see. You are in a good mood today.

- Why wouldn't I be? I'm always in a good mood.

- Really?

- Yes.

- So she lied to me. - he mumbled

- What?

- Elina said that you two don't understand each other well.

- This is true. I don't know what is going on with them. - my mom said

- What exactly did she tell you about me?

- Well, she said that you get mad and snap out easily. Also, you gossip about her with your friends.

- What? That is not true at all. She is the one who is doing it. The other reason is that I don't have friends. Not close ones. I have no one to gossip with.

- I was sure she was lying to me.

- Wait, you didn't believe her?

- No, I didn't.

- Thanks. Mom, I will be back.

I quickly walked up to Elina's room. She will pay me for this. I don't understand why she lied to her boyfriend about me. We haven't even met before. I knocked on the door and walked in.

- We need to talk.

- I'm busy.

- What did you lie to your boyfriend?

- I have no idea what you are talking about.

- You told him I was getting mad and snappy. What do you want from me?

- Let me guess. You told him the truth.

- Of course, I did. He deserves to know it.

- What I do is not your business.

- Yes, it is. Especially when it comes to me.

- Leave me alone. I don't want to talk with you now.

- But you have to do it. What did I do to you?

- Enough.

- What is enough? Tell me!

- Get out of my room. I don't want to be around you.

- Why?

- Leave!

- Fine. I hope you won't miss me. - I said and left

I can't believe that she said that. I went to the kitchen and helped my mom finish dinner. Then I walked into my room to take a book. I will read in the backyard. At least she won't come there. The hammock is only for me. Also, I was the one who helped my dad to put it there. She didn't even move her finger. Sometimes, I can't believe how ungrateful she is.

- Do you mind if I join you?

- Cole?

- Hey. Zoe, right?

- Yes. Here, you can sit if you want.

- Thanks. How are you?

- I was good before she came and ruined my day.

- I'm sorry about that.

- The thing is that I don't understand why she told you that. It's not true.

- I have no idea. You don't seem that bad. - he said, chuckling

- Because I'm not. I'm sorry. I'm annoyed right now.

- It's understandable. I wouldn't like it if someone said such things about me.

- Can I tell you a secret? Well, it won't be a secret for so long.

- What is it?

- I will study at the same university as you and Elina.

- Really? That is great. Why it's a secret?

- Technically, it's a secret for her. My parents know about this. I plan to tell her at dinner.

- Good. She deserves to know. Can I ask what you will study?

- Graphic design.

- No way. I study the same thing.

- Really? That's awesome.

- I can help you if you need something.

- Thanks, but I will try to do everything alone.

- I'm only saying it in case you need my help.

- I will use it, thanks.

Cole and I talked for a while. Later, we went for dinner. It looks delicious. Elina and our parents were already at the table. She gave me a look but didn't say anything. I don't know what this was about. I'm sure she doesn't want me to be around her boyfriend. It's not like something will happen.

- Mom, the dinner is delicious. - I said

- Well, thank you for the help.

- Cole, how are you? You don't say much. - my dad said

- I have nothing to say.

- I was about to ask how the university was, but I forgot you are on vacation.

- It's good.

- Elina, I have to tell you something. - I said

- What is it?

- There is a chance that you might not like it.

- What have you done this time?

- It's not that bad.

- Tell me already.

- I will study at the same university as you.

- You what? Why? Didn't you get accepted in other places?

- Yes, but I chose this one.

- Why?

- Because I wanted to.

- Honey, what is the problem? I thought you would be happy to be with your sister again. - my mom said

- There is a reason why I went so far away. I wanted to be away from her.

- But why? She didn't do anything.

- How can you be so blind? I can't be in the same place as her. It's enough that we used to be in the same school. I don't need her to follow me everywhere.

- I thought you would be happy. - I said

- Why would I be?

- It's not my business, but why Zoe being at the same university as us is that bad? - Cole asked

- I will explain to you later. The point is that you should go somewhere else.

- I can't because the dates to sign up for university ended.

- You have to be kidding me. This day can't get any worse.

- I'm sorry.

- You should be. - Elina said and left

The rest of the dinner was silent. My parents went to talk with Elina. I feel bad that Cole had to see this. I don't know what else she has told him about me, but I hope he can see what type of person she is. I'm sure she made me look like I'm the bad one. When I finished my food, I went to my room. I should stay there. Soon, there was a knock on the door.

- It's me. Can I come in? - Cole asked

- Yes, sure.

- How are you?

- I have been worse.

- I'm sorry about Elina. Give her some time. I'm sure she will get used to the idea.

- No, she won't. I signed there because of her. I wanted us to fix things, but now I think it's impossible. She doesn't want to talk with me at all.

- I'm sure that is not true. Maybe she doesn't want to get compared with you.

- For what? We are too different.

- That's what you think. You don't know what people say.

- Because I don't care. I didn't want us to keep arguing. That was my only wish.

- It will come true. All you have to do is be patient. Soon, everything will be the way it used to be.

- Why are you so sure?

- Because I believe it.

- Thanks. It's good to hear it.

Cole is too good to people. He deserves a better girlfriend. I don't think Elina is the right one. I mean, look at how she reacted. It's not like I am surprised. I would've been if she was happy. I will see what I will do with her. My wish will be hard to complete. At least Cole believes that it will come true. Sadly, I don't think the same. My sister doesn't want to have anything in common with me. Maybe when I go there, I will find friends. They might make me forget about her. I better focus on my university, not on her. She is not that important to me. I hope that our problems won't become worse.