Teaching River

The bet

RIVER

"River!! Get your butt down here this instance!" I could hear my sister yell at me from bellow. By the edge in her voice, I was, once again, in trouble.

"I'm coming oh great and grumpy one!" I yelled back and rushed downstairs.

She was standing near the kitchen table with her arms crossed and her lips in a frown. Her lilac hair was falling into her face over her violet eyes which made her look even more intimidating.

"River! You jerk, why the hell did you have to go and talk to the new girl!" Lacy said. She was practically fuming, which I found quite amusing.

"Lace, come on you know me. When am I not a jerk to any girl?" I said with a raised brow as I thought back to her. There was something about her I could not quite put my finger on. Something intriguing.

"Well she's my friend! You can't go around flirting with every girl in the world. I can't even tell her that were related because she already hates you!" She yelled.

"Okay Lace, calm down. I'll stay away from your friend okay?" I said smiling at her.

Her frown soon disappeared and turned into a giant smile. "Thanks River, thank you so much. Please don't tell her that you and I are related!" She said with a pouty face and big bright eyes. I could not believe that she actually did not even want her friend to know that I was her brother. In my opinion, anyone would be lucky to have me as a brother.

I sighed, giving in to her as I always. "Okay, sure."

She giggled and hugged me tightly while I just stood there, wondering if this is how all black sheep of the family felt.

After a few more moments of lung-crushing squeezes from my sister, I thought up an opportunity for some piping hot, freshly made, revenge.

Geez, youre so strong, does Christian know how strong you are? It was then that she let go and her face became a bright shade of red. Yes, of course I knew all about her little crush on my best friend, and I would not miss a single opportunity to tease her about it.

She blushed and punched my arm, about to say something, when my phone rang and interrupted her. Thank goodness, I was not prepared for lecture part two.

"Hey Christian, What's up?" I said that extra loudly just so that Lacey could back off.

"Nothing, just bored as heck. Wanna come over? You can bring your sister. He said the last part softly and almost breathlessly.

"Ew! She's my sister! And no way is she getting anywhere near you!"

"Why not?" He sounded surprisingly hurt.

"Because I know you. You and I are players, remember? I dont want you tossing her aside like the others." Yes, the irony in my statement was mind-boggling.

"...oh yeah, the luxurious life of a playboy." Christians said distantly, almost with sadness and regret in his voice. It had even me, silent for a few moments.

"But yeah I'll come over. See you in a bit!" And with that I put the phone down and grabbed my car keys.

"Lace, I'm out, tell mom and dad not to wait up for me."

I didn't even wait for a response from her, I just left.

Christian lived a few houses away from mine, and in the plain neighbourhood we lived in, both our houses stood out like sore thumbs. My father and his parents were quite rich. His parents were both CEOs of major businesses. My mother on the other hand, was an actuary for a bank, and although it paid her quite well, we received most of our wealth through inheritance. My mothers family was one of the founders of this town and, as a result, our family had many shares in many of the companies here.

As soon as I arrived at the gate, I went to the buzzer and asked to be let in. The steal electric gate opened after a few seconds and I drove in and parked in the driveway. As soon as I got to the door and knocked, I was greeted by Christians butler, Mr Kenneth, who opened the door for me.

Good afternoon, Mr Louman. It is a pleasure to have you here. I greeted back and saw Bramilda, the maid who was dusting the crystal chandelier. She glanced towards me and smiled.

Hey River! Christian is in his room. Don't worry, he is not with a girl this time. She said winking. It was then that I recalled the numerous awkward occasions where I accidentally walked in on him and a girl. Lets just say that I have been traumatized many times by Christians naked self.

"Thanks." And with that I proceeded through the gorgeous house and went upstairs to his room. His door was open, and he was watching TV on his bed.

"Hey buddy!"

"Hey," he said looking up at me and then getting off of his bed, "Let's go outside by the pool table."

I followed him outside to where a huge pool table stood. The billiard balls were already in their correct position. He handed me a pool stick and we started to play.

"...So, you like to gamble right?" He was leaning over the pool table."

"Yeah..." I didn't like the way he was smiling at me.

"Well, I was thinking, that new girl-"

"No way, I promised Lace I would stay away from her-"

"Oh, come on, you aren't a coward, are you?" He knew exactly the right nerves to push. I hated being called a coward.

"No! Fine, what is it?" I seethed, balling my fists.

"You have to make the new girl admit out loud that she is attracted to you by this week Friday, deal?" He held out his hand.

I saw no tricks in this bet at all, in fact, it was a giant, decadent piece of chocolate cake, waiting for me to devour.

"Okay, fine. I'll do it!" I shook his hand and smiled. "But what happens if maybe- this will never happen though- I don't succeed?"

"Then you will have to enter the school musical!"

Damn it! He knew I couldn't sing to save my life. But I didn't want to be called a coward again, and the task I had to complete was easy.

"Okay, fine. If I win, you are not allowed to look at or talk to my sister. You will stay the hell away from her." he gave me a shocked look, "Yes, I know you like her! I want you to stay away from her. You know you can't be trusted with girls!" I said sternly. He sighed and then nodded reluctantly. Christian was, unfortunately, also profoundly in love- with my sister.

"That's okay. I know you won't win this bet, and then I will be able to finally have Lacey, after all these years of you keeping her from me. He smirked. That girl, Mystique, is way different than all the others in our school. There's no way she'll admit it!" He started chuckling hard.

"Whatever you say! This is a piece of cake. No girl could ever resist me!"

At least that was what I thought.