PERCY.
In no time I'd reached my destination and once I handed the tampons to Penelope in our private room on campus, I went straight to the couch and sat down. I heard the sound of the bathroom door clicking shut behind her. She returned shortly after, beaming at me with gratitude.
I guess she's feeling better after taking painkillers.
"Thanks again, Percy! And, sorry for making you do this...again." she said, brushing her long blond hair behind her ear. "I swear it won't happen again." she added sheepishly and I chuckled shaking my head, knowing fully well we would be having this conversation again soon.
"Sure... let's just go with that!" I replied with a smile before going back to scrolling through my phone.
"What's up? What are you doing?" Penelope's sudden voice and closeness interrupted my focus, her head peering down my screen like a low budget detective in one of those badly made crime movies.
I nudged her away playfully, pushing her head back with my index finger when she leaned in too close to my face. After spending nine whole months with her in the womb, and almost twenty-two years later, personal space was still a concept she struggled to grasp.
"Just checking out new restaurants." I decided to go with that lie when my scrolling landed me on the page of a new five star restaurant in the city.
"Oh, cool! Should we go there for dinner tonight?" She asked practically bouncing with excitement and I rolled my eyes. I almost told her I wasn't interested then an idea struck me.
"It would be nice to check out the new place..." I began and she squealed in excitement already planning her outfit.
"You're not coming along, Pen." I announced bursting her bubbles. "I'm taking someone to dinner, you can't come." At once, her eyes went from confusion to that of surprise.
"You mean, like a date?" she asked trying to grab my phone and I swatted her hand away, rolling my eyes again. I sighed. I told you she doesn't understand the concept of personal space.
"No, not like a date! It's just...eating." I clarified raining on her parade, and she pouted like she was disappointed.
What's her problem?
"So, who's this person?"
My nosy sister pressed on, and the corner of my lips twitched in a suppressed smile suddenly realizing that I have the opportunity to actually do the funniest shit to her nosy ass right now by not sharing further details about who I'm taking to dinner but I knew curiosity might kill her so I decided to be bigger person like always.
"It's just this boy I met at the store earlier—he helped me pick out the tampons." I replied, watching her expression morph into one of utter disbelief.
Yeah, I shouldn't have said anything.
"You're taking a boy out to eat just because he helped you pick out tampons? Who are you and what have you done with my brother?" she exclaimed incredulously staring at me as if I had transformed into a talking dinosaur and I raised my brows in amusement.
I honestly don't know why said I'd take him to dinner either but I did say I was going back there so I might as well just roll with this.
"Do you even know his name?" She asked giving me a suspicious look like she already knew the answer.
"I mean...not really! Does that even matter?" I replied, shrugging.
I thought she was always on my ass about making more friends and shit? My sister shook her head in disappointment and then she was smiling and I knew I wasn't going to like her next words.
"Let me come along on your date" she said excitedly.
See? I told you I wasn't going to like her next words.
"It's not a date, and no! You're not coming along." I countered firmly.
"Come on!" she whined. "You're going on a 'not date' with a boy you don't even know his name! Let me come before you scare the poor boy away with that permanent scowl on your face." she pleaded.
Hmmm...she does have a point. He did seem very scared of me earlier, maybe having her tag along wouldn't be such a bad thing.
I typically didn't mind how people acted around me. I've always been comfortable in my solitude, but there was something different about this kid that drew me in. If I was going to see him again, I didn't want him to be afraid of me.
"Alright, you can tag along." I finally gave in to my sister's request only thinking of a way to lighten the evening and she squealed in a way that almost shattered my eardrum.
"Thank you, thank you! You won't regret this!" she exclaimed bouncing on her feet. I rolled my eyes, knowing I probably might. Still, it wouldn't be a dull evening with her around, at least.
And the next few hours went by quickly. After my last lecture for the day, I took a nap in our private room as I waited for Pen to finish hers. When she was done, we went home so she could change into what she called a 'more appropriate dinner outfit' and then we headed back to the store.
As we got to the location, I saw him standing outside, he looked completely nervous. Somehow I was happy he had waited. If dinner goes well I will ask for his number.
Suddenly, an annoying voice appeared in my head.
"What if he hadn't waited like I asked him to?
The thought of him not doing what I asked didn't sit right with me one bit, but I pushed the voice aside, focusing on the present.
He looked up as I approached, catching my eyes, and a small smile appeared on his face. I felt a flutter in my chest, and for a moment, I forgot how to speak again like earlier. I could only offer a gentle nod before turning back to the direction I just came from, indicating he should follow me.
When we got to the car, I guided him into the back seat before making my way to the driver's seat. I noticed how he tensed up when he noticed Penelope sitting in the passenger seat beside me, but he quickly relaxed once my sister's friendly nature kicked in and she turned towards him with a smile.
"Hi there, I'm Penelope! This guy's twin sister." she introduced herself, her voice bright and friendly.
"Hello, I'm Gemini, nice to meet you." he responded politely, his smile shy yet genuine.
"He's such a good boy!" That annoying voice appeared in my head again and I shook my head.
His name fits him perfectly.
"Yeah, a beautiful name for a beautiful boy."
I found myself thinking as I stool glances at him through the rearview mirror, my heart was doing a funny thing I wasn't familiar with.
What the hell is wrong with me?
He was stealing glances at me too, his eyes were filled with innocence and curiosity, and for the first time in my life, I found myself interested in another human being who's not my twin sister.
I want to know more about him.
Perhaps, our meeting in the library was fated for something more.
The thought sent a thrill through me, and I couldn't help but feel happy, feeling a sense of excitement and possibility that I hadn't felt in a very long time.