Chapter 8 - You’re Sick!

Weekdays -weekend -holiday.. Nothing so special about it anymore.

My daily activities with my new step –brother is pretty rare for me; woke up at 6, go to school, go home, he cooks and I’ll do anything else which makes me at least do something while he is busy.

It sucks having a brother like Ross, we are like strangers living together, but at least he has the best cooking skill. We rarely talk, so I think I and Ross will never get along well like how Mr.Park and mom want us to be. I don’t even know his birthday, his favorite color or shoes? We never get the chance to talk about personal stuffs like that. I don’t even know whether he’s gay or not because I never heard him dating. As I know, Kendrick ever date a next door swimmer, or a girl from different school. Jimmy ever date Sierra once in Grade 9.

knock knock knock

“Hey! Frog princess”

He insists to call me that way so up to him. I am tired. At least he speaks while knocking the door.

I flared my nostrils, “Yes... ” I sit up and lazily slid my legs down. Whenever Ross called me, it’s never going to be good news except he cook or bake something for me during his leisure time. This guy loves the kitchen so much. I think he had watched the whole Master Chef seasons himself, he is damn good in both cooking and baking, even good in platting too. He could draw abstract on the plate, swirl the perfect icing cream on the top of the cupcake. Ross could bake a flawless Chocolate Lava Cake and it melts perfectly once I cut it half. It’s so satisfying to see and it tastes really good. Oh, I love chocolates! Can I ask him to bake me more?

“Let’s go to the groceries” Ross added. I quit wandering and focus, “Can’t you just use a shopping –app?”

“No, I want to choose myself” he answered.

This stubborn guy will never stop bothering me if I don’t grant his wishes. I stood up with an exasperation grunt and clicked the door open and startled as he stand too close to me. Ross looked away, it’s too awkward.

“Go with me or I’ll stop cooking for you” he turned his body and walk away. What a cold blooded guy.. Urghh..

The cans of Diet Coke glimmered with shiny, loud exteriors and artificial chemical hearts. The over -packaged bottles of WRP featured images of plastic, in bodyfit red dress models, promising incredible results for those who believe in the process. The groceries are always crowded no matter what time is it. I push the trolley behind Ross, all I need to do is follow him and shut up, he told me on the way here. It’s too crowded at the fruit -stalls section so I stopped the trolley and stand aside, waiting for Ross to pick some apple and kiwi.

“Irene?!”

I looked back, was startled by a soft voice calling my name, her voice is familiar and yet before I got to see her clearly “Look who’s here?” sounds like cringing. SIERRA??? SHE HAS A REALLY THICK MAKE UP ON, I BARELY RECOGNIZE HER! The tall, the queen of the girls, the main character in our school. Yes, she is Sierra.

This girls seems to be like a stalker, is she a psycho? I blew a harsh breath and rolled my eyes, this girl is so f*cking staggering. Ross came back from the crowds, struggling to free himself from the pack of human, he then tilted his head looking at me and Sierra, then Sierra finally greets him happily. “Rossiee!” she exclaimed. Rossie? It sounds like a cat’s name.

“You’re here!” she grabbed Ross’ arm, but he ceased her away and glaring at her. Sierra doesn’t care about it but she stop smiling suddenly, she looked at me and then Ross in turns, for several times. Must be questioning about our relationship right now, we seem seriously close. It’s going to be the hottest gossips at school tomorrow, goshh..

“You –you –you come with her?” she stammered as a finger pointed at me, her pair of beautiful eyes popped up wide gazing at Ross. Ross doesn’t tend to response her, his hands are inside his bomber jacket, just staring at Sierra without any words. Definitely will never answer her stupid question.

“Sierra!”

Sierra turned around, a man’s voice coming over from the crowds. Sierra glared at me before leaving. That tall and skinny guy looks exactly like her, must be her brother.

I took a glimpse of Ross. He must know what I am thinking right now. I was so concern about our status, I mean our parents’ status. What if someday they found out?

“You worried too much, I never got to answer them” he muttered under his breath, talking as his eyes busy checking the vegetables from the trays.

“What do you mean by never got to answer them? You....”

“Stop talking, I am tired” and he walked away, leave me with unfinished question.

We’ve arrived home. Ross clicked the trunk open and took several groceries bags by his own. I took some of them but he just snatched it from my hand without saying anything. He never let me carry heavy things.

“Open the door, princess” he waits in front of the door with hands full of groceries bags.

“Oh”

Again, another delicious and elegant cooking by Ross. Where does he learn this? There’s no way for him to learn this from his busy professor dad, or probably his grandma? But his grandma is Korean. Ross can cook Indonesian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and also Western very well. Damn this guy is full of mysteries. He’ll never answer if I ask. Dude, I really have no idea why he hates me so much.

I tilted my head to the digital clock on my bedside table glowing in 23:06. I’ve been solving these math problems for an hour, I have never make it until this late.. I feel so tired, but I can’t waste my time. I feel headache since we came home from the groceries, maybe because maths are too difficult for my brain?

bip bip bip bip bip bip bip

“Arghhh” I rolled over and cover my ears with pillow.

This alarm is driving me insane. I opened my eyes to a bright sunny Monday. My body aches, I feel both heavy and tired. No! I need to go to school.

My head spinning like roller coaster since the moment I opened my eyes in the morning, but still the math exam is more important.

Ross blocked the door.

I lifted my head to the tall man towering over me, did I forget to wash my CUP? ONLY BECAUSE A CUP? I feel too dizzy to wash the cup, come on.. Urghh..

He narrowed his eyes “Ya! frog princess” lifted a hand to check my forehead. Ross glares and slapped my forehead once “Are you joking? You have fever!”

“HEY!” I give him a death glare.

Ross grabbed my hand and clicks the door lock “SKIP SCHOOL” he stated.

My eyes widened, “WHAT?! HELL NO!” I yelled, “We -we have an ex..”

Ross clicked his tongue “No excuse”

“B-b-b-but-but” I stuttered. He ignores me, he threw his bag to the table and collapsed onto the couch. At the same time he says “Get change!”. I want to go to school, I don’t want to skip the exam and join remedial. This kid must take an advantage to skip the class with me as an excuse.

“Or do you want me to change it for you?” he sniggered.

My eyes popped up wide, I stomp my feet and moaned “You...!”

Before I got to finish my word, he cut my sentence again “Don’t speak too much, get a change and I’ll cook something for you” he took off his uniform so there’s only a black loose t -shirt left.

I lay my body on the bed gazing up to the ceiling of my bedroom, watching the moon shaped lamp on the white clouds painted wall. This is the first time I took an absent without my mom. If I got sick, mom will normally call the teacher first in the morning. I bet Ross didn’t make any call, neither mom nor the teacher.. Urghhh.. so frustrating. I want to text my mom, but I can’t even take a look at my glowing digital clock. I feel the throbbing pain in my head once I see something glowing or the electronic screen. Even the sunlight creates toothache in my brain. What is wrong with the sunlight?

knock knock knock

“Hey, Princess. Get out and eat” the low and strict tone behind the door.

I feel weak and dizzy, hasn’t got any medicine since I don’t know which one should I take, mom used to be in charge with that. I am really the f*cking spoiled kid.

I stood up and wrapped my body with thick yellow cardigan. As I opened the door Ross was already there standing, “Are you kidding me?” he raised his voice. I lift my head to catch his eyes, mumbling confusedly. I have no idea what is he talking about.

“You have fever and you are really getting yourself covered with thick jacket like that? Take it off. It’s going to make it worse, okay?”

I paused, I don’t get what he said. Ross clicked his tongue and exhales, “Just... take off the jacket, that pajamas is enough for you” and walked away.

I was greeted by a delicious smell along the hallway. I quickly catch him up, can’t wait to see what does he cook this time.

2 bowls of chicken porridge served on the dining table, 1 served in a tray, and another one with only the bowl.

Ross take a seat and begin eating “Finish the porridge, then take 2 tablets of the medicine and finish your water” he reminded.

I feel the thumping heart inside my chest, my lips lifted upward itself, I can feel the sunburn on my face. His pure caring personality is so unique.

“Why are you smiling like a dumb -*ss? Is there anything funny to you?”

No, he isn’t unique at all. I was wrong. This guy is torturing me.

“Just take a nap after you finish it. I’ve called the teacher and mom. So don’t worry. We can take the remedial class once you feel better”

“So, what did mom say?”

Without looking at me, Ross replied shortly “Let me take care of you”

My heart shattering into pieces, I thought mom will cancel her flight or anything to go home and take care of me instead.

“And...”

“Yes?”

“I’ll do the housework today”

“Oh okay”

“I’ll be supervising you, don’t lock your bedroom and don’t spend the whole afternoon in front of anykind of electronics” he said as he stood up, begin to move the dirty plates and pan to the dishes.

I scoffed. Ross turned around “What are you laughing at?”

I cleared my throat and say immediately, “No, no.. Nothing. I’ve finished. It tastes good, so... Thanks” I rush quickly to my room.

“H-h-hey youuu! Ya! Frog princess!”

I purposely leave the plate on the table because I was too lazy to walk a meter to the kitchen.

My head feels better after eating his porridge and the medicine. Thanks to Ross he takes good care of me. He isn’t that bad after all, his cooking is good and acting like my mom. I threw myself on the bed, gazing straight to the door. Right.. Ross told me not to lock the door because he wants to supervise me, mom must have told him about how I spend my time in front of the computer. Mom and Mr.Park left the town for a week vacation. I really really miss having quality time with my mom. I can’t believe I’d be so lonely without her. I want her to stay by my side, but I still want her to be happy. Be positive, Irene. This is for your mom’s sake.

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