Rule #37: Don't get Bullied by your Sibling
Especially your old brother.
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Cousin Bettie and Archer are hanging out pretty often these days. Ever since she invited him to Family Board Games night and won, he's been spending more time with her.
She showed him her vast collection of lame classics - Withering Heights, Romeo and Juliet - and he showed her his artwork. She introduced him to her friends (who keep telling her to get laid. I know because she talks to them when I'm pretending to sleep) while he introduced to his horse and dog.
Yeah. They all seem to be getting along just fine.
Traitors.
Today, since it's so sunny and cheerful outside, our two families have formed a mural alliance to enjoy the great weather. Whereas everybody else tans on the beach or splashes in the ocean, I sit under an umbrella on the steps of the porch.
Sulking.
"Even Buster's playing with her," I sulk. "I thought dogs were supposed to be loyal."
"Stop looking at the dog, Peyton," Andrew's face fills up half of the screen. As soon as I told him that Bettie was with Archer, he demanded a video session. "Focus on Archer. What's he doing right now?"
I glance at the two friends.
Bettie mentioned the fact that Archer was going to teach her how to surf today so it's no surprise when I see him in a blue wetsuit and surfboard. On the other hand, Bettie was forced to wear a tight bikini by her mother. By her red face and satisfied smile, I'm not sure if she likes or hates all the attentions she's getting.
"Archer is standing and smiling."
"He's always standing and smiling. Anything else?"
"Is he flirting with her?" Demands Jake.
Archer laughs at Bettie, who's just failed another attempt to surf. He pats her head. She blushes once again.
I think I feel a little sick.
"Yeah, but Archer flirts with everybody so it doesn't count."
"What about Bettie?" Demands Jake, whose face fills up the other half of the screen. "Is she flirting with him?"
"I don't know if she knows how to."
"Are they touching?"
I look up again. It's a good thing I'm wearing sunglasses. Bettie shrieks as a wave crashes on top of them. Archer pulls her closer and she wraps her arms around his neck.
"Yeah. They're touching."
Both of them curse at the same time.
"You nerds need to calm down," Irene says from the background "Just because Archer's been hanging out with Bettie recently, it doesn't mean he's going to replace her."
I say nothing.
This situation is all too familiar with one from my past. The past where Gwen - my best friend with large glasses and a love for science - walked away with Xavier, my boyfriend, before I could even realize what was going on.
Andrew calls my name to snap me out of my daze.
He says. "We need to make a plan to get rid of Bettie."
Jake says. "I agree."
Irene says. "You're all idiots."
I say nothing.
"It needs to be effective, but subtle. We can't have anybody knowing that we got rid of her, because that will destroy our reputation. But we can't have her coming back either."
Before any of us can reply, a brown blur crashes into me. Andrew lets out such a high-pitched scream that I have to take my headphones so my eardrums won't shatter. I glance down at the little girl. It takes me a second to recognize her - Archer's little cousin who opened the door for me when I went over to his house last week.
"Hi Peyton!"
"Hi."
She scoots even closer to me, until she's nearly sitting on my lap. I try to not seem uncomfortable. "Who are you talking to?"
"My friends."
"Can I talk to them?"
I sigh and unplug my headphones.
"Hello, little girl," Irene, who's finally managed to shove her way to the front, chirps. "What's your name?"
"I'm not little, I'm five! And my name is Stephanie."
"My apologizes. Are you friends with Peyton, Stephanie?"
"No, she's too old to be my friend," I notice Stephanie has blue frosting all over her face. "She's my mentor."
"Says who?" I demand.
"Says me." James's hand tries to poke my cheek, but I stop it just in time. He smiles and crouches down to ruffle Stephanie's hair. "Hey, cutie. How's it going?"
"I'm talking to Peyton's friends."
"I see. Hey Jake, Andrew, Irene."
"Hi James." They chorus.
"Bye James." I say and try to push him away.
"Peyton seems a little annoyed." James stage-whispers.
I scowl.
"You know what would cool you down?"
I narrow my eyes.
"A dip in the water."
"Don't you dare-" I start, but he's already grabbed my arms and thrown me over his shoulder. I don't scream as he sprints towards the shore, opting to punch the left side of his face instead. It doesn't bother him at all.
Although, I've lived in Florida for three months, I've never actually ventured deep into the ocean. This is because a) I threw away all my bikinis three years ago and b) I'm a terrible swimmer. Both of these issues don't appeal to James, who simply just throws me into the ocean anyways.
Since I'm thrown in with my back facing the water, I can't do anything but flail my arms as the waves crash over me. Then, I start to fall slower. Bubbles tumble out of my mouth and drift sideways. My leather clothes aren't helping me in this situation. I barely manage to turn the right way when swimming up.
Gasping, I reach the surface.
From land, Melody and James roar with laughter.
I spit out saltwater. It's useless. The frigid tides splash against my face. I can barely manage to keep my head above the water. The cold and waves only drag me down further. By now, Archer's taken notice of me.
"Are you alright, Peyton?" Archer grabs me by my hips and pulls me up so that I'm no longer gasping for air.
Shivering, I nod and grab his shoulders, hating myself for doing so. But right now I'm shivering so much that I can barely say another word. Unlike the cruel waves, Archer's arms are sturdy and gentle. I stay still until my teeth stop chattering.
"My eyeliner is running, isn't it?"
"You look a raccoon," Archer says, smiling.
The cold is making me slightly hysterical. "I like raccoons. They're cute."
"Just like you."
I glare at him. "I'm not cute."
Archer's leans in, so close that I can see all the hues of the sunset in his eyes. "I think you are."
A warmth, something other than his body heat, comes over me. I shiver, but not from the cold this time and fix my gaze to somewhere over his shoulder.
Archer says. "Do you want me to take you back to the shore?"
"No, it's fine. I can just use your surf- ah ha!" A sudden inspiration comes over me. I push myself out of Archer's arms and wade over to the surfboard.
"I have an idea."
"You want to go surfing with me?"
I snort, accidentally engulfing sea water. "No. I'm going to hit James with this surfboard."
Archer nods. "Don't get any blood on it."
"I'll try not to." I try not to smile, but the edges of my mouth go up anyways.
Just in time, Bettie arrives.
With a glorious red and white polka dot bikini and soft curls, she sends waters splashing everywhere with her dramatic entrance. I nearly slip and fall into the water again, but Archer catches me in time.
"What's going on?" She questions, biting her lip.
"We're killing James. Want like to join?"
"No, thank you. I rather not be an active participant of manslaughter," Bettie shivers. "So, Archer, when can we ride Brutus?"
I pause. "You're learning how to ride Brutus?
"Of course not. I'm way too clumsy to ride a horse. I'd probably end up falling on my ass," Her cheeks turn a rosy pink. "So Archer's offered to take me with him while he's rides."
"Poor Brutus," I say. Before Bettie can cry, I change the subject. "By the way, my friends want a word with you."
"With me?" Bettie blurts out. Even though she's hasn't seen or spoken to my friends, she's terrified of them.
"No, you fool. Andrew and Jake want to talk to Archer."
"Ah," Archer smiles. "I miss those guys."
"They miss you too."
Archer grins and helps me towards the shore. James wolf-whistles when I come out of the water with raccoon eyes and a drenched leather jacket. But the only sound he makes when I bash him over the head with Archer's surfboard is screaming. Melody cheers me on, while her best friend, Raquel watches on with mild interest.
"Peyton!" Mom scolds.
"I'm done." I drop the surfboard.
"That girl needs to be in some kind of asylum," Bettie's mom mutters to my grandmother. My grandmother scoffs.
"In jail, more like."
Mom flushes in embarrassment.
I decide to leave the scene as soon as possible and head over to house. Archer's sitting down with Stephanie across from my computer. Bettie sits behind them, nervously fiddling with her hair. As I start to walk up the stairs to my porch, I hear bits of their conversation.
"...especially you, Bettie. Looking good in that bikini!" Andrew says.
"Thank you," Bettie blushes and casts her eyes downward as Archer laughs and nudges her with his shoulder.
I walk past them and into the house.
"Peyton, come out here!" Irene calls.
"No, thanks," I feel cold all of a sudden. "I think I better go change."
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And there you have it! I'M SO SORRY IT'S BEEN SO LONG SINCE MY LAST UPDATE! It took me so long on how to write this chapter, but inspiration struck me last week! I promise I'll update quicker this year. I'm already working on the next chapter right now.
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Here's Crackers! All of you are so wonderful for waiting this long! This update's dedication goes to PinkPuffyPony!
Thanks for reading!
QotC: I am a firm believer of strange New Year Resolutions. What's yours?