I was on my bed doing my project, searching about 'The Dark Ages' and writing about it when my mom burst into my room with an apron on. I raised an eyebrow at her to which she smiled at me. 

"Would you like some cookies?" She asked politely which made me more suspicious of her behavior. The last time she offered me cookies was when I had cocooned myself in multiple blankets and that was when I had that horrible accident.  

"Why?" I asked hesitantly to which she smiled evilly. She quickly closed my bed room door and came over to sit on my bed while closing my laptop. "Your brother is dating a girl." She spoke like a teenage girl, gossiping behind people's back. I looked at her indifferently before opening my laptop back again. She frowned and closed it back again.

"Aren't you excited?" She asked and I laughed before I held her hand. "Mom, Caleb came out to me as straight when we were kids." She glared at me before snatching her hand away from mine. 

"Ha ha, very funny. What I meant to say was, he's dating a girl." I widened my eyes before I jumped excitedly, it seemed like an overly excited teenager's soul was switched with mine as I giggled. My mom doing the same as we giggled and jumped on my bed.

"And he's bringing her over tonight." My jumping halted as I stared at her. "Say what now, woman." 

My mom stopped as well but the smile on her face was still present as she spoke again. "He's bringing her over for dinner." 

"But, I have a project to complete and a hell lot of homework to do." I whined as I opened the laptop back again giving mom the best whiny look I could muster. It's not that I don't want to meet this woman that my brother is dating, I am just really tied up with homework and that god-awful project.

"How about you just have dinner with us and then you can go back to doing your homework?" I thought about it for a minute before I smiled and nodded. Mom hugged me tightly before she stood up and began to go out of my bed room. 

"But seriously, do you want cookies?" I laughed before nodding my head.

***

"Jade, she's here!" I heard my mother scream excitedly from the front door and I immediately stood up as I fixed my t-shirt and wore my jeans quickly. When I knew that I was presentable, I made my way downstairs. I heard talking coming from the living room and I went in there with the best innocent smile, I had to offer.

Everyone's attention turned towards me as I walked closer to the three-people sitting around the coffee table. Only one stood out the most with her blonde hair, well mom was also a blonde but her hair was more on the dirty blonde side, while this woman had platinum blonde hair making her look beautiful paired with a set of gorgeous blue eyes. Now, I know that my brother has great taste in women. 

I looked towards Caleb with a smirk and he smirked back, it was mostly like we just high-fived. After having the little eye to eye conservation with Caleb, I turned towards the woman who was staring at me with a cute smile.

"Hi, I'm Jade." I smiled back at her as I shook hands with her. "I'm Sydney." I glanced at Caleb before speaking with a smirk. "Ah, Caleb has always dreamed about going there once in his lifetime." 

Sydney blushed before she sat back down and I sat down next to mom on the couch that was in front of the sofa. "Caleb, come help me with the plates." Mom stood up and ordered Caleb before leaving to go to the kitchen. Caleb first smiled at Sydney before he glared at me.

Once, he was out of the living room, I went to sit down beside Sydney who still had that cute smile on her face. "Now that he's gone, let’s get down to business." I said before clapping my hands together. She gave me a confused look to which I just smiled to send away her confusion.

"I have a lot of embarrassing juicy moments of Caleb that I believe you would love to hear." The smirk I got from her made me believe that she was willing to hear and was even willing to exchange some information as well.

***

We had been talking and laughing like old friends when Caleb came into the living room to tell us to come to the dining room for dinner. Caleb kept looking at us in confusion as I smirked at him and Sydney just simply went ahead of us.

"What did you say to her?" He whispered harshly in my ear and I just smirked at him before entering the dining room where Sydney was already sitting while mom was organizing plates. "Jade, you can sit with me." I smiled at Sydney before I made my way over to sit beside her. Caleb had his mouth wide open glancing from Sydney to me.

"Caleb, honey. Close your mouth. That looks really unappealing." I gave out a snort while Sydney simply giggled cutely. Caleb immediately shut his mouth before sitting beside mom giving me a glare for sitting next to his girlfriend.

Conversations flowed as Sydney talked about herself mostly, mom was interrogating the poor woman with her stern stare in place. Sydney would sometimes touch my hand and giggle at my corny jokes which made Caleb jealous by the way he kept glaring at me. 

Finally, when it was time for me to go to my room to complete my homework, I hugged Sydney and she embraced me for a little longer than she should have which made Caleb glare in my direction. "Well, it was nice meeting you." I said and began to leave the living room. I had only reached the stairs when Caleb stopped me.

"What was all that about?" 

"What?" I asked as I looked at him innocently. He rolled his eyes before making faces at me and giggling badly. "All that. You both were touchy feely and she was laughing at your stupid jokes." He spoke with exaggeration as he looked at me. I laughed before I patted him on the shoulder, making my way up the stairs.

"We aren't done talking here, Jade." He called out and I just waved my hand dismissively while still climbing up the stairs. His girlfriend will be able to answer his questions. Truth is, Sydney and I were just being friendly. It wasn’t intentional, just natural.

Now, to do homework.

***

"Yo, homey." Tim spoke as he gave me a bro hug. I just confusedly stared at him. "Don't ever do that again." He pouted as I laughed before opening my locker to get my history book out. It had been two days since we had been given that dreaded project which I wanted to skip so badly but my grade depended on it.

"I thought, I looked cool. This girl told me that I did." I laughed as I patted him before beginning to walk towards history class. "All the girls would say that you look cool even if you slept with a blanket named 'blanky'." Tim thought for a moment before looking around the hallways, where girls were undoubtedly staring at him with heart eyes.

"Yeah, you're right." I smirked at him to which he rolled his eyes.

We reached our class and I was about to enter the class when I bumped into someone. I was about to apologize when I looked at the person I bumped and instantly my words got lost in my mouth. Paige smiled at me with her pearly white teeth showing and all the color drained from my face. She was with her two friends who always followed her around. 

"I'm sorry I bumped into you. I wasn't watching where I was going."

"Ha, ba...ba....hm. Uh....hu." She furrowed her eyebrows as I internally face palmed myself. But, she looked so cute with her eyebrows connected together. I saw one of Paige's friend whisper something in her ear to which Paige nodded without breaking eye contact with me. She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear as she held her history book close to her chest.

"Um, bye, then." 

"Buh." She went into the class and I heard a little giggle come out of her mouth. It must be my imagination. I have been told that I have a very colorful and creative imagination. 

"What was that all about?" I heard Tim speak in between his laughs as he clutched his stomach. This was the very first time that she had talked to me, well this was the very first time she even tried to talk to me. "I don't know. I was nervous." I hissed as I entered the classroom immediately getting the attention of Paige, who sent a small smile my way. I just shook my head before walking towards the back of the class room. 

I can't embarrass myself more in front of her. She does not deserve a babbling mess. I can't even believe I just did that. She must be thinking that I'm such a huge idiot. Oh, my god, take me now. Please, I beg of you. Take me now.

***