My sister's boyfriend

Zoe's POV: Hello, my name is Zoe Monroe. I am nineteen years old. A month and a half ago, I graduated from high school. I will continue studying at university. My sister, Elina, is in the same one. She is one of the reasons why I chose this one. I want to study graphic design. In total, I submitted my documents to five universities. Let's say that I always want to have options. Luckily, I got accepted in all of them. I guess my diploma was high enough. The choice wasn't easy, but this was my last chance to fix everything. Elina and I don't understand each other very well. I don't know what is going on with us. I'm not saying we should be together every minute. Well, I will like it if she calls me sometimes. The thing is that we talk to each other only when she calls our parents. Even then, she talks mainly with them. I am like a ghost. I have no idea why she treats me like this. Maybe I have done something to her. I tried to think of every argument that we had. That's why nothing came to my head. When I was little, she always played with me. Everything ended in sixth grade. She said she was popular at school, and people couldn't see her playing with a little kid. Our age difference is only two years. She is not that older than me. After she went to university, she never called me. I don't know what happened. I understand if she has friends, but I am her sister. I thought she would be the person I could share everything. Maybe I was wrong. It looks like she wants to have nothing with me. It's not like I care. Everyone makes their choices. I hope that we won't become distant. That is my biggest fear. My summer vacation is here. I am so happy. Most people spend their time outside. I prefer to be inside. The thing is that I don't feel well under the sun. Even if I have eaten and drunk water, I still don't want to be under it. I haven't made any plans for the summer. For now, I will focus on university. I don't know how I will be there, but I hope to make new friends. It's not like I have some here. Maybe I want too much from people. It can't be hard for someone to listen to and support you. I better stop dreaming of the impossible. I let out my feelings once, and a tragedy happened. I woke up and checked the time. It's 10 am. Waking up late is not something I like, but it's summer. My parents took a week off of work to rest. I think they can go on vacation alone. Nothing will happen to me. I am a big girl. Finally, I got out of bed. Then I went to get ready for the day. My outfit will be simple. Shorts and a T-shirt. This is the perfect combination. After ten minutes, I was already waiting for breakfast. No one can compete with my mom's food. It's delicious. - I'm here, ready to eat. - I can see. We have pancakes today. If you want, I can prepare something else. - How could you say this? Your dishes are irreplaceable. Just like you. - Someone is in a good mood. - It's summer. - Shouldn't you be with friends then? - my dad asked - You know I don't like being under the sun. I mean, you have seen what happens. - I do, but you can still be outside. Without being under the sun. - Dad, I don't want to talk about this now. Let's enjoy this delicious breakfast. - The conversation is not over. - I know, I know. After breakfast, I went to my room to take a book. My favorite place to read is in the backyard. Dad put a hammock between two threes. Of course, he puts it in the garage during the winter. Call me crazy, but this is my favorite thing to do. Sometimes I get lost in the pages and lose track of time. I started reading romances about a year ago. Mostly I choose books in which the characters are around my age. The thing is that I'm scared to have feelings for someone. I did once, and this didn't end well. Here is the short version of the story. I had a best friend named Daniel. We were together all the time. Then I started falling for him. When I told him that, things became awkward. He didn't feel the same way. Then he moved to another city without even telling me. I understood when I went to school. Since then, we haven't talked. I don't know if his phone number is still the same. Maybe it wasn't meant to be. Mom called me for lunch. I didn't realize what time it was. Maybe I should call someone. Jess is my friend. We can go out. It's not like we don't talk mostly in school. After what happened with Daniel, I'm afraid to let people close to me again. I used to share everything with him, and now we don't talk. I don't want the same thing to happen. - Honey, are you ok? Don't you like my food? - What? - Do you like my food? - Yes, I do. It's delicious. - What are you thinking about? I know you. - my dad said - Nothing. I planned to call a friend to go out. - Finally. Who is the lucky one? - Her name is Jessica. - Nice. You are making moves. I like that. - We'll see what can happen. Please, don't have high hopes. I decided to call Jess. I'm not sure if she will want to go out with me. Well, I will give it a chance. Maybe we can have fun together. I never thought I would go out, but here I am doing it. - Hey, Jess. I wonder if you want us to go out this afternoon. Well, if you are not busy. - I don't know if she will go out with you, but I will do it. - What? Josh? - Wrong number, sweetie. - I'm sorry. You two are next to each other in my contacts. - When do you want us to go out? - No, no, no. I will go out with her, not with you. - Why? I'm sure we can have fun together. - Josh, it was only tutoring, ok? I'm not your friend. - Well, you can be one if you want to. - No, I don't. I will call Jess. - Wait! Don't hang up. - Because? - Because I have nothing to do and I'm bored. None of my friends want to go out now. - Why should I trust you? - Do you want a screenshot of the group chat? - No, it's ok. I can give you a chance, but it's only one. You better don't waste it. - Thanks. I'll wait for you in front of the fountains in the park. - I'll be there soon. I don't know why I agreed to do this, but it can't be that bad. Josh is not a bad guy, but his ego is too big. It's good to believe in yourself. Thinking that you are the best is not the same. I took my things and went out. I always tell my parents where I go and with who. They don't get worried all the time. Let's say that I feel better this way. Soon, I arrived. Josh was waiting for me. - Hello. I'm here. - Nice T-shirt. I like it. - Thanks. I like yours too. - You don't need to lie. - I'm not. I like it. - I might need to record this. - Very funny. What do you want us to do? I don't want to stay under the sun. - In that case, we can go somewhere. Do you want us to play bowling? - Yes, but there is a minor problem. - What is it? - I can't play. I mean, I never did. Maybe on my phone, but this is different. - Relax. You taught me at school, and I can teach you here. - I don't know if I have to accept. - I won't do anything to you. I promise. I know what you think about me, but I can be nice. - Let's say that I believe you. - Should we go? - Yes, of course. Josh and I went to the bowling alley. The main reason why I had never played bowling before was because I wasn't interested. It's not like I am now, but at least we are inside. There are three air conditioners here, which is good. Josh paid for one game. I wanted to give him money, but he refused to take it. - Ok, this is the ball. You have to throw it. Technically, to roll it down. - I know what to do. What I don't know is if I will score. - Don't think about this. We are playing for fun, not for you to score, ok? - Yes. - Ladies are first. - How generous. Here we go. - I said and rolled the ball - One pin. Not bad. - You are kidding me, right? - No, I'm not. You could've missed all of them. - I will say I had luck. - Fair enough. My turn. - Eight pins! How? - I come to play with my friends often. It's called practice. - I see. Ok, let's see if I can knock out more. Here we go. - See? Five pins. Not bad. Josh and I played for an hour. Of course, he won every game. Well, I am getting better. Maybe he can teach me how to play. It's not like this matters. I probably won't come here again. It's not that fun for me. When we finished playing, we went to a mall. He offered me drinks. I don't go there often, but I like the food they serve. It depends on where you will buy it. - Here is your drink and French fries. - I didn't order fries. - But I'm hungry. Sharing is caring. Try them. - They are not that bad. - See? I won't buy you something you won't like. - You don't know what I like. - If you give me a chance, I might understand. - Maybe the next time, ok? - Am I that bad? - No, you are a good boy. - Then? - Let's say that I have preferences. - Let's say that I know you don't like me. - I have never said that. - But you didn't want to go out with me. This is not a date. You know it. - Yeah, because your ego is always with you. If you leave it at home, I might start going on with you more often. - Really? That is the only problem. - Yes. Why don't you try being yourself? It might help you get the girls. - Are you sure? - It will make me spend more time with you. - Maybe I should try. What do you want us to do next? - Go home. I don't want to miss dinner. - But there is enough time. - In that case, you can walk me. Do you mind? - Not at all. I would love to. - Thanks. I left Josh to send me home. He can be nice if he wants to. I understand that he wants to show himself, but there are many ways how he can do it. I prefer to be with people who are honest and themselves. He wants to get every girl. Honestly, it's not only him. Many boys try the same. I will never be able to understand them. I offered Josh to come inside, but he refused. Well, I can't force him. We can go out again tomorrow. - Hey, I'm home. - Hello, miss. Where have you been and with you? - Dad, I told you before I went out. - Did he upset you? - No, why would he do that? - Boys are weird. - Relax. We only played bowling and went for drinks in the mall. Nothing happened. This time, he left his ego at home. - I said, and he laughed - If you say so. - Where is my mom? - She had to go out to help a friend. This means we have to take care of today's dinner. Will you help me? - Sure. What is the plan? It's summer, and I prefer lighter food. - It's not only you, kid. - We can make a salad. - I was thinking about filled mushrooms. - That is good. With only two of them, you are already full. - True. In that case, let's cook. - Don't you forget something? - Like what? - Dessert. - We have ice cream. - Dad! - I can't cook, ok? - I'll think of something. Dad and I finished making dinner when my mom came home. She was happy to see that we had replaced her today. I should say that my dad and I don't cook that bad. Maybe we need to do it more often. I'm trying to spend equal time with my parents. The thing is that I don't want one of them to feel isolated. My sister is not here, so only I have left. It's not like this is a problem. Since Elina went to university, she barely calls. Let's not talk about me. I never heard from her even once. I don't think she cares about me anymore. Her friends and boyfriend mean more to her. I hope that we'll be able to fix our relations.