My Hometown Love

Chapter 30 – Picasso

Kevin’s P.O.V.

“She has feelings for you too.”, Jake said frankly.

His words kept ringing in my ears. Even though I was elated to hear those words but part of me wondered if it was true.

“Wait, how do you know? Did she tell you something?!”, I curiously pestered Jake.

“Woah Woah. Relax bro. She didn’t tell me anything. I know her, when she doesn’t tell me something, there is definitely something going on. Plus, there are other things that lead me to believe she does.”, he added.

“Like what? Tell me, tell me.”, I asked like a little puppy dog begging for a treat.

“Let’s see. Today just before I left, she came crawling around me to scout out my mood and kept asking what we were going to do here tonight, worried if I would confront you regarding you two hanging out. Then, there was the wedding where you two were being very close and her getting jealous when I mentioned Betty. Oh, here’s the best part. Yesterday, when we were camping, I got up very early to go for a run. So, I popped my head in her tent to check if she wanted to join me. There she was all snug wearing your jacket. Yes, I know that was your jacket. I would recognize your favorite Denim jacket anywhere. So, yes, I believe she has feelings for you too.”, Jake explains carefully.

Overcome with emotion, I leaned back against his car with disbelief.

“I can’t believe I didn’t quite catch all that. But, she never said anything. So I assumed that she just wants to be friends.”, I said.

“See, the thing about my sister is that she keeps everything to herself until she processes it thoroughly and is satisfied with it. Then, she voices it out. So, don’t give up man. You keep doing your thing and she’ll respond soon.”, Jake said as he gripped my shoulder.

“Wow. Okay. But Jake, please don’t tell anyone about this. I like how it’s going so far and I don’t want to spoil it.”, I said.

“Sure bro. So, you want to go grab some supper at home? Let’s give Lexie a surprise. I’m sure she will be so confused.”, Jake said as he opened his car door.

“Let me go lock up and grab my keys.”, I said before jogging to my house and then back to the car. 

During our car ride, I told Jake everything that has happened with me and Lexie over the past few days and weeks. It was so good to finally let all my feelings out to someone. We laughed and laughed at everything that has happened, as Jake realized another side of his dear sister.

Soon enough, we were parking outside his house.

*************

Lexie’s P.O.V

I heard the sound of Jake’s car turning off outside. I was about to go back to sleep when I heard another faint voice besides Jake’s voice. I got out of bed and put my ears on the door but it was still too faint.

I put on my robe and slippers before quietly tiptoeing towards the stairs. I could hear the fridge opening and the sound of plates being removed from the cupboard. I sneaked closer down the stairs until I was in the dark living room looking at the kitchen.

Just when I realized who was in the kitchen with Jake, it was too late. Jake had spotted me and waved me over. I looked down at myself dressed in my pajamas and slippers, not looking forward to showing myself like this to Kevin. But my curiosity got the best of me as I wanted to know what had happened. I hesitantly made my way to the kitchen.

“Hey, look who’s up at this time.”, Jake said as he jokingly pinched my arm.

“Ow! I was just curious about what you were doing down here. I didn’t know Kevin was here.”, I said as I smiled sheepishly at Kevin.

“Curiosity killed the cat you know. We just came over for ice cream. Care to join us?”, Jake said as he pulled out a chair next to him.

“Sure. Would you get me a bowl too?”, I said as Jake got up to grab a spoon.

As soon as Jake’s back was turned against, I looked over at Kevin. I started gesturing with my eyes and hands, wanting to know what happened. He just responded with a shoulder shrug as he shook his head, probably meaning that Jakey didn’t ask him anything. Relieved, I sunk in my chair comfortably.

“So, Lex. I was just telling Kevin here that the contractor said that the house will be ready at the end of next week. But, his painting guy is on emergency leave, so if we want the house painted, we have to wait another week.”, Jakey before feeding himself a spoonful of chocolate ice cream.

“Oh no. That’s a pity. Isn’t there another way they can get it done?”, I asked.

“No, unless we paint it ourselves. But, none of us have that kind of free time to get it done in a week.”, he says sullenly, clearly upset.

“I’ll do it. I have tons of free time, might as well use it to good use.”, I volunteered.

“But, you have that project you wanted to do. Are you sure?”, Jakey asked.

“Yes, I’m sure. I’ll head over there tomorrow.”, I said before scooping my bowl clean.

“Okay, Lex. Thank you so much. We owe you one. We’ll come and pitch in whenever we have free time, okay?”, he says before pulling me to him and squeezing me in a hug.

“Okay. I’ll definitely remember that you owe me. Okay then, I’m off to bed. Good night guys!”, I say before I walk out of the kitchen.

I turn back to look at Kevin to say goodbye but instead I see Jake and Kevin shaking their hands as they laugh and whisper to themselves. I just brush it off as something not important and continue up the stairs.

Silly boys.

**************

Lexie’s P.O.V

It’s been two days that I’ve been painting. I have gotten the 2 bedrooms done and now I’m working on the third. All that was left was the bathrooms, living space, and the kitchen, and I was done.

Every family member has been by to help including Priya, Sam, Mindy, and Mrs. Mendez. Kevin never showed up so I guessed that he must be on-call.

I looked at myself in the window reflection, watching how my face was covered with light purple spots from the paint. I continued working, without caring, since no one was going to come by today to paint. It sure was weird that suddenly everyone else had something to do today and couldn’t make it.

I secured the whole floor with plastic and tape. Then, I mixed the paint and poured it into the container before dipping the roller into it. I pulled it out and rolled away, and dipped it in again. Eventually, I got bored so I pulled out my mini Bluetooth speaker from my bag and synced it to my phone. I scrolled through Spotify before selecting my favorite Taylor Swift playlist.

I picked up my paint roller and started painting to the beat of the music, occasionally singing and dancing, with no care in the world.

I was doing a mini-performance along with Taylor Swift’s ‘Delicate’ when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I completely froze, afraid to see who had seen my ridiculous actions.

“You seem to be having fun”, I heard the voice say.

I didn’t know if I should feel relaxed when I realized whose voice it was or to feel embarrassed that he saw me be a complete fool. Either way, I turned around to see him dressed in overalls leaning on the door frame holding a long paint roller.

Hi Kevin.

**************

Kevin’s P.O.V

I had just finished my shift and decided to go help out with the painting. So, I popped by my house, got changed, grabbed my paint roller, and headed to the house.

There were no contractors around but I could hear music coming from upstairs. I followed the music to a room where Lexie was painting. Well, more dancing and singing than painting actually. She seemed so happy and relaxed, so I didn’t want to say anything. As soon as she turned to dip her roller into the paint, I made myself known to her.

“Hi Kevin”, she sheepishly said as she desperately tried to wipe the paint off her face.

“Hey. I hope I didn’t disturb anything?”, I said as I looked at her Bluetooth speaker on her bag.

“Erm. No no. I was just…. painting.”, she said as she scrambled to turn off the music.

“I see. Anyway, thought you might need a hand?”, I said as I twirled my roller brush.

“Definitely. Paint away.”, Lexie replied as she nervously picked up her brush and resumed painting.

And so we both painted in silence as our eyes occasionally met. I liked this.

As soon as we almost finished painting the room, I turned to Lexie to see a big spot of fresh paint on her neck. Despite knowing how bad it is to laugh at another person’s misery, I couldn’t contain my laughter.

“Er…Lex? There’s a big spot of paint on your neck.”, I said as point at her neck and laugh.

She starts hysterically trying to wipe the paint off which made me laugh even louder.

“Stop laughing!”, she screams as she glares at me.

I have to say, the face she makes when she’s mad at me, made me laugher harder. Lexie angrily glares at me before picking up a small brush from the paint container and flings the paint on me.

“Oh no you didn’t.”, I said in shock as I look down at my blue overalls decorated with a streak of purple paint.

I quickly grab another brush and get my revenge by flinging paint at her as well. And so, we spend a solid 10 minutes doing that until we were both covered in paint and exhausted.

We both started laughing and sat on the floor, breathless as we smiled at each other, before getting up and continuing our painting.

You’re driving me crazy, Lexie.

**************

Lexie’s P.O.V

A few days later, we were all inspecting the renovated and newly painted house. Jake and Maria looked around the empty but freshly-painted house with joy and excitement.

“Thank you so much, Lex and everyone else. The house looks great.”, Jakey said to us.

“I can’t believe it’s finally ready. Our house is ready.”, Maria said emotionally.

“Time to move-in and begin the rest of our lives.”, Jake said as he hugged Maria fondly.

It was then it finally dawned on me.

This was it. My big brother was finally moving out.