5| Last Kiss
1224 Words
ERICK
Cassandra's screams woke everyone up. Even Dad and Regina came out of the room to check on us.
"What's wrong, Cass?" asked Regina with a panicked face. “Why are you screaming? Something happened?"
Cassandra still had her back to me. She kept her face down. I do not know why.
Now they looked at me as if I was a suspect, which made Cassandra scared.
Dad seems to have realized something. He looked at me and reprimanded me harshly.
"What are you doing, Erick? Why are you running around the house naked?”
"I? Why-"
I looked down at my own body. I've just finished bathing. What do they expect from me? It's usually like this. I'm not even completely naked.
"Excuse me!" that's all I can say. “I forgot that we have a female family member now. I'm used to not wearing clothes after a shower. Wait a moment; I will return and put on my clothes.”
"Are you all right, Cass?" I heard Dad ask the girl.
I returned to my room and immediately cleaned up the mess I had done. I've stopped following the conversation between Cassandra and our parents.
“It's a little troublesome because I have to change my habits. Though it will be easier if the habit remains in force. The power of having a sister suddenly is a little disturbing.”
I’m thirsty too. I went back down.
“Looks like having a beer after a shower would be refreshing. It's already night, anyway. Nothing will bother me, and vice versa. I'll drink a can before bed."
I am shocked. In the kitchen is Cassandra. She squatted in front of the open refrigerator while drinking.
"Good grief! Cass, what are you–”
I snatched the can from her hand. But it's too late. She had used up the can.
“I'm so thirsty. I can't find any water. There is only this drink in the refrigerator. I didn't think it tasted so good."
Cassandra looked at me and said all that innocently.
I rolled my eyes. I showed her the can closer.
“This is no ordinary energy drink. It's alcohol, Cass. Don't you realize it?”
The girl gasped in shock and held her mouth. She tried to vomit, but nothing came out. She looked so sorry.
"You've never had alcohol before, have you?"
"Of course not!" Cassandra said with a gloomy face. "I'm only 17. Mim forbade me to touch alcohol."
“Yes, I can see it. I know you didn't drink this beer on purpose. You don't need to worry. The alcohol content in this drink is not too high. So it's only natural that you can't tell the difference.”
"Is that yours?" Cassandra looked taken aback.
"Well, here's my drink. You want some more?”
"No!"
"Why are you so surprised? I'm old enough to drink alcohol freely. This year I turn 21.”
"Impossible!" Cassandra was shocked. "You look so young and still fit to be a high school student."
I chuckled at this. "Thank you for your compliment."
I took a can of beer from the fridge and drank it. The dewdrops from the can fell to my chin and down to my neck. It tastes so fresh.
"Ah, drinking beer after a bath is the best, right?"
I saw Cassandra staring at me blankly.
"What is it?" I'm confused to see it.
She seemed amazed by me. Either impressed with my drink or the way I drink. I looked down and realized that I was still bare-chested. I only wear jeans. Oh, maybe Cassandra is bothered by my perfect body.
“N-it's fine!” she answered haltingly.
I smiled at Cassandra's shy behavior while looking away. I saw her cheeks flushed red.
“Are you sick? You're still awake, even though you have to go to school tomorrow."
"Yeah, I'll be sleeping in a bit. I don't know why I feel my body so hot."
I reached out and touched her forehead.
"Your temperature is normal. But your face looks really red.”
We were silent for a while. Cassandra's eyes were out of focus.
"Oh, bastard!" I grumbled. “This must be due to the effects of alcohol. You even drank a whole can of it. Moreover, this is your first time. Maybe your body isn't used to it. Get back in bed, and I'll get you some anti-disease medicine."
I went to get medicine. When I was about to head to the second floor, I saw Cassandra lying on the sofa instead.
"Tsk! Didn't I ask her to sleep in the room? Why is she lying on the couch instead? What if she has a cold and actually has a fever?”
I looked down and wanted to wake up Cassandra. But I hold back my hand.
"When you sleep, you look so beautiful and innocent, Cass."
She was only wearing a tank top and shorts. Cassandra slept curled up on the couch like a baby.
"What about me? Why do I keep remembering what happened that night? I promised to forget it. Good grief! Cassandra is now my step-sister.”
I slapped my cheeks to wake me up.
I reached out to wake Cassandra up. But Cass was writhing and groaning softly.
My heart is pounding. Cassandra is so beautiful and sexy.
"No, I can't touch her. How could? But I have to wake her up.”
I hold Cassandra's shoulder carefully. "Cass, wake up. Can you hear me? You can't sleep here."
I moved her shoulders slowly, but Cassandra didn't budge. She slept very soundly. Part of her hair covered her face. I really can't stand the sight of it. She's so adorable.
I knelt beside the sofa. I looked at Cassandra's face, which was so peaceful when she fell asleep. I reached out and brushed the hair that covered most of her cheeks and lips.
“Those lips… those red lips are so sweet. I can't possibly forget how it felt when I touched and kissed your lips.”
Cassandra groaned and muttered in her sleep. "Erick, I will fight to be a good sister."
I was surprised to hear that. “Even in dreams, you still think of me? Should I hurt you? Why are you trying so hard to be a good sister? Even though I was a bad stepbrother. I never saw you as a sister. I've always seen you as a girl."
I looked down, embarrassed.
"Sorry, Cassandra, I don't deserve all your kindness."
Cassandra fell asleep again.
There is a very strong urge from within me to kiss her.
“I know this is wrong. Just once. I only want to kiss you once."
I reached out and touched my right thumb to her red and wet lips. Cassandra's lips were soft against my fingertips.
"Just this once. For the last time." I brought my lips closer to Cassandra's. “With this, I will end everything–”
Our lips almost touched when a kick went to my head from behind.
I noticed the movement. Immediately I dodged. The kick went exactly one inch past my head and only hit the ends of my hair.
"You?" I am surprised. When will he come? I didn't even notice his movement and didn't smell his arrival.
- Writer
