Under One Condition

Under One Condition

Eva 

   “How are you feeling?” Sicily asked as we walked into our room. I shrugged my shoulders and stayed quiet, grabbing my books and other supplies I would need for the first day of lecture.

   “I’m fine. It’s not the first time Levi embarrasses me like that, but for some reason, this time it felt horrible. Especially in front of Johnny. He didn’t need to know that,” I replied, stuffing my bag with everything. 

   I sat down on the bed and looked at Sicily with a faint smile. She sat on her own bed and let out a big sigh, a bit irritated. 

   “Your brother is such an i***t and childish. I will keep saying it.”

   “He’s not, Sicily. Yeah, he might be rough around the edges, but he’s kind and sweet.”

   “Then why does he act like that? You’re his sister, of course you would defend him. But he has no excuse to embarrass you like that.”

   I couldn’t help but look down and stay silent. Levi was not a bad person at all. He is one of the best people you could ever meet, but to convince Sicily otherwise would be a bit of a problem. 

   “I think I will just take a walk around. Do you need anything?” I asked. 

   “No, that’s okay. Try to take your mind off of it.”

   I nodded before I walked out of the room. As I closed the door, I could see Levi standing in front of me, with his hand in his pocket and a sheepish smile. 

   I rolled my eyes and walked away, hoping he followed me either way. He was my brother and I loved him, but he had to apologize to me. No one except my family knew about this and him talking about it in front of Sicily and most of all, Johnny was even worse for me. 

   “Eva, please wait,” he called, but I kept walking, my head high and unshed tears threatening to fall. 

   “Eva!” He called again, raising his voice while he grabbed me by the arm and turned me around to face him. 

   “Little one, I’m so sorry. It wasn’t my intention to embarrass you like that. You know me and my big mouth. It’s like it’s not connected to my brain,” he apologized with a concerned expression on his face. 

   I looked at him and groaned. How could I stay mad at him when he’s looking at me with those big puppy dog eyes? 

   “Fine, but you will have to take me back for breakfast. I’m hungry,” I replied, crossing my arms on my chest and raising my eyebrows in annoyance. He agreed and put his arm around my shoulder, kissing the top of my head before he led me to his car. 

   The ride was quiet, except for the rock music he had on. He was a big fan of AC/DC and his playlist was full of their songs. I was more of a mellow music kind of girl. Maybe a country ballad to keep me going. I was such a hopeless romantic.

   We arrived at the diner where we were earlier and walked in, the same waitress greeted us with a smile, but I knew how uncomfortable Levi felt earlier, so we decided to request another table where she wouldn’t serve us.

   “So, what are you going to eat?” He asked, opening the menu. I looked at the menu myself and saw a really good dish that I wanted to try.

   The waitress approached our table with a faint smile. She looked to be in her mid forties and a bit tired, but she tried hard to give us a good service.

   “My name is Gertrude and I will be your server today.  How about I start you with something to drink?” She offered. 

   “I would love a lemonade,” I said and Levi ordered coffee. Not long after, we ordered our food and they brought it to our table. We enjoyed the breakfast in silence.

   “Levi?” 

   “Yes?” 

   “What would you do if I told you I’m seeing someone?” I asked and he lifted his eyes from the food to look at me. 

   “What would you want me to do?” He asked, confused. He put the fork down and folded his arms on the table, looking at me intently.

   “I...I have a boyfriend and he has told me to talk to you about it, but I was skeptical to tell you because of who he is.”

   I was playing with my food, looking down and feeling guilty for hiding this from him. I was debating whether to tell him it was his best friend or not. 

   “I hope that your boyfriend is good to you. Otherwise I will kick his ass.”

   “He’s amazing and he treats me like the most valuable thing in the world. I love him Levi, but I’m afraid of how you’ll react when I tell you.”

   “Well, try me. Tell me, who is he?”

   I was fidgeting with my fingers on the napkin when I took a deep breath and finally decided to confess. Here goes nothing. 

   “It’s Johnny.”

   He looked up and I could see he was holding back a reaction. I rather him yell at me for dating his best friend than to see him quiet after I dropped the bomb. 

   “Since when?” He said, giving me a fake smile. I confessed it had been since I was a freshman in high school, and he held the fork with such force that if he had enough strength, he would definitely bend it. 

   He went back to his food without saying another word, but I knew he was upset about it. I was his little sister and he warned Johnny back then that I was off limits.

   “Did you…”

   “Oh no. Never. He’s been very respectful. We haven’t even made out, and I am glad he’s like that.”

   “He’s my best friend and I know how much of a flirt he used to be. I don’t want you getting hurt, Eva,” he said and I nodded, understanding his concern, but Johnny was a great guy and he has always been loving and caring with me. 

   We decided not to talk about the topic anymore, but I had a bad feeling about this. 

   “So, will you forgive your stupid brother?” He asked, and I looked at him with a smirk as I was thinking about what to answer. After a few minutes I did forgive him.

   “But under one condition,” I said.

   “I’m afraid to ask,” he replied, taking a sip of his coffee. I leaned against the table and looked at him straight into his eyes, trying to see his expression and to be honest, he looked concerned. 

   “I forgive you under the condition that you act nicer to my roommate, and that you ask her out on a date.”