Her Semi-Colon

Chapter 5: Why So Suspicious?

“Mace, what do you think?" Lacey asked me cheerily as she did a spin, while flipping her hair, which she had straightened.

“You were right. Pink is definitely your color!"

“I know right," she agreed, but then she glanced towards the mirror and started running her fingers through her hair. “What do you think? I usually don't straighten it."

I took another glance. Lacey's face was much fuller and refined than my own. With her hair straightened, it made her look a lot more mature 'and older.' It was different that's for sure, but Lace rocked anything. “It's different," I admitted, “because it does make you look older, but you still look great!"

“Good," she said, “because that's what I was going for." And as she stared at the mirror, I saw a look in my sister's eyes that I'd never seen before. It looked like fear.

“Is everything going well with Ash?" I asked. I knew Lace; if something scary was going on she'd tell me. After all, despite our differences, she's told me that I'm her favorite person in the world.

“Yeah of course!" she replied and I felt relieved when her bright smile returned. “Mace, I'm just nervous. I know it's weird, but I really like this guy."

“This may sound cheesy sis but just be you," I said with a laugh. “A lot of people like you. You're fun, bubbly, and carefree. If he doesn't like you, there's something wrong with him."

“You see, this is why you're my favorite person in the world! You're right, I'm Lacey freaking Lowe!"

It was weird. I never really encouraged my sister before but it made me feel important. I never really felt that way when it came to my family, Lace was the exception. But that's exactly why I asked again.

“Yes sis, everything's fine, trust me! Anyway, what about you and Brayden?"

“Me and Brayden?"

“Yeah, one minute you were shooting death lasers at him and now you guys have to work together," She chuckled. “Are you planning to overthrow him or what?"

I smiled at my sister's response but then I remembered my conversation with Brayden. Never in a million years did I expect to relate to him in some way, but here we are.

“No, it's okay, maybe I misjudged him," I shrugged.

“Wait really?"

“Yeah really," I responded, “especially since he's already agreed to use most of my ideas."

“Well, that's good because if he ever hogs the position, just let me know and I got your back Mace!"

“Thanks, Lace!"

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. “That must be him," She chimed ecstatically. “I'm so excited!"

“Can I come with you to meet him?" I knew it was probably fine but I had to make sure.

“Yeah, of course, come with me!"

Lacey grabbed my hand as we headed towards the front door, she suddenly turned towards me and tossed me a hug.

I giggled, “What was that for?"

“For coming with me," she said before opening up the door to Ash who looked totally different from before.

For one, he was tearing a tie. His messy hair was slicked back and his scar was hidden, almost as if he touched up his face. It was interesting, he looked more mature too. I guess things between Lacey and Ash were getting more serious.

“Macey, right?" Ash suddenly spoke to me which, surprised me. I didn't expect him to notice me standing there like at all.

“Yes, that's me! Have fun guys and take good care of her," I told him as I tried to study his face and felt better when my sister smiled at my response.

“Don't worry, she's in safe hands," he said to me before whispering in my sister's ear. “Don't you think so?"

She nodded at him before grabbing my hand, telling me, “Wish me good luck Mace!"

Good luck?

“You don't need it, remember you're you!"

She nodded at me smiling, but then I saw that look again, that look I never saw on Lace's face. Before I could say anything else, Ash took her hand and gestured for her to follow. She looked at me one more time before slowly closing the door behind me.

That night, I laid awake in my bed still puzzled as to why my sister had that look of fear on her face. Especially not once but twice. I wonder how she could drastically change from being ecstatic to hang out with her crush, to being so fearful.

All my life, I've seen Lacey shine; I've never seen any clouds try to damper her uncertainty. But now the clouds were popping up and I didn't know what to do.

Sighing, I sat up in my bed and stared at the clock realizing I'd been thinking about my sister for hours. Ugh, I hate feeling like something wasn't right and I hated that I couldn't stop thinking about it. Maybe, checking on my sister wouldn't hurt.

I pulled the covers off of me and took my messy curls out of their bun. I don't know why but the sensation of my hair covering my face was comforting. Maybe it was just because I was afraid Lacey didn't have fun as much as she thought she would.

Opening my door, I walked over to her bedroom and knocked. A few seconds passed by and I whispered, “Lacey? Lacey, are you up?" When there was still no response, I opened her door and walked in quietly before realizing that she wasn't there.

Shocked, I ran back to my room and immediately called my sister.

One ring.

Two ring.

Three…Four…Five…oh my god six–

“Macey?"

“Oh my god, Lacey! You scared me, where are you?"

“I'm with Ash, there's no reason to be scared. I'm fine," she assured me and I was surprised at the sudden annoyance in her voice “Chill."

“Chill? Lacey, it's past midnight and we have school tomorrow–

“Oh my god, you're such a freaking nerd, I don't care if we have school tomorrow! I just want to hang out with my boyfriend!" Her voice was literally exclaiming at this point. Not only did she sound annoyed but there was a weird sense of wavering in her tone too.

“Lacey, what is wrong with you? You never yell at me. This isn't you!"

“You don't know anything about me okay? Just forget it and don't call me again!"

Before I could say anything else, she hung up on me.

I just stood here as tears suddenly fell out of my eyes from the shock, the hurt, and confusion. Lacey wasn't the type to get so enraged and clingy over some guy.

So what the heck was really going on?