Chapter 6 "The New Rival"

I opened the door at my house and saw my mom and my sister. I can see their curious and smiling faces. I slowly closed the door and turned towards them. "So, what happened to your date, Steve?" my mom asked. "It was great." Those are the only words that came to mind. My sister, Andrea, ran towards me excitedly. She stood in front of me and stared right through my eyes as if she was searching for explanations. She smiled and said, "Did you kissed her?" I was surprised by the sudden question. The things that happened earlier kept flashing to my mind. I remembered that time, when I kissed Elizabeth. At that moment, my mind went blank because of her kiss. With so many women I dated and kissed, that was the first time I felt that way. I jolted up by the sudden tap in my shoulder. "I knew it, you kissed her, didn't you? "So what if I kissed her.""So, how was it?""Ah,..um,..I.. I don't have to explain everything to you!""Why not, come on, I'm your sister, I have the right to know what's been happening to my little brother's life.""Don't treat me like a child anymore and besides I'm twelve months younger than you."My mom who's been watching us behind the entire time approached us. "Hey now, you two, let's just continue this later, okay? Steve, you take a bath now so that you won't catch a cold, and Andrea, why don't you go to your bed now it's getting late, remember, you have to wake early tomorrow to meet the wedding planner."'Thanks mom!", I let out a sigh and kissed her in the cheek, and then ran to the bathroom.

I lay at my bed exhausted but happy. I still can't get her out of my mind. I kept flipping my body side by side. I can't sleep like this. Every time I closed my eyes, all I can see is her face. I can still feel the warmth of her lips. Unable to sleep, I sat up and looked at my alarm clock, its 11:54 pm. "Elizabeth, let me sleep now." I pinch my cheeks again and again and lie down. I buried my face at the pillow. Suddenly, my phone rang. Who the hell would call me this late at night? I looked at the screen and it displayed "Anna Larsen." The moment I read the name, I felt like I'm about to explode. A feeling of anger and hatred welled up inside me. I hesitantly answered the phone. "Hello Steve! how are you? Thank God I get to talk to you!" Unable to speak, I continued to listen to her voice. "Steve?, are you there?" Without realizing, I pressed the end call button. Why?..,after what she did, she still have guts to call me. I slump my back on the bed. "Come on Steve, forget about her, forget about Anna!, she's now part of your past, remember?" I tried to convince myself but it's useless. I let out a big sigh and closed my eyes.

"Beep, beep, beep..." I heard the sound of my alarm clock. I slowly opened my eyes and got up. After one and a half hour, I'm all set up. "Mom, I have to go now." I looked around searching for Andrea. "Where's Andrea?""She went to meet the wedding planner remember?""Oh right, I forgot. Okay, now I really have to go." I kissed her and ran to my car. After few minutes of driving, I finally reached the university. I have to see Elizabeth. I looked around and saw Elizabeth heading to the entrance. "Elizabeth", I called out her name. She turned to look at me. I can see a little smile formed on her face when she saw me. I ran towards her. "Hey Elizabeth, I...I...just want to apologize about what happened last night.""Like I said, forget that happened." We stared into each other ignoring the people around us. "Steve?" I heard a familiar voice called out my name. Elizabeth and I turned to look where the voice came from. My eyes widened, surprised to see the person who appeared before my eyes. "Anna?"