Summer of Youth: Chapter One "Being Religious"

Moments after Helen finished her homework, she turns over to the computer, skimming through recent websites. It only takes a few seconds when her mother disturbs her again.

"Helen! Come down and help out your brother," she hisses, by passing her bedroom door.

"With what?" Helen calls back, spinning in her chair to face the purple painted door.

Her mother doesn't answer, leaving Helen steaming with anger. She then sighs and releases her anger away, leaving the chair to go help her brother. Aaron is a trouble maker, leaving Helen in charge of keeping him out of trouble. Though it's been a while since he's been in a fight with some boys at school, Helen isn't sure if it's a physical problem, or just in need of help with his homework since he's too lazy to pay attention in school. However, when she walks out of her bedroom door, Aaron is standing in the hall, leaning against the wall with a toothy grin. Something is wrong.

Before Helen can question his presence, he rushes over to her, grabbing hold of her wrist and pulling her down the stairs. It doesn't take much effort for him to place her onto the loveseat in the living room. He sits on her, just to make sure she won't be able to run away.

"Aaron! Get your big butt off of me!" Though her cries are useless, seeing how relax he is.

Just a few seconds later, her worst nightmare steps through the front door. Hector. She figures it was her family's plan to get her to actually have some type of greeting with her soon to be betrothed, but she refuses to speak.

"Evening Helen," he oozes, a brow raising in the act.

She purse her lips and pounds on Aaron's thighs with her fists, hoping some type of pain emerges enough for him to leap off her aching body. But Aaron still sits with his legs propped up on the other end of the loveseat, arms leaning against the armrest. His smirk only annoys Helen more, and she hits him harder.

Thia walks in with a bowl of cereal, smiling at the unsuspecting sight. "What's going on?" she asks between chews. He bright blue eyes glint with glee, watching as Helen struggles under their brother's ferocious body weight. She then catches a glimpse of Hector, smirking when he c***s a brow. "Ooh, right." Thia continues over to the couch and places herself on the end, watching the TV screen.

"Thia! Come help me!" Helen cries, pushing against his legs, hoping somehow he will fall onto the ground and hurt his nose.

"You could just say hello, Helen. We have a guest." Helen curses at Thia's torment and tries to pound against his thigh once more. Sighing, she lays back on the cushion, embracing the taste of defeat.

"Hello, Hector," she mumbles through clench teeth.

Aaron hops off Helen gleefully. She huffs and rubs her aching thighs, barely able to feel from the numbness because of his weight. Helen never knew why her family wants her so badly to fall for the horrible Hector. Her theory was that because of his wealthy family, they wanted her to be apart of that so she can help out them financially. Of course, the reason is still on debate.

Hector beams and walks over to her, his hands shoved into his pockets. She seeps into the cushions, hoping that she can turn invisible and she won't have to suffer being with this. . . Monster.

"So, I was wondering if you wanted to catch a movie or something? I know how much you love the media."

She scoffs and crosses her arms over her chest, staring out the window to avoid his eyes. There is something about them that makes her soften a bit, and somewhat forgiving. However, enough to remind her as to why she's angry at him. There's not enough control for her to stare into those devious eyes.

Thia stands with a grunt and vaguely strolls away into the kitchen. Aaron runs up the stairs, leaving the two alone.

"What movie do you want to watch?" he asks, leaning over to the coffee table to reach for the remote. He turns off the TV and looks over at Helen, who is biting down her lower lip while scowling out the window. The sky is black, only the moon glowing in the darkness. It's a beautiful night, but Helen doesn't want to admit that she wants to go out and go to the movies even though she desperately wants to. Just not with Hector.

She doesn't respond and continues to watch the moon. In the pit of her stomach she can feel nervous tension building up, just ready to explode.

"No movie?" Hector huffs and places a hand on her shoulder. She slaps it away and groans softly, deepening her glare. "Sorry," he mumbles, rubbing his arm.

Silence grows between the two and Helen wonders if she's the only one dying from the awkwardness. It becomes clear when Hector shifts in his seat uneasily and clears his throat loud enough for Aaron to hear. They jump when Thia shrieks gleefully in the kitchen, but soon it returns to silence. Deadly, awkward silence.

Just kill me now, Helen screams in her thoughts, hoping that the gods can hear her plea. However, she sits while breathing heavily in the thick stillness. If only Hector were to get a hint that he is not wanted near Helen, then maybe she can live happily in peace. Then again, it's hard to get things through his thick head, seeing how he keeps forgetting why she's mad at him. Helen flinches at the thought, as to why she loathes Hector with a passion.

To others, it's silly to get angry at someone who stole your precious stuffed penguin ten years ago. Helen doesn't care if it's childish or foolish. She wants her Pluto back and Hector is the only way to get it. That's if he remembers what happened to him. But he never mentioned Pluto, not even in a casual conversation like, "Hey, remember that old stuff penguin you had when you were seven? Well, funny thing is, I still have it! Ha, yeah. . . It's in my room waiting for you. I can drop it off tomorrow if you want." Nope. Not even that. Instead, he tortures her with ridiculous conversation such as, "Did you see the game last night?" Of course, she never answers him. Only scowls and snorts at his retorts.

"Hector!" Aaron shouts from upstairs. Helen sighs with relief, relaxing a bit in her seat.

Hector leisurely strides over to the stairs, looking over his shoulder at Helen once before stalking up the stairs. Maybe the gods are listening, just answering her prayers differently. She smiles and streches out on the loveseat and listens to the muffle conversation between Hector and Aaron. She silently thanks the gods from suffering with that Monster. And maybe it isn't so bad after all to be religious. She smiles at the thought and continues on listening.

Reviews

[Jenni-Chan]

wow. what did he do with the penguin then. i want to know.