Two hours after Ethan and Leo started selling their clothes, their table was almost half empty.
All of Leo's gadget and clothes were popular. He loves fashion that he had a personal designer which his father hired without his mother's knowledge, therefore half of his clothes was sold quickly.
His mother had told him and his siblings that if they can't sell everything today, they're going to give the remaining to the charity and being a good son, he didn't disagree.
He had his headphones on as he sat comfortably on a wooden chair with his one leg crossed to another.
"Hi, which one of you is Leo?" Leo heard when the music on his phone suddenly stopped.
He lifted his head to look at the three ladies standing opposite to him.
For a moment, he heard a static sound which he only had when he listened to music for a whole day but right now it was different. The static sound was not caused by listening to music but, by the woman standing in front of him.
She has a flawless brown skin unlike the two girls with their white skin behind her. Her petite body and pretty face was a sight for sore eyes.
Her white and pink skirt was a perfect match for her body. She has a look of a model which he has only seen in the magazine.
He hastily removed his headphone and got up. His feet were absently walking closer to her while his face showed nothing but pleasure.
"Cassie?" he muttered in surprise.
The girl giggled and her voice was like a melody to his ears.
"Yes. I saw your sister post in the Facebook so I decided to drop by,"
He has spoken to her over the phone multiple times but, he could not believe that she's now standing in front of him and he could see her smile in person.
He was wearing a plain white shirt and denim jeans which were almost ripped into pieces. He had decided to wear this to tease Alexa but, seems like Karma was playing tricks on him.
Embarrassment took over his mind, he gulped repeatedly while his hands started shaking.
He always acts cool. A lot of girls has been asking for his number so he thought he has enough confidence once he sees her but, he was wrong. Having his first crush in front of him was making every nerve in his cell trembles.
(I need to play it cool) he encouraged himself.
Confidently, he stood in front of her. His hand lay on her shoulder as his body lean closer to her. He placed a small kiss on her cheek as if it was a normal gesture.
He felt her body stiffened, he moved and turned to her friends.
Just like his action towards her, Leo placed a small kiss on Cassie's friend's cheek and smiled at them.
"I am glad to finally meet you?" his eyes stared at her confused face.
"Why did you kiss us?" Cassie asked, perplexed by his action.
"That's how we say our greetings or at least that's what our father has told us to do," all eyes passed and looked behind of Leo, it was Ethan's voice. His eyes were focused on the robot he was holding.
"Leo, can you hand me the scissor," Ethan continued, not bothering to get up or greet Leo's friend.
After Leo handed him the scissor, he turned back at Cassie, both cheeks were flushed.
"So, why are selling these clothes? They look new," Cassie spoke while her hand picked up one of the branded glasses on the table.
Leo scratches his head. He remembered his mother saying they are not allowed to say who they are but. he doesn't want to lie to Cassie and wants to impress her.
The thought of disobeying his mother came in his mind. His breath quickened with the thought of defying his mother.
And in the end, he couldn't. He respected his mother wishes, therefore, he replied, "They don't fit in my closet so I have to sell it," he tried to spoke in a cool tone.
"Oh!" Cassie uttered.
"What about Ethan," saying that Cassie swung her head towards Ethan's direction and smiled.
"He's doing it too and my sisters as well," he pointed a finger at Alexa slouching on the couch while Louisa went under the table.
"Pft," Leo turned to Cassie when he heard her laughing. And by seeing her dimples, so similar to his mother, his mouth curved into a smile.
"I thought you have a school today," Leo spoke as he tried to stop himself from smiling.
"Yes but I have an afternoon class so I have time now."
"Great! We will be at the same school though, just different level," Sadness clouded his feature as he said those words. He had tried talking to his mother to be at the same year as Cassie but, she's turning 18 and will graduate soon while he and his sibling were only 16.
At this moment, he wished nothing but to be at the same age as her.
"That's fine. We have the same break time so we can still hang out," Cassie cheered him up.
Leo stared at her innocent face smiling on him, his face turned crimson red, he nibbled on his lower lips preventing himself from smiling.
"Ok," that's all he could say.
"This is Lisa and Nora, they are my classmate. Girls, be nice to Leo. He's my friend," her soft voice was soothing his ears but what she said, calling him friend somehow throbs his heart.
They chatted for some time and eventually, Cassie and her friends need to leave for school. Leo felt depressed but he cheered himself with the thought of seeing her again.
In the other side, Alexa who has been watching her brother acting like a dumb in front of a girl poker her face. She noticed how the girl stared at her other brother Ethan but, Leo didn't noticed it as he was too busy fantasizing the girl.
Her expression closed up, the last thing she wanted was for her brothers to fight over the girl even though Ethan didn't show any attachment to Cassie.
She frowned in irritation and grabbed her pink clutch on the table. With her eyes narrowed in annoyance, she threw it at Leo's direction and hit him directly in his head.
The boy turned to her, muddled by her action.
"What's that for?" Leo asked.
"Stop flickering your eyes to that girl. She doesn't like you," she said straight, not minding that it might hurt him.
But Leo doesn't care. He picked up the clutch on the floor and gestured to throw it at her.
"I don't care. You're just jealous that I can have a girlfriend and you can't," he teasingly said.
"Duh! I am not a lesbian," she sarcastically replied.
"Whatever! Boyfriend or girlfriend, either way, you can't have both." he continued taunting her.
A vein popped out in her neck when she realized that her brother Leo was right. To calm her mind, she turned away and look at a different direction.
She stared on the gate, watching the people as they hustled to enter and leave the place.
Out of nowhere, a figure which so familiar came in her sight. A girl is walking towards her direction, her face which seems so similar to the best friend she once had was getting closer to her.
Alexa's eyes went wide by the sight. She stared at the girl approaching her. Her large coffee brown eyes, bulbous nose, bushy eyebrows, her deep brown hairy arms, and legs. Her wild black hair paired with her square-shaped face. All those features were so similar to her best friend.
She got up and waved a hand in the air, calling her attention. When the girl has finally reached her, Alexa pulled Leo next to her and asked him to look at her.
"Leo, do you think," Alexa was speechless. The resemblance was so uncanny.
"Wow! She looks exactly like your best friend." Leo muttered, amused by the sight.
"I know right. Oh my God! Hi, you looked exactly like my best friend. I am Alexandria, you can call me Alex, Alexa, Lexi, Drie, or whatever. What is your name?" Alexa spoke excitedly without catching a breath.
The girl in front looks puzzled. A line appeared in between her bushy brows as she stared at the two teenagers in front.
She gave them a half-smile, enough to show her braces, "Stephanie Madrid," she shyly said.
Hearing her answer, Alexa's eyes went even wider. The shock was on her face as she switched her eyes between her brothers.
"Hey, womb-mates. I found your Stephanie," she blurted. Her head turned back at Stephanie and held both of her hands.
"Oh my Gosh! Please tell me your sixteen too. Right? Right?"
The girl nodded shyly, her eyes were avoiding Alexa's eyes.
And with that, a squeal let out from Alexa's mouth.
"I can't believe I found my next best friend and future sister in law!" she exclaimed, both hands on Stephanie's shoulder, Alexa turned her body to her brother's direction.
"Now, sister, tell me. Do you want to marry Leo or Ethan? It shouldn't be hard since they have the same face," her heart wanted to explode in excitement. She looks forward to befriending her.
"Well, ahm-" Stephanie stuttered, unsure what to do to escape the situation.
"Don't be shy. If you like a nerdy boy, I suggest Ethan but if you prefer a showoff, go for Leo. Don't worry I am cool with whoever you choose," Alexa's eyes were shining as she said those words. Not minding how uncomfortable Stephanie is.
"Wait," Stephanie removed Alexa's hand on her shoulder and turned to face her.
"I am not looking for a boyfriend. I am here to buy some clothes," she said in a faint voice.
"Oh! you can get my clothes," Alexa hastily replied.
"What?"
"Do you have a friend? Best friend? A close friend or any friends at all?" Alexa ignored her question and held her hands with excitement once again.
Stephanie sighed, she was still scared after seeing how Alexa's eyes suddenly change its color but, she guessed it might be some eye problem.
When she was asked about her friends, her expression went blank.
"We just moved here a few months ago. I haven't made any friends,"
"Oh, we are same. I hate humans, they are so fake. So from now on, you and I are gonna best of friends. Ok?" the enthusiasms remains on Alexa's face.
Stephanie sighed and nodded. It's hard to say no when Alexa was tightly gripping her hands.
"You said, I looked like your best friend right?"
Alexa looked at her and nodded, a wide smile was on her lips.
"What is her name?"
"Maribeth," Alexa replied.
"Where is she?" Stephanie continued asking.
At that moment, Alexa suddenly realized what she had said.
"In the zoo," those words barely let out of her lips.
"Is she working there?"
Alexa became silent, she could see Leo and Ethan staring at her with a look, 'What would you do now sister?'
She sighed, if she tells the truth, she might lose her potential best friend but she also doesn't want to lie. But she knows that no one wants to be told that she looks like an ape.
"You can say that," she safely answered.
Stephanie stared at Alexa. She could see how much Alexa was avoiding her eyes unlike earlier. She then thought that maybe Alexa is not comfortable talking about her best friend.
(Maybe they ended in a bad way) she thought and since they just met, she decided to not ask further.
Alexa offered her a chair and gave her a drink which came to her as a surprise. She didn't know that she will meet a nice person such as Alexa by going to this market.
She watched Alexa as she packed all the clothes, shoes and bags in the luggage. When she was done, Alexa handed her the luggage.
"Here,"
Stephanie rose an eyebrow, confused by her action.
"I don't think I can afford all of these. My mom doesn't give me so much allowance,"
Alexa gasped and squatted on the floor, her eyes stared on Stephanie while her hands lay on her knee.
"I know how you feel sister. My mom does the same. Oh my Gosh!" Alexa suddenly shrieks when she realized something.
Meanwhile, Stephanie was startled when Alexa suddenly screamed, she felt pain in her knee when Alexa suddenly slap her knee and seems like the girl doesn't even know it.
(I am starting to regret this) she said to herself.
"Your mom and my mom should meet up. They are both stingy! See! We are so much alike!" Alexa continued.
"Yeah, like friends match made in heaven huh!" Stephanie replied.
Alexa smiled at her while nodding in response. Seeing how her eyes turned into blue, Stephanie's eyes narrowed. Wondering the story behind Alexa's eyes.
She saw nothing but sincerity in Alexa's blue eyes, they were shining in happiness. Her heart suddenly felt at ease by her smile, it's so genuine, unlike the other girls who tried to befriend her so she could do their homework.
Distractedly, her lips mirrored Alexa's smile.
(I hope she's really nice) she prayed.
"You can call me Steph. That's what my mother calls me,"
They both chatted for some time. Stephanie refused to get Alexa's clothes for free, instead, she helped her on selling it.
With all the fuss around, Louisa was not aware of what was happening. She was hiding under her table, polishing the organs of her toys.