James had been excited about returning home. After several years of academic work, he was finally going to settle in his home town. He already had a job secured for him at the King's hospital and even if he wasn't going to be occupying a major position, he could find his way to the top in only a matter of years. He had asked his parents to not try to influence anything and let him handle his business himself. Thankfully, they trusted him.
As soon as he stepped out of the airport, he saw his younger brother and sister just arriving in his brother's car. Rachel was the first to jump on him, planting kisses on both sides of his cheeks.
"I missed you, James! Welcome back."
"I missed you too. And stop this, you are embarrassing me."
Rachel giggled but let go of him.
"Welcome back, bro. I am hoping you got me a lot of goodies in those bags."
He snorted, "You bet I did. Let's go. I am exhausted." He said before looking at his sister with a curious frown.
"What's with the outfit?" James asked curiously. It was unlike his sister to be wearing a baggy teeshirt and joggers with sneakers. Rachel liked short and girly clothes. She wasn't wearing makeup either and her hair was in a ponytail.
She looked different. He hadn't taken note earlier because she had hugged him tightly but now that he was looking at her, he could tell something was wrong.
"What's wrong with my outfit?" She asked, looking down at herself.
"Ignore her." Peter chipped in. "She has been studying her ass out to get into the university. I guess she thought looking like a nerd would make her suddenly so smart and get admitted."
"Hey!" Rachel glared at him. "Dressing like this is comfortable, okay?" She defended herself. She didn't know when she began to get used to looking like this. Lately, she realized she was no longer comfortable wearing short and revealing clothing, which was becoming a problem for her. If she eventually got into the university, she needed to look her best.
"You don't need to study too much. Isn't fine arts your major?" James asked.
"You think because you studied medicine, every other major is inferior? Try studying fine arts then!"
"No offence." James surrendered.
"I need to make sure my artworks are better than the other thousands of people who are going to be applying, to be able to get into the school."
"And I told her she didn't have to worry too much because dad could easily handle that," Peter added.
"And I told you all I wanted to get in fair and square! I hate the fact that you all look down on my abilities."
"No one is looking down on your abilities, Rachel. In fact, I am proud of you and I wish you the best of luck."
"You see why he is my favourite sibling?" Rachel stuck out her tongue at Peter before hugging James again.
Peter snorted at the two.
"When is the admissions list coming out?" James asked as they all got inside the car. He sat in the front seat beside Peter, who was driving, while Rachel sat behind.
"In a week. I am so nervous!"
"I believe you can do it, Rachel. You have the talents."
"Thank you, favourite brother." She said excitedly, deliberately trying to rile Peter up.
"How is school, Peter? What about Noah?"
"School is pretty cool. And Noah had a game tonight. He'll be back tomorrow."
Rachel scoffed, "I hope he never comes back." She muttered.
"Hey! I heard you!"
"Whatever!"
"Where are you stopping?" Peter turned to ask James.
"My place."
"Does Mira know you are in town?" Rachel asked.
"No. I want to surprise her." He answered with a smile on his face before turning to look at Rachel, "Help me call mum on your phone. Let me speak to her. I'm not sure when I'll be able to power my phone and call her. And I am really not looking forward to hearing her whine about me not calling her as soon as I arrived."
*********
"Are you sure you don't want us to help you with the bags?" Peter asked James.
"It's already 10 pm. You should take Rachel home."
"What? Don't treat me like a kid. I am an adult." She whined.
"You aren't 18 yet." Peter reminded her.
"I'll be 18 next month!"
"Doesn't matter."
James chuckled. "I'll see you guys some other time. Take care." He waved at his siblings, who continued to banter there even after he entered the building.
When he got to the 7th floor where their room was, he typed in the code, hoping Mira wasn't in the living room to hear the sound of the door opening.
When he entered the living room, he realized the lights were off, an indication that no one was in. A disappointed frown appeared on his face.
He still hoped she was in and began to look through the dark house with his flashlight. When he made up his mind that no one was inside, he headed for his room and opened the door.
The first thing he noticed was the open curtain before he noticed the figures on his bed.
HIS BED!
"WHAT THE HELL?!" He exclaimed in shock, causing the two to jump apart from each other with loud gasps.
His hands found the light switch on the wall and he flicked it on.
"James?" Mira asked in surprise and confusion while trying to use the duvet to cover her body. Thankfully, she was still wearing her underwear, or else it would have been very embarrassing than it already was.
"Who is he? Are you married?" Michael asked in shock, pulling up his boxers and trying to gather his things from the floor.
"What? No! He is my friend. He lives here too."
"Who the hell is this jerk?" James asked Mira, looking livid.
"Uhm..." Mira's drunk brain wasn't making things easy for her. "When... did you arrive?" She still looked surprised.
"I said who the hell is this? Why is he here and making out with you?"
"He is... my boyfriend, Michael."
"This is the bastard?" James asked, looking him up and down. Michael was already buttoning up his shirt, but he glared at James, not liking how James kept insulting him.
"What are you staring at?!" James snapped at him.
"You are just her housemate. What right do you have to talk to me like that? I am her boyfriend!" Michael said with a frown.
"This is my goddamn room and I do not condone this act, so get lost now that I am still being nice!" James demanded fiercely.
Michael looked at Mira for confirmation but she shook her head, "I told you I'm taking this room. Don't believe him Michael, this is my room. Believe me." She said with drunken conviction.
"It is my room. And you were making out on my bed! Ewww!" His face scrunched in disgust.
Michael picked up his shoes and looked at Mira.
"We'll meet up some other time."
"No, you won't!" James countered, leaving the couple speechless.
Michael was about to go give Mira a goodbye kiss when James pulled him by the collar of his shirt, "OUT!"
He demanded harshly, pushing him out of the door.
Michael was going to retort when Mira shook her head. He simply sighed and left the room.
James and Mira looked at each other intensely.
"What a sight to behold! He even left his half-naked girlfriend with a man." James mocked dryly.
"You told him to get out!" She defended.
The two stared at each other for a while before Mira's face slowly metamorphosed into a grin.
"You just threw my boyfriend out, but why do I find that hot?"
He scoffed, "You are crazy."
"JAMES!" She suddenly screamed. "I cannot believe you came without telling me!" She jumped out of the bed and jumped on him excitedly.
James froze.
"Go shower and get his filthy scent off you." He broke free from the hug and turned around to pick up his bags. "And please put on some clothes! Jeez... You have no idea how pissed I am right now."
She suddenly remembered she was still wearing just her bra and pantie and quickly ran back to the bed to cover herself with the duvet. He turned to look at her and scoffed before taking his bags with him out of the room.