"This can't keep going on".I told Simon the next morning
" What are you talking about". He asked perplexed
" The kiss wasn't supposed to happen, Simon, we are siblings".
" I still do not get what you're talking about, Babe. You smiled when I kissed you, don't be so sour about this.
" Don't you ever call me Babe, the name's Marvel and besides I was not thinking straight yesterday"
" Oh, you were thinking zigzag". Simon said smiling.
" I could kill you for smiling, this is not the right time to crack jokes".
" Fine. what's your problem, Marvel".
" Yesterday wasn't supposed to be. I admit I was a bit encouraging this past few days".
" A bit encouraging? Are you kidding? You lead me on "
"Am sorry I did"
"You know during these past few days, I thought you liked me and that we were actually happening"
" Am sixteen Simon, I'm young, naive, stupid, name it. What did you expect"
"Oh, so it's a matter of age now ugh".
I looked up and at that moment saw Simon struggling to hold back tears.
I never thought Simon was the type to cry. I really did underestimate him, didn't I? After all, he's human. I sat on the couch beside him and tried to put my arms around his neck. He rebuffed me and went to sit on one of the wooden chairs at the dining area. We both sat separately and for what seems to be about ten minutes. The room grew tense and suddenly it was hard to breathe. I stood up to pour two glasses of lemon juice. I sat opposite him and gave him his drink. Quite surprisingly he gulped it under twenty seconds.
After waiting for a minute, I started a conversation, carefully choosing my words
" I was lonely Simon. I really miss my dad. The few days we spent together felt like I was back home with my dad, aunt Nellie, Nana and Manuel. They are my family and I miss them, Duncan is like hell for me, no friends, the prospect of a new school and the most boring of all holidays. I felt at peace with you Simon and I lead you to believe that I want us to be more than just siblings. I am sorry, please forgive me. I would love to hang out with you as your sister, not as your girlfriend or something"
" Don't make it sound like am the villain here, am not forcing you to be my girlfriend. It's okay if you want to take things slow Marvel. You silly girl"
" No Simon, let me be clear this time. I don't want to have anything to do with you, Simon. Am your sister, forget about not sharing the same DNA, our parents are married and that makes us siblings. Whatever feelings you claim to have for me I suggest that you transfer it to Rhoda. She's a nice girl, she is your age and you really make a fine couple. Besides, she loves you"
"It's funny to hear you talk about Rhoda like that. The last time I checked she wasn't so nice to you and you, Marvel hated her"
" Concentrate Simon, that is not the point. The point is we are impossible, focus on your girlfriend Simon"
" What if she's not my girlfriend anymore"
" What?"
"I mean what if I broke up with her"
" That changes nothing"
" Look into my eyes and tell me you don't have any feelings for me"
" Simon you're my brother, how can I not like you"
" Tell me you don't love me Marvel"
Oh oh, this is sure going to be hard to say...
" Say it Marvel or are you scared I might abandon you"
God the guy is good. How does he know what goes on in my mind? The truth is being scared to push Simon away from me yet I know that letting him come closer will only make it harder to back out. I have to denounce my love no matter how hard it proves to be.
" I don't love you Simon"
For minutes he stared hard at me though I couldn't stare back. Occasionally I would look up and find him staring at me. Wait is that a tear on its way down Simon's eyes? Oh my God
"Simon..."
Bang! The door shut...
I couldn't sleep that night. I spent the whole night thinking about what happened earlier that day. I know Simon wasn't right but was not so sure of my decision either. Maybe, just maybe we could reach a compromise but can I really afford a compromise? Life can be unfair at times. Perhaps all I need is someone to talk to but mum is not always home and I haven't really made friends. "What if I tell Rhoda". I thought.
I stood up, picked up my phone and copied Rhoda's phone number from Simon's contact book.
" Hello, how many I help ". The voice on the other end said.
" Good evening, may I speak with Rhoda"
" Rhoda Peters speaking ". Wow! Rhoda's voice is always thick and mean but her voice on the phone sounds angelic. Maybe she's a nice person, after all, am probably the only person she's mean to.
" Hello Rhoda, its Marvel"
" Yeah right," She said dryly.
I was right, after all, she hates me.
" I need to talk to you"
" Like I would want to"
" Please it's urgent"
"No". she shouted.
" Am begging you, please. It has to do with Simon".
"You probably just want to tell me you're together".
"oh no, not that"
"Am not coming Marvel and that's final"
" Please, Girl code?"
"Oh please, that's not gonna work on me". I could tell she was hesitant and would probably agree to come if I persisted.
"Please".
"OK but you owe me a favour"
" I will stay as far away as possible from Simon". I heard her chuckle from the other end.
" I'll be there in fifteen minutes, bye".
____________________
I heard the door open.
"Wow, she's here so fast" I thought and concluded that she was probably around the street.
"Rhoda". I called out.
"oh....urh...hhh....rr.". The voice stammered in response. It was Simon, I could tell that he was drunk. I stood from my bed and was going towards the door to check on him when he came into my room and locked the door. Looking at him, one could see that he had a lot to drink that night. His eyes were red and he looked quite scary. He staggered towards me and tried to push me to the bed. The only signal to my brain was to scream. I screamed and he covered my mouth with his hands and then grabbed my scarf to tie my mouth.
"I loved you, Marvel, I was there for you when no one was. I was part of your best memories and the days I spent with was one of the best days of your life. Why then would you break my heart? Uhh, why?"
It was hard to talk with the scarf tied over my mouth. I mumbled and he removed the scarf from my mouth.
" I swear if you scream again am going to kill you" He said and brought out a sharp pocketknife.
" I don't know what you're talking..."
"oh spare me, Marvel, don't act all so innocent. You lead me on Marvel, I thought you loved me ".
"Simon let's talk about this tomorrow, you're drunk" I cried.
"No Marvel, I don't want to talk about this. Am sick and tired of talking. Now you are going to do what I want or I kill you" He shouted, skillfully displaying the pocketknife.
Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Rhoda. I hoped and prayed silently for her to be here on time.
"Who's that?"Simon asked.
"I don't know"I lied.
The phone rang twice again and Simon switched it off. Then it occurred to me. What if Rhoda thought I was pulling her legs and decided not to come. The truth hit me like ice water. The realization that Simon would have is way with me made me nervous. I felt his hands on me and saw that he was pulling my skirt. I tried to push him away from me but he resisted. He kissed me and out of disgust I bit his tongue. He slapped me really hard about five times and I fell on the floor. I tried to get myself up but I couldn't. Simon threw me on the bed like I was a pillow. He tore my blouse into shreds and tried dragging my skirt. At the moment, I knew I had to do something fast or he would rape me.
"Simon common listen to me please".
"You had your chance, Babe"
I shuddered at seeing him grin wickedly from ear to ear. I was feeling cold, thirsty and weak.
I punched him but he didn't even flinch. He got angrier and punched me hard. "So much for doing this, Marvel". I thought immediately regretting my actions. Just then, I saw that he had dropped his pocketknife.
"Stab him, Marvel". The voice in my head told me.
I picked the knife and cut his wrists. He screamed in agony and surprisingly I felt pity for him. I took my keys and unlocked the door.
___________________
"OH MY GOD, blood"
Oh oh, it was Rhoda. She went past me into my room. She screamed in horror and looked at me.
"HE IS DEAD"
"NO". I screamed and ran out of the house. Rhoda ran after me....