Always preaching about love and bonding. Even when dad left, she lied to us for months saying he traveled for work.
Nate and Alicia found out he left years before I did because she did not want me to hate him.
I hugged Alicia again. I could not imagine being in her shoes. I hated Nate at that moment. I hated him more than I hated dad.
The morning after my little encounter with Alicia seemed very strange.
We kept bumping into each other and reaching for the same things. There was so much tension, it was choking.
'I think siblings experience that all the time, stop making it seem strange.' She looked at me from the sofa close to the jacket hanger.
I wanted to tell her I shared the same thought but all I could say was,
'Yeah.' I sounded silly.
'Mum will not be back till later, do you want to go out for ice cream?' Alicia was asking me to get ice cream with her.
Whenever we were alone, she always plugged in her headphones and never paid attention to me.
Sometimes I went to the park and stayed for hours and she never called or texted, but now, she was asking me to go out with her. I did not want to bond with her over Nate's foolishness.
I wish the circumstances that brought about our friendship were different.
'Yes I do.' My voice sounded high like I was overly excited. Maybe that was what I wanted her to believe. Or maybe I was actually excited.
'Get dressed then, there's a new ice cream place a few blocks away, you probably haven't tried them out, let's go there.' She seemed jumpy, like she had been waiting for this opportunity for a while now.
'Alright.' Somehow, the thought of Nate never left my head.
I just began to see Alicia as someone I needed to pity, as someone that needed my support emotionally.
The ice cream store was only a few blocks away but it felt like forever to get there because the walk was extremely silent.
The building was painted cream but the inside was pink with splashes of purple all over.
The place was quite big and it had a lot of customers for a store that barely just started.
Alicia and I made our way to an empty table and sat down.
'Their mint flavored ice cream is their signature serving. You should try it, it's very nice.' I heard a strange feminine voice.
I turned around and my eyes met with the most beautiful green eyes I had ever seen.
Her amethyst hair was packed in a very nice bun and her nose was very pointed. It looked as though it might poke me if I touched it.
She looked like one of those princesses you only read about in books. I was too mesmerized to say anything, so I could only nod.
'Hi Mauve!' Alicia whispered. I wondered why she was whispering.
If I knew this girl, I'd shout her name, walk with her all around town and show her off like a new trophy. I did not think anyone could be perfect until I met Mauve.
'Hi Al. I see you know your onions. I would not expect you to go to any other ice cream shop in this town.' She sounded bland with no emotions at all but the words she spoke were of deep understanding.
It was as if she and Alicia came from way back. She even called her 'Al.'
'I've been here once anyway. I just want my sister, Kassy, to see the place.' Alicia pushed out the extra chair at the table and motioned for Mauve to sit.
'Hi Kassy, I hear you're an active member of a sorority. Good for you.' She was smiling now.
I only ever told Nate about my sorority in school. I did not expect Mauve to know Nate, she seemed too decent for a low life like him.
'Yeah. Thanks.' She was staring at me with those piercing green eyes.
I wanted to ask if they were contacts or if people like her really existed.
'Hm, how is Nate?' She faced Alicia.
Alicia looked pale instantly. She looked like she was reminded of something she wanted to forget.
I felt that way too but with a smile, she said,
'I saw him yesterday. He's good. You should visit him sometime, he'll be really happy to see you.'
'I don't think it's a good idea, considering I testified against him. I just wish Nate didn't get himself in this mess. I really thought I was enough for him. I guess he wanted more.' Mauve looked genuinely sad.
'You know him?' I could not believe Nate had a friend like her. He told me about all his friends but he never mentioned her.
'Yes.' She looked around for a while and stood up.
'Get the mint flavored ice cream. My date is here. See you around!' She left.
She had so much energy in her. I felt sad that Nate never said anything about her...
Then I remembered what she said, '...considering I testified against him.'
Was she one of his victims?
'Do you want the mint flavored one?' Alicia stood up.
'Yes, thanks.' I was lost in my thoughts.
I did not ask for the menu or for what flavor she thought was better. I just wanted to analyze the situation in front of me. Alicia nodded and left.
I looked around for Mauve and saw her at the other end of the shop talking with someone.
I wanted to go over and apologize on Nate's behalf. I wanted to be sure she did not associate me with him or put me under the tag of 'my rapist's sister.'
I moved uneasily in my chair. I was too restless.
Alicia returned with two cups of Ice cream. She looked almost as sad as she did in the kitchen.
I assumed she was feeling some kind of pity for Mauve. I knew she wasn't going to answer any questions at that moment so I enjoyed my ice cream in silence and patiently waited till we got home.
My phone chimed. It was a message from mum.