"Your father is a psychiatric patient?" Shaylene was shocked when she found out. Shevonne chuckled at the sarcastic joke. "Why, Shay? Interested?" He teased, looking at his sister. Shaylene was stunned as she stared at Ehvermaia. "How do you come up with such sarcasm so quickly? Does your mind always know what to say, or does your mouth just start spouting sarcasm?"
Ehvermaia rested her chin on her hands, gazing at the ocean. "Oh, it's a gift. My brain has a direct sarcasm-to-mouth express lane; with no speed limits."
"That's impressive! How do you come up with it so fast? You could play a character who always delivers sarcastic lines," Shevonne said, genuinely amazed.
As the food arrived and was placed on the table, Shaylene grabbed a camera. "Let's take a picture!" She called a waiter over to take a photo of the three of them. While they ate, Shevonne observed Ehvermaia. "So, how do you come up with all that sarcasm?"
Ehvermaia looked at him, annoyed by his persistence. "My brain's sarcasm factory works 24/7 with express delivery to my mouth. That's how it works," she said, continuing to eat.
After finishing their meal, they took a walk along the seashore, taking pictures together. They returned to the car and dropped Ehvermaia off at her house. When Shaylene and Shevonne arrived home, they were surprised to find their younger brother, Lourenz, sitting on the couch with Ehvermaia's painting. "Oh, look who's back," he said, standing up and setting the painting aside.
Shevonne glanced at him and picked up the painting to check if it had gotten dirty. "Shouldn't we be saying that?" Shaylene glanced at him and walked away toward her room. Lourenz watched her go upstairs. "You two are so stubborn, as always. Aren't you happy to see me, Shevonne?"
Shevonne looked at him as he sat back down on the couch. "Why would I be?" He then walked away toward his room with the painting in his hands. Lourenz watched him go upstairs, crossing his legs as he did.
The next day, Ehvermaia had breakfast and went to school. When she arrived, she sat down at her desk. Ehrie, who sat beside her, turned to her. "Did you hear? The ballet room is reopening. The teachers said a ballet dancer transferred here."
Ehvermaia raised an eyebrow but didn't let it bother her. She sat there until the math teacher arrived. A few minutes later, a dance teacher knocked on the door. The math teacher opened it, and the dance teacher entered. "Who's interested in ballet? Please raise your hands."
Ehvermaia was minding her own business when she heard this, but she was curious. "Have you forgotten we're artists, not dancers?" The dance teacher laughed at her words. "I told you, dear, to those who are interested."
"Come on, Ehvermaia, you've always wanted to do ballet. Besides, it's free, just give it a try," Ehrie said, pushing Ehvermaia out of her seat until she almost fell. So she stood up. "What the?"
The dance teacher approached her. "That's great, now follow me." Ehvermaia stuttered, "B-but I-" Before she could finish, the dance teacher cut her off. "Let's go, young lady, don't keep me waiting." Ehvermaia sighed and followed the dance teacher. When they left the classroom, she noticed a group of students waiting outside. The dance teacher led them to the ballet room, and they followed her inside. Ehvermaia noticed a handsome guy around her age, and the students there were already whispering about him.
Lourenz introduced himself to everyone. "I'm Lourenz, and I'm an expert ballet dancer. There's a contest next month, and it's a partner competition. Just show me some of your best ballet moves, and I'll choose someone who I think will work well with me."
People in the room began to praise the idea, except for Ehvermaia. She was the only one standing there, not looking forward to it. Lourenz noticed her and mumbled, "She looks familiar." After everyone finished showing Lourenz their ballet moves, it was Ehvermaia's turn. She stood in front of the room, feeling uncomfortable. She muttered, "I don't want to do this," before performing a penché mixed with an Italian fouetté and a cabriole at the end.
Lourenz was stunned to see her perform moves that no one else had tried. "A penché mixed with an Italian fouetté and a cabriole, huh?" He stood up and pointed at her, telling the dance teacher she was the one. The dance teacher looked at the students. "Everyone else can go now, except for you, the artist girl," Lourenz was intrigued. "An artist?" he thought. "She must be the one from the painting I saw last night."
As the others left, only Lourenz, Ehvermaia, and the dance teacher remained in the room. Lourenz began circling Ehvermaia, his eyes fixed on her.
Rolling her eyes, Ehvermaia quipped, "Enjoying the view, Lourenz? Or are you practicing your next dance move, the 'Stalker Waltz'?"
He paused, and the dance teacher looked at Lourenz, remarking, "She's quite sarcastic, so be prepared."
Lourenz chuckled, glancing at the dance teacher. "Ehvermaia's sarcasm could win a gold medal if it were an Olympic sport."
"My sarcasm is just here to keep things interesting," Ehvermaia retorted with a grin, shrugging casually.
Lourenz then approached her. "I like your humor, little one. How do you come up with those sarcastic remarks so effortlessly?"
Ehvermaia tilted her head, offering Lourenz a playful smirk. "Oh, you know, it's a talent. Comes naturally when dealing with people like you," she said, her tone laced with dry humor.
"Dealing with people like me? Let's just start practicing now, shall we? No need to waste time exchanging sarcastic words," Lourenz said as he retrieved pointe shoes from his bag, handing one pair to Ehvermaia.
They practiced throughout the day. At one point, Shevonne entered the ballet room, spotting Ehvermaia and Lourenz. Leaning against the wall, he asked, "What are you doing here, Ehvermaia?"
When they heard his voice, both Ehvermaia and Lourenz turned to look at Shevonne. Lourenz teased, "Oh, is this your girlfriend here, brother? Don't worry, I won't touch her."
Shevonne scowled. "Touch, my ass," he retorted, clearly annoyed.
"We're just friends. He might been looking for me all day," Ehvermaia explained, taking off the pointe shoes and handing them back to Lourenz.
"Alright, alright, let's stop and rest. Make sure to be here tomorrow for practice. Remember, the competition is next month," Lourenz said, taking the shoes and gathering his things. Before leaving, he turned back with a grin. "I like her attitude, by the way. So sarcastic. Better keep an eye on your girl, or she might end up with me," he joked before closing the door behind him. The dance teacher followed, exiting the room.
Ehvermaia looked at the door as it closed. "So he's your brother. That's why both of you share the same features. I like his humor, but I only appreciate his humor, that's all," she remarked. She opened the door to leave and glanced back at Shevonne. "Let's go, what are you still waiting for?"
Before Shevonne could leave the room, he sighed. "Do you like him?" Ehvermaia covered her face to stifle a laugh. "Shithead, that's disgusting. I've never liked anyone." Ehvermaia started to walk away, and Shevonne followed her to her classroom to get her bag.
"Are you going to the ice rink?" Shevonne asked as Ehvermaia retrieved her bag. "I don't think so. I'm tired from all the pirouettes I did earlier," she replied, stepping outside the classroom and staring at Shevonne.
Shevonne walked away, leaving her behind. "You could've just said that earlier so I didn't go crazy looking for you," he muttered as Ehvermaia stood confused outside her classroom. "Why the hell is he making me feel guilty? It's not my damn fault he was looking for me like hell."
When Shevonne arrived at the rink, he put on his skates and headed onto the ice. Valerie saw him and was relieved not to see Ehvermaia with him. She approached Shevonne with a smile, ready for practice. They practiced for three hours, and Valerie noticed Shevonne seemed down today, but she didn't pry.
After they finished practicing, Shevonne gathered his things and walked out dramatically, stomping his feet. Ehvermaia turned around upon hearing the thuds, and Shevonne noticed her sitting outside with a small box in her hand. "Why the hell are you stomping?" Ehvermaia stood up, looking at Shevonne. He approached her, still stomping his feet, and glanced curiously at the box. "What are you doing here? I thought you were tired," Shevonne asked, eyeing the box in Ehvermaia's hands.
"I might be sarcastic, but I still feel bad, you idiot," Ehvermaia said, looking at Shevonne and noticing his interest in the box.
Suddenly, Valerie and Coach Lee came out and saw them. Valerie looked annoyed at seeing Ehvermaia, and Coach Lee asked both of them for a ride. Ehvermaia rejected the offer, and so did Shevonne. Coach Lee and Valerie drove off. Ehvermaia glared at Shevonne. "Why the hell did you reject it too?" Shevonne stared at the boxes. "Because I'm curious what's inside that box."
Ehvermaia covered her face in disbelief. "Do you know I'd still give this to you even if you took the ride?" She looked at Shevonne and handed him the box. He took it and opened it, finding cookies and cream and red velvet cookies inside. They started walking home and began eating the cookies. Ehvermaia became curious about Lourenz and wondered why she hadn't seen him during her first dinner at Shevonne's house. "I've never seen Lourenz before when I went to your house for dinner."
Shevonne stared at her, curious about her sudden interest in Lourenz. "He was in a private school, and he stays at the boarding house there. We're not close, so don't ask more questions."
Ehvermaia took a bite of her cookie, thinking for a moment, and looked at Shevonne. "He's a great ballet dancer. I can see that you both are competing in dancing—you on ice and him on wood. Both of you must have tried hard to impress your parents on who is better." As Ehvermaia spoke, she noticed Shevonne stopped eating and looked away when she glanced at him. "In your opinion, who dances the best?"
Ehvermaia tried not to laugh as she pretended to think about it. "Hmm, I'd probably say it's me," Shevonne chuckled softly. "But seriously, who do you think? In your opinion?" He looked at her again.
Ehvermaia thought about which one of them dances better. "I don't know. Ballet involves dancing en pointe, which hurts your toes at first, but you get used to it. Skating on ice is challenging for balance, but you also adjust over time. I really don't know."
"But you're just trying to figure out which one is harder. You saw him dance earlier, and you've seen me practice," Shevonne said teasingly, making a mock sad face.
Ehvermaia sighed and looked at him. "Idiot, it's you. Jumping while landing on ice is tough."
Ehvermaia stared at Lourenz in confusion when he mentioned Arthur as his father. She sat down on her father's bed in disbelief. Lourenz noticed her expression change and was puzzled. "What's going on? I know my father is a hypocrite and crazy, but why did your face react like that when you heard my father was Arthur?" he asked, bewildered.
Realizing that Shevonne was also Arthur's son, Ehvermaia scratched her head and glanced at Lourenz. Feeling too tired and irritated to explain further, she decided to lie down instead. Meanwhile, Chevon sat on his bed, aware that he wasn't Arthur himself but Arthur's child. Overwhelmed with emotion, he burst into tears, declaring, "I won't forgive that man. I'll kill him."
"Kill who?!" Lourenz exclaimed in confusion. "For goodness' sake, explain something to me or I'll go crazy!"
Chevon stared at Lourenz again, repeating, "You look like him. You look just like him." Lourenz covered his face, fearful of what Chevon might do next. With the door locked, Lourenz felt trapped and unable to escape. Ehvermaia sighed as she sat down, looking at Lourenz. "I'll explain later. My father would explode if he heard it again."
Chevon stared at Lourenz again, struggling to control his emotions. "You look like him, you look like him," he muttered. Ehvermaia rolled her eyes at her father's confusion. "Of course he looks like him. His father is Arthur, you idiot. You should start thinking and stop drawing these ridiculous drawings," she retorted sharply. Chevon sighed and lay back down on the bed. Ehvermaia sighed and stood up, frustrated. "What does the therapy here do for you if all you do is draw instead of focusing on getting better?"
Meanwhile, Lourenz found the situation amusing and eagerly awaited the nurse's return to get answers. When she finally came back, they left the mental hospital together. Ehvermaia remained silent, still processing what had transpired. Lourenz, impatient and confused, demanded, "Why are you so quiet? Just tell me already. I'm overthinking this shit."
Ehvermaia hesitated, looking down before finally explaining, "My mother is dead, and your father was her first love." She proceeded to recount the story of her mother's past and the events leading to her death.
Lourenz scoffed at first, but as Ehvermaia continued, he began to understand. "That's not my father's fault, you idiot. It's not his fault she got cancer, and it was... my mother who pulled him away, which caused your mother to fall. Okay, I agree with you."
As they walked, Lourenz couldn't stop talking. "My father is always ridiculous. Everyone says I'm like a copy of him," he giggled. Ehvermaia stared at him, confused by his actions, and looked away. She thought, "Why is he acting as if nothing happened? He's crazy for sure." When they arrived at Ehvermaia's house, Lourenz bent down to look at her closely. "You're short, but not that short," he remarked, their faces almost touching. Ehvermaia was stunned by his behavior and pushed his face away forcefully. "You're so ridiculous. I hope a car hits you on your way home," she retorted sharply.
As Ehvermaia turned to enter her house, she noticed Shevonne, whose face showed shock and disbelief as he quickly turned and ran off. Lourenz chuckled. "Looks like he saw us with our faces so close. He might think we were kissing," he teased as he walked away. Glancing back, he added, "Looks like someone's in a bad mood because of me," before continuing on his way.