What Lies Beyond the Eyes

been getting my texts? I got you some chicken nuggets the same as me since you didn say anything lol. 11:06 AM

Sandy: You left your phone in your car huh? 11:10 AM

I looked up to the front door behind me, and I saw Sandy standing in the doorway with a wry smile, waving her phone by her head. I couldn help but laugh it off, but I could feel my cheeks already getting red from embarrassment. I took the walk of shame back to her, and when I got to her, I asked, ”You knew huh? ”

”I figured it out when you said you forgot something in your car and your face went white. It was hilarious, but I wanted to see how far youd go before you realized I knew. Come on, the chicken is getting cold. ”

I walk back into the small three-bedroom house to see Rom and Gia playing the Final Fantasy 7 Remake on the PS5 in the living room. They were engrossed in the game, so they were quiet, to my relief. Sandy and I sat down at the paper-filled table to eat. ”Sorry for the mess by the way. I was deep into filling out forms before you guys showed up. ”

”Oh no! Its totally fine. You didn know we were coming, so I don blame you. I usually just wing everything when it comes to setting stuff up for college and whatever happens, happens haha. ” Sandy said as she sat back down in her seat beside me.

”Do you usually eat alone? ” She asked me when I sat back down.

That question came out of nowhere, but I guess since I never eat, I do give off that vibe. ”I guess the few times I do eat, its usually alone. I don have anyone else to eat with and even if I did, I don know if I would have the courage to ask them to accompany me. Im not exactly the best hang. Besides, there is a certain peacefulness to being alone. ” I retorted to her, ”It does get lonely sometimes, I guess. Im used to it though. Hows things with Gia going? ”

”Haha, I guess there is a peacefulness in a way, and its uhh going I guess. ”

Sandy looked down as she continued eating and told me glumly, ”Its just kind of frustrating you know? I try to do fun stuff with her and talk to her, but she completely shuts me off. Shes so outgoing with other people, but with me shes just silent. And when shes not silent its when shes angry with me. ”

I studied her expression as she vented to me from across the table. She usually seems to try to be really upbeat and positive, but she always seems to be so sullen when talking about Gia… I wish that would change, but I don really know how to do that. All I really know is to just listen to her. Though, a part of me does feel happy that she is comfortable with me enough to show me this side of her, even though I try and try to keep an emotional distance from her.

I just can help it. And when I feel like this is something she doesn show everyone given her outgoing personality, it makes me feel a little glad. Even though we just started talking last week, I feel like Ive gotten to know a lot about her through text and developed a sort of comradery with her because of dealing with her sister.

She seemed to be really down by the fact that she can connect with Gia. I guess when you are as big of an extrovert as she is, it can really get to you when someone doesn want to try and talk to you no matter what.

Hahahahahahaha

Laughter came beaming out of the living room from Gia and Rom. I looked over there and smiled to myself reminiscing about the time I was a freshman in high school when a memory came to me.

”I think itll get better. ” I told Sandy.

”How do you know? ”

”Shes a teenager. ” I told her flatly, ”Teenagers are hormonal assholes. I know from experience. And on top of that Gia went her whole life as the only child and only living with her mom. Then all of a sudden, another girl comes into her life to be her sister. Of course, she is going to be wary of it at first but give it time. Im sure shell open up to you when she feels comfortable with you and that will just take time. ”

I looked back to Sandy to see her staring at me wide eyed. ”What? I asked warily.

Then she started to laugh too. Her laugh combined with the two girls in the living room created a jubilant atmosphere in the once barren small home. ”Wait, whats so funny? ” I asked confused by the situation.

”Hahaha, nothing. I just love how you keep saying that teenagers are hormonal assholes, but aren you technically still a teenager too? Hahaha. ”

”Hey, I think I just said some real shit. I was pretty proud of myself for coming up with that. And you
e technically still a teenager too then so don act all high and mighty. ” I responded sarcastically.

Sandy got up from her seat across from me, and she walked towards me. I looked where her food was, and the small box was barren. ”It was pretty cool! ” She told me as she playfully punched my arm.

Sandy walked into the living to join Gia and Rom playing on the PS5 leaving me alone once again in the kitchen with my thoughts. ”If it was cool, she wouldn have laughed. ” My chastised to myself. Damn, I hate social situations. This happens every time. I always say something weird that throws everything off.

I continued to eat my chicken nuggets. Sandys all gas no brakes even in eating I see. She blitzed her way through her chicken nuggets while I just made it to my second chicken strip.

Brrrr

My phone came alive with another alert popping up on it. Its Danny. His practice is over, right when I was just getting into eating too. I begrudgingly grabbed my wallet and keys sitting behind me on the marble kitchen counter and headed to the front door.

”You finished fast. I thought you were going to be there all day when I left you. ” Sandy commented when she saw me travelling through the living room.

”I wish I couldve eaten that fast. Danny text me and told me to come and get him. ”

”Finally!! ” Gia exclaimed in an exasperated voice to which I rolled my eyes as I had my hand on the front door.

Sandy jumped up from the couch and ran into the kitchen then back to me. ”Here! ” She told me as she held out the small box of nuggets to me, ”Eat these on your way there. Im not letting you get off that easy! ”

”Weren you complaining about me being a mom at the waterpark? Look whos talking now. ” I commented to her as I took the small box out of her hands.

”Shut up! ” She pointedly told me with a punch to the shoulder, ”And that was Danny and Gia not me. And acting like a mother isn a bad thing! It just means you care! ”

I smirked. Leave it to Sandy to come up with a positive out of a would-be insult.

”Can I come with? ” I looked back to see Rom staring back at me with her sky-blue eyes.

”Uh…Sure, I guess? Its not really an exciting trip though. ”

”Yes, yes, I know. ” She said as she pushed me out the door leaving Sandy in a confused daze as Gia was engrossed in the game again.

Outside, Rom continued to push me towards my car as she closed the door behind her. ”Whats going on? ”

She stopped pushing me when I got to the car door, and she took upon her meek personality again. She looked down as she said in a soft voice, ”I just thought those two needed some alone time. Every time I hang with Gia its soooo awkward with her and Sandy. Its really uncomfortable. ”

I smiled to myself because of her maturity, ”Alright, get in the car. It shouldn be a long drive. ”

”Thanks! ” She responded in a relieved tone.

I shook my head in disbelief of her as I sat in the drivers seat and cranked the grey 2018 accord up. Rom put her seatbelt on in the shotgun seat and off we went.