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“Hey, Jean? Are there any ice cubes left in the fridge?”
“Must be.”
“Then would you mind checking for me? I still have these few lemons to squish.”
“Sure thing.”
It’s about 1:30pm on a warm Saturday afternoon and the kitchen has been smelling like sour lemons for over an hour now. Jean was honestly hoping to spend this weekend chatting, reading and cuddling with his bf Marco as soon as he invited him over. Yet here he is, filling up endless glasses of lemonade for Marco’s little sister’s project instead.
He really shouldn’t be complaining; for it’s very disrespectful for someone as darling as Lina Bodt. Marco’s 10-year-old sister is a very lively girl and loves to interact with people, surely this causes a few kids at her school to keep their distance from her but she goes ahead and shows kindness anyway. This lemonade stand for example was an idea she came up with to help raise a bit of money of her own and once it’s all done, gives it to her mother afterwards.
Guess she really takes a whole lot after her big brother.
Speak of the devil, the little lady comes rushing into the kitchen, holding tightly onto a tray of empty cups needing to be filled.
“Marcooo, I’ve been waiting outside for you like you told me to. Aren’t you almost done yet?” She asks in a light whiny tone.
“I’m going at my usual pace, Lina. Didn’t I also tell you to be patient?” Marco tries his best to not sound too annoyed.
“I know, but there haven’t been kids walking around lately and I’m getting both hot and bored out there.”
“Why don’t you ask Jean to keep you company?”
“I want it to be you though!”
Jean meanwhile shakes his head while hearing in - he’s half-glad he grew up as an only child.
Marco puts down the lemon half he’s been squeezing and turns to face his sister with a smile yet a stern expression. “You barely spend time with Jean, haven’t you? So think of this as a golden opportunity to do so. I’m sure he’d love to get to know you better too. Right sweetie?”
The pet name gets Jean’s attention, red ears and all. He turns around instantly to see that look in Marco’s eyes saying ‘I got you’ alongside Lina pouting. The moody teen sighs in defeat.
“Alright. Guess that’s a good point.”
“There you go.” Marco brightly smiles for his sister. “You two can probably chat about your project while you wait.”
Lina lightly nods (still pouting) and heads back towards the door. Jean carries out with him the already filled-up glasses on the kitchen table - as kindly suggested by his freckled boyfriend - and follows right behind her.
-
The sun surely is shining brightly today, some neighbourhood kids are up and about on the street pavements or in their backyards, so surely they’ll notice the small lemonade stand very soon.
Despite barely seeing her often, Jean remembers Marco talking a lot about his sister being just as much of a little sunshine as he is (as Jean describes him). Especially whilst at home doing activities with their mother. So it comes off as disturbing to witness her in a very moody phase - perhaps it’s an age thing?
Feeling awkward, the teen boy decides to break the silence… awkwardly.
“So… what gave you the idea to choose a lemonade stand? Why not something like a swing ball challenge or one of those candy in jar guessing games?”
“Hmph.” Lina huffs and looks in the opposite direction.
Jean sighs. “Kid, I’m disappointed in certain things not going my way either. But you can’t keep sulking about it, I mean, even I’m trying my best to keep cool. So can you at least try? Your brother would tell you the same thing.”
He can’t see it from the angle, but the girl has a slight tear building in her eyes; one tiny drop even flows out and dribbles down her freckled cheek. She whispers to herself after a sniffle. “It’s just… it feels like it’s been forever.”
“Huh?”
“I-I know how much happier Marco is now because of you, but everytime he came home from school all he did was talk about you. He tells me and mom you’re funny, smart and quite caring for your friends. H-He’s always so busy in his room though; you or talking through his phone. Sometimes… he invites you over to do even more stuff together while ignoring me.”
“Hehe. So you’re feeling a little jealous, is that it?” Jean assumes in a light teasy tone, spreading a smirk.
She turns to face Jean head on and he can’t help but notice her eyes going a little red from the tears.
“I wanted us to do this together. I wanted us to have some quality sibling time like how we use to. But he still called you over AGAIN! I understand why but it hurts! Why can’t…”
Lina buries her face into her arms on the stand. Jean can only gaze upon the poor girl, not 100% sure on what to do in this situation, since he barely hangs out with kids. There is one thing he can try however, and that’s to share his own thoughts without being harsh about it.
“I bet what you were going to say was ‘why can’t he spend time with you over me for once?’ Well, here’s a better one: Why can’t we have both? If I know Marco by now the reason he brought me over is to probably have us get along like he stated earlier. As for the whole ‘ignoring you’ thing, I highly doubt that it was intentional because… that’s how all relationships start. I’ll admit that I do text him a bit too much but hell, I have learned to take things slower now.”
The little freckled girl raises her head to make eye-contact and listen better on Jean’s comforting words.
“So, what I’m saying is… he’s a big compassionate idiot. But ya gotta love him for it, eh?”
She giggles. Or at least a small one, but she still giggles. Jean must be much better at talking through problems than he initially thought. And so, as Lina wipes away her tears, Marco exits the house with a tray of extra lemonade in the nick of time.
“Sorry to have kept you both waiting.” He apologises. “But nowcwe have enough ready for the whole neighbourhood if the adults would care for one too.”
(See what Jean meant? A bit too compassionate)
“Does this mean I can get one too? Or do I still have to pay for it?” Jean jokes casually.
“Of course not. You’re like the guest of honor here so it’s free for you.” Lina answers, positively handing him a full glass with a lemon slice on top.
Marco can’t help himself but smile more brightly at this exchange. “I’m glad to see you two managing to get along after earlier.”
“Well… not really.” His sister honestly admits, fidgeting with her fingers. “I… I’ve been feeling jealous that you’ve been spending more free time with your boyfriend over me. Please tell me you didn’t mean to ignore me all that time, big brother.”
Marco looks down onto her and gently pats her shoulder. “Of course not. You’re my sister, I will always make time for you too. Why else did I decide to help you with your lemonade stand?”
“See?” Jean interrupts. “Told ya so.”
With everything settled, Lina goes in for a hug with her brother, Marco obviously returns the sweet gesture. What a flip-flop of feelings this summer day turned out to be - and it’ll only get more interesting as it goes on.
“Now this means I can have quality time with my brother and future brother-in-law now!” Lina exclaims.
The sudden shoutout causes Jean to immediately spit out his lemonade in shock, painfully blushing like crazy. He’s fine so Marco thinks it’s okay to let out a tiny chuckle in response; Lima’s however, has a mischievous ring to it. Looks like the more she spends time with Jean, the more she’s gonna learn from him - and the guy doesn’t know how to feel about that.