Two of Them, Two of Us

Zack Bishop knocked on the door, and leaned against a column as he waited. It took nearly three minutes, to the point where Zack was starting to wonder if he’d got the time wrong, but then he heard whispered voices, and the door opened to reveal Holly McRose.

Chloe’s little sister looked good in a clingy white tank top and dark blue ripped jean cutoffs. Her red hair, which was bright just like Chloe’s, streamed down her shoulders like a fiery waterfall.

“Hi, Zack.” Holly smiled.

“Hey, Holly. You got your paintings ready?” Zack raised a brow.

He and Holly had made plans to meet today at 12 so Holly could show Zack her new paintings.

“Yep! Come on in.” Holly said brightly, and turned to walk off so Zack could enter the McRose house. Zack tried very hard to not look at his best friend’s little sister’s curvy ass. Or her long, creamy legs. Or her large breasts. Basically, he tried to avoid looking at Holly in general.

“Where’s Chloe?” Zack wondered.

“You know, I’m not actually sure. She left like an hour ago.” Holly said, “Dad’s at work, and Mom’s ran to the grocery store.”

Holly led him upstairs and Zack tried to look anywhere but at her bubble butt.

Holly pushed open the door and led Zack into a brightly lit studio with large window letting sunlight stream in. Four paintings were set up on easels, and many more adorned the walls.

The first of the four paintings on easels was the most finished. It was quite an interesting painting, not OF anything in particular. It was abstract, but Zack could see a vaguely circular shape in the center. The painting was of blue hues, creating an odd, ice blue vortex effect. Zack found it extremely interesting.

Turning to the next painting, he saw this one was of a beach at night, two figures standing on the sands, featureless, but one of them had a mane of red hair flowing in the breeze. Zack wondered dryly where the inspiration for a redhead had come from.

The third painting was half of a field of flowers, the right half not even begun.

The last painting was just pencil lines on blank canvas, and they seemed to set up a strange tunnel.

“What do you think?” Holly asked, shyly. That wasn’t a tone Zack ever really heard Holly use.

“They’re amazing, Hol.” Zack said, using an old nickname for her. Holly beamed.

“I like the beach one. It’s really interesting.” Zack said genuinely.

“I’m glad you liked them!” Holly exclaimed, grabbing Zack’s arm and leading him over to the canvas with just the pencil lines.

“So, this one’s going to be a really cool science fiction wormhole type thing..” Holly began to explain eagerly, then trailed off when she saw Zack’s broad grin.

“What?” Holly asked self-consciously.

“Nothing. I just think it’s cool there’s something you’re so passionate about. I… I haven’t found my thing yet.” Zack said.

“You wanna try out painting?” Holly teased.

“Oh, definitely not. I’ll leave that to the master. Mistress?” Zack wondered.

“Mistress Holly. That’s got a ring to it.” Holly said with a smirk.

“Ha ha. So,” Zack gestured to the penciled canvas, “wormhole?”

“Right!” Holly enthused, and launched into her explanation, Zack hanging on her every word.

———

Josh Bishop sat behind the wheel of his big sister’s car, fidgeting anxiously. His eyes were affixed on Chloe McRose, who was currently sitting outside of Millie’s eating ice cream. She was alone, which was strange. Josh’d figure that Zack would be with her, but he didn’t know where he was.

Blowing out a breath, Josh turned off Paris’ car and climbed out of the driver’s seat, pretending not to notice Chloe by pulling his phone out of his pocket.

“Josh!” Chloe’s sweet, familiar voice called, and Josh looked up and pretended to be happily surprised.

“C-Chloe? Hey, what are you doing here?” Josh feigned surprise.

“Just enjoying some ice cream. Holly practically threw me out of the house, so I went and bought some books for Zack’s birthday, and then decided I was hungry for ice cream.” Chloe laughed.

Oh, right. Josh remembered where Zack was now. Holly had called him last night after the party to freak out and tell him that Zack was coming over to see her paintings tomorrow. Well, today now. Josh hadn’t realized that was happening right now, though.

“Huh. I-I was in the area and wanted some ice cream, too.” Josh said.

“Hey, isn’t that Paris’ car?” Chloe asked, looking at Josh with a knowing smile.

“Uhhh… yeah.” Josh said.

“Don’t worry about it. Your secret’s safe with me. Oh, but, little warning? Holly used to steal my car all the time before she got her own. I absolutely hated it, so I’d be careful that Paris doesn’t find out.” Chloe winked.

“I-I’ll make sure to do that.” Josh said. He wasn’t going to tell Chloe that Paris had loaned him her car. Girls liked bad boys, right?

“You want some ice cream, right?” Chloe asked.

“U-uh, yeah. That’s why I’m here.” Josh nodded. Chloe smiled at Josh.

“My treat. Come on. Maybe you can save me from being bored.” Chloe said.

“I-I hope so.” Josh said, and he and Chloe walked in to Millie’s together.