You “overhear” a conversation.

You go back to the apartment complex and leave Vivian at her door. When she realizes her mom’s not home, she asks if she can hang out at your place for a while. You agree, of course.

When you go inside the apartment, Shelly greets you both.

“Oh, you’re back!” She says, moving closer to you. She hugs you tightly, giving you a kiss on the cheek that lingers juuust long enough to be seen as inappropriate by most people.

Vivian, however, just stares.

“How are you doing, Vivian?” Shelly asks, greeting her with a quick peck on the cheek. See, THAT’S appropriate. You swear, this girl!

“I’m… I’m doing great.” She says, giving you a meaningful look, before she starts contemplating on something and turns to Shelly. “Say… could I speak to you for a while?” She turns to you with an apologetic smile. “Alone?”

YOU KNEW IT! THE QUESTION ABOUT HER MOM! IT WAS A BAD ANSWER! GOD DAMMIT!

“Oh? Sure, no problem. Let’s go to my room.” Shelly says, curious, but respectful of whatever the situation is.

You can already hear it in your mind.

“John has a crush on my Mom! What does this mean!? Is he a disgusting pig!?”

You sigh. This is over.

You go to your room and get a text message from Shelly.

“Don’t say a word!”

Right after that, your phone rings. It’s a call from Shelly. You answer and take the phone to you ear. As she said, you don’t speak a word.

_“So… here’s the thing. I tried telling John this, but I didn’t think it was a good idea, so I didn’t. But… I need to have someone’s input on this, and… well… you and John are really the only people I can call friends.” _You hear Vivian’s voice over the phone.

“I’m happy you consider me a friend.” Shelly giggles. “You can tell me anything!” You notice she doesn’t promise not to tell anyone. God, you feel bad doing this, but you can’t hang up!

“Thank you. The things is… God this is awkward! I think my Mom might be in love with John.” Vivian reveals.

“What!?”

WHAT!?

“I just… had a weird dream that put the idea in my mind, but when I think about it, it seems possible. She’s been acting weird around him, has spent time alone with him… I don’t know, maybe I’m overthinking it, but I can’t get the thought out of my head.”

“Isn’t it kind of a big jump in logic?” Shelly asks, skeptical.

“I know that! Call me crazy, but I’m sure she’s in love with him!”

“You think he’s been cheating on you with her?”

Your heart skips a beat at the memory of the kiss you shared with Ms. Norah.

“No, I don’t. I… I can’t prove it, but I don’t think John would ever cheat on me.”

It was just a kiss. An accident and a result of drinking a bit much, but you still feel your heart ache at her words.

“Yeah, I think so too.” You hear Shelly say. Then, a sigh. “So what will you do about your mom? Will you ask her?” Shelly speaks.

“I don’t know. I’ve come to rely on John for advice, but this is the one thing I can’t talk to him about! I was… hoping you’d have an idea.”

“I… I’m so sorry, Vivian, but I’m also not the right person to ask this.” Shelly says. “I… have to confess something to you.”

“W-what is it?” Vivian’s voice trembles a bit.

You hear a big, long, heavy sigh.

“I also… have feelings for John.”

You hear a loud gasp.

“I know he’s my brother, but I can’t help it! Hell, part of it is BECAUSE he’s my brother. So… I don’t think I can help you with your mother.” Shelly sounds genuinely apologetic.

There’s a long silence and you have to check your phone to confirm the call is still going.

“Does… John know about your feelings?” Vivian asks.

“Yes. I told him not long ago. We didn’t get along until just recently. It’s because I was trying to hide these feelings, and it hurt us as family. But… things have been improving.”

“Is that why you…” Vivian clears her throat. “…seem so close?”

“Yes. He’s accepted that my feelings are there.”

Another long silence until you hear another big sigh.

“I need to think about all this. This is too much to take in.”

“I’m sorry to drop this on you while you already have other issues, but I thought it was only fair to tell you.”

“It’s… it’s fine. I think it’s better than you told me.” Vivian admits. “_Just tell me one last thing. Have you done… _things with him?”

A silence.

“A bit. Before you two got together. Nothing since then.”

“I see.” Another long silence. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I promise.”

You hear Shelly’s door opening not on the phone, but close to your room. You hang up when you hear a knock on your door.

Your heart is beating faster than ever.

You open it with a shaking hand and see Vivian.

“H-Hey.”

Saying nothing, Vivian kisses you hard on the lips.

“I love you, okay? I really mean it. I love you with all my heart. I realized that today. What we did in the store? It meant more to me than you know.”

You’re stunned, but you still manage to answer.

“I love you too. For a time, I thought it was just the excitement of finally having a girlfriend, and an extremely beautiful one at that, but… I’ve come to realize you mean more to me than just that.”

With a deep final kiss and a warm smile, Vivian leaves your apartment.