I tried to study and relax in the morning. Amber left home early, so during lunch, I brought up the afternoon plans to my parents.

"Mom, Dad, my study mates are coming over after lunch for the biology video."

"Alright, son, go ahead," Dad said. "I'm curious about the girl anyway."

"Me too," Mom said, smiling.

"But in the evening, can't I avoid bringing the girl in? I'll do the dishes."

"Sorry, you made a bet with Amber. Discuss the rules with her," Dad laughed.

I knew the evening would be super embarrassing, but after lunch, I quickly tidied up the guest room. My room would have taken more time.

At exactly two o'clock, the doorbell rang.

"Good afternoon, I'm not sure if I'm at the right place, but I came to see John Simmons."

"Hello, dear, he lives here. Come in," my mom said, suspiciously kind.

It was Jane. She wore her usual sci-fi T-shirt and a shredded, faded jeans. Looks like she owns two pairs. At least this one gave her a decent-looking butt-actually, quite a good one.

She introduced herself and shook hands with my parents.

"Come, sit down," my dad gestured to the couch.

Jane sat there stiffly, clearly not used to this kind of setting. My mom placed some pastries on the table.

"Homemade pastry, try it. It's a bit crumbly, but tasty," Mom said kindly.

Mom loved baking, but she wasn't good at it. The pastry wasn't crumbly-it should have been eaten with a spoon. At least it didn't taste too bad this time. That was something.

"My mom says if it's crumbly, it needs a different ratio of baking powder," Jane noted shyly.

Dad watched the girl with interest. As a psychologist, she was probably an intriguing subject.

"Who is your mother?" Dad asked.

"I don't think you know her. She's a nurse. We recently moved here. She takes care of Dr. Wenword," Jane said calmly and briefly.

"Mr. Steve? He took care of our dog, Theodore," I said, surprised.

Mr. Steve was the best vet in town. Years ago, he had agreed with Dad that I would be his intern someday, but he gave up his practice due to illness a few years ago. I had thought he had traveled somewhere after losing Theo, but I hadn't heard he had come back.

"Yes, we live on the separate entrance floor with him, so my mom is close but we don't disturb each other. Dr. Wenword helped me get into school," Jane said.

"I didn't know you lived so close. Why do you come in so early?" I asked.

"That's when the bus runs," Jane noted quietly, just as the front door slammed.

"No way? You're dating my brother?" Amber stormed in and immediately blurted out the question. "Sorry-hi, I'm Amber," she added, extending her hand.

"Hi. I doubt that. He seems a bit superficial to me. I'm Jane, just a classmate."

Now, that was the Jane I knew. She stood up, straightened herself, and shook hands with Amber. It was clear she had returned to her usual self.

"If we didn't have to make a video together, he probably wouldn't even know my name," she continued. "Honestly, I still doubt he can call me anything other than 'little girl.'"

Amber and my parents could barely hold back their laughter, while I was filled with helpless frustration. What a pretentious, loud-mouthed nerd.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't act rudely in my house," I said.

"Sorry, I was just being honest. You do call me 'little girl,' don't you?" she replied in that smart-aleck tone.

I wanted to respond, but the doorbell saved her. I opened it-it was Paul.

"Hi, come in. If you all don't mind, let's go to the guest room."

Paul quickly introduced himself, and we headed upstairs. I heard whispering from downstairs, but I didn't care.

"So, what should the video be about?" Paul asked, since neither Jane nor I had said a word.

"I was thinking about birds," he continued. "We could cover everything from nest building to hatching."

"Not good," Jane said. "It starts too late, and it's hard to film in the air."

I didn't think I'd agree with her, but she was right.

"Fish?" I suggested. "Eggs, hunting, etc."

"Not good. There's no clear pond nearby where we could observe the animals from the shore," Jane countered.

We all suggested animals, but we couldn't come to an agreement-frogs, squirrels, everything. We had been debating for almost an hour and a half, and Shannon would be arriving soon, so I needed to prepare.

"Ants," Jane finally said. "They're easy to observe, you just need a good camera, and if we're lucky, we'll find a building anthill."

I liked the idea, but I didn't want to seem too enthusiastic.

"I like it," Paul said for me.

"Alright," I agreed, shrugging.

"Okay, then we can start looking for a location tomorrow. Whoever finds one, let us know," Paul said. "If you don't mind, I need to go soon. I have to get home before the movie. You're coming too, right, Jane?" He looked at Jane, and I raised my eyebrows.

"Oh, I don't really think I'd fit in," she said quietly, looking at me as if she could read my mind. "I'm not on the swim team, and I don't know anyone."

"You know me, and my sister is coming too. If you come, she won't be so alone," Paul said. "You promised it on the evening at your place anyway." He smiled at her.

"Yes, I promised-I'll be there," Jane smiled at Paul before they stood up and headed out.

Great. The smart-aleck was coming with us tonight.

"Sorry, Jane, but could you help me for a minute?" Amber stepped out of her room. If I didn't know her, I'd say she had been waiting.

"Sure, how can I help?" Jane was kind to others.

"I need to sew a dress. Could you put it on while I pin it?"

Jane nodded, and Amber closed the door behind her. I escorted Paul downstairs, we quickly said goodbye, and then I went to the living room.

"How did it go?" Dad asked. "Did you find common ground?"

"Yes, we're going to film ants," I said. "I'm not like this girl says I am," I started defending myself. "She's new and doesn't even know me."

"It doesn't matter, son. We love you," Dad smiled.

I didn't understand this-my dad's riddles sometimes drove me crazy.

Jane was upstairs in my sister's room for almost an hour. Shannon would be here in less than thirty minutes-I didn't want them to meet.

The rain started pouring heavily.

"Alright, I'll call you later," Amber said as her door opened.

"Okay," Jane replied. "Thank you for the pastry, Mrs. Simmons." She immediately put on her shoes and was about to step out when my dad spoke up.

"Wait, my son will drive you home-it's raining heavily."

"Oh, it's really not necessary. It's just three blocks up, no more than ten minutes," Jane started babbling, suddenly surprised. I could barely understand what she was saying.

"That's enough to catch a cold. Johnny, please drive her home. My car is in the garage-don't let her get soaked," Dad said firmly.

"Sure, come on, little girl."

I rarely got the chance to drive my dad's car, so of course, I'd take anyone home if it meant getting behind the wheel.

Jane looked around but followed me to the garage. "Goodbye, see you, Amber."

She sat next to me, and I drove out. It was really pouring like crazy.

"I was rude in front of your family. I'm sorry," she blurted out in the silence. "Whatever I think, it's not their business. You're lucky-your parents are kind."

"No problem," I grinned. I had managed to make her retreat.

In the meantime, we almost reached her place.

"Should I pick you up for the movie tonight? If it rains like this, the bus will be slow," I said, being more polite than she had been.

"If you don't mind, yes. Thank you very much."

"No, it's no problem. I'll come for you in two hours."

"Alright, bye."

She jumped out and rushed into the house in seconds.

I would have taken a few more laps with the car, but I couldn't leave Shannon alone. I quickly got home and parked back in the garage. I was late-the kitty had arrived earlier.

"Thanks, but I already have a model," I heard Amber's cool response as I entered.

"I see you've introduced yourselves," I noted.

"Yes, your parents already told me how much they've heard about me," Shannon gushed.

If only she knew-they said that to everyone.

"That hanging dress is very nice, though it would be cuter in pink," Shannon said about one of Amber's dresses. It was some green thing.

"I'll consider it, thank you," my sister said coolly.

"Even if you're not looking for a model, I'd be happy to help design. Many people say I have very good taste."

"You do look very pretty today, darling," my mom interjected before Amber could tear her head off. "Pastry?"

"No, thank you. I'm watching my figure," Shannon said.

The whole thing was starting to get awkward, but they just wouldn't let go. I deserved it-I had a big mouth. After Jane, this girl couldn't come out well from the situation. I wondered how the new girl had become the standard.

Every conversation after that was strained. Shannon couldn't contribute meaningfully to many topics, or she said something silly-just as they suspected. But at least they were kind, and I could barely wait to leave for the movie.

The time finally came. I was relieved. We said goodbye and picked up Jane.

"Are we picking up anyone else?"

"Yes, our study mate. Paul invited her, and since it's raining, I'll drive her."

"Hi. Thanks for taking me," Jane said easily. Her shirt was new, but the pants were from this afternoon.

"You're the new girl, right?" Shannon asked.

"Yes." The usual brevity.

"Pretty Boy, what are we going to watch?" Shannon asked, dramatically stroking my neck. "Something cute, right?"

In the rearview mirror, Jane rolled her eyes.

"I don't know. We'll decide there," I said, uneasy about the whole situation.

Listening to the radio, we arrived relatively quietly, though Shannon occasionally squealed, "Oh, this song is so cute!" which irritated me by the end. I didn't dare look in the mirror during those moments-I wasn't curious about Jane's reaction.

We arrived and went up to the meeting point, as agreed-waiting for each other at a group of couches in front of the movie ticket counter. Jane greeted everyone and then quietly sat at the edge of the couch. Shannon started chatting with the other girlfriends. Aaron and the short-haired girl were already there, as was Daryl with his leather-clad girlfriend.

Paul showed up next, followed by a fragile, short young girl who resembled him.

"Hi," he waved, then stepped over to Jane. "Glad you're here. This is my sister, Susy. Everyone, this is Susan, my sister."

Jane stood up and smiled kindly, shaking hands with the girl. The others greeted her and then returned to their interrupted conversation. After Brian arrived with his cousin, we sat down to check out the options.

"I vote for the action movie," Brian shouted. He had come with his cousin today, who was visiting for a few days. She was about Amber's age-a fuller, short-haired brunette dressed in dark clothes.

"That's good for us too," we boys agreed unanimously.

"Oh no, we want to watch this romantic movie, right girls?" Shannon said loudly, and the girls, including Paul's sister, started nodding-except for Jane, who just raised her eyebrows.

"So, little girl, what do you vote for?" I turned to Jane. Susy sat next to her and quietly started watching.

"Well," Jane stood up from the couch, "since I came alone and you boys are in the minority, I offer a deal. I won't vote for the romantic movie if you agree to the space travel sci-fi."

"So we should vote for what you want?" I asked sarcastically.

"Yes, because it's the lesser of two evils for you," she said calmly.

"Well, then I vote for the romantic movie," I said suddenly. I couldn't let her win. "So no matter what you vote for, you'll lose."

"Alright, then let it be the romantic movie," she shrugged indifferently.

"Why does the new girl decide what we watch?" Shannon asked, confused. Some of the girls were just now piecing together the essence of the conversation.

"It wasn't her decision, kitty-it was mine," I straightened up.

"Okay, give me the money, I'll buy the tickets," Brian stood up.

Before the two of us got in line, I stepped over to Jane and said, "See, little girl, you have to know how to lose," I grinned smugly.

We bought the tickets, and I distributed them so that Shannon was on one side and Jane on the other. Brian looked at me, puzzled, but didn't say a word.

The girls lined up for drinks, but Jane stood alone to the side-she didn't buy anything. Susy and Paul stood together, Paul taking great care of his sister. Probably a family habit.

Paul came out of the line with two drinks and handed one to Jane.

"Susy changed her mind on the way and is drinking something else. I hope you'll accept this."

"Thank you," Jane smiled and accepted the cup.

We went in, and everyone sat in their place. We had bought tickets in two rows to make it easier to talk to each other. Brian sat behind me with his cousin. Aaron and Daryl were behind Jane, each with their girlfriend. On Jane's other side, Paul sat-his sister beside him.

The movie started, and Shannon took it very naturally that my drink was hers too. She leaned on me in the chair, stroking my neck throughout the movie. I didn't let her do more-I wasn't in the mood.

The movie was terrible. If I were at home, I'd switch it off after ten minutes, but here, I couldn't. The couple on screen suffered through an on-again, off-again relationship, and we were struggling in the auditorium.

Jane must have noticed my suffering because she quietly leaned toward me. Her subtle, sweetly tart perfume hit my nose.

"I don't know who lost, Pretty Boy," she winked.

I shivered from head to toe-but not from Shannon's touch.

I wanted to continue the conversation, but Jane gave no sign of it, just leaned back in her seat.

I struggled through the movie, occasionally watching Jane from the corner of my eye. It seemed like she had fallen asleep, but I wasn't sure.

Fortunately, the movie ended.

With comments like "Jay, you're dead next week" and similar farewells, the others left, and Jane stepped over.

"I see your date is still ongoing. Susy and Paul will take me home-I really don't want to intrude."

"You're not intruding-I'll take you home," I started to protest, but Shannon whined and interrupted.

"Pretty Boy, we still have plans for tonight."

"It was nice meeting you," Jane turned to Shannon. "See you on Monday."

She stepped over to Paul and Susy, and they left.

"Come on, let's go too," I said to Shannon, and we headed down to the car.

I drove her home in silence-I simply didn't want to talk. When we arrived at her house, I stopped, and she didn't hesitate before jumping on me. Normally, I wouldn't have objected, but today, I just wasn't in the mood.

"I'm home alone-come on, let's go inside," she said, sliding onto my lap.

"I'd rather go home today. Maybe another time."

Even I found my own answer strange, but I just couldn't take any more of her today.

"Fine, have it your way. But just so you know, I won't wait around forever-you're not that big of a prize," she said, offended, climbing off me. I leaned over to open her door.

"Alright, Kitty, then don't wait for me," I said, waiting for her to get out.

"Forget it!" she nearly screamed as I drove off.

I didn't care-the whole evening was ruined. I just wanted to go home to the peace of my room.

Well, that didn't happen.

I got home late, but Dad was still eating in the dining room.

"How was your evening?" he asked between bites.

"Shitty," I muttered, immediately realizing it was a mistake.

"Sit down, son. Let's talk."

His voice wasn't commanding, but I knew it was better to sit down.

"What happened?"

Amber and I had a good relationship with our dad. Since we were kids, he knew how to get us to talk if something was wrong. He never used it against us and didn't solve our problems for us. I think that's why he's considered a good professional.

"For the first time today, I didn't want to sleep with a girl, another one almost humiliated me, and I watched a shitty movie that I voted for."

"Why did you vote for a movie that wasn't good?" he ignored my swearing.

"Because I didn't want the new girl to win. We boys wanted an action movie, the girls wanted a sappy one. She-Jane," I emphasized her name, "was without a guy and suggested a sci-fi, saying it was the lesser evil."

"That sounds logical. And you voted for the sappy one so it wouldn't be what she wanted, right?"

"Right. It made me so angry that I kicked Shannon out of the car and came home instead."

"I understand, and I'm sorry. I'm sure you'll have another chance with Shannon."

"But that's the thing!" I snapped. "I don't care. She's so endlessly annoying. This has never bothered me before."

"After the movie, the new girl even had herself taken home by the new guy," I added as an afterthought.

"Well, yes, but there have been similarly annoying ones before," Dad laughed, ignoring the second part of my sentence. "Remember the dog expert?"

"True," I laughed. "That was really funny."

I once dated a girl who thought she knew everything about dogs and wanted to train Theodore. I had a good laugh.

"Laughter always helps-don't forget that. Good night, son," Dad patted my shoulder and headed up to his room.

He was right-I felt better.

I quickly pulled myself together and went to bed.

Dad could always cheer me up, but he didn't offer a solution.

Though, I didn't know what I needed either.

I don't usually sleep in on Sundays, but I always wait in my room until everyone else is awake-it's a family breakfast tradition.

"This morning, I'll clean the car," I said during breakfast.

"Alright, but don't forget we have a lunch reservation, and we can't be late," Amber reminded me.

"Oh, right."

"Do we have to go every month?" Mom asked reluctantly.

"Sweetheart, you know I'm not a fan of superficial conversations either, but I can't refuse the invitation. Sometimes we have to eat there," Dad said.

We weren't yacht club members-it was too expensive, and my parents weren't snobs-but we had a lunch invitation one weekend each month. Dad received it for his work, and it was important for him to go occasionally for networking, even if not every month.

I quickly cleaned my car; I liked keeping it tidy. It wasn't new or expensive, but it was mine, and I was proud of it.

For lunch, everyone dressed nicely, and we drove to the seaside end of the city. The yacht club was a converted large ship, with the restaurant on the lower level. It was modern, but they had done everything to make the decor reminiscent of an old ship-wood-effect paint, nautical paintings, wood-effect tables with velvet chairs. It was old-fashioned but elegant, perhaps that's why not everyone in town could be a member. The food was always delicious, and the waitresses were always pretty.

"Mr. Simmons, your reserved table is ready. Please follow me," the head waiter signaled at the entrance and led us to the table.

We hadn't been there in the summer, and they had nicely renovated and repainted the place.

"Your order will be taken shortly," the head waiter said before leaving.

Dad shook hands with a few people at the other tables, and we sat down. I waved to a few school acquaintances when my jaw dropped.

Jane had just arrived next to me and started speaking mechanically.

"Welcome to the yacht club restaurant," she said, placing the menu in front of us. "While you choose, I'd be happy to bring you something to drink."

"Hello, Jane," Amber greeted her warmly.

I saw the surprise on her face, but her smile remained unchanged. Nothing was reflected on her expression.

"Mr., Mrs. Simmons, I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention," she babbled, embarrassed.

"No problem," Dad said reassuringly. "Please bring me a glass of red wine."

"I'll have orange juice," Mom and Amber said almost simultaneously.

"I'll have the same," I added.

"Alright, thank you," she said with a smile and left the table.

"Did you know?" I looked at Amber questioningly.

"Yes, she works here every Sunday. Didn't you know?"

"No, she only talks to me about things she can show off about."

My parents looked puzzled by my comment but didn't ask further.

"Interesting girl," Mom said.

Now that she was far from me, I had the chance to look her over comfortably. I had never seen her in a short skirt-or any skirt at all.

Her short dress was slightly low-cut and showed off her figure. Well, I was shocked. Feminine curves, a slim waist, and long, shapely legs. I could imagine those amazing legs wrapped around me.

"That poor girl will catch a cold like that," Dad's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Have you decided?" Jane suddenly appeared next to me.

"Yes, I'll have the crab, and my wife will have the fish," Dad said. "Amber, John?"

"I'll have the chicken. Bro?" Amber said, but I had to improvise because I hadn't had time to look at the menu.

"The same as my dad," I replied shortly.

"And soup from the daily special for everyone," Dad added.

"Alright, thank you," Jane hurried off.

Amber started talking about her latest plans and some photoshoot, but I wasn't really paying attention. I was watching the guests and how many were staring at my classmate. Almost every guy, regardless of age, ogled her, and she was kind to everyone, smiling unwaveringly.

I felt like going over and throwing a blanket over her.

A waiter approached her, and after a few words, Jane accompanied him to another table, where she started talking to one of the lady guests, then to the waiter. It seemed like she was translating between the waiter and the lady, but I didn't know what language.

So she wasn't bluffing-she really could make herself understood.

When my thoughts returned to my family, I saw that Dad was alternately watching me and Jane.

"I'm your son, not one of your patients," I remarked, and Dad gently tapped my head.

"Then you know why you got that," he said calmly.

"I've been getting a lot of these lately," I said quietly.

"You've been deserving them a lot lately," he replied just as calmly.

"Good thing Jane didn't see that," Amber grinned.

"I don't particularly care what she saw," I replied to my sister.

"You're right," Amber said. "Jane doesn't care about you at all."

"In return, you could take your eyes off her," Mom said, smiling.

"I was eyeing that brunette at the next table," I nodded toward a slim girl nearby to cover myself.

"Good," Dad said. "That girl is far beyond your league"

I wanted to respond, but Jane brought the soups, and I deliberately didn't look at her so my parents wouldn't get any ideas.

"Sorry, but I have to make two trips-I'm quite clumsy," she said as she placed two bowls of soup in front of my parents.

"No problem, we'll wait," Mom just smiled.

She returned with our soups, and a few minutes later, we started eating. Jane went back to the foreign lady, then to another table where a business lunch seemed to be taking place based on the suits.

I focused on my soup, trying not to look around.