The Ugly Duckling

Chapter 7

The next morning, Ivy received a knocking on their apartment door. She expected it to be Ben but was surprised to see Vicki there. When she opened the door, her friend practically bounced on her “Oh my God!! Ivy, you will not believe what happened today!!”

Ivy groaned as she dragged herself to the couch and lied down “Your Mr. Perfect saved a puppy’s life?”

“No, even better!!” Vicki rushed over to the couch as she sat down comfortably.

“A cow?” Ivy asked while she snorted with laughter.

Vicki frowned “You’re not being serious. No…I actually saw him…up close.”

“You mean he was 30 feet from you?” Ivy snickered.

“No, more like 3 feet. He is soooo handsome!!” she gushed like a teenager in lust.

Ivy rolled her eyes “Which means you didn’t get his name or his number because you were busy gawking at him right?”

“How do you know this stuff?” Vicki grumbled as she pouted.

“I don’t know the stuff…I just know you.” She laughed at her friend. Their time together was cut short when the doorbell rang. Ivy snapped her eyes wide open as she pointed to the door “If it’s a guy named Ben, tell him I fell over dead in my bed last night.”

“IVY!!!” Vicki cried in disbelief “Why would you jinx yourself like that…”

“SHHHH!!!” Ivy placed a hand over her friend’s lips “He can hear you…go…” she pointed to the door while rushing to the kitchen to hide.

Vicki shook her head as she got up and answered the door, she was faced to face with a handsome looking man “Hi…” she smiled friendly “Who are you looking for?”

“Oh…uh…is Ivy home? I don’t think I’ve ever met you before.” Ben smiled as he put out a hand.

“I’m Vicki, Ivy’s friend. She just left about five minutes ago.” She lied.

“Really? Then why are you still here?” He asked casually while walking into the apartment without being invited “Ivy!!” he called “I know you’re here.”

Vicki closed the door as she turned to the stranger “Hey, I’ll call the cops if you don’t leave!”

“Go ahead and call them. At least I live next door…You don’t belong in this house. They’ll probably arrest you for breaking and entering.” Ben said sneakily.

She dropped her jaw in shock “You wouldn’t…”

But she didn’t have to continue as he began dialing for the police “Hi, I’d like to report a burglary…”

“Wait!!” Ivy jumped out of the kitchen, startling the two. Ben quickly hung up while Vicki rushed over to her friend.

“You know him?” she asked her friend with a look of disapprovment.

“Unfortunately, yes.” Ivy said sadly.

Ben smiled “Is that an answer?”

“Yes.” Ivy said without much feeling. She turned to Vicki and suddenly reached out and hugged her while sobbing “I’m going to miss you so much!!” she pulled her away “Remember, I will always be the same Ivy in your heart.” She walked over to Ben and placed her arms outstretched “Take me away.”

He laughed at her dramatic scene “You’re good. You should be an actress, I can imagine you’d do wonders for the comedy division.”

“Whatever.” Ivy grumbled.

Vicki stepped up when the two were ready to leave “Wait…what’s going on? Where are you taking Ivy?” she pulled her friend to her side.

Ivy turned to Vicki with a saddened expression “I have to leave…to a far away land where no one will know me. But I’ll never forget you…” she touched her face “Please…don’t make this harder than it is.”

Ben clapped his hands impressed by her performance “That was great!”

“You are one strange little tall man.” Ivy looked at him confused, she turned to her friend who looked even more confused than she did “He’s an image consultant. My father asked him to help me with my image.”

“What’s wrong with your image?” Vicki asked.

Ivy looked ready to burst into tears as she reached out and hugged her friend sincerely “Thank you…” she covered her lips delicately with her hand “I guess you are the only person in the world that understands me.” She sighed “But I promised my father that I would do this.”

“I see…” Vicki nodded “Well, have fun! I’m off to find my Mr. Perfect.”

“Good luck!!” Ivy waved to her friend. Her smile faded as she turned to Ben “Please, be gentle…”

He began laughing with his head shaking “You’re so funny!” he crossed his arms and tilted her head “Why didn’t I see that before?”

“Maybe you were delirious from my feet odor?” she said casually but it only made him laugh harder. Ivy knitted her brows together as she turned her head slightly, her eyes still on him “You’re weird.”

Ben smiled with a nod “I know.” He nodded “Okay. We’ll start with outside appearance first. Come on.” He walked towards the stairs while Ivy lagged behind. His car was parked in the street as he pointed to it “A gentleman should always open the door for a lady.”

“Okay…let me find you a lady.” Ivy quipped as she reached for a girl that was walking by “Would you like to come with us?” the girl widened her eyes fearfully as she rushed away with Ivy laughing.

Ben crossed his arms sternly “Ivy…” he began.

“Yes father?” she asked while he abruptly dropped his arms “Sure, now you don’t have a sense of humor.” She climbed into the car as he closed it after her. Ivy began playing around with the mirrors and lights. Ben got inside the car and looked at her strangely “I didn’t get to see it in the light the first time.” She explained her nosiness.

He cleared his throat “Lesson number one. A lady does not play with mirrors and lights inside a gentleman’s car. You leave your hands over your lap and sit very still.”

Ivy turned off the light and closed the vanity mirror as she placed her hands on her laps gently “Can I breathe?”

“Yes.” Ben said while he started the car.

“Okay, just checking.” Ivy nodded. It only took about 30 seconds and she was already playing with the glove compartment. Ben cleared his throat loudly as she looked up at him “You should see a doctor for the loogie in your throat.”

He smiled “What’s a loogie?”

“A cuter word for snot.” Ivy nodded while his smile faded, she laughed loudly “You asked, I didn’t.

Ben glanced over at her “Lesson number two, a lady only giggles not cackle like a rooster in a farm.”

Ivy sighed, “How many lessons are there?”

“Hmm…about one hundred.” He said casually.

“WHAT??!!!” she cried and he turned to her sternly as she put up her hands in defense “Let me guess, lesson number three…a lady never yells.”

Ben grinned happily “You’re learning.”

“You’re psychotic.” She mumbled under her breath.

“What?” he asked, unsure of what she said.

“I said you’re psychic.” She added quickly and then turned to her window while hiding her smiles.

“I can see your reflection from the glass.” He advised. She snapped her head over to him making him laugh.

************

Ben pulled his car up to the beauty salon as he parked the car. Ivy stared at the place blankly “What is this place?” she asked. To her it was too foreign for her to comprehend.

“It’s called a nail and hair salon.” He replied.

“I didn’t know we had westernized bars here!!” she blurted out.

Ben shook his head with his brows knitted together “No, no…not Saloon…Salon.” He corrected.

“Oh…” Ivy shrugged “What’s the difference?” he pointed to the door as he opened it for her to enter. The minute she stepped inside a combined smell of nail polish, ammonia and lotion entered her nose. She looked ready to hurl as she charged for the exit. But she was stopped by Ben’s arms “Must…breath….” She pointed to the door “Dying…”

He rolled his eyes “Don’t be dramatic. It’s not that bad.”

Ivy covered her nose and mouth “Roo, rellin yee…”

“What?” he asked “Take your hand off your face.” He yanked her hand away.

“I said…You’re telling me! Is your nose numb from those ridiculous mix of odors?” Ivy asked as she glanced around the place. It was a large room with about six spa chairs and six hair cutting seats. There was also another row of nail tables. Ivy frowned “What kind of girl goes to—”

“Ivy!!!” Tara cried when she saw her walking in with a man.

Ivy glanced at Ben “I spoke too soon.” She smiled as Tara limped her way over to her “Oh my God, what did they do to your feet??” she pointed to the sponge toe-separator.

“Oh, it’s just a toe holder so the nail polish can dry without my toes scraping against each other.” Tara explained. She nodded at Ben “What are you two doing here?”

Ivy shrugged carelessly “I thought this would be a good way to die a long and agonizing death.”

Ben smiled at her sense of humor “Just getting a pedicure and manicure.” He answered.

“Yeah…that too.” Ivy said with her eyes rolling upwards. She turned to Tara “I didn’t know you were that girly.”

Ben nodded to the receptionist as he excused himself from the girls “I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time!!” Ivy waved. She pulled Tara to the side “Quick, run before he sees us.”

Tara laughed as she yanked Ivy back “It’s not that bad. It actually feels really good when they massage you.”

“They what??” Ivy looked around in disgust “What kind of place is this??”

“Give it a chance. I think every girl should be pampered once in a while.” She advised wisely.

Ivy raised her brows “Really? I don’t think Tyler feels that way.”

Instantly Tara’s face fell “Really?”

“Yeah…” Ivy shook her head “Tyler likes the tomboyish girls…think about it. He’s so girly as it is…why would he want another girl like himself?”

She smiled “So you mean he’s not gay?”

Ivy’s face fell “Don’t use that word about Tyler again…EVER.” She emphasized. Tara’s eyes bulged out and Ivy quickly smiled “Trust me…I know my brother. If you want to get him…you have to be tough, independent and opinionated. He doesn’t like girls that care too much about their looks.” She pointed to Tara’s denim skirt and brown top.

“I see…” Tara quickly took off the sponges on her feet as she rushed to get her shoes “Thanks for the tip, Ivy.” She practically sprinted for the door.

Ivy crossed her arms with a sly smile “Shit…I didn’t know it was that easy.”

“Ivy!” Ben called as he waved her over.

“Coming, father!!” she teased as she skipped her way over to the ready spa seat.

Chapter 8

At the mall, Vicki sat around waiting in the same spot she’s been in for the past week just to get a glimpse of her Mr. Perfect. Unfortunately for her that day, he was nowhere in sight. She at lunch by herself at one of the benches while her eyes searched for the handsome stranger. She was ready to give up when someone sat next to her “Looking for me?” a warm voice asked.

Vicki froze in her place as she slowly turned to the voice. She was dumbfounded, he knew about her obsession. Her mind raced as she thought of things to say…How are you? Can I marry you? What’s your name? But in the end, she only managed to spit out “H…Hi…Hello.”

The stranger was wearing a gray suit that day with a gorgeous silver tie that stood out from his white shirt, his smile was crooked yet welcoming “Sorry, I was a little late today. Traffic was extra bad.” He nodded convincingly.

Vicki laughed nervously as she leaned herself away from him when she noticed they were only inches apart “Why…why would you say that?”

He smiled “You know, the last time I was stalked, the girl wasn’t half as cute as you. But then again, it lasted for over a month and she was almost beyond psychotic.”

Her face turned a crimson red as she lowered her head “I’m sorry…”

“Why should you be? Actually, I’m very flattered by this. It’s not every day I have a secret admirer that I don’t know.” He smiled while giving her wink “But the next time you try to sneak on me, make sure I’m not looking at you. It defeats the purpose of stalking.” He reached out daringly and lifted her chin up “I’ll see you around.”

Her mouth dropped as she watched the man of her dreams disappear out the door while she had a problem uttering the words ‘Bye’. Vicki fanned herself as she took in deep breaths. That was the closest encounter she’s ever been in. He was even more charming in person and she wanted nothing more than to kick herself for not taking the chance to ask for his name or if he would be the father of her child. She left the mall soon after that feeling down but still surprisingly nervous, her heart beat quickened each time she thought of him.

*********

Ivy was seated on the massaging spa chair as she dipped her feet in the water. But it didn’t last for one second as she whipped her legs up “Damn!! What are you trying to do? Cook me??”

Ben looked at her strangely “Is it hot?”

“You put your hand in there!” she pointed.

The girl that was in charge of Ivy smiled as she turned on the cooler water “Sorry, I think that’s better.” She touched the water with her hand and motioned for Ivy to lower her feet inside.

Ivy narrowed her eyes suspiciously as she dipped her feet inside “Is that better, princess?” Ben asked with total sarcasm.

“Yes, now be gone peasant!” she waved him away. Ben laughed as he took an empty seat close to her and grabbed a magazine to read while they worked on her pedicure.

The girl was about twenty something and very soft spoken. She turned up to Ivy “I will now clean the bottom of your feet and cuticles.”

“I’m a little ticklish…” Ivy warned “Anna.” She read her name tag.

“Don’t worry, it won’t hurt a bit.” Anna advised as she pulled one of Ivy’s feet out and began cleaning the cuticles. And then she began scrubbing the soles of Ivy’s feet. She couldn’t hold in the tickling sensation as she twitched each time the girl rubbed her feet with the hard sponge “Miss, can you sit still please?” the girl was running out of patience.

“I can’t help it, it tickles!!!” she pointed. The girl tried to control her composure as she smiled and continued with the cleaning. And then she touched Ivy’s most sensitive spot, the center of her feet. It was also a reflex point as she twitched roughly. Actually, it was more a kick as she threw her feet up, hitting the girl straight on the nose.

“Ow!!!” she fell off her little stool as she touched her nose. Blood was squirting out and then it began, all the other girls rushed over to assist their co-worker.

Ben sat up instantly as he helped the girl sit on a chair as her head was tilted back. He turned to Ivy with a stern look “Oops.” She said apologetically “I warned her…” she added.

“You didn’t have to kick her in the face.” Ben said reasonably.

“Well, you didn’t have to take me here but you did it anyways. I guess it’s safe to blame everything on you.” Ivy crossed her arms as she stared at him with wide eyes.

He rolled his eyes for the first time “Trust me, if I knew you were going to kick the girl, I would have brought a football helmet for her!”

“If you knew I was gonna kick her, you wouldn’t even take me here…unless you wanted it to happen.” She argued.

“AHH!!” Ben cried out of frustration “That’s it. You out… Come on, we’re leaving.” Ivy was beaming as she jumped out of her chair and dried her feet on the towel that was sitting on the floor. He gave one of the girls a wad of cash “Sorry about this.” They didn’t bother replying. They only watched him leave and glad that he took along the walking disaster.

Ivy rushed out of the place as she breathed in a lung full of air “Ooh…better. Now that’s the polluted air that I miss!!” she laughed at her irony but the minute she turned to Ben, her face dropped “What? Don’t be pointing fingers at me…I didn’t want to come to this place.” He shook his head as he headed to the car “So, we’re going home?” she asked with excitement.

He walked around to his door while Ivy stood outside her door as she looked at him with a smile “You have hands.” He said shortly.

Ivy grinned as she opened her own door “Wow…someone forgot to be a gentlemen.” She teased.

“And someone isn’t a lady.” Ben quipped.

She applauded his attempt to insult her “Not bad…” she nodded with a smile “You’re getting there, Benny.”

“Ben.” He turned to her sternly “It’s just BEN. Not Benny, I hate that name.”

Ivy’s eyes bulged wide open “Excuse me!”

The ride was full of awkward silence as he drove her to another salon across town. Ivy somehow managed to fall asleep in the car while he drove on. When the car stopped, Ben turned to see her sleeping. She had on a small smile and it made him smile too as he watched her sleep. She looked like an angel when she slept unlike her usual loud and obnoxious self. Suddenly, her eyes popped open catching him off guard. She slowly leaned back while her expression changed to confusion. Ben knew he was blushing as he tried to recover “Oh….uh…you were talking in your sleep…I was just seeing what you had to say…” he stumbled to get the door open.

Ivy frowned “Ty says that I don’t talk in my sleep, only snore.” She nodded to his door lock “You have to unlock it to open the door.”

Ben glanced at her with embarrassment “Oh…I know.” He opened the door and rushed out.

Ivy opened her own door as she got out and looked around them “This isn’t home.”

“Who said we were going home?” Ben asked.

“Where the hell are we?” she noticed it was crowded just like Tong Lau Wan, but this place was a little more classy looking “Kowloon…wow…it’s just like in my dreams.” She gushed.

Ben smiled “You’ve never been anywhere else?”

Ivy rolled her eyes “What do you think I am? Some pathetic loser that’s never left the city she was raised in? Come on….how big is Hong Kong? I mean everyone has been to all the cities right? It’s just….” His smile only grew bigger as she yapped on and eventually she snapped “Fine! Okay. I’ve never been anywhere else. There, you happy now?”

He laughed “I didn’t say anything.”

“Yeah, but you thought it!” she pointed to her head “Okay, so where to?”

Ben nodded for her to follow him “We’re going to give this one more try.” He stopped in front of another salon “Now, behave yourself.”

“Yes, Daddy. Do I get a lollipop if I behave?” she asked in a squeaky voice.

He laughed “No, it’s bad for your teeth.” He opened the door for her as she walked through.

“My daddy sucks!!” she exclaimed when they stepped foot inside the shop. Suddenly all eyes were on them “What? You’ve never seen a humans before?!” she snapped.

Ben shook his head at her “You’re not behaving.”

“This isn’t fun…” she mumbled as he walked off to greet the girl who looked to be the owner. The two spoke in low voices while Ivy walked around the shop like she owned it. Touching everything from the fake nails to the tools. She noticed an old lady that looked old enough to be her father’s grandma doing her nails. She dragged a chair noisily next to the woman as she watched the girl work on her fake nails.

“Can I help you, Miss?” the woman asked haughtily. She had on the largest diamond ring Ivy has ever seen.

Ivy shook her head with a grin “No, I just want to see when your finger’s gonna fall off so I can grabbed that shit huge rock!!” she nodded her head.

“What?” the woman looked ready to fall out of her chair.

“Ivy!!” Ben saw her annoying the elder lady as he waved her over.

“Oh, no time for fun. My sugar daddy is calling. It’s my first time tonight, I’m a virgin.” She winked at the woman and popped up from her seat.

The elder lady watched in horror as she turned to the girl that was doing her manicure “I knew she was a hooker.” She whispered.

Ivy trotted over as Ben nodded the lady he was talking to “This is Mary, she’s the owner here and she’ll be personally doing your manicure and pedicure.”

“Did you warn her about my crazy reflexes?” Ivy asked.

The woman smiled, she was in her early thirties “Honey, I’ve been kicked more than you’ve washed your hair in a week. I’ll be just fine.”

Ivy crossed her arms while her smile brightened “You’re full of shit!!” she pushed the lady playfully.

Mary turned to Ben, unsure of what her slang meant “She doesn’t mean it literally.” He explained. Marry nodded while Ben turned to Ivy and gave her a warning.

“Why don’t you have a seat?” Mary pointed to the chair. Ivy climbed on the chair as she tested the waters “Good?” Mary asked.

“It’s purrrfect…” Ivy smiled as she dipped her entire feet into the warm water. When Mary got to the ticklish part, she felt the urge to twitch. She was gripping on the arm handles trying to hold in her reflexes. Her leg gave a whip and Ben was on his feet as he held down her feet “Don’t touch me, freak!” she yelled out suddenly.

“I’m trying to prevent another accident from happening.” Ben explained.

“You keep touching me and you’ll turn into an accident!” Ivy threatened. It worked because he quickly snapped his hand back. She leaned downwards to Mary “You don’t have to clean the bottom of my feet, it’s always going to be dirty.” She wrinkled her nose.

Mary smiled as she understood “Okay.” She began with the cuticles “What color do you want to paint them?”

“Let me ask my sugar daddy.” Ivy turned to Ben “Hey.” He was busy talking to another girl and they seemed to be having a long conversation “Hey!!!” she yelled again and when he didn’t answer, she pointed to the towel in Mary’s hand “Let me borrow that.” She balled it up and aimed it directly at Ben’s face “Bullseye!!” she cried happily.

Ben looked ready to blow as he grabbed the towel and walked over to Ivy “Yes, your majesty?”

Ivy cleared her throat, sat upright and pushed her chin in the air “This woman asked what color I should use. Surely, I am too important to make that kind of decision.”

Ben turned to Mary as his eyes softened “Give her a rose red color.”

“A what?” Ivy asked.

“Or maybe go a little darker. It’s very 'in' this fall.” Mary suggested as she ignored Ivy’s question.

“Hello!! Anyone listening? No red. Just clear…Ben. Ben!!!” she yelled.

Ben tilted his head at her “I thought you were too important to make this kind of decision?”

“I take it back.” Ivy replied quickly.

“Too late.” Ben nodded to Mary to continue.

“Off with your head!!!” Ivy pointed at him making him laugh. Mary was choosing the color when Ivy hopped off her chair and rushed over to Ben “No, seriously. I can’t do red.”

Ben smiled “Frankly, my dear. I don’t give a damn.”

Ivy’s eyes narrowed evilly “You’re a sick little man…you’ll pay. I guarantee it.” Her voice was full of threats.

Chapter 9

After an hour, Ivy’s fingers and toes were painted a dark red with white flowers on the big toes and the thumbs. When Mary began cleaning up, she looked up suddenly “Are we done?”

“Yes, you are done. Now just go sit over there with the hand and foot fans to dry your nails up.” Mary advised.

“Shit, more waiting…” Ivy snickered to herself. She looked up and noticed Ben was no longer in the shop. Her brows wrinkled but it didn’t take long for her to react as she grabbed her shoes and raced for the door. But to her misfortune, she was face to face with Ben, who took a short walk and just returned.

“Where are you going?” he asked with his arm crossed.

“I…I was looking for you!” She blurted out “Yeah, I got a little worried when I noticed you were gone. So I ran out to see if you were…” she knew the excuse was down the drain when he rolled his eyes “Damn, I couldn’t buy that crap either.” He laughed with a nod “Now can we go home? I mean, my nails are nice and girly…” she wrinkled her nose.

“I suppose.” He looked at her fingers “We’ll work on the hair and make up tomorrow. If you didn’t injure that girl, we could have worked on your hair and face today.” Ben advised as he walked her to the car. This time he opened the door for her.

“Thank you.” Ivy said without thinking “Oh goody, you mean I get to look like myself for another day?” she asked when they got in the car.

Ben was looking at her with a smile “You just said it.”

“What?” She asked, unsure of what he meant.

“Thank you.” He said.

“For what?” Ivy looked at him strangely.

Ben let out a sigh “I meant, you said thank you earlier. You never say thank you…actually, I think that was the first thank you that you ever said to me.”

Ivy widened her eyes fearfully as she began banging her head with the palm of her hand “Damn! Get out demon, get out!!!” she looked up at Ben with frightened eyes “Get it out of me!! I’ve been struck by the Polite Demon. Get him out!!”

He laughed as he began driving off “It’s not that bad. You seem more human when you say the words thank you.”

“Man, you need to get out more!” she sighed.

When they reached home, she opened the apartment door and walked in to find her father and Tyler in one chair. They were staring at Tara with fear. She was in dirty jeans and a plain black t-shirt and her hair was tousled. She was pointing at the television yelling out words of profanity. Ben widened his eyes at Tyler as he nodded to Tara. Tyler shrugged as he rushed over to his sister “It’s like she’s been possessed by the devil.” He whispered.

“Really?” Ivy smiled.

“It’s not funny! She’s been cursing for a whole two hours.” Tyler whispered. "You know how much she loves school right?” Ivy nodded “Watch this.” He turned to Tara “Hey, how about we study for English?”

“Eat shit!!” Tara cried.

Ben covered his smile as he seated himself next to Mr. Yung while Tyler turned to his sister who was beaming “Damn, she’s cool!!”

“No, she’s not!” Tyler pulled his sister by the arm “What happened to my friend? I can’t pass English without her help.”

“Sorry man, I can’t help you.” Ivy said with fake sympathy. She skipped over to Tara as the girls joined together on the couch “Who’s winning?” she asked as the two watched the game.

Mr. Yung shook his head sadly “I can’t watch.” He got up and headed for his room.

Tyler walked over the dining room table where his books were sprawled out ready to be read. Ivy glanced at her brother and then back at Tara “Hey, let’s mess with Ty.” She whispered.

Tara nodded eagerly “Sure…what are we gonna do?”

“Spit balls.” Ivy whispered as the two raced to the kitchen and came back out with a cup of water, two straws and a balled up napkin. “10 points for the nose, the eye is 5 points and the cheek is 1 point.” Ivy put out the rules.

“Why?” Tara asked as she balled up the wet napkin into her straw.

“Because his cheek is too big. Easy target.” Ivy explained “On three…one, two…three!” together the two blew into the straw as the spit ball flew straight at Tyler’s face.

“Quit it!!” He cried while wiping the paper off his cheeks.

Ivy nodded at Ben, who was watching the game “You take score. It’s one for me and one for Tara.”

Ben shook his head at the girls “Just leave him alone.”

Ivy and Tara exchanged knowing glances as they balled up another one and aimed it at Ben. They blew it and Tara’s ball came flying at his chest while Ivy’s hit his forehead. Ben looked disgusted as he wiped the spit balls off himself while Tyler cackled with laughter “What are you laughing at, gay boy?” Ivy snapped. She balled another one and spit it at him.

“Spit ball war!!!!” Tyler announced when one hit him on the eye. He rushed to the kitchen while the girls scrambled to get their spitballs ready. Within minutes, there was a full on spitball war with Ben in the middle. He remained calm while the three attacked each other with the disgusting wet napkin balls.

Tyler was cheating as he was closest to the kitchen, he ran in and out to get more wet napkins as he hurled it across the room at Ivy and Tara. The girls were getting wet too fast and the next time Tyler tried to run into the kitchen. Ivy tackled him “Tara, get his legs!” her accomplice did as she was told while Ivy stuck her feet in Tyler’s face “How’s that, litte woman!” she laughed evilly.

He was struggling until he realized her feet didn’t stink “Hmm…it smells like roses.” He mumbled through her feet.

Ivy pulled her feet back to her nose and smelled it “Crap! My secret weapon has been destroyed.”

Tara laughed “What now?” she was struggling to hold Tyler’s leg down.

“AHH!!!!” Tyler let out a cry as he rolled Tara to her back and he pointed to his sister “You come near and I’ll tickle her to death.”

Ivy shrugged “Go ahead, I don’t even like her.”

“What?” Tara asked in shock.

“Sorry girl, fight your own battles.” Ivy got up and took a seat next to Ben while the other two tickled each other “You still here?” she asked casually.

“Let me see.” He turned to her with his hands out.

Ivy dropped her jaw as she covered her bosoms “Ben! We don’t know each other that well! At least we should go on our first date!”

He rolled his eyes “We had sushi remember?” he nodded to her fingers “Let me see them.”

She slouched down while her hands reached out to show him “How’s the damage, doctor? Are they going to live?”

Ben nodded “I think they will be just fine.” His hand was touching her nails as he admired the intricate white flower Mary managed to put on her thumbs.

Ivy suddenly felt uncomfortable from his touch as she pulled her hands back “That’s enough touching for one night. That will be $100 dollars please.” She put out a hand.

He laughed, “That’s a bit pricy to touch your hands. How much would it be to—”

“Priceless!” Ivy quickly answered before he had a chance to finish. She stood up and walked around to Tyler and Tara who were done giggling and were now wrestling with each other “Come on kids. Time to go to sleep.”

“No!! Awww, Mommy, it’s only 10 o’clock!” Tyler objected.

“I don’t care.” Ivy argued as she pointed to Tara “You, go home. You can come by and play with Ty tomorrow.”

“Yes, mam!” Tara got up as she saluted Ivy and rushed out the door before waving goodbye to Tyler.

Ben prepared to get up too “I guess I should go.”

“Okay. Bye.” Ivy said shortly. He smiled as he walked himself out. She sat down on her knees as she looked at Tyler who was smiling happily “What’s with the dorky grin?”

Tyler looked at her innocently “What grin?”

“That grin!” She pulled her fingers at the corner of his lips and arched them up “Does someone have a little crush?”

“You think Ben likes you too?” Tyler asked.

Ivy’s face fell as she whacked him across the head “Ew! No…yuck. I would never, I mean NEVER fall for that freak.”

“Yeah, but you can’t help the freak from falling for you.” Tyler said reasonably. He lied on the ground with his arms behind his head.

Ivy too made herself on the floor “Really? You think so?”

“Totally. He wants you so bad.” Tyler nodded.

“In his dreams!” Ivy snapped. She narrowed her eyes at her little brother “You and your sick little mind. How about you and Tara? Giggling and rolling around the ground like that. Add some mud and you two could be in a mud wrestling contest.”

Tyler smiled “She’s…cute.”

“Cute?!” Ivy arched her brow up “Just a while ago, you said she was possessed by the devil. Now she’s cute…damn, you’re more fickle than a woman PMS’ing”

He shrugged his shoulders with the same smile “I don’t know…she seems different. But I can’t help thinking…she reminds me a little of you tonight.”

Ivy whipped her neck back as she looked at him and he looked at her, together they groaned “EW!!!”

“I take that back.” Tyler said.

“You better!” Ivy snapped “Or I will have to be forced to beat you up again. And you know how much I love doing it.”

“Not after Ben’s done with you. He told daddy that he’ll turn you into the daughter he always dreamed of having.” Tyler teased.

“That’s not hard, I’ll just act like you.” Ivy quipped.

His brows flicked up “Do you think its easy being me?”

Ivy smiled “You’re right. It’s hard being a kiss ass goody two shoes.”

“I don’t kiss up!!” Tyler argued.

“Yeah? And I’m really a lady.” Ivy snorted. She pushed herself up “Tara’s not bad, you should think about it. I’m gonna go to sleep now, son. I won’t be able to tuck you in, can you handle it on your own?” she asked in a motherly tone.

“Yes momma. I’m almost 7 years old!” he exclaimed in his high pitched tone.

Ivy smiled as she ruffled his hair “Night, kid.” He smiled after his sister while he continued to lie on the ground. His mind was somewhere else.

SIUBINGLIBRARY