My Sister's Crush & I

My phone's ringtone woke me up. Groaning, I reached for my phone on the bedside table. It was Stephanie.

"Sarah," she yelled, making me flinch. I wondered why she was calling early, as she was supposed to be with her friends, having a sleepover.

"Damian is back! My childhood crush is back!! He has returned! Turn on the television, Sarah. They're broadcasting his arrival at the airport!" Her excitement overflowed as she spoke.

I scoffed. She didn't just wake me up for this.

"Everyone is tuning in. Oh my! I'm looking at him right now. He looks so adorable." she gushed.

I rubbed my eyes and let out a sigh "You're very dramatic, Steph, " I remarked, ending the call.

If it wasn't that she's my sister, I would've yelled at her. I don't like my sleep interrupted. I grabbed the remote for the flat-screen TV in my room and switched it on. True to her words, they were still airing a live video of Damian's return at the airport.

I tried not to roll my eyes. Like what's so special about him?

Damian Delance was being swarmed by reporters at the airport. The media praised his global awards and status as the top eligible bachelor at 21. He mentioned returning to complete high school, then left with his bodyguards.

I turned off the Tv to prepare for school. I had my bath, and changed into our uniform; green blazer, white sleeve and skimpy skirt.

Then Nanny Linda gave me breakfast of pancakes, and smoothie. And as usual, Daddy had gone to work.

Ever since mom died of cancer, dad gave himself to his company. Stephanie became more wild, and I stayed at home being the introvert I was.

I got into the car so my chauffeur, Mr Idris, would drive me to school.

In less than 10 minutes, we arrived at Euphoren High School. Idris highlighted from the car to open it for me. And he bade me farewell as I walked along the premises. The whole school was buzzing also with the news of Damian's return.

Students were scattered across in pairs and groups, talking about Damian while staring at his pictures on their phones.

"He is so cute,"

"I heard that he'll be coming to our school,"

My eyes widened at that. I didn't want him to come.

"Oh, gosh! If that ever happens, I will scream my lungs out. Just imagine attending classes with the iconic Damian Delance everyday!" some girls giggled

I almost groaned. Breathing deeply, I took the stairs and entered my classroom.

Suddenly I felt a tight bear hug- Stephanie?

"Stephanie? You came to school!" I squealed, hugging her back. We kissed each other's cheeks. I had missed her so much.

"You left me to have a sleepover with your friends," I accused with crossed arms

"Sorry about that, anyways I came to witness Damian's entry to our school." She giggled. We are a fraternal twin.

"Yes, girl. You're going to be star of the moment." Her friends, Tasha and Kelvin came to give her high-five. I forced a smile. My sister, and her squad call themselves "The Refined." They are the most dangerous clique at Euphoren High.

Stephanie kept talking with her friends, having forgotten about me.

Just then we heard a scream and stamping of feet, the school went into an uproar. Mean-looking hefty protocols in black suits ushered someone into our classroom. Everyone hurried to their seats.

I gave my best friend and seatmate Zara, a tight-lipped smile.

"Settle down, everyone!" Mrs Vanessa, the headmistress entered our classroom. Beside her, was the Damian Delance, dressed in an all black outfits. He gave a very bad boy vibe.

I looked around to see some girls began unbuttoning their shirts to reveal their cleavage.

They purred "Oh my goodness! He is really here!"

"He is an absolute Greek god!"

I shuffled uncomfortably in my seat.

"Everyone meet Damian Delance, your new classmate," Mrs Vanessa introduced. The class erupted in another uproar.

Meanwhile, Damian looked bored with the whole frenzy of him. Like he was used to it.

When it was time for him to sit, he went to the back of the class.I turned to look him, and eyes met with blue sapphire eyes. I knew I had seen them somewhere.

Right there and then, I felt uneasy... I stood to my feet.

"Where are you going?" Zara asked

I said quickly, "I need to use the restroom,"

Zara nodded, and I hurried out.

I literally ran all the way to the restroom, and pushed the restroom door hardly. As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but shiver.

"He can't be the one. I am safe..."

I tried to avoid everyone after class but Zara wouldn't budge. Damian reminded me so much of him. The boy who r'aped me at that masked party... all I saw was blue Sapphire eyes.

"Sarah, you should attend!" Zara grinned mischievously.

"Attend what?" I stared at her for the first time since we entered the school cafeteria. She had ordered french fries and soda, but I'd lost my appetite.

"You didn't hear a thing I said?" Zara frowned.

"Huh? Sorry, my mind was somewhere else," I mumbled.

What is wrong with me? My heart has been thumping heavily since my eyes met with his. It isn't him, and can't be him. That secret stays between my sister and I. It is long buried.

"What were you saying?"

"I was telling you about the private Damian's Welcome home party. Only invited persons will be allowed to the party, oh I wished my parents were of their status, I wouldn't miss it!" She said sadly, munching on her fries.

"Hold on, how can someone who just got into school be hosting a party already? That's clear indication of un-seriousness." I muttered.

Zara rolled her eyes at me "You're quick to judge, he isn't the one hosting the party. It's his mom. She loves him a lot,"

"Okay?" I sipped from the soda.

Zara looked around before whispering "Yeah, he is the only child and the heir to the Delance Conglomerate. Though news has it that his step-siblings are also interested in that position,"

"Hmm,"

"I heard that his mother slept with her best friend's husband; Mr Delance, and got pregnant by him. Her best friend, the first wife, hadn't gotten a child for Mr Delance when that happened. So, by default Damian is the first son and would soon take over his father's wealth," Zara said

"Okay," I mumbled half-heartedly.

"I hope he becomes CEO and my husband someday." Zara said dreamily.

"You too?" I didn't know my best-friend was pinning for Damian as well. Zara and I became friends after we were grouped in a school's competition and won. She was the brightest in class, and we realized that we had a lot in common.

I forced a smile. I can't hope that she ends up with Damian, because my sister likes him too.

I also can't hope to end up with him, because I have a boyfriend, Coleman, a school dropout.

Just then, the Flowery girls walked in as all eyes diverted to their direction. They walked stylishly, reeking of class and fashion.

They were the second most troublesome bullies in school, after my sister's group.

They walked in with Daisy, their leader, in their middle, confronting two outcast girls in the cafeteria.

The girls were talking about Damian and scrolling through his social media accounts when Daisy snatched the phone from them, causing them to gasp.

"what are you doing?" one of them asked in surprise.

She tried collecting the phone from Daisy, but she scoffed and didn't let her. "Can you believe that they were looking at Damian's pictures?" Daisy teased as she showed the phone to Rose and Iris; her minions.

"These paupers are wasting their time day-dreaming about something that can never be theirs" Iris snorted and they chuckled.

"Well, that's none of your business. Give me back my phone!" The girl cried as the other one only stared at her feet nervously.

"You know what, if I were you, I wouldn't bother going to his party- just in case you might be fantasizing about it, because he might just end up throwing up when he sees your face," Rose said as the whole school burst into laughter. The girls started to cry.

Then Daisy dropped the phone on the floor "oops, it slipped," she mocked before walking away with her minions.

They came to where Zara and I were seated, and then stopped at our table.

"Move Zara, you're on our seat" Daisy said to Zara, flaunting her blonde hair.

"But this isn't where you guys seat," Zara crossed her arms, ready for a fight. Zara may be that geek girl with big glasses and braces, but she's bold.

"We can choose to sit wherever we want in this cafeteria," Daisy retorted angrily.

Their presence annoys me, so I try to avoid them at all costs. I tugged at Zara, insinuating that we leave.

"Your royal highness-es, do with the seats as you want," Zara said, her voice laced with sarcasm. We picked our food tray to excuse them, when Daisy spoke again.

"Oh, I didn't see daddy's girl before," she looked at me like she was seeing me for the first time "Why can't you be a mummy's girl or because you have no mummy?" she mocked with a wicked laughter.

Tears clogged my throat but I didn't do anything. I simply increased my pace.

"You're not going to do anything right?" Zara muttered, catching up with me "Your sister won't always fight for you. Learn to stand up for yourself, Sarah!"

"I'll try." I promised.

After the cafeteria incident, we attended some classes, and then closing hour came.

It was the time I always anticipated. Coleman and I always met after school. No one but my chauffeur knew about our frequent arrangement.

I strode to the school park, greeted my chauffeur, and told him to take me to the usual place.

Subtly, he shook his head via the rear mirror and said "Sorry ma'am, but your Father just called to instruct me to bring you home immediately after school."

"But why?" I frowned, but he shrugged and started the car.

I sighed deeply and called Coleman to reschedule. He was displeased and ended the call with a "I love you," and still I couldn't find it in my heart to tell him I loved him too.

Zara would always say that I accepted to date Coleman because I was miserable and lonely.

In no time, Idris drove us home, and I saw my Dad in a navy blue suit standing outside the house to receive me.

I was stunned and wondered what was happening.

"Oh! Sarah; you're just in time. I want you to get ready because we'll be attending Damian's home welcoming party,"

I almost coughed. "Do I have to go?" I asked.

"What do you mean why? You should feel privileged that we were one of the few invited guests,"

"I don't want to go," I protested

"No. As a family; we will be attending the party. The Delance's are family friends and business partners. We are not going to turn them down, neither are you going to be absent. Go join your sister, she is getting dressed already," Dad said firmly

***

"Gosh! I can't believe I am going to Damian's house," Stephanie bugged my ear continuously, she has been to her room and mine; over and over and almost pulling the house down for the perfect dress to wear.

She returned home just to attend the party.

Finally, she settled for a blue cocktail dress with a long V neck that showed her cleavage and bare back. Then she paired it with a shimmery white stiletto and bag.

'Gorgeous' was the word to describe her.

I thought hard about what to wear when Linda suggested that I wore the same thing as Stephanie's, since we had almost everything but in different colors.

So, I wore the red version of the dress. Linda helped me apply light makeup on my face.

After we were both ready, we scurried out and sat with Dad in the back seat as Mr Eric, Dad's chauffeur drove us into the Delance's estate.

My heart rammed quickly at the sight of the luxurious buildings. They had so many security stations. Atlas, we entered the main premises and my jaw dropped to the ground.

"This is paradise!" Stephanie exclaimed softly.

The party was taking place in the open air, and we both alighted from the car with Dad.

"Mr Wright!" a voice called my Dad's name as we approached the party.

It was Damian's mum.

"Mrs Delance!" Dad called and they shook hands. Damian's mum looked stunning in her white shimmering gown.

"I am glad you made it, my husband will be so excited to see you," she said and stared at Stephanie and me.

"Oh, my! Are these your daughters, the twin I once carried some years ago?" she asked, marveling.

"Yes, meet Stephanie and Sarah. They are my daughters," Dad answered proudly.

"Goodness, gracious. They've blossomed into well-sophisticated young ladies. I hope Damian ends up with either of them," she smiled

Dad smiled too, and Stephanie blushed, twirling her hair as I looked away.

"Alright, let me take you to my husband," she said and took Dad away, not before he muttered "You two be safe, and Stephanie don't leave your sister for a second. I'll be back!"

"Oh! Of course" Stephanie giggled mischievously and took a drink from a waiter's tray. She gulped it and told me "Catch ya, baby sister. I am off to find the celebrant; my prince charming,"

I stamped my feet, frustrated. I knew she was going to leave me. I was too boring for her company.

The party was buzzing as lots of dignitaries filled the place. I walked to a table which was empty and took a seat. There was drinks on the table and I took a glass of wine to calm my nerves.

My phone started ringing and I brought it out from my purse. It was Zara.

"Hey Bestie!" she said immediately.

"Hey" I answered slowly.

"Oh, my God! You're at the party, right? I knew your Dad was going to be invited. So, tell me; how is it going? Have you seen Damian?" She said excitedly and I snorted.

"No, not at all," I replied, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Why? Please, let me know when you see him. We should do a video call, and don't forget to take pictures, okay? Bye" she said, ending the call quickly.

Oh heavens! Why are the two important girls in my life obsessed with Damian? I could really use screaming into a pillow now.

I looked around and my eyes met with a group of girls, they scowled at me. I quickly looked away and began playing games with my phone to pass the time.

A waitress passed by with cupcakes and fruit juice, I took some from her. I ate with relishment. When I looked up to see Dad and a replica of Damian, it was more like the older version of Damian. I figured it was Mr. Delance.

Maybe Dad was done, and we could go home. It was a boring party anyway. I noted that Stephanie was still nowhere in sight.

Just then I noticed Mr Delance excuse himself from my dad. Then he went to a corner and pulled Damian from a group of surrounding girls. Up until now, I didn't even know he was a few feet from me.

I watched Mr. Delance say something into his ear, and Damian excused himself from the girls and followed his Dad.

I waved to my dad who gestured to me to be calm- to say that he was coming.

I fidgeted with my hands and looked up again when I saw my Dad leading Mr. Delance and Damian towards my direction.

My breath hitched, and my eyes widened in horror.

Dad's face held nothing but pride. As they got to me, my dad introduced us "Meet my daughter, Sarah. Sarah, meet the Delances".

I could feel Damian's blue eyes steadily on me. He looked so charming in his black suit, and his sleek hair was begging to be roughened.

I shook the sinful thoughts away and smiled at Mr. Delance. "It's so nice to meet you sir," I said.

He chuckled and took my hand. "It's so nice to meet a beautiful, prim and proper lady like yourself, Sarah." Mr Delance smiled, and turned to look around us "I thought your second daughter was also around?" he asked my dad.

My Dad shuffled his feet nervously "Ah, of course. She is- I guess she went to..." he looked at me for help

"She went to meet some friends," I completed the sentence. My Dad sighed in relief.

"Okay," Mr Delance nodded, turning to look at his quiet and stiff-necked son "Son, meet Sarah. I have heard so many positive things about I would like you both to know each other well,"

Damian forced a smile. I bet he didn't fancy me. Well, the feeling was mutual. I didn't like him either.

"Hello," he grumbled, extending his hand for a handshake.

"Hello Damian," I accepted his handshake.

"Perfect." I heard his Dad mutter with mischief, "who knows you two may just end getting married,"

Our fathers smiled sheepishly, sharing knowing looks.

Wait- what??