SIBLINGS IN LOVE

They say that every person has at least three people in the world who look exactly like them. Have you ever heard of that?

I thought it was impossible. Well, up until this point.

I, Julie Bryant, 20 years old, how did l end up falling in High roller dressed as a school girl a few hours ago?

FEW HOURS AGO

The alarm rang noisily and Juliana moved, uncomfortably on her bed. Hearing the alarm sound deep in her sleep, she rolled and hit the snooze button.

"Stupid alarm! Just a little more "she muttered and tucked herself is the blanket, sleeping off.

"Julie! Weren't you supposed to be helping Luna with her part-time job? "Her Mom yelled from the stairs and Julie got up, immediately.

"Oh no! "She yelled and got down from the bed, immediately. She walked out of her room and locked the door.

"You woke up late again? "Her Mom said wLith a frown and she palmed her forehead.

"I'm so sorry, Mom. I will go and get ready right away "she rasped and rushed off to the bathroom. Standing in front of the mirror, she is busy packing her hair in a ponytail when she noticed some stains on the mirror.

"What is this? "She groans and took a wiper to wipe off the stain, quickly. "I'm pretty sure Damon did this. He's so stupid "she muttered and dumped the wipers in the trash can. She takes more wipers and continued cleaning the mirror.

Her Mom walked in. "Hey, before you go, will you wake up Damon? "

She frowns. "What? Why me? "She stressed with a long face.

"Don't 'what' me. You are his sister, go wake him up "She said and Julie ignores, cleaning.

"Please do that "she went on and Julie sighed.

"Okay, Mom. Geez. I will wake him up "she drawled and walked out. She headed to his room, frowning.

"Even if you say I'm his sister. We are still the same age "she thought, climbing the stairs and she stopped at his door.

"You bastard! "She cussed, staring at the write-up 'Damon's room' on the door and she sighs. She walks closer to open the door and Damon opened the door, abruptly, hitting Julie's head in the process.

Julie moved back, pained. "Ouch! "She groaned and Damon furrowed his brows.

"Huh? You are in the way "he said and she moves while he walked past her.

"What? I was just trying to wake you up "She yelled, furious while Damon looked at her and continued walking down the stairs.

This guy, Damon Bryant, 20 years old. Maybe if we were related, I'd think he was a little cuter. Julie glared at him and hit the door in annoyance.

~~~

"Your stepbrother's cute "Luna said, taking the camera off her eyes. Julie scoffed.

"Which part? "She huffed, sardonically.

"No. I think he's the cool one "Luna smiled and took the camera, wanting to take a picture.

"Well, I don't care. You have no idea what I've been through because of him "she rasped, angry.

"Okay, okay. I get it, I get it "Luna answered, busy with her faulty camera.

"Thanks to him, not a day went by in junior high and high school that I didn't get into a fight with a girl. I was always getting called out by the girls.

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL DAYS.

Three ree girls walked closer to Julie while she moved back in fear. She was so frightened and furious too. Damon was the cause of all this.

"Would you please stay away from him? "The girl, in the middle, said.

"No, but .. we live together "she answered and the other scoffed.

"Huh? What are you trying to imply now? "She yelled, angrily and Julie bit her lips.

"I'm not trying to imply things, but I'm not living together with him because l like him "she said, doleful and the middle girl grabbed her hand.

"You know what? Come with us "she said and they pulled her along with them.

"What? Leave me alone "

HIGH SCHOOL DAYS

Still the another set of girls all over her, the middle girl is mad because Daman cheated on her.

"Your brother, do something about it "she yelled, mad in anger.

"I'm sorry "Julie said, bowing.

"No, you just can't apologize for it. Do you have any idea how many girls he's been with? "She exclaimed and Julie blinked.

"How many? "She asked.

"Ten! "

"T-Ten?! "Julie squealed, surprised and she bowed again.

"Yes! "

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! "

PRESENT

Julie gets scared, thinking about it.

"He's such an unsociable guy. He's always seen going from one girl on to the next. He can do whatever he wants. What's more, because we are not even related by blood! Every day girls treat me like I'm some kind of an imaginary enemy "

It sucks.

She recalled girls grabbing her hands, yelling at her or pointing fingers at her. She sighs.

"I've never even had a boyfriend and it's all because of him. And I didn't think we'd go to college together "she yelled, pissed off and Luna chuckled.

"It's okay. I understand "she said and took a high school uniform from the set of clothes and walked towards Julie.

"Come on, put this on. Let's go, okay? "Luna rasped and Julie took the outfit with a questioning look.

"What's this? "She asked, inquisitive.

"It's my high school uniform "she answered and Julie furrowed her brows.

"Your part-time in photography is this? "Julie asked, pointing to the uniform. Luna nodded with a shrug.

"Yes. In a magazine. It's a special feature on strategies of today's JK to wear uniforms "She responded and walked away to get a blonde haired wig.

"No way. No freaking way. I can't do this, Luna "Julie rasped, freaked out and Luna smiled.

"It's totally fine. Here, hurry up and get ready "Luna urged her and she shook her head.

"No, no, no, no "

"It's fine. Put it on "Luna said and fixed the wig on her head.

"No, you can't. See you can't! "

Julie and Luna are out in the High roller, Luna taking pictures of Julie in her new outfit and extravagant makeup.

"How about a peace sign? "Luna suggests and Julie did as she was told with an awkward smile.

Luna smiled. "Yeah. That's good, that's good, that's good "she said, taking another set of pictures.

"It's cute. Come in, closer. Relax and smile, smile "she said at intervals and Julie nodded. Julie turned, sideways.

"Hey. I think you've taken enough "Julie whispered and Luna stopped and stood straight.

"Alright. Hold on a second, let me check "she said and checks the camera for the photos. "I think it needs more accessories "she muttered, ruffling her hair.

Julie took the chance to have a look around. She nodded, finding the environment really attractive and magnificent.

"Sorry, Julie. Hold on a second "Luna said and walked away, briskly. Julie widened her eyes, realizing Luna walked away.

"Hey, wait! "She said and ran after her. She bumped in someone and fell down on her butts.

"Ow .. "she said as her eyes rolled. She looked up and the person turned out to be Damon, her brother. She gasped, staring at him with her bulging eyes.

"And that's how l ended up here "

"What are you doing here? "Damon asked, looking her weirdly.

Julie's heart started thumping. "This is bad! He's gonna think of me as a weird sister who likes to cosplay. No choice now. I have to go with this "she thought and nodded. She stood up and frowned.

" 'What?', you are the one who's being all friendly. What? Who are you? "She said with so much audacity and Damon stared at her, speechlessly.

Julie kept mute thinking she failed in her little act. Damon clutched to his bag.

"Sorry, I think I have the wrong person "he said and smiled. Julie sighed.

"I made it through "

"But you look so much like someone l know "he added and Julie picked up her bag as well.

"They say there are 3 people in this world who looks like you. There really are "

Damon brings out his phone. "Can l take a picture? "He asked, operating his phone.

"A picture? "She asked and did the peace sign. Damon took a photo.

"What the hell am l doing? "She asked, shutting her eyes. She sees herself as being foolish right now. Damon smiled.

"Yeah, give me your phone number. And your LINE account "Damon said, on his phone.

"What? Is he hitting on me? "She thought, surprised.

Damon noticed her reaction. "If you don't feel like it, it's okay "

"No. No. If I tell him, he will know that I'm his sister "she thought, thinking of a lie to tell. Damon looked sullen.

"I don't have a phone. Well, my parents are very strict "she lied and Damon stared at her and nodded, afterwards.

"Oh .. then "he said and took off his bag. He takes a notepad and pen.

"What is he going to do now? "Julie stared at him and trying to figure out what he's busy writing down on the notepad.

He ripped off the note and stretches out to her. "Here. Call me if you feel like it "he said and Julie hesitated. She stared at him and then at the note.

She takes the note, reluctantly. Damon smiled.

~~

Luna laughed out loud. "You seriously tricked your brother "she said, jocularly, staring at the note.

"It's not funny! "Julie blurted out, pissed off.

"Isn't my makeup amazing? In the future, instead of being a magazine editor, maybe l will become a make up artist "she said with a wide grin.

"This is not the time for that "Julie lamented and sipped from her juice. They were actually in a restaurant.

"So what are you going to do next? Are you gonna call him? "Luna asked as she stared at Julie.

"Of course not "she blurted out and pushed the note away.

"Yeah, l know "Luna laughed and sipped her coca cola juice.

"It was really awful being hit on by your brother. It's so bad that I can't even bring myself to tell my parents "Julie said with a scowl and Luna chuckled.

"You are right. He's a womanizer, isn't he, your brother? "Luna asked and she nodded. "He could have any girl even if she looked like his sister "Luna said and she sipped her drink.

"It's making me more pissed off "Julie said, eye-widened and Luna laughed.

Julie, Damon and their parents are having dinner together.

"Have some of this. It's so delicious "Julie's Mom said to her husband and he smiled.

"Oh really? "

Julie looked at Damon as he ate his dinner. Damon noticed and glanced at her.

"What? "He asked, taking a glass of water. She shook her head.

"N-Nothing "she answered and shot him a glare.

"What? What's with that attitude? You hit on me "she thought and glared at him. Damon is unaware of her actions.

"Did you get to help Luna with her part-time job today? "Her Mom chipped in and Julie nodded.

"Yeah "she answered.

"How was it? "

"How was it? Nothing special "

"She said you were modelling for a shoot in High roller .. "With that, Julie pushed the soup on the table, purposely and it spilled on the table.

"Julie, are you okay? "Her Dad asked, standing up. Her Mom cleaned up the place while Julie left to get wipers.

She cleaned the table.

"You don't have to wipe that "Her Dad chuckled.

"That's right "said her Mom.

Julie persisted, cleaning up.

"It must be really hard for Damon. Dealing with her germophobia "She laments and Damon rolled his eyes.

"It's her habit, I guess. What can l possibly do? "Damon stated, coldly and Julie scoffed.

Shooting him a glare, she thought "Huh? What's with the ' l'm a victim of a troubled sister ' crap? What does he mean by habit? "

She leaves and slammed her room door shut in anger. She walked to the spot where she dumped the note with his number written on it.

She smiled, recalling his words. "Call me if you feel like it "he said when he gave her the paper.

"Change of plan "

Change of plan "Julie said with a smirk. Damon is sitting on his bed, awaiting Julie's phone call. Then, he went to gallery to stare at her picture.

He stares for a while when a call popped on his screen. It was a public telephone and he smiled, thinking it's the girl he met at the High roller.

He picked up and placed the phone on his ear. "Hello? "

"Hello, it's me. Do you remember me? A look alike of someone you know "Julie rasped, kinda happy but Damon says nothing.

"Have you forgotten already? "She asked, and Damon shook his head.

"No, l remember you. I'm really glad you decided to call. I wouldn't know what to do if you didn't call me. Thank you "Damon said, coyly, leaving Julie totally speechless.

"You are exaggerating. Do you say that to everyone, or do you just like this girl? "she thought and stared at telephone.

"If that's it, we should hang out sometime in High roller "Julie suggested.

"Yeah, sure. Let's see .. I'm free on Friday "Damon said after much thought.

"Okay, so let's meet in High roller at 5:00pm on Friday "

It was supposed to be a little lie at first.

"Alright then. I'm looking forward to it "

"Me too. I'm super excited, too! "Julie yelled and Damon chuckled.

Who ever thought that this lie would change their fate completely?

Julie smiled.

NEXT MORNING

"I see. So you are going to blow him off, huh? "Luna asked with a smug smile after rounding up her makeup on Julie's face.

"Yeah. While wearing this girly costume, l will reveal myself and say 'Gotcha! Big time!' "She exclaimed and Luna chuckled.

"You are a bad person "

"Why? You have to take a beating once in a while to ruin someone "she stated while Luna searched for the eyeliner in the make up box. She found it.

"So this is Julie's way of fixing the world "Luna replied, fixing her eye liner. Julie nodded.

"It's payback for all the troubles he put me through "she stated, determined.

She's on her way to the High roller and looking as beautiful as ever.

"Yes. This is payback for everything. It wouldn't hurt to do this, right? "She said, walking briskly. She sees Damon waiting and she stopped walking.

Quickly, she hid behind a pillar and peeped at him. Damon looked at watch.

"He's already here, huh? Let's see how long he can wait "she stated and looked at her watch. A smile tugged to her lips as she watched him.

10 minutes have passed and Damon is still waiting on the same spot. Julie stared at him and then to her watch.

"Hmm. Well, you can still handle more than that "she said with a mischievous smile.

30 minutes have passed and Damon is still there, standing still. A girl comes up to him.

"Hey. Are you free right now? "The girl asked, flirtatious.

Julie looked at them. "Oh, he got picked up instead. And she looks pretty hot.

Damon said nothing and didn't even spare her a glance. She bit her lips, unwilling to back down just yet.

"There's a great place nearby .. "

"I can't "Damon interrupted her, abruptly and looked at her. "I'm meeting someone "he added and she walked away.

Julie widened her eyes, surprised. "Wow, that's a first "

An hour have passed and Damon still persisted on leaving.

"He's so handsome " Two girls walked up to him and commented. "Excuse me? "

"He's picked up again "

"No, l can't. I'm meeting someone "he said and the girls left.

"Bye "

Julie is surprised. "What? How long is he going to wait? "She stressed and leaned on the pillar. She checked her wrist watch.

"It's been an hour already and I'm starting to feel sorry for him "she thought and sighed.

"I'm done with this, so I'll just break it to him "she said and nodded. "Yeah. That's what I'm gonna do "she sighed and rushed off to meet him.

"I'm sorry I'm late "she apologized, standing in front of him. Damon is silent as he stared at her.

"You are mad at me, right? You know, actually, l'm .. "

"It's okay. I'm pretty late too "Damon cut her off and Julie nodded.

"What's with the white lie? "She thought, staring at him.

"Shall we? " He asked and Julie nodded.

"Sure "she said and he walked away while Julie followed suit. They are sitting in a restaurant.

"I'm really sorry "Julie apologized again, nervous and Damon shook his head.

"I already said it's okay "Damon responded and Julie took the glass of water on the table. She looked away gulping down the water.

"What should I do? When should I break it to him? It's hard to tell him when he's been lied to this long "she thought, nervous and stealing glances at him. She placed the glass on the table.

"But here's the thing. Meeting someone with no phone is hard, right? "She asked, trying to start up a conversation and he nodded.

"Yeah. I thought about that "he rasped and turned to his bag. He searched for something while Julie stared at him, confused.

"What is he looking for? "She thought to herself and got an answer as Damon placed a phone on the table.

"Here "he said and Julie blinked. She moved the glass of juice aside and looked at the phone then back at Damon.

"For me? "She asked, pointing to herself and Damon nodded.

"Yes. Oh, don't worry. I'll pay for your phone "he said and Julie shook her head.

"No, no. That's not how it works "she smiled, pushing the phone back to his side of the table.

"If you don't like it after hanging out with me, feel free to push me back "he stated and Julie hesitated.

"What's going on? What's this development? "She thought, stressed.

"I want you to be my friend "he said, pushing the phone to her side of the table.