Page 29 of For the Plot
Alex actually brightened before speaking. “Actually, today I got an exciting audition for a new sitcom pilot!”
“We’re so proud of you!”
“Alex, that’s amazing!”
“Someone wantsyouas the lead of a sitcom?”
“Robyn, be nice.”
“It’s OK, she’s just jealous I’m the hot sibling." Alex smirked, and she flipped him off.
“Robyn!”
“You still live under our roof, young lady.”
Robyn and Alex both burst into laughter at the simultaneous scolding from our parents, who in turn rolled their eyes at each other. Robyn and Alex bickered like they hated each other, but they were almost as close as Nikki and I.
“Anyways, my low for the day is that I didn’t get that cameo I auditioned for last week. But honestly, I’m more excited about this sitcom anyways, so I’m not too bummed.” Alex shrugged.
No one volunteered to go next. Robyn was pushing her food around her plate, avoiding participation as usual, and Noah was still stuffing her face like she hadn’t eaten in days. “Guess I’ll go next, then.” I sighed, trying to come up with what to say. “My high is also family dinner—”
“Cheater! You’re just copying them,” Alex nodded his head at our parents, and I stuck my tongue out at him. He returned the gesture.
“Hey, I haven’t been to family dinner in weeks, it’s valid. Anyways, before I was so rudely interrupted"—I threw Alex a glare—"I was going to say that my low is that I’m still struggling with my draft. Couldn’t get any new words down today.”
“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry,” Mom chipped in, her brows scrunched in sympathy.
“Is there anything we can do to help, bug?” Dad asked. They knew I wrote romance, but thank god neither of them were big readers and they’d never read one of my books. I don’t think I could ever look them in the face again if they did. I’d told them I was struggling with my writing, but they didn’t know why or what I was struggling with, and I planned on keeping it that way.
“Don’t worry, she’s getting help from someone already.” Noah waggled her eyebrows at me from over her wine glass, and Iwidened my eyes at her, warning without words that she better be careful what she said.
“Oh, that’s great, sweetie, who’s helping you?” Mom asked.
“It’s just one of my roommates, helping me work through some kinks.” Noah choked on the sip of wine she'd just taken. “What about you, Noah? High and low?” I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest.
Noah wiped off the wine that had dribbled down her chin, mouthing,Careful. I knew she wouldn’t actually go all the way there and tell our entire family over dinner what James and I were doing. But she had a viciously competitive streak in her I knew I didn’t want to test.
“My high was a really great appointment with one of my little guys who’s been struggling. My low was that it was a very long day, and I am ready to sleep for the next twenty-four hours.”
We all turned to Robyn, waiting for hers.
“My high is that English class was easy, and my low is that math class was the worst.”
A myriad of conversations restarted as we finished up our meal. It wasn’t much longer before we had finished up, helping our parents with the dishes before making our respective ways home.
Noah and I walked out to the car together after saying our goodbyes, elbows linked. “Soooo…” Noah started.
“We didn’t have sex,” I blurted out. Noah raised her brow at me in question. “At least, not yet.” And then I told her everything about my first encounter with James, and that we were meeting again tomorrow for our first real lesson.
She didn’t say a word at first, just stopping and pulling me close and squeezing tight. Our heads rested on each other’s shoulders, and I closed my eyes, relaxing in my sister's arms.
“I’m so proud of you,” Noah whispered in my ear.
I didn't know why, but I began to tear up at her words, sniffing loudly against the chilled nighttime air. “Why?” I asked, rubbing my nose along the sleeve of my jacket.
“For asking for what you want, and telling him what you need,” she replied. “I know how hard that is for you, so I’m proud of you.” God, I was so lucky to have her.
“OK,” I said, sniffing one last time. “Enough sappy shit. You know I’m an emotional bitch.” We laughed, and I pulled her into one last hug.
