I bounded up the stairs to my place; asthma be damned. Today was destined to go down in history. The taste of raspberry syrup lingered, and promised to last forever.
When I reached my landing, I fumbled with the keys before realizing that the door was ajar. I heard voices. An intruder in my domain. "Who's been sleeping in my bed?" I asked before entering.
What I saw was a disturbing sight. John was sitting on the couch with a small, adorable redhead, and between them was a half-empty bottle of Turkish Nut Schnapps. What was disturbing was not that my house had been invaded so poorly, that my alcohol was consumed, that a cute woman was not talking to me, but that that John was entertaining a girl, and such a wonderful girl at that.
"Hey, Steve," John said with a goofy grin. I ignored him.
"Red, what are you doing with a goofer like this?"
Red Spoonsworth, my favorite cousin in the whole apartment, looked up to me, smiled with the stars in her teeth, and said, "John stopped by, and was nice enough to keep my company." She patted him on the shoulder, "He's so sweet."
John seemed to blush. "It's been a long time," he said to me, "We had a lot of catching up to do. I didn't even know Red was coming to town!"
"It was a surprise for everyone," Red explained, "When my flight got cancelled, I had nowhere to go for break, and Steve picked me up, in the middle of a busy evening."
"It's been a tough time at work," I reminded my cousin, "They even hired me an assistant."
"She should assist you in removing that lipstick from you neck," Red said, nodding towards me.
I seemed to blush. "It's been a long day," I said to John, "How long you been here."
"Feels like no time," he said sheepishly, "I figure two hours."
"John's been a lot of fun," Red said, "He's been playing a great host."
"Thanks a lot, pal," I nodded to my friend, "Get out."
John beamed, and made no move to get off the couch away from my young sweet slip of a redheaded cousin.
"What's your assistant's name?" Red asked.
"I don't remember," I lied, "Look, I'm really tired. Leave my home immediately." I was talking to John; he seemed to assume I was talking to someone else.
"What time is it?" Red looked to the wall.
"One thirty," John said.
"Whoah," Red said, putting a hand on his chest, "We've got to get to bed if I'm going to see that library again."
John perked up. "So we'll go tomorrow?"
"I've got to get to work around noon," I apologized.
"You and me, then, John?" Red said.
John jumped up. "Sure."
"I'll see you out," I yawned and plopped down in John's seat. The door was in perfect view.
"I'll see you out," Red said, looking at me in mock disdain. She grabbed John's arm and steered him towards the door. After she opened it, she softly pulled him down and gave him a kiss on the cheek. It was a long one, I think, though I'd seen longer.
"See you tomorrow?" She said.
He nodded.
She closed the door on him, locked it, and sat back next to me.
"Smoothly handled," I said, "It's hard for people to deal with John so well."
"He's a nice guy," Red said, and gave me a peck on the cheek, "Like you."
I smiled. "Good to have you here," I said.
"Sure it's not an inconvenience?"
I shook my head. "Never."
"So tell me about this girl."
"Now it's an inconvenience."
She looked at me piercingly. An adorably cute redhead, sharp as can be, with a whole lot of style, for a teenager. She really is my favorite cousin, even though she's three years younger than me.
"I don't know if anything's happening with us," I said quietly.
"You've got lipstick all over you," Red observed.
"She wasn't wearing it. She just put it on me."
"Some late night fun?"
"Sort of."
I was embarrassed. I don't like talking about my romantic involvements until I know where I stand with the creature. Unfortunately, I hadn't known where I stood with a woman for about three years. "I'll give you more info later," I said.
"That's fine," Red said, hand over her mouth, yawning prettily, "We should really get some sleep tonight."
I nodded, standing up. So did she. I looked down on her, noticing more curves than I should on a blood relative. She's still a short girl, Red is, but simply beautiful.
"Goodnight," I said, walking to the bedroom. I turned. "You.. want to have the bed tonight?"
Red smiled. "Thanks, Steve. Sure you don't mind the couch?"
I shook my head. My cousin's great. But she's no JJ.
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