Rhythm by Ena

have a room?”
    “Well, technically it’s mine, but I’ll let
you sleep there, so it will be yours for a while. Unless . . . you
want us to share?” I chuckle at the astonishment on her face.
    “No offense, but no, thank you.”
    “Thought you’d say that.”
    “How about you?”
    “I’ll be with Isaac.”
    She snaps as she remembers something.
“Where’s Isaac?”
    I can tell that she can’t wait to see how
Isaac will welcome her. Is she even aware that I already won the
bet?
    Well, Isaac’s response will seal the deal,
but I already know that of all the three—Mom, Dad, and Isaac—Isaac
is the most excited. He told me that finally, I already have a
girlfriend. He doesn’t know about Riley, so he thinks Rip’s my
first. I asked him if he knows what does it mean to have a
girlfriend, and his answer floored me.
    “Yup. You finally got something Dad
has—someone like Mom. I like to have that one too . . . someday.
I’ll be just like you and Dad . . . I’ll have someone like Mom and
Rip—a best friend who is a girl.”
    I didn’t know how to react when he said that.
All I know is that I will not ruin relationships . . . for Isaac. I
want him to appreciate how beautiful relationship is, how beautiful
family is.
    Again, I’m thankful that it’s Rhy that I
brought home, not Riley. Riley might do something that might ruin
relationships for Isaac. I didn’t see her as that kind of girl
before, but after what Rhy told me about Ben, everything
changed.

Chapter 23
    Rhythm
    “Earth calling Grant.” I wave my hands in
front of Grant’s face. “He-ll-ooohh. Wake up, sleepwalker.”
    “Oh. Sorry. I was just thinking about
Riley.”
    Right. He’s ruining the moment. I just met
his wonderful parents, now my dad and mom, and he’s thinking about
that beef? Ugh. Can’t change the name now, it is stuck in my
head. What in the universe?
    “Shoot. Sorry. That came out wrong. I was
just being honest, but I’m not thinking about her the way you’re
thinking about how I’m thinking.” He catches for breath.
    “That’s a lot of thinking, Grant. Just tell
me, why are you thinking about that beef?”
    “About that what? ”
    “Beef. Don’t you change the topic.”
    He couldn’t contain it, he laughs out loud.
When he’s done, composes himself. “I was thinking how thankful I am
that it’s you and not her that I brought home.”
    “You sure are,” I mock him.
    “No, really. That’s what I was thinking.”
    “Fine, fine, fine. Where’s my room? I want to
rest for a while.”
    “Babe, c’mon. I’m telling the truth. I
wouldn’t lie to you.”
    I don’t respond and just continue to
walk.
    “Rhy, please. Believe me. I’ve never been
more thankful to her than I am now. She never agreed to go home
with me, and I didn’t understand before why. Now, I know. It’s
because it is you who is meant to be the first in my life . . . in
my everything. She may have been some of my firsts, Rhy, but she’s
never been this close to my heart. I love you so much, Rhy, more
than I loved her.”
    “Gotcha.” I laugh.
    “Are you just messing with me?”
    I nod.
    “You’re gonna pay for this babe, just wait.”
He smirks. “I’m winning, you know.”
    I go pale. I don’t need to be reminded
because fact is: It doesn’t leave my mind. If he wins, he’ll hold
my hand. HE’LL HOLD MY HAND! What shall I do? I’m not ready
yet.
    I know you think I’m overreacting, but I tell
you, I am not. Holding hands is a monumental thing for me. I never
hold hands with anyone, except for Mama, Papa, and Lola—but with a
guy? Nope. I am still a virgin in that department, in the whole
physical department. So yes, overreacting—not.
    He leads me to the attic. “Your room.”
    “Wow! This is my dream room.” I tell him with
much excitement, which apparently appears counterfeit.
    “Don’t fake it, Rip. I’ll understand.”
    “I’m not faking it. This is really my dream
room.” I genuinely want to have a room in