Tsea by Nia Arthurs Page B

Shawn came into the picture in full force, Cece hadn’t cared about the dating part of her life. We had each other and that was all we needed. Stupid Shawn would mess that up. I could feel it.
    “That’s never gonna happen.” I mumbled.
    She caught the sentiment and argued. “He’s been back there for two years. He can help us…”
    “I mean,” I interrupted “we won’t ever be able to hang out. Shawn and I don’t see eye to eye.”
    Though Cece easily moved past the childhood bully, I just couldn’t un-see all the mean things he’d pulled when we were little. Shawn Anthony was a jerk and once a jerk, always a jerk. It was just like her to go after the ones that were no good. Cece had a terrible track record when it came to guys. There was Ashley in primary school and Tristan and Kent in high school. They all turned out to be massive scum bags that lost interest when, after a few months of talking, they asked Cece out and she informed them that they’d have to wait until she was eighteen.
    Shawn was biding his time and it unendingly annoyed me.
    “At least attempt to get along,” She slipped closer and blinked her thick black lashes. “For me.” I tried to keep my frown in place, but she darted her hands out and tickled my side. “You know you love me.” She said while her fingers danced over my stomach.
    “Stop.” I squirmed, but she didn’t until I let out a bark of laughter. “Hey,” I laughed and captured her hand. “Okay, okay. I’ll try. I promise.”
    “Thank you.” She blew me a kiss and then stood. “Now, let’s go beat the living crap out of your brother. I want to see this movie you think I’ll enjoy.” I laughed as she marched to the room next door and banged on the door. “Adam!”
    The white door swung open and Adam glared at us. “What’s the big deal?” He checked the time on his watch. “I’m trying to enjoy myself before I have to head to the store and you two keep bothering me.”
    I snickered as Cece narrowed her eyes at my brother. She insisted that we looked exactly alike, but that was because Cece couldn’t tell any Asians apart. She’d spent her life with me and she was still clueless. My little brother was tanner than I was. His skin had a healthy cream glow. His eyes were slanted and dark brown and his lips were wider. Adam took after mom, while I took after dad. No matter how often I explained that to the girl beside me, it just didn’t take.
    “Please get off the internet. David and I are trying to watch a movie.” Cece folded her arms and tapped her foot on the hardwood floor. She had two little sisters and so the bossiness was ingrained her.
    “Um, let me think about it.” Adam pretended to ponder her request. “How about ‘no’.” My little brother slammed the door in our faces. I laughed at Cece’s expression. She was about to fist her hands and pummel the door again, when I caught her fingers in mine.
    “Sh,” I winked and led her to the main computer table down the hall. Dad used the space to keep track of the store’s inventory and receipts. Right beside the computer sat the modem that fed wireless internet to each corner of the house. “We have a choice.” I said quietly so that Adam did not hear. “We can let him win or we can all lose.”
    Cece grinned wide. “You are diabolical.” She whispered.
    I tilted my head to the side and raised my eyebrows in inquiry.
    “Do it.” She quipped and I pulled the modem from the wall.
    Immediately, Adam’s door burst open and he lunged toward us. “David!” He shouted. “Fix the internet!”
    “Catch, C!” I tossed the modem at her and we took off toward the backyard and into the sunshine, laughing all the way. None of us got to watch anything else for the rest of the afternoon. And that was perfectly okay with me.

CHAPTER TWO
    On Saturday, I lounged on the stool in front of the cash register at my family store. My cousins sat in the other chairs, manning their own machines. The sign