It's been a week since the 'incident' occurred. Shane showed no inclination that he knew something went on in Shaunny's room that afternoon. Shaunny felt fidgety towards Shane that evening and went on avoiding him all week. She was pretty embarrassed that she moaned so loudly that afternoon with such total abandonment. And when she knew that she couldn't hide anymore since school was starting the next day, she mustered up enough courage to talk to Shane over breakfast. Besides, maybe Shane hadn't heard her at all. It was getting a bit difficult to avoid Shane all together since they were living under the same roof. Her mother had been prodding her all week to spend more time with Shane. She brushed it off by saying that she thought Shane might needed some time alone to cope with their father's death since he was the closest to him. Her mother had then left her alone apparently satisfied with the explanation. She knew that she had to begin interacting with Shane again. It's either now or never.
"So are you excited that school's starting tomorrow?" she asked in between gaps of feeding herself with spoonfuls of cereals and milk.
"I guess…" he mumbled without looking up from own bowl of cereals.
"Honey, I know that it's going to take a while before you grow accustomed to your new school and surroundings but I want you to know that if you need anything please don't hesitate to ask me or Shaunny," the twin's mother, Arianna, smiled lovingly at her kids.
"I will."
"Shaunny, you'll introduce your brother to your friends won't you? Or had you already?" Shaunny's mother asked.
"No, I hadn't had the chance yet. Nina doesn't return from her grandparent's at Tahoe till later this evening and Bruce will be back early tomorrow morning."
"Oh, did Shaunny tell you she had a boyfriend?" Arianna looked expectantly at Shaunny.
"No she didn't," this time Shane looked at Shaunny.
"There's nothing to tell," Shaunny quickly brushed it off.
"But there is…. that's just Shaunny. She's very introverted when it comes to her own personal matters you see," Arianna playfully slapped Shaunny's arm. And continued ethusiastically, "Bruce and Shaunny got together before school went out. I knew that Bruce had something for Shaunny ever since freshman year. He'd come by often to help her with her studies and they'd dated on and off. I was beginning to wonder when they were going to finally get together. And after a year and a half, Bruce asked Shaunny to be his steady right before he left for the South of France for the summer."
"That's interesting. The South of France you say? It's a beautiful place. Been there myself for a couple of summers with Douglas," Shane was still looking at Shaunny as if expecting her to say something. "Bruce is a Caverson. If my memory doesn't fail me it was his great-great-great-great grandfather who founded this town. Hence, the name Caverson's Bay," Arianna continued her merry chatter oblivious to Shaunny's dirty looks. Shaunny didn't want anyone to fuss over her relationship with Bruce. Yes, Bruce was certainly wealthy but she was sure her late father, Douglas, and Shane lived the same high-flying life like the Caverson's.
Before her mother could continue detailing Bruce's biography to Shane the phone rang. "I'll get it. You kids finish up breakfast," Arianna said as she got up and sprinted towards the phone.
Shaunny suppressed a sigh of relief. Finally, she could eat her breakfast in peace.
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Shane studied Shaunny for a while after their mother went to get the phone. He wondered why she didn't give him any indications earlier that she had a boyfriend. He recalled that she fled his room right after she spied on his porn magazine lying on his bed a week ago. If she had a boyfriend she would at least be aware that most guys indulge in porn every once in awhile. There had been a tiny fact that he had been nude as well. But he didn't think much of it. If Shaunny had a boyfriend she couldn't still be a virgin could she? She did, however, reacted like one. She was eighteen, attached and extremely attractive. Yes, she was attractive. Tall, tanned, willowy and she had curves in the right places. Bruce must definitely be a eunuch to have not deflowered Shaunny by now. He had lost his own virginity some years back to an attractive senior in his school back in England. He later went on to earn a reputation of being an insatiable sex god amongst the girls and that certainly went well with the boys who began to worship him. He chuckled at the thought. To think that his twin was the complete opposite of him. Naïve, innocent and shy! He then decided that he wanted to know more of this Bruce guy, in case if he posed as a potential competitor in the field.
"So Shaunny tell me about your boyfriend. You didn't gave as much as an inkling that you had a boyfriend," scrutinising Shaunny as he continued to eat.
'There's nothing much to tell. Mother had managed to tell all there is to tell," she replied.
"Is that so? I don't think that's all there is to it. You hardly talked about yourself, let alone your friends. You do have friends do you?" he asked coyly.
"Of course I do!" she protested.
"Then tell me."
"I don't think you'd be interested in such insignificant details," she said. There she went again looking slightly flustered and embarrassed. Shane figured it didn't take much to put her knickers in a twist.
"Well I mix with a lot of people in school. But two of my closest friends are Nina Chang and Bruce Caverson. I've known them since we moved here after the… um…. divorce."
"Nina and I are on the cheerleading squad. We have been inseparable since we've met. She stays over quite often too. So don't say I didn't warned you. The house is going to be pretty girly," Shaunny tried to lighten up the conversation.
"Can't say I mind. I've always liked girls," he grinned devilishly.
"Are all English boys as cheeky as you?" Shaunny laughed.
"Well some are and some aren't. I'm just being honest here. Anyway, do go on about Bruce."
"Bruce's Caverson's High star basketball player. He's on the Dean's Honour Roll, to cut it short he's a teacher's pet," Shaunny continued in a nonchalant manner.
