I looked into the wild blue eyes of my older sister, Sandy. "You always know how to have a good time, sis. Is Harry coming along?"
"My boyfriend wouldn't miss your sixteenth birthday for the world, Nell," she giggled. "Of course he's coming along. Who did you think my date was going to be?" She stared into my sad, brown eyes. "The bigger question is who's going to be your date?"
"Nobody," I mumbled. I'd never been so much as kissed. Truth be told, I was somewhat jealous of my sister. Her own 18th birthday was only a few weeks away. As a senior in high school, her perfect life was complemented by her perfect boyfriend. Harry was tall, chiseled and blond-haired: his own 18th birthday was just 2 weeks after Sandy's. Sandy's body, thick without being fat and with ample curves, drew lots of attention from boys. Her rounded rump and large chest were her best assets, and her clothing, while never slutty, certainly ensured they drew attention. Her long, flowing red hair [my mom was a beautiful redhead in her time] completed the package.
My own build was very thin, with barely-there breasts [perhaps B-cups at best], no curves and not much butt. My mousy-brown hair, courtesy of my father, completed the "ignore me" picture. I'd never been asked for a date in my life, and my sophomore year at the same high school as the immensely popular Sandy accentuated the fact that I was a nobody. If I had a nickel for every time someone said in disbelief, "YOU'RE Sandy's sister? I was expecting someone prettier," I'd have a stack of nickels that could reach the Moon.
The only male my age who even acknowledged my presence on the planet was Harry, interestingly enough. When at the house spending time with Sandy, he'd come over when she was busy in some way [normally because she was talking on the phone] and smile at me. "How you doing today, Baby Sister?" He almost never called me "Nell." It was always "Baby Sister," or sometimes, if he was being particularly nice, "hon." Sandy seemed to like him more because he didn't pretend I didn't exist. One time he even spent several hours helping me with a big school project. For a few minutes, as we waited in the library, he held my hand. That had been the only physical contact I'd ever had with a boy my age, except for when one of the jocks was fighting another one in the halls and got punched out. He fell against my legs and knocked me down.
"We can't have that," Sandy said, with a rare frown. My sister, because she's so popular, always seems to be in a good mood... unlike me. "You can't be dateless at your sweet sixteen party."
"Why not?" I grumped. "Why should it be different than any other time?"
My sister ignored my complaint. "Let's see. Harry's friend Michael has a younger brother who's a sophomore. Darrell. You could have him be your date."
"We both know Darrell doesn't know I exist," I snapped.
"Nell, don't be such a sourpuss," Sandy chided. "Make him notice you. Dress sexy. Stop wearing all that baggy stuff. Show off your figure. And for the love of all that's holy don't wear a bra. Wear a tight T-shirt and jiggle."
"What figure?" I muttered darkly. "And there's nothing there TO jiggle, bra or no bra."
Darrell never did notice me. I went dateless to the Sweet Sixteen party... as expected. Harry pulled me into a quick one-armed hug as he gave me his present, and I blushed violently.
The months went by, and soon enough Sandy and Harry were graduating. Harry was going to college at the local major institution part-time while he worked at a computer company -- he'd been interning there three summers -- but Sandy was going to Harvard. It would be the first time they'd been separated in years.
"Write to me," Harry told her, as he attended Sandy's going-away dinner at our house. "And I'll see you over Christmas break, love."
"And Thanksgiving," Sandy giggled.
"Write to ME, too," I reminded my sister.
"I'll write both of you every week," Sandy promised.
"Don't worry too much about Baby Sister," Harry smiled. He mussed my hair affectionately. "I'll keep her safe for you."
"Safe?" Sandy smirked. "I know she'll be safe. I want you to make sure she doesn't become a total hermit!"
Harry teasingly punched me in the shoulder, lightly. "I think it's too late for that, honey." He leaned forward and gave Sandy a deep kiss.
One thing I was interested in was fabrics. That was pretty much my only interest, in fact. Harry helped me find a part-time job in a local fabric store, for 2 hours after school on weekdays and all day Saturdays. "Just remember to keep up with your schoolwork, Baby Sister. I'll tutor you if necessary."
In one subject, it did prove to be necessary. I had survived algebra as a freshman, and as a sophomore geometry wasn't difficult because it was shapes and not abstract thinking, but trigonometry had me bollixed. I wasn't more than 3 weeks into my junior year before calling Harry.
"Help!" I told him. "This trigonometry is kicking me in the head."
"No problem, Baby Sister. Math was my strong point in high school."
Harry was very patient. He worked with me every day after school, after I would return from my job. When my first test was coming up, he stayed extra late, and my mom made him dinner. When we returned to trig, I managed a half hour more before throwing my hands in the air.
"Harry, I can't do any more of this. I need a breather."
"Okay, Baby Sister. Take five."
I sat on my bed, and Harry sat next to me. "You're doing well, Baby Sister. I know you don't see it, but I do. You're making wonderful progress."
I let my body slump against his, and he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "I'm glad you think so. This stuff is all so complicated."
He pulled me more tightly against his strong, comforting body. "Nell, trust me, you can learn this stuff."
I turned my face towards his, our lips inches apart. "Nell, huh? Not Baby Sister? Harry, you're very sweet and wonderful in many ways. Sandy is insanely lucky to have you for a boyfriend."
Harry leaned forward slightly, and his lips rested against mine for a moment. "She's lucky to have you, Baby Sister." He pulled back. "Now let's finish prepping you for that test."
