As always, all characters in the story are above the age of 18.
CHAPTER 6 - A BETTER SISTER
I feel like I'm going mad.
Two realities coexist in my mind that are fundamentally incompatible with each other. No person should be able to hold both thoughts at the same time.
On the one hand, Sylvia's challenge -- the challenge I've agreed to -- feels wrong on such a profoundly visceral level that it makes me recoil. It gives me occasional bouts of nausea. It sends my heart into a panicked frenzy.
But on the other hand...
It's been three days, and the idea of seducing Chris has lodged itself firmly in my brain. I've never been the kind of sister who's there for him when he needs me. Sure, I bought him Cosmic Quest and I've been doing all the chores, but that doesn't make up for the entire time I spent being a dick to him.
That's just not what big sisters do.
And while there's something off about Syl's task, I do have to admit there's a certain sense to it. What college guy doesn't need a sexual outlet? It's basic biology.
If I helped him like that, it would also be further optimization. I would get to be selfless in my own time, too... even if I do have to admit that the prospect is a little daunting.
But it's selfish to be daunted by altruism. Come on. If I get my brother to fuck me, It'll just be another example of me being selfless, the way I've always tried to be lately. The way I should be.
I find myself studying my brother from across the living room. He's hunched over his laptop, probably reading lecture notes for his own classes. His brow furrows in concentration, and I notice the tension in his shoulders. Poor guy. College stress is hard enough without adding sexual frustration to the mix.
"You look tense," I say, moving to sit beside him on the couch. Not too close. Not yet.
Chris barely glances up. "Just this assignment. The professor's infamously assholeish about it."
"You should take a break. Maybe we could watch a movie?"
I slide a little closer, letting my knee brush against his. A tiny jolt runs through me at the contact. Not a pleasant jolt... at least, not exactly. I'm not attracted to my brother, in any way.
But the warm, fuzzy feeling of doing right by others is motivation enough. That, and the pretty, pretty colors I see whenever I close my eyes...
He shrugs, still focused on his screen. "Maybe later."
I need to be more strategic about this. I stand and stretch, making sure to arch my back just enough that my shirt rides up. "I'm going to make some popcorn. You sure you don't want to join me?"
This gets his attention. Chris has never been able to resist food cooked by others. "What movie did you have in mind?"
An hour later, we're halfway through some action flick I chose at random. The important thing is that we're sitting side by side on the couch, a bowl of popcorn between us. Every so often, our hands brush as we reach for kernels simultaneously. I make sure it happens more often than it needs to.
"Sorry," I say the fifth time it happens, not sorry at all.
Chris shifts uncomfortably. "It's fine."
When the popcorn is gone, I remove the bowl and slide closer, until our thighs are pressing together. I can feel the warmth of him through my jeans.
"Is this okay?" I ask, gesturing vaguely at our proximity. "I'm cold."
"Uh, sure," he says, but I notice he's gone rigid beside me.
I rest my head against his shoulder, and for a moment, my resolve falters. It's like the whole world lurches, skipping out of sync for a second. What am I doing? I'm teetering on the edge of a precipice, and if I do this, there will be no going back...
But then, the pretty mist closes in, and the world seems fine again. That's just like old Phoebe, to find any excuse not to be kind to other people. I don't want to be that person anymore. This is normal. My behavior is totally normal.
Over the next few days, I keep finding excuses to be around him. I ask for his help reaching things in high cupboards, even though I'm perfectly capable. I brush my fingertips against his arm when I talk to him. I wear shorter shorts and lower-cut tops when I know we'll be alone in the apartment.
It's all just to make him comfortable with me, to build up to my offer to... help him, so to speak. That's all.
I don't get why Syl is so endlessly amused every time I send her an update about my progress.
"Do you think I'm dressing differently lately?" I ask Chris one evening as I join him on the couch. I'm wearing a tank top that shows more cleavage than I'd typically be comfortable with.
Chris keeps his eyes firmly on the TV. "I don't know. Maybe? I don't really pay attention to what you wear."
I feel a flash of disappointment, then remind myself that this is a process. "Well, I'm trying to be more comfortable with myself. More confident."
"That's... good, I guess."
I slide closer to him, until our sides are pressed together. "You know, it's okay to look. I'm not going to be offended."
Now he turns to me, confusion written across his face. "Err... What are you talking about, Phoebe?"
"Nothing," I say quickly. "Just that I'm your sister. You don't have to pretend I don't exist as a woman."
"That's... weird, Pheebs. You're being weird. What are you saying?"
I'm blowing this. I need to back off and reevaluate.
"Sorry," I say, moving away slightly. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
That night, I lie in bed thinking about my approach. The problem is that I'm not being direct enough. Chris needs to understand that what I'm offering comes from a place of genuine care. It's absolutely what any loving big sister would do if she were as enlightened as I am about the needs of others.
I think.
The next morning, I catch him in the kitchen before he leaves for class. I'm wearing just a T-shirt and panties, my usual sleep attire, but I've picked the tightest, shortest T-shirt I own.
"Morning," I say cheerfully.
Chris nearly chokes on his cereal when he sees me. "Jesus, Pheebs. Put some pants on."
"Why? We're siblings. It's not like I'd wear more clothing at the beach. No need to make it weird, little bro." I reach past him to get a mug from the cupboard, making sure my body brushes against his as I do.
"That's not--" He stands up and steps back quickly. "Look, I don't know what's going on with you lately, but you're acting strange."
I pour myself some coffee, considering my next words carefully. "I've just been thinking about how much pressure you must be under. College is stressful, and you're always working so hard."
"Okay..."
"And I know guys have... needs." I take a sip of my coffee, watching him over the rim of my mug. "Physical needs. And you don't have a girlfriend, so..."
Chris's face goes through a fascinating series of expressions, finally settling on horrified understanding. "Phoebe, what the fuck? What are you getting at?"