“Face it, Levi. You lost.”
“Don't need to rub it in.” He muttered, trying one last time to get the cards to stand up. It had been a dumb bet anyway, but Alice always knew just how to get under his skin. Sisters were like that, or at least Alice was. Jenn usually just sat there on her phone, observing the two of them at their never-ending game of one upping each other.
“He's right, Alice.” Jenn said imperiously. Alice stuck her tongue out at Jenn. “One of these days, a bird's gonna come eat your tongue.”
“That's not true.”
“Ugh.” Levi pushed the cards away. “I give up.”
“Well, you already lost.” Alice said. “So that means you gotta” her voice was taking on more and more of the sing-songy teasing tone. “Do what I say!”
“Alice.” Jenn said.
“You're not Mom.” Levi and Alice said in unison.
“See, that's why people still think you're twins.” Jenn remarked, laughing as they both looked disgusted at the thought.
“What's it gonna be?” Levi asked. Alice grinned, milking her victorious moment.
“You're gonna check the mail.” She said at last.
“You always do this.” Levi said. “We know there's more to it. Just tell me.”
“Well,” she stretched it out just to bother him more. “Well! Remember Halloween?”
“Those family costumes?”
“Uh-huh. Dad was the Mad Hatter, Mom was the Queen of Hearts, Jenn-”
“It's too hot outside for that White Rabbit outfit.” Levi interjected, cutting to the chase to ruin Alice's building tension. He had been sweaty all night long even in October! And the face paint had almost been worse.
“You're right.” Alice fought back a malicious giggle. “Which is why you're gonna do it in my costume.” Levi sighed. He should have known.
“Great, a dress. Again.”
“That's the spirit.” Alice reached over to pat his cheek, but Levi's glare was fiery enough that she thought better of it. “Make sure he doesn't try to hide.” She told Jenn before bouncing to her feet and going to find her costume.
“You're gonna look great.” Jenn said. Levi turned his glare at her. “Hey, consequences of your actions, bud.”
“Don't call me that. Dad calls me that.”
“Aw, you don't wanna be my buddy?” She laughed and returned back to her phone before adding “Forgot to tell her no photos.”
“She knows.” Panic set in. “She knows, right?” Jenn only shrugged from her position lounging on the couch.
“You better make sure.” She said in sing-song. Sure, she liked being the mature one, but sometimes, it was just more fun to antagonize her younger siblings.
“No photos!” Levi blurted out the moment Alice returned, her arms full of her costume.
“Didn't even think of that.”
“So that means no doing it.” Levi knew his sister well enough that he wanted to make it very clear.
“But you gave me the idea.” She pretended to pout. “Alright, you know the drill. Shirt off, put on the dress, then take off your pants.”
“It's bad enough seeing your underwear when we do laundry.” Jenn remarked, immediately agreeing with her sister's logic.
“I could just go into the bathroom.”
“So you can admire yourself in the mirror?” Alice teased. Levi groaned.
“That's not what I meant.” He said self-consciously before pulling his shirt over his head.
“At least he's eager.” Jenn remarked, finally sitting up as the spectacle before her was starting to become more entertaining than gossiping by text with her friends. “You're doing the wig too?” Levi reflexively was about to refuse, but then he noticed Alice's face.
“Oh, uh, yeah. I figured it'd help… hide who he is when he's outside.”
“Huh.” Jenn was impressed. “See, Levi? She's not trying to ruin your social life after all.” Alice considered pointing out that being the sister of the boy in the dress was not something she wanted, but maybe Mom was right and some thoughts should just stay inside.
Somewhere around when Alice tied the pinafore around his waist, Levi stopped looking like Levi and it looked like there were two Alices in the living room: one in shorts and a casual tee, the other in a dress, tights, the whole nine yards. Jenn watched with growing interest, wondering who would turn more red if she pointed out that they really did look like twins now.
“Ok, sit down for your shoes.” the casual Alice said. “No, not like that!” The Alice who was actually Levi – the formal Alice! – had flopped down in a cloud of white petticoats and tights. Casual Alice hauled him back to his feet. “Push down on your skirt and lower yourself down.” He turned pink as he did his best to mimic her. “Give me your foot.” He grunted as he tried to kick her, but she caught it. “Such a slender, petite foot.” She grinned up at him. “Jenn, we should think up a family costume for this Halloween that lets Levi be Cinderella.” She snorted at his outraged look. “I'm just kidding.”
“Maybe we can all be princesses.” Jenn said. “I'll be Snow White, Levi'll be Cinderella so he gets a blue dress. Not sure who you'll be, Alice.”
“Mom and Dad'll be Queen and King.” Alice pulled Levi to his feet.
“These shoes stink.”
“I wore them all night.” Alice said. “Plus every single time we had to dress up for school, church, weddings, Christmas,” Levi knew this would go on for a while, so he changed the subject.
Topic: The Two Alices (Read 605 times)
