Page 37 of Not Like The Other Girls

“How’s dad doing?” the dark-haired woman says blandly in an I-give-no-fucks-anyway tone. “Actually, never mind, he just video called me with an update on his interesting life last night.”

Every pouts for no reason. “He bought a new Xbox game recently. Wanted to introduce it to his toddlers, he told me when I visited. I guess that’s just what having kids at his old age does to him, Evera.”

The female version of Every, Evera (a very fitting name, indeed), snorts. “Every, you dumb little idiot. You know it has nothing to do with that.”

“For a little sister, you sure act not like it.”

“That’s because for an older brother, you don’t act like it. I act just fine.”

Lily Lillie Lilitta slouches as she walks the long length of the hallway after the siblings, who bicker the whole time. From who won third grade spelling bee to who didn't shit their pants in kindergarten.

The whole scene reminds her of her bitter relationship with her sister, the total opposite of these seemingly civil siblings. And the thought of Sabrinella, the mean-assed bitch reminds her of Bradley Kaden Kennel, her once-upon-a-time future husband. And that thought depresses her, so she locks it out of her little goldfish mind.

“I’m hungry,” she decides to say to no particular person.

Every turns back and gives her a small sigh, as if she is a pet not wanting its owner (Every) to leave to work. His sister gives her a small pat on the head, as if she truly is the said dog. “’Kay, I’ll order takeout.”

Lily blinks. “What?”

“I thought your magic-land would have some sort of signature delicacy.”

“Well, there sure is a nice Thai place downtown. It’s run by aliens, though.”

They end up eating Chinese takeout, since it turns out the particular store selling it is having a little promotion and Evera, their host, is a smart spender, to put it nicely. The little plastic containers are a total contrast against the vast mahogany-walled hall and the equally majestic dining table. Lily slurps down the fried noodles while nibbling the chicken nuggets Evera ordered along with it from a certain fast food chain for an extra discount.

“Sister,” Every starts poshly, trying to make dining table small talk. “I sure do like these salted-egg fried shrimps.”

“Stop being pleasant, Ev. You know you’re the opposite of that. What about I sell salted-egg flavored strawberries? You’re gonna buy them?”

Lily’s hot, buff boyfriend makes a face. “That’s gross. I’d rather stick to protein shakes, whey, and casein.”

“You sound like that bodybuilder girlfriend of mine.”

“Which one?”

“The gangsta one, Belen.”

Evera then turns to Lily-girl, silently slicing her vegetables, different from all the other girls. “You wanna try these ducks, sugartits?”

Lily peers at the famous roasted ducks. “Wait, I think I’ve seen these before on momma’s reality TV show. Do you call them Fecking ducks or Pegging ducks again?”

“No, dumbass, they’re Peking ducks,” Evera cackles. “Lily, you dirty girl.”

Every clears his throat. “Thank you for just ruining my appetite. And don’t flirt with my girlfriend, sis.”

Lily sighs. “Every, don’t be so vanilla.”

And his sister makes a face, clearly disgusted at Lily’s crassness. As if she herself is a no-cussing clean girl. “Pet, that’s my brother you’re talking to. You know you didn't have to say it in front of me, yeah? So, why’d you come to my kingdom, again?”

“’Cause according to Every, Fernando is being a real bastard. Actually, why do you have a kingdom at all?”

Evera raises a sharply drawn eyebrow at that. “I could ask you the same question.”

Every sighs like the disappointed boyfriend he is. “Lily, this place had been ruled by my family for five hundred and thirty years. And it just so happens that this ice planet is matriarchal; there is no ice-king title, ya know, pretty thing. So Evera, the sister, got to rule over it as the ice queen, over all the planet’s alien bros. They pay homage to her.”

“So she’s the sole ruler?”

“Well, she’s also got a harem of advisors, not that they do any actual work, though.”