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"Seriously, your hair looks great," you say, the sentiment genuine. Before you can think, before you can stop yourself, you reach out and brush her hair back gingerly, taking a strand between your fingers. It's automatic. Her hair is fine, soft, freshly conditioned. "I like it," you say as you feel it.
Candi watches you without expression. Her expression doesn't change, she doesn't lean into your touch and she doesn't pull away. She meets your eyes again. Her eyes look so much like yours.
She smiles slowly, lips peeling back. "You know just what to say, Kyle." She caresses your cheek, trailing her nails over your skin. She stands on her tiptoes and plants a soft kiss on your jaw. When she pulls back she's grinning even wider, eyes sparkling. What is she thinking? Who the fuck knows.
She turns away. "Now I need to finish getting ready. I still have to shave."
What the hell has she been doing this whole time? How fucking long can it possibly take for one girl to get ready?
"Before I forget," you say. "I wanted to tell you I'm going to be going for a job at the mill."
She looks back at you, surprised.
"I figured since I'm staying here now the extra cash would be good."
She smiles again and it reaches her eyes. "Aw. Thanks. I appreciate it. Best brother ever." Maybe that last part is a bit of hyperbole. You're not even sure you qualify as an "Okay" brother.
"Thanks. Also, I wanted to ask, where did you learn about this triangle protection stuff?"
Her expression changes, flashing from bliss to fake in an instant. She's on guard now for some reason. You can't read her anymore but you can tell she's wary. "Oh, some book."
"A book?" you press.
"Yeah, books and stuff. I found this book in the woods forever ago. Well…part of a book."
"In the woods?" you say, dubious.
"Yes," she presses. "Out past the pines. Now I've got to finish getting ready unless you want to help me shave." She sticks her tongue out at you.
"Pass," you say. You're not sure you should be allowed your sister with razors, safety or otherwise.
Candi laughs and disappears back into the bathroom. A moment later her music starts up.
Book? Past the pines?
You think of the glow from your dream. If the symbols Candi has been carving glow and whatever is out in the woods glows…well it stands to reason those things are connected. But it's still just a dream, right?
Too much to think about on just one beer. You get another, drinking and thinking as Candi continues getting ready. About an hour later she finally emerges, now wearing gym shorts and an over sized T-shirt. You see that she left her hair blonde in accordance with your wishes. You're not really surprised but you're a little touched.
