NOVEL WEB Chapter 5: Unknown reality
I was simply fiddling with my barely touched food after they had calmed down and resumed their significantly more peaceful conversation. The possibility that this was not the world I remembered had almost settled in my mind, and I didn't want to consider the possibility that it was true.
"Nola, do you have work today?" I heard Luna's voice while I was still lost in my thoughts.
"Yes, but later" She replied, after a while she spoke again. "Aren't you hungry, Alex?" She asked, looking at my plate.
I played with my food a bit before putting down my fork and giving her a smile. "No, I think I lost my appetite."
Nola gave Luna a glance before looking at me. "Another diet?" She inquired.
"Uh... I guess?" I replied, I didn't know what kind of diet I was on at this time or if I was on one in the first place.
Luna decided this was a good time to join the conversation, giving me a narrow-eyed look. "I read on a forum that if a man goes on a diet it's because he wants to show off his body."
In some ways, she was correct; most people exercise to improve their appearance, but this is not always the case; other reasons include self-improvement and health. I was rambling when I noticed the dining room was silent, and both of them were staring at me, as if waiting for my response.
"Hmmm. I guess it's true?" I responded hesitantly. However, it caused an unexpected reaction.
Luna gasped and was about to speak if it hadn't been for Nola's gesture, but I didn't notice how her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed.
Nola looked me in the eyes, disbelief and another emotion I couldn't place. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
My lips were pursed. For some reason, the question bothered me; they sounded as if it was impossible for me to have a girlfriend; I knew I wasn't attractive, but this was a blow to my already battered self-esteem.
So in an attempt to show more confidence than I should, I gave them a half smile. "What if I had a girlfriend?"
My younger sister blinked open her eyes, leaned back in her seat, and pointed at me. "H-he has a girlfriend!" Her worried gaze shifted to Nola, who was staring at me with surprise. "Nola! H-he!" Luna swallowed dramatically. "he's gonna get fucked!"
"Alex..." My older sister growled threateningly. "Tell me who the fucker is, I'll have a talk with her."
My gaze shifted between a terrified Luna and a grumpy Nola, and I held out my arms to appease both of them. "Just kidding, I don't have a girlfriend." I spoke quickly, but with a heaviness in my stomach.
Luna, who had been burying her face in her hands, suddenly seemed more animated. "Really?"
“Yes.”
For some reason, Luna sighed in relief and smiled at me. "That's great!" Then she became serious, as serious as a smile on her face could be. "Women are vile creatures, Alex." She spoke slowly, as if she were imparting profound knowledge. "Aside from me, of course." She quickly added.
Nola nodded seriously next to her until Luna said that all women are vile creatures, at which point she decided to intervene. "Hey!" And again, they engaged in a bout of bizarre insults about virginity, rudeness and the like.
I, for one, gave them a strange look, a thought already settled in my mind. This is not my world.
It was obvious that this was an alternate reality; my sisters acted differently, and my self in this reality, as far as I could tell, had different tastes and personalities. For a brief moment, I closed my eyes and thought. In the end, I had a second chance, but it wasn't in my world, in my original reality, where I would still be remembered as a loser. There was nothing I could do to fix it.
Perhaps because they observed my sad face, my older sister cleared her throat, interrupting their chatter. "Anyway, you don't need to diet, Alex. You're fine the way you are" Nola said, giving me an awkward thumbs up.
"Yes! It's true, big brother is... pretty." My little sister comforted me with an awkward smile and a slight blush on her cheeks.
I sighed, I wasn't in the mood for anything, so I got up, leaving a simple thank you and carrying my half-eaten plate and my sisters plates behind. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my older sister punch my younger sister in the arm while whispering that her remark depressed me. I ignored them and went into the kitchen, leaving the dishes on the counter while I knelt to open the dishwasher.
It was exactly as I remembered it, so simple and comforting that I let out an unconsciously relieved sigh. I instinctively placed my palm on the icy metal handle and attempted to open it, but was met with unexpected resistance. Despite applying more force and scouring the surface for any buttons, my efforts were futile, and my patience began to wane.
The accumulated angst caused by the unfamiliarity of this new world came to a head, and before I could think, I clenched my fist and struck the dishwasher in a fit of rage. Surprisingly, the machine gave in and opened with a series of ominous beeps. As if to mock me, a jet of tepid water was fired, drenching my shirt and face as well as the kitchen floor.
I gritted my teeth as I wiped my face with my already wet shirt. "Shit!" I cursed, thinking that this day could only get worse.
My older sister rushed into the kitchen, possibly hearing all the commotion. "Are you okay?!"
I sighed and shook my head, catching sight of the worried expression on my beautiful sister Nola's face. I ran my hand over my face and looked down, taking in the sight of my soaked garment, the cold and damp cloth adhering to my skin, an uncomfortable sensation to bear.
"Yeah, just... " I sighed, pointing to the open dishwasher that was dripping water onto the floor. "I blew it." I confessed, embarrassed.
"Huh?" Nola gave me a puzzled look, moved closer, but when her gaze was drawn to my wet shirt, she blushed and averted her gaze. She coughed into her fist and bent down to inspect the dishwasher. After a brief touch, a panel with some red numbers appeared. "You overloaded it, it's not that bad," she said, leaving me perplexed.
"Overload?" I repeated, trying to make sense of her words.
Instead of responding, Nola looked uncomfortably at my chest and averted her gaze every few seconds. "Aren't you going to change your clothes?" she inquired after a few more stealthy glances, pointing to my shirt with her finger as she averted her gaze.
"Right" I quickly removed my shirt exposing my chest and abdomen, which although not marked and toned, just flat. "Thanks for the help."
Nola turned to me with a smile. "You're welco-" she froze just as she saw me.
Her face displayed many emotions, including shock, surprise, and what appeared to be embarrassment, as a massive blush broke out on her pale face. Her mouth opened and closed several times as she stared at my chest, as if she wanted to pierce a hole in my skin.
It was awkward, so I simply walked past her, leaving her in the kitchen. Nola is quite expressive in this reality.
