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Carter shook his head the moment his eyes landed upon my paper. "I knew you'd do this." He chuckled. "It's because of you! You didn't give me the eraser. I had to try this messy technique."

"Are you serious Sparkle? You really have to try that? Didn't you already know it doesn't work?" He started laughing while holding my paper. "Carter, don't laugh at me. Did I laugh when you didn't know what's a diameter?" That shut his mouth instantly. "You never let me have fun Sophie! That's not fair." He pouted.

"And right now it's not fair to make fun of me. You're reducing my left over confidence too."

"Okay, just watch me. Concentrate on how I draw the flower okay, Sparkle?" He turned towards me with another clean paper and his pencil in his hand.

I tried to memorise the movement of his hands as he started to draw. Upwards-downwards-a little broad-curvy-pointed-again downwards-another line-and....and....and urgh!

I can never make a flower like this! No eraser, no stop, no thinking, no tilting of paper, in a minute's time...how is it even possible?

When he finished it he handed the paper in my hands. It was perfect. Completely flawless. "Wow......" I couldn't help but whisper. He looked up from the paper and smiled at me. "Here, let's start painting now?" He suggested. "Carter, I-can't."

"Why? What happened?" His smile was replaced with a frown. "I'll ruin this flower." I ran my hand over the incredible drawing. "God, Sparkle! It's just a random flower. And it's a sheet of paper, not a canvas.......if you don't paint how will you learn?"

"Umm but I don't want to apply my-"

"I'll make you another flower hundred times better than this one! Come on!" He bought his palette and a bunch of brushes with different sizes labelled on them.

He untied them from the rubber band and started mixing two paints with one of them. Sitting there, concentrating on his moves, I held one thick brush and traced it on my cheeks. A giggle escaped my lips causing Carter to look up. "What?" He asked.

"No-nothing." I said, keeping the tickling thing back on its place. I watched him while he mixed different colours. What is he trying to do?

Looking at him doing the same this again and again made me restless. Why wasn't he starting yet?White-brown-yellow-more white-more brown-more yellow-more white-more brown-more yellow.......

An idea struck me. Picking up one tiny brush, I crawled towards him. Bringing it closer to his ear I brushed a little under it. "Wha-," he jumped up, slapping his hand hard on his ear. Fright was written all over his face. When he tilted his head and looked at me, he sighed and sat back to where he was sitting. I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing at him.

What? No reaction from him? No shout? No anger show?

I guess I thought too early because just then he stood up and walked towards the shelf. "I'm thinking to not teach you. You're too naughty. I can't handle that."

Noooooo!

"Carter, I was just playing. I-please teach me? I'll be sitting still from now on. Just like a dummy....... please? Please? I promise!"

"Ummm....okay, fine, but keep your promise." He warned, handing me an apron. I nodded, making my hair into a tight bun so that they don't interrupt the painting and wore the apron.

Meanwhile he had started to paint. I looked at how he was painting and copied his movements but I was really not liking the way he painted. He used a pale yellowish-off white colour. The colour he was making earlier......

When is a flower white? It's bright. Like red, pink, orange, purple....

Not, quite satisfied with his colour I used a lighter shade of pink on it. I painted the same way he was doing. "You're allowed to say something.....," Carter sounded. "Thanks Sir F-farter-sorry-C-carter." It went out before I could think.

"Don't. Ever. Call. Me. That. Again." Carter's voice was dripping with anger. I backed away a little, not wanting to receive a punch......or a kick.

I'm such an idiot! Everything was working fine but then my stupid mouth had to destroy it.

He won't teach me painting now!!

"I'm sorry F-Carter. I didn't want to say it. It just came out. Actually, the problem is that, both the names are quite similar- I mean umm...I really did not mean it in that way-"

"Last time!" He ordered, lifting his hand indicating the warning.

"I swear. Last time!" I gulped, trying to get him to believe me. He nodded and we continued with our painting.

Now keep your mouth shut Sophia!

"Okay, so who are the most important people in your life?" Carter asked, some minutes later continuing with his god-knows-where's flower.

"Josh and Rebecca. I can't live without them. They're the best people I know yet. I love them. I can do anything for their sake because I can't live without them, I really can't." A smile automatically crawled upon my lips. "And then there's Lia. She's the bestest friend I ever wished for. She's so loving, caring and cute. Also, how can I forget Isaac? I really-" I was cut off by him.

"Somebody....," I heard him say. Waiting for him to continue, I looked back at the paints, finding a darker shade. But his next words shocked me. "What about me? Am I somebody to you?" He had stopped painting.

"Umm, I consider you my friend but......I don't know about you....." I answered, unsure of what to say to such a statement while trying to not look at him. Pretending to search for the paints was the best idea I could come up with and I carried on with it.

"Of course we're friends, idiot." His grin was wide as he spoke. I've got...1...2.....3 friends? 3 friends? Really?

"What about your parents?" His question paralysed me for a second. Gathering some courage I answered, "parents? Umm, let's not talk about them." Ignoring the pain his question brought to my heart, I took a small sized brush for outlining and started to dip it into the thick mixture of oil paint. His stare was difficult to avoid but I tried not to look at him and started to paint again but Carter held my hand tightly. "Why? Why do you always avoid that subject?" From his tone It was clear that he wouldn't let go and without even trying I gave in. I gave in because I knew I would have to tell him sooner or later. I thought of not giving him a chance to yell at me.

"Because talking about this brings pain." I breathed out. "Because it's the subject I hate the most. It reminds me of how ill-fated I am. Because my parents are invisible. Because my dad doesn't even remember he had a daughter. Because they've got nothing to do with me. They created me, then they didn't like me and so, they stopped caring about me." I broke down.

"Carter they hate me! They don't like to see me! It's almost two years and we haven't seen each other. I don't mean anything to them. I don't exist in their lives. Talking to me brings misfortune to their day and that's why they don't even call me......"

Even I couldn't understand whatever I said after that. It was more sobs and less words. Instantly, Carter enveloped me in a warming hug and I cried over his shoulder. "Shhh, it's okay." He patted my back. "I'm sorry for asking that." He spoke softly, stroking my hair.

I tried to pull away but he held me closer to him, not letting me go, his hands having a tight grip on my back. It felt good. It felt comforting. Being this close to him shouldn't feel relaxing, but it did and even I didn't want to let go. He pulled away, grabbing my face in his hands as he wiped my tears away.

"Water can help?" He asked, smiling at me. I nodded, trying to control my sobs. He brought a glass of water and handed it to me. "Okay, forget it. Let's talk about colours." It was clear that he was attempting to change the subject and I was happy he wasn't pressing. I was surprised because It was something Carter wouldn't do. He would go deep until he didn't find out what he was looking for. But he has been acting quite different lately.

I tried to smile at him. "Yeah.." my voice came out shaky. "So what's your favourite colour?" He questioned, as he brought his stuff closer to where we were sitting, continuing with his painting that looked like a dirty mess. "My favourite colour is white."

"White? Is that even a colour? No! White isn't a colour, choose something else." He shook his head. "Okay then.....favourite colour.....umm...red."

"Really? Red was my favourite colour too!" He said, lifting his head briefly to look at me, before dumping the left over white paint on his paper too.

I compared my paper with his. Mine was not the best but it was better than his. His actions made me doubt his skills. I looked around the room at rest of his art work.

Did he really make all these paintings himself? It doesn't feel like like that. That blue bird's painting is incredible with perfect shades and everything.......he can't make that. And this wrecked ship looks even better. It's proven now, that-

Something wet touched my cheeks bringing me back from my thoughts. Instantly my hand went to feel it. My eyes went wide as soon as I looked at the purple paint on my hand.

"Carter!"

I turned around just to find him dampening his hands with more paint, laughing like an idiot. "Carter, NO!" I warned him, walking backwards but he didn't listen and took even longer steps than earlier. Okay, Sophie, let's fight him today! "Look I'm warning you...." I told him, giving him the deadliest glare, but he is no ordinary person with no ordinary ears. He's the Carter! With completely useless ears!

Get ready....

Just when he was about to stain my already stained face with the paint I crouched down escaping from between his legs and ran towards the paints. His hands just made a print on the wall making me giggle. I soaked my hands completely in red colour. It will look good with his green hair......

"I wouldn't do that!" Carter notified me and I gave him my evil smile that I always practiced in the washroom's mirror, while I waited for the hot water to come. I took two long strides towards him. I knew he was looking for an idea to escape but I didn't let that happen and before he could implement any of his ideas I jumped forwards, smashing my hands on his face as I rubbed them all over. "Take that you Far-Carter!" I called out.

He pushed me back and marched towards the paint box. "You think you can win from Carter? No! You'll regret this!" He hissed advancing towards me, this time with no gap between his legs. He is smart!

What are you waiting for?

Run!

I ran around the room with Carter chasing behind me and in not more then ten seconds he caught me. I couldn't balance myself as my foot slipped, causing me to loose my footing. I grabbed Carter's arm for support but instead of saving me he himself came down with me.

"You're trapped, Sparkle!" I sensed him moving from beside me to above me. Never allowing my eyelids to move, I laid there covering my face to defend myself. Do some struggle Sophie! You can fight him!

With this thought in my mind I tried to push him but he didn't budge. "Nah! Not this time." Seizing the opportunity he started to daub my face with the paint. "Carter! Just stop!" I shrieked as I tried to save myself, hitting his arm continuously in the process. "Revenge is so sweet!" He got off me, still laughing as he landed beside me.

I finally opened my eyes to see him laying beside me, a laugh automatically coming out of my mouth. He started laughing too making himself look even more funny but eventually he stopped and I controlled my laughter too.

"Why were you laughing?" I asked him. "I don't know. I was just laughing. Why were you laughing?" His answer got me rolling in the aisles. Wiping my tears I replied, "its you. You look like a water melon! Hahahaha!"

He frowned. "You know what you look like? An eggplant!" He snapped at me. "Woww, really? I love eggplant. Can I see myself in the mirror? Please?"

What? I love eggplant. I love potato more, but eggplant tastes nice too.

"Actually, I want to see myself too. Let's go to my room!" Carter stood up holding out his hand for me. Taking his hand I stood up from the ground. I wanted to complete my painting but I also wanted to see myself. Thinking what to do, my eyes caught the palette where there was still some purple paint left. "Come on Sparkle!" Carter's voice echoed from outside. "Yeah, coming!" I said, tiptoeing towards the palette. After covering my palm completely with the paint I walked out.

You know what was going inside my mind? I was trying to make him a rotten watermelon. When I was just behind him I tapped his shoulder. Before turning around he took hold of my hand saying, "not again Sparkle!" And with that my hand made contact with my own face.

The room echoed with his laughter. "Y-you thought you'd fool me? Hahahaha."

"Shut up Carter. I did fool you once. Don't forget that!" I reminded him. "You thought you fooled me? Nah, I just decided to give you a chance."

"Oh really? Then why was that revenge so sweet, watermelon?" I knew he was lying. That reminded me we were here to see ourselves and so I moved towards the mirror. "Don't call me that you eggplant!"

"Whatever. I look better than you anyways!" I looked at myself in mirror. Not bad. The bun I made was really giving a good image of an eggplant. "You know? This watermelon is incomparable and extremely sexy." Carter came and stood beside me, examine himself in the mirror. Sorry, I meant admiring himself in the mirror.

"I don't think so, it looks like hilarious to me." I giggled. "You don't look less ridiculous Sparkle." He shot back. I was thinking of replying him when his room's opened and Mary entered with an annoyed expression on her face. As soon as her eyes landed upon us her expression changed to an amused one. "This is interesting." She laughed a little. "What were you two playing?" She questioned making me look at Carter to answer. He stared back at me before replying, "uh, just....fruit fruit...."

But I'm a vegetable!!

"And vegetable vegetable too." I gave Carter a pointed look and grinned at Mary. "So, what are you Sophia?"

"I'm an eggplant!" I smiled, straightening my shirt. "W-what? Really?" It was obvious she was trying to control her laughter. "Uhum-and Carter, what about you?"

"I'm a watermelon....."

"A water-" she laughed "-melon?"

"He likes to be addressed as a sexy watermelon." This even increased the intensity of her laughter. "Wait you guys. Let me just bring my camera." She let out between her chuckles.

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"Carter!!" I called out loudly. "Don't you have a single nice T-shirt?"

"Now don't say that Sparky. You've been rejecting everything I'm giving. What kind of clothes do you expect me to have. I'm a guy, for Christ's sake!" He shouted back.

You guessed right! I was standing in Carter's washroom waiting for him to give me a nice t-shirt as I looked really messy with my own on. That's what Mary and Carter said. So there I was begging him to hand me a suitable shirt. "I swear, if you don't wear this one I'm not going to give you anything else! You can around roam naked if you want to but then don't ask me again!"

I stretched my arm out of the door as he handed me the shirt. It was very big. And by that I mean it almost reached my knees. When I was done I came out of the washroom only to find Carter freshly bathed with his hair combed backwards and only a shorts covering his lower body.

Will you just stop staring at it?!

"You like it don't you? I told you I was sexy!" He smirked at me. Even that looked attractive. I can bet my cheeks were the same colour of my blood at that moment.

Don't blush! Are you in your senses Sophie??

"Yeah, a sexy watermelon. HOW SEXY IS THAT!" I mocked him. "Yeah, whatever. Now do you wanna go home or you're sharing the bed with m-"

"No! Shut up Carter. I'm going. But do you remember what you said some minutes ago? You said you were driving me. Are you driving me home like this?! "

"Yeah, what's the problem in it? Is it affecting you?" He walked towards the door. Is he really gonna drive me like that? "No, why would it?"

We made our way to his car, him still being shirtless. Poor female drivers won't be able to drive properly. "Carter, I think you should wear something." I suggested not being able to remove my eyes off his chest. "Is it distracting you?"

"No!"

"Yes baby. I know it is." He put on the seatbelt as he argued.

"No. It's not!"

"I know it is!"

"Okay, it is. A little....." I agreed because I knew I wouldn't ever win from him. "So what? You can stare! I don't mind."

"Carter, aren't you feeling cold?" The weather was quite chilly and he was driving shirtless. Is he really a rock or what?

"No, I was feeling a little hot actually." He smiled at me briefly before looking towards the road. No one can ever understand him.

We stopped at my house after a silent drive which included me staring at him and him smirking at me. Opening the door I turned towards him. "I would've invited you inside but you are not in a good condition right now." I gave him a fake guilty smile. "I don't mind coming!" He said as he started to walk out of the car. "Wait, wait, it's my house. I mind!" I reminded him.

"I'm just going to meet my friend!" He jumped out and I did too after him. "Wait, Carter, who are you talking about?" I reached at him joining his pace. "The poor kid with the most hostile sister ever." He rang the bell.

"Oh yeah. Josh was asking about you that day. But you can't enter my house without my permission. Go back Carter, go back!" I stood in front of the door blocking his way. "Get aside Sparkle, get aside!" He copied me.

"You get yourself a shirt first-woaah!" I stumbled backwards as the door was opened but Carter held my waist tightly, pulling me towards him, stopping me from getting insane. If I would have fallen I would have hit my head really bad and I've seen in movies how you become insane or how you loose your memory when such things happen. "Hey, Carter!" Josh highfived him.

"Hello, Josh! How are you?"

"I'm good. But a little confused. I mean why is my sister wearing your shirt? Why did you give it to her." Josh pointed out, his eyes stuck at where Carter was holding me. His grip was tight and he wouldn't let me move whenever I tried to back away from him. I looked at Carter pleading with my eyes to not make up some dirty stuff. He started to say, "when we-," but I stopped him. "Carter, he's just 8!"

"I know that!" He said, expressing as if it was known to him but I knew that he wasn't aware of that.

"Yeah, so when we were playing, her shirt got dirty and I gave mine to her. You know that's what gentlemen do." That got me coughing. "Yeah, Josh! Gentlemen do that, but mental-men just like to drive shirtless."

"What?" The poor kid looked puzzled. "Oh, nothing. So what were you doing?"