Underneath It All by Ysa Arcangel Page B

right?”
    Rogue laughed as she walked over to the cupboards and pulled out a couple of bowls and spoons. She placed them at our respective table settings before she walked over to the other side of the kitchen to where all the cereals were kept and pulled out a box.
    I opened my mouth to speak but thought better of it. I didn’t want to say anything that might offend his sister.
    “Don’t worry, you won’t offend me,” Rogue said, as though she could read my mind. “As you can see, I’m a pretty happy person, so it’s very rare that I get offended.”
    “I see; you are a happy person,” I agreed with a little laugh. “Very, very far from Reeve.”
    “I heard that. Don’t worry, I won’t tell him.” She grabbed a carton of milk from the fridge and sat down in her seat across from me. “ Bon Appétit. ” She smiled fondly as she poured the contents into the bowls and started chomping down.
    “This is the first time Reeve has brought a girl in his house.”
    I coughed out. A little blush crept up my cheeks as I blinked a few times, unsure of what to say.
    I noticed Rogue looked a lot like Reeve—olive complexion, long black hair, and sapphire blue eyes; but unlike him, she was talkative and persistent. She was so full of life.
    “So where did the two of you meet?”
    “Uhm…Reeve is the dean of our college at Gates.”
    “You look so young to be a professor. You know…I imagined that female professors are like old grumpy women who wear thick glasses and move around their classes clutching a book on their chests.”
    I chuckled at her statement. “No, I’m not one of his staff. I’m…I’m one of the students,” I admitted, quite hesitant.
    Her eyes went wide. “OMG! That’s exciting! Tell me everything.”
    Our short time of getting to know each other felt like we had been friends for so long.
    I could talk to her about anything. She was a fabulous girl who wasn’t afraid to tell you what was on her mind, plus, she was one talkative chick who would give a conversation worth the time. I loved her already.
    “No way! You gotta be kidding me!”
    “Yes, really, we’re not a thing. I mean, kind of but really we’re not. I wish we were, but he seems so…I don’t know. He’s kind of difficult to read sometimes.”
    “I know, right? I know he can be so grumpy, scary, creepy, and dangerous at times, but he has a huge heart. A huge, cold heart.”
    I spent the next few hours talking and listening to Rogue. I didn’t realize so much time had passed by until it was time for lunch.
    “I want to get to know him, but he’s not the type who will share something about himself.”
    “He’s reserved and mysterious, huh?”
    “Most of the time he’s cold and distant though I know he cares.”
    “He was never like that.” Rogue’s voice dropped.
    “What do you me—”
    “Am I late for the tea party?”
    “Oh shut up and give me a hug.” Rogue extended her arms for her brother.
    “So what did I miss?” Reeve asked.
    “Nothing much.” Rogue shrugged. “I’m just giving your ‘girlfriend in training’ some tips so she will pass the test.”
    “Hey,” I scoffed.
    “What is it you called her?” Reeve sounded amused.
    “Girlfriend in training?” Rogue winced as if trying to remember what she said and turned her head to the side so she could see my face. “I’m outta here!” She ran like crazy out of the kitchen.
    Reeve walked up to me and hugged me from behind. He sniffed and buried his head in my shoulder. “So how are you feeling?”
    “Much better.” I smiled.
    He rested his chin on my shoulder and kissed my cheek. “Good to hear that. It seemed like you and Rogue were getting along just fine.”
    “She’s very nice.” I turned around to face him. “Thanks for taking care of me.”
    “I love taking care of you.” He instinctively swept a piece of hair behind my ear. I smiled at the gesture and our eyes locked for a minute before I looked down. “What’s wrong?”
    “I