My Pro Boxer System

After we left the movie theater, we browsed around the mall for a bit. The girls wanted to look at some of the clothes in the store. They browsed, picking up and trying on different pieces of clothing.

Well, Kiki and Allyah didn't. Lulu mostly watched them. The two of us stood off to the side watching everyone go about. I found it a bit strange that she always wore baggy clothing, but I didn't bother asking her since I already had a feeling why.

The boys at school were always ogling her because of the size of her... She seemed uncomfortable with it, so unlike most of the girls who kept their skirts short with leggings underneath. Though her uniform top didn't do much to help either.

"Liam, if we were to go out on a date, where would you take me?" She asked with a total straight face. She seemed more curious than anything.

"Figured," she mumbled. "Cassian, Ken and even Alex have had their fair share of girlfriends but you've never dated anyone, have you?"

"Why the sudden interest in my dating life?"

"Just curious about something."

I wondered what was going through her mind. Her bubbly attitude had completely disappeared and replaced with a seriousness I never thought possible for a girl like her.

"I've never had a boyfriend either. It's not for lack of suiters though. I'm constantly being asked out daily."

"So you're curious?" I asked. "About have a boyfriend."

"Aren't you?"

"Not Really."

"I believe that."

A bit of silence ensued between us. But it wasn't awkward silence. Instead it was a bit comforting. There was something about Kiki that made her feel relatable but I just couldn't quite put my finger on it.

After a while I felt a slight tug on my shoulder and looked down to see Lulu towards something outside the store we were in.

"Hey, lets go have look at that."

"Photobooth? Sure, I guess."

The two of us left the store and entered inside the photobooth. To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing but the two of us sat beside each other facing the camera. Just as i was getting ready to ask Lulu what she was planning to do she locked arms with me and struck up a pose for the camera.

"Lets take some pictures silly," she said sticking out her tongue in a teasing manner.

I didn't know how long we were in the photobooth but time passed as the two of us took endless silly pictures. After a while I gave into her nonsense and started making funny faces at the camera. She laughed hysterically at my not so funny expressions.

With everything that has been happening lately, letting go a little was fun. I felt a similar excitement that I felt inside the boxing ring making jeers at my opponents.

After left the photobooth and went to meet up with the others. Lulu had a whole stack of photos examining them as we walked.

"Can I get a few of those" I asked.

"Nope, these are my personal properties. I own them,"

"You do realize that I'm also in those photos,"

"I guess that means I own you now," she stuck out her tongue and showed me her eyeball.

When we met up with the others they were had finished shopping. That was it for us hanging out, and so we all went our separate ways.

"I hope we can all hangout like this again," Adam said as we went our separate ways.

On my way back, I stopped by the grocery store to pick up some ingredients for dinner. When I arrived at the house, I heard some mild chatter, but I figured Thalia must've still been on her phone. Turns out I was wrong; she had a friend over. It was Ava's younger sister, Kei.

The moment I stepped into the living room where they were, her expression turned to one of panic.

"Liam?!" Thalia called out in surprise. "You're back already?"

"Yeah, I picked up some stuff for dinner," I said, walking past them and into the kitchen. They looked like they were deep in chatter and I might have interrupted something so I tried made my presence scarce.

"Really? What are we having?"

Thalia got up from the couch and followed me to take a look.

"Rice," I responded.

"Great! Need some help?"

"No, it's fine. You can talk with your friend."

A strange expression crossed her face when I said that. I couldn't quite tell what it was.

"Maybe... Kei can help us," she mumbled so quietly I could barely hear her. "I know you must be tired from being out all day, so I thought maybe the three of us could prepare a meal together."

"It's not polite to force a guest to prepare food for us."

"Ugh! You dummy. She said it's fine. Stop being difficult and just agree already," she glared at me, and I could hear the irritation in her voice.

What's her problem?

"Fine. If she's fine with it, then she can help."

Immediately after I said that, a smile bloomed on her face, and she wrapped her arms around me.

"Thank you, big bro."

Big bro?

After that, she ran out of the kitchen, shouting for Kei. A couple of minutes later, she came back pulling the poor girl by the hand. Kei seemed shy. She was constantly blushing and avoiding eye contact with me.

I bet It's annoying that my sister keeps forcing her into uncomfortable situations. That girl...

I couldn't help but shake my head. Together, the three of us began preparing dinner. I knew my way around the kitchen since Alexa was constantly cooking and helping me practice.

"When did you learn to cook?" Thalia frowned.

"I only know the basics."

"That's BS. Look at the way you're cutting the vegetables and handling the stove. You look like a top chef from one of those cooking shows. Doesn't he, Kei?"

Kei didn't even bother looking up but I noticed her hands were shaking as she washed the ingredients. Thalia sighed, folded her arms, and looked disappointed.

Before I could even ask what was wrong, she grabbed Kei's hand and pulled her out of the kitchen. I was a little bewildered but ignored them and continued cooking dinner.

…

Thalia pulled her friend Kei out of the room, feeling a little irritated and disappointed.

"Tell me, why are you acting so meek and shy?" Thalia asked.

"I-I wasn't, I jus—"

"He isn't the first guy you've liked. You've dated before, so why are you blushing and stammering over your words so much?"

"I-I don't know. He makes me nervous. I don't think I stand a chance."

Thalia stared at her friend as if she were looking at a rare specimen. She had never heard her friend say something like this. Kei was normally confident and could make friends with anybody. And now she was a shell of her former self. All because of a boy who leaves his dirty underwear lying on his bedroom floor. Thalia couldn't fathom it, so she sank back onto the couch.

"I just… I don't think I stand a chance," Kei squealed and covered her face.

Thalia moved over to her friend on the couch and patted her on the head.

"Sure you do. You're pretty and smart. That idiot's lucky to have you pining over him," Thalia tried her best to cheer her up, to regain her friend's confidence, but it was to no avail.

With a sigh, she held Kei's hand and dragged her toward the kitchen entrance.

"Look at him," Thalia said, directing Kei to her brother. But the moment Kei saw Liam, she began blushing uncontrollably. All she saw was the man she believed with all her heart to be her soulmate, preparing dinner for her, and this only made her swoon more.

"Idiot," Thalia snickered. Her words sounded a bit harsh because she was having mixed feelings about her best friend being in love with her brother. "Look at his wrist."

Listening to Thalia's words, Kei looked at Liam's wrist, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw it. On his hand was the pink bracelet she had given him. He was wearing it.

"He wears it every day," Thalia commented, a little annoyed. "I even saw him step out of the shower with it once."

'Though I think the absent-minded fool just forgot to take it off,' Thalia thought but didn't bother sharing her hypothesis with Kei.

"The reason I'm showing you this is to let you know that you have a shot. But not if you keep acting like a shy, meek girl. Be the confident Kei, and he's sure to fall for you."

Kei looked at Thalia, and her blush faded, replaced by a look of pure determination. In the next second, a bright smile lit up her face as she walked into the kitchen with her usual confidence returning.

Thalia smiled at her friend and followed behind her into the kitchen.