Nick hovered around Jenny’s bed trying to figure out if she was asleep. She had her face buried in a pillow, but he could hear soft mumbles.

“Are you still up?” He asked softly.

She sat right up. ”I-I’ll call you back,” she said over the phone and turned her flaming eyes towards Nick.  ”What?”

“Who were you talking to? Its late.”

“None of your business. Isn’t it past your bed time?”

“Oh-kay. You don’t have to be like that. I need your help.”

“Oh Nick, what have you done now?”

“Nothing. Just valentines day is coming up.”

“So? You wanted to ask me what I want?”

“What? Um.. yes. Of course. That too. But see…,” he looked down and moved his feet around, “you’re a girl….”

“I’m so hoping you didn’t just realize that!”

“I mean. You’re a girl and you’d know what other girls like, right?”

“Oo-oo! Way to go lil’ brother! So who are these ‘other girls’?”

“Just ‘other girl’. What should I give her on valentines day?’

“Well, we like shoes, and hand-bags, and pretty dresses and jewelery. You know like the ring Dad got mom this year. Something shiny.”

“Where am I going to get money for that kinda stuff? I’m twelve!”

“Where are you going to get money for anything?”

“Well, I thought you’d help me out a bit.”

“How much is ‘a bit’?”

He brought out his best puppy dog expression. “All of it”.

“Now why would I do a thing like that for you?”

“I’ll ask Dad for any birthday gift that you would want. And I’ll give it to you. Promise.”

“Interesting. Okay, its a deal. You’ll ask him for an i-phone”

“I don’t even have a-phone. He’d never get me that.”

“i-pad it is then. He wants one for himself. So he’ll get you that to look good. But since, it’ll be your gift, it’ll be kept in your room. By your room, I mean my room. We might even be able to guilt him to buy some apps for us. Just make sure to bring out these puppy-dog eyes of yours that you are showing me, when you ask for it. And some tears, if needed.”

“You’re genius.”

“Evil genius, Nick. Evil. Genius.”

“I was just being polite.”

“Watch it. So forget everything I said. You should start small. We always expect something better each year. So its better not to overdo it the first time. Here’s 20 bucks. Take her to a movie.”

“What about pop-corn?”

“Okay, here’s 10 more.”

“And coke?”

She bent forward and stared into his eyes.

“You’re scaring me.” He managed.

“I’m just re-assessing whether you actually are an idiot or have just been acting that way all along. Here’s another five. I’m not giving you a penny more.”

“Thanks Jenny. You’re the best.”

“I can tell a lie when I see one.”

“Okay, you’re not-so-bad.” He ran towards his room.

“Just remember the deal – Eyes and tears. Eyes.And Tears.”

“What happened? It won’t burn?”

Startled, Nick turned to face his sister. “What? What won’t burn?”

“Well, the way you’re staring at that calendar, it seemed to me that you were trying to set it on fire with your blazing glare!”

Feeling glad that he didn’t accidently set fire to something he was not supposed to, like that Barbie doll from last year, he sat back on his bed.

“Very funny, Jenny. Though now, I wish I had those blazing glares, cause I really do want to set it on fire.”

“What happened to you? Your girlfriend dump you today?”

“No! And Cathy is not my girlfriend.”

“She sure looks like your girlfreind to me.”

“You also find that twilight guy hot, so obviously we see differently.”

“Mom says she’s your girlfreind too.”

“Well, Mom is…ugh. She’s mom, you know.”

“Yeah, I know. So what did the calendar do to you?”

“I just hate to look at it. Look at that. Its the biggest symbol for mankinds hypocrisy.”

“‘Mankind’s hypocricy’? Where are you learning this stuff?”

“I’m serious Jenny. Look at that thing. Those bright and shiny red colored numbers.”

“I sure hope you know why they are in red. We share the same genes after all, so you can’t possibly be that dumb.”

“I know what they stand for, but do you? Really?”

“Um, ye-ah! They’re sundays.”

“Just like I thought. They’re not just Sundays. They are important days. Special days. Days for being with family. Days for having fun. That’s why they are colored bright and shiny red. So we know when they come and celebrate.”

“A-nd your point being?”

“Point is when we know that being with family and having fun is important, why have we kept only one day a week to do that.”

“Well, Mom and Dad have Saturdays off too.”

“So two out of seven makes it all better, does it?”

“Why don’t we have five days to have fun and two days to work instead. Who made these rules of workdays and weekends?”

Jenny slumped on her back over the bed. With her arms stretched wide, she breathed out a sigh.

“What happened to you?” Nick inquired.

“Now I’m gloomy too, you idiot.”

‘What are you doing?’

‘What do you think I am doing?’

‘Wasting your time building a plane, thats never going to fly?’

‘Tch. Tch. Wrong answer. You should give up any dreams you might have of going to Who wants to be a millionare? You’ll just embarass yourself.’

‘Very funny. Shouldn’t you be doing your homework?’

‘Shoulda… woulda… coulda. Its a tricky road to travel. Oh and it goes both ways. You see, you shouldn’t be talking to your boyfriend past 9 either. Think of that, before you run to mom.’

‘I was not going to run to mom. I’m not a tattletale.’

‘Yeah, right. And I’m not human.’

‘Have it your way. Besides, even if I told mom, she’d be happy that you are creating something rather than breaking it.’

‘Interesting. I can see how that beats your purpose.’

‘So why are you making this anyway?’

‘Because I’m a guy.’

‘And?’

‘And guys love fast things. Bikes, cars, air-planes…you name it.’

‘This is not going to be fast. In fact its not going anywhere. Fall it might. Fly it will not.’

‘I know that.’

‘And you’re still going to build it?’

‘Sometimes one need not see something to believe. It may not be the thing. But it represents something great. It may not fly, but I would want to believe it can.’

‘That doesn’t make any sense.’

‘It makes perfect sense. Just like you keep making those futile attempts to irritate me and never show it, but I know how much you love me.’

‘I…I…uh… you’re a moron.’

‘Where are you going? I have tissues here!’

‘You’re a sleeze Nick.’

‘Love you too Jenny.’

“Your I-pod for a month.” He said. His eyes stared through the glass.

“No way” she snapped.

“2 weeks” he negotiated.

“1 week”

“Done. And next time it’ll be my choice.”

She rolled her eyes and bit the corner of her lips. “We’ll see…”

His voice was cold “There is nothing to see. Either that or the deal is off.”

“You know the more I think about this, I feel I am getting a bad deal.”

“Well no one is forcing you. You can still back out if you want. I’ll be happy to get myself a… hmm… lets see”

“Fine!” She cut him short.

“Fine what?”

“Fine. Next time it’ll be your choice. Now don’t push it.”

“Alright, which one do you want?”

“Da-uh! Strawberry!”

“Okay” he turned to the counter “Excuse me mister. We’d like one strawberry and one chocolate cupcake please.”

“Nick. What are you doing?”

“Is that a trick question?”

“You told me that mom gave money to buy only one?”

“Oh, about that…” he sported a wide grin “I forgot to add – for you!”