Half the View

Chapter 2: Striking a Deal

Nikki walked into her house and dropped her purse and shoes off at the door.

“Dad, I’m home.”

She padded across the wooden floor into the living room until her father was in full sight, watching the T.V. She sighed and dropped down next to him on the couch. The two exchanged smiles.

“I got my car washed,” Nikki grinned.

“What poor person did you bribe into doing it this time?” her father teased, pushing her a little.

Nikki shoved him back, her smile not faltering for even a moment.

“Some soccer team with food poisoning had a carwash by the mall. The girl goes to my school, and her brother’s hot.”

Nikki’s father sighed and sunk into the couch, wanting to tune his daughter out, but not actually doing so. He managed to plaster an interested look on his face while she babbled on about the “breath taking green eyes” and the “oh-so seductive” hair style. At some times, he had to restrain himself from wanting to lock his teenage daughter in her room where no boys could reach her, but he continually assured himself that this was, in fact, just a stage she was going through.

“And his name is Kisei,” Nikki concluded her story, taking a deep breath after her final words.

“Are you going to bring him home first? Or date and ask questions later?”

“Oh Dad,” Nikki pulled her knees up to her chest. “It’s not like that…Kisei, he’s, well, untouchable. Aside from the fact that he’s the brother of a school mate, he’s twenty-one. Even if that was ok, I doubt he’d be interested in me…I look like I’m fourteen, you know? And…..Guys find my eyes kind of a turn off, you know?”

With complete and total understanding, Nikki’s father brushed her hair out of her covered eye. Only he knew the secret to why it remained covered so often, and why it seemed so glazed over.

“I’m sure you’re exaggerating,” he assured. “Being blind in one eye doesn’t change anything about your beauty. No one can even tell.”

Nikki flipped her hair back into place and pressed her face into her knees. Her reply was inaudible, so her father just patted her on the back.

“Don’t worry, you’ll find someone.”

---

“Kiku! Kiku!”

Kisei ran frantically around the apartment, searching for his sister. Since the eldest brother and parents were usually away, he stayed at home despite his age, to take care of his sister.

“What do you need?” Kiku demanded, sticking her soaking head out of the bathroom door. “I was trying to get ready!”

“Never mind that,” Kisei said, running up to her. “Do you think you can talk to Nikki at school? Please? For me?”

Kiku stuck her tongue out.

“I don’t want to play matchmaker for you, that’s so gross. She’s way too young for you!”

“Kiku, come on! I helped you with the carwash!”

“I don’t care.”

Kiku shut and locked the door. Kisei stood outside and continued talking.

“You’ve always wanted a sister, and if I marry her, then you’ll have one.”

No response.

“She seemed nice enough, and you could always use a friend.”

No response.

“I’ll let you borrow my car.”

The door opened and Kiku’s head reemerged.

“For a week,” she said flatly.

“Deal.”