Twisted

Kristen watched Nathan, Alicia and Nimah, conversing and laughing as they nestled together. Especially Nathan and Nimah, they both looked like they were enjoying each other's company as they tried cheering Alicia up with jokes and stories and of course it was making Kristen cantankerous, grumpy and edgy.

She could not be of the assumption that Nathan was trying to change. Could he really mean the promises he made to Nimah? Would he become Nimah's friend and forget about her? She stood at the raiser of the staircase for a while, staring at the three with anger. She felt neglected, thinking Nimah was planning to take her place in the house. She could not just stand and watch Nimah take her family's love for her, but what could she do without Nathan's help?

"Kristen?" She heard her name being called from her mother's voice as she turned to leave for her room. Could she have been watching her also? She turned to the living room, feigning a smile to hide her emotions.

"Where is your brother? Is he sleeping in his room? Let's play some game out here, go wake him up."

"No mummy, he is busy in his room with his science practical assignments and I guess he's having a hard time with it, I am sure he will solve it out with time. Just let him be, we can play games later." Kristen explained.

"Kristen, is there a problem? You sounded too dull this afternoon." Alicia pointed but Kristen only smiled, a half face smile. She didn't know what to say in response to her mother's question. "Do you want something?"

Yes, I really do want something and that is to get rid of Nimah in my life. She thought, she wished she could express how she felt but she would only look selfish, it would be better to keep whatever it was to herself.

"No mummy, I am fine for now... I need to go complete some works in my room." She said spinning on her heels and sauntered up the stairs.

Nathan knew things were not right with Kristen, he knew she doesn't behave dull on a normal day. She was always a happy girl, she usually cheered evey body up in the family whenever the family was down. Her mother could not notice this change in her but her brother could.

"I will be right back mum." Nathan stood up from their midst, and went straight to Kristen's room.

He found her sitting on the ground, her head buried in her arms. She was sobbing inwardly. With no hesitation or long wait, Nathan crouched to her level and placed a palm on her shoulder. Shockedly, she raised up her head and Nathan embraced her.

"Kristen, tell me what is the problem? Why do you have to keep your pains to yourself?" Nathan gently stroke her back, trying to calm her. "Can you tell me what the problem is?"

"Nathan, tell me what exactly are you doing? Are you going to keep the promise you made to Nimah? Will you become Nimah's friend and ignore me? Why are you doing this to me, Nathan? Are you punishing me for some old offences?" Kristen cried but instead of Nathan to pacify her and explain things to her, he bursted into laughter which made Kristen more angry and confused at the same time.

"Are you for real sister? Don't tell me that this is the reason behind your bad mood?" Nathan grin slowly ceased to chuckle as he raised Kristen head by her jaw.

"Little sister, don't you know about the game?"

"What game are you talking about? What game do you expect me to know when I am not fine? When you betray me?"

"Will you stop these Kristen? You are my beloved sister, how would you even think I can betray you? Think of it Kristen."

"Then why have you been acting nice to our enemy? Ate you going to keep your promises? Will you become Nimah's friend? Answer all my questions Nathan." Kristen yelled.

"Will you calm down and listen to me? I am doing all of these because of you, but you don't seem to be understanding. All of these is a game." Nathan responded.

"A game? Can you be more explicit." Kristen rose up, sounding more enthusiastic, drying up her wet cheek. It was as if what Nathan had been saying had just begun to dawn on her.

"Little sister." Nathan tool her face. "I am glad you know that Nimah remains our enemy but I will need your help to continue this game. Only you can make this more easier for me."

"What do you want me to do? If it will help in ousting that girl, then I will help you, so tell me."

"Kristen, we need to keep up this drama. No one should know about our plan, we shall always act like her friend publicly, but our plan to get rid of her should still be intact.... And remember, no one should know about our plan, okay?" Nathan smirked.

"But I already know about this detrimental plan of yours." A young masculine voice was heard from the entrance of Kristen's room. Nathan and Kristen leapt up immediately, shocked by whoever the owner of the voice was. They both turned to the entrance at once, just to find Joe standing arms folded at the threshold.

Courageously, he stepped into the room, loosening his arms with her gaze fixed on Kristen, who was staring like she just saw a ghost.

"Can I as well be part your game?" He took few steps forward, but the duo looked too dumbstruck to say anything. Their hearts were beating so hardly that it felt like it would break open their chest.

"Ain't you two having nice times together? I will like to join you in this conspiracy against Nimah, I think that's the latest rightie in this family." Joe spoke softly but none of them spoke.

"Oh no! Why are you guys not talking? Did cat catch your tongue?" Joe teased.

Kristen took a look at Nathan, she wanted to say something but Nathan stopped her with a hand gesture.

"What conspiracy are you talking about?" Nathan asked, faking an innocent face. Joe smiled as he walked to Nathan, he overheard all of their conversation but Nathan was unaware of it.

"You should not fake innocence Nathan, I overheard each and every word you both exchanged. How you both are planning to subtract Nimah from this family but you know what? Let's make it more fun."

"Joe, don't try to test my patience, I will not tolerate your insolence." Nathan threatened.

"Yes! I will go straight down to the living room, then I will inform mom and Nimah about your plan and we will all execute it together, or what do you think?" Joe giggled mockingly.

"Keep quiet Joe, I am tired of this holier than thou attitude of yours. Will you just get out of here." Kristen screamed.

"Sure! I will definitely leave, but just let me make it known to you that you will never be able to do anything because I will be going down stairs to tell mum everything." He stood.

"And you think she will believe you? Spill it off, young bro. You might have heard us but who will believe whatever you say? You can go and blab." Nathan grinned.

"Perhaps no one will believe me but at least they can believe your voices, can't they?" Joe brought out his phone and played what he had recorded. He had recorded their conversations, how they spoke of how to oust Nimah.

Nathan and Kristen were shocked, as they listened to the recording Joe played, this was a clear evidence that told it all.

"Give the phone to me." Nathan tried snatching the phone but Joe quickly hid it before his hand could reach it.

"You too now watch how I destroy your plan." Joe walked out of the room, running down the stairs with the intention of exposing the duo's plan. Kristen and Nathan hurriedly ran after him, calling his name to stop him but he turned deaf ears to their call.

Nimah and Alicia were still sitting in the living room chattering, when Joe bounced in. He was huffing and puffing as if he had been involved in a long time run.

"What is wrong now, Joe? Are you done with your home work?" Alicia asked.

"Mum that's not the problem, I have come here to tell you something you don't know... Something you don't have an idea of. Something you can never imagine would happen." Joe looked back where Kristen and Nathan stood and he winked at them.

"What is it now Joe? What is the problem?" Alicia asked with a hint of curiousity in her tone.

"Could you believe that..."

"Joe, yes you are right." Kristen cut in. She was shuddering but she was unaware of it. She was secretly pleading. "You don't need to tell them anything, we can discuss it later..."

"No Kristen, mum and every one will have to listen to what I have recorded. Please mummy, let me play it once." Joe brought out his phone, took a quick look at Nathan who was sweating profusely and he played a recording.

"Please!!!" Kristen yelled. "Don't play it."

"I have already done, just calm down and listen to it to." Joe increased the volume and everyone calmly began to listen. It was his voice, when he was singing alone and everyone bursted into laughter except the tensed Kristen and Nathan.

Joe looked at Nathan with a smirk, tossing his phone upwards and catching it. He was staring at him with an 'I certainly saved you for a reason.' gaze.

;;;;;

"As of now, we have to behave as per his wish as long as he still has the recording in his phone. He is behaving too clever these days, we have to get hold of his phone first."