Sam's Perspective
After Terra and I finished eating breakfast, I suggested something that I had not in a while. "Terra, would you like to go out for a walk in the park today?"
Terra had not left the house in several weeks, and I was beginning to become concerned for her social well-being. As such I suggested this as both a means of getting her some fresh air and some outdoor activity. It most definitely was not because I wanted to show the world how beautiful and adorable of a little sister I have.
Pushing those strange thoughts out of my head, I waited for her reply.
"Big Brother, you know that I am not a fan of being out among the masses. I will however, most humbly accept your invitation to a date in the park."
My heart skipped a beat at her mention of the word "date".
As if the words she had just uttered had taken a second to process, after a moment of delay, my sister's face flushed pink. "Not a date date, just a nice walk in the park between siblings of course. Perfectly natural."
"Of course," I responded.
"I shall return posthaste; I must prepare myself to meet the masses." Terra turned and walked out of the kitchen and back upstairs to her room.
I was not entirely sure what she meant by her statement as she was already completely dressed and looked extremely beautiful. Nevertheless, I waited patiently for a few minutes before I heard the sound of my sister walking down the steps.
Walking into the foyer, I looked up the steps at Terra. My heart stopped. Descending the stairs was my angel of a little sister, yes, but her heavenly glow radiated even more vividly than usual. All I could do was stand in stunned silence as I processed the beauty before me.
"Big Brother, is my outfit all right? You have been staring at my face for a bit now."
"Gorgeous." The word slipped out of my mouth before I even realized.
"What was that Big Brother?"
I looked away to hide my reddening ears. "I said you look amazing, as always. I love your twintails."
"Aww, thanks Big Brother. You look great too. Now, let us begin our promenade."
The local city park was only a five-minute walk from the townhouse where we live. As it was just past noon, the streets and sidewalks were relatively empty. Only the occasional car or bike passing by.
As I walked alongside my little sister, I became hyperaware of the position of my hand. It was so close. If I just reached out, I could interlace Terra's long slender fingers with my own. Fear held me back from doing so. Forcing my own desires on Terra to do something that made her uncomfortable was my greatest fear.
While the dilemma of holding hands raged in my head, we quickly reached the park. The park was just a small city park, only a block long and wide. The park was surrounded by bushes and trees except for the designated entrances with walking paths.
Entering the park, I discovered that it was far more crowded than the surrounding streets. Possibly due to the nice weather and the proximity to the nearby business district this park spontaneously became a popular lunch date spot for young office worker couples. The atmosphere of young love filled the air as the couples chatted and ate. More importantly the park was somewhat crowded.
Terra and I looked at each other and nodded. We then clasped hands in order to not be separated before walking into the park.
We hadn't gotten far when an old man approached us.
"I've never seen your faces around here before. Are you enjoying the park on this fine spring day?" The man appeared to be in his mid-sixties with thinning gray hair and a plaid grey hat.
I felt Terra stiffen next to me. She had been wholly unprepared for any social interaction. She tried her best to not show her discomfort, but she still positioned herself, so my body was between her and the old man.
"We are just enjoying a nice walk in the good weather," I responded politely, a tight smile on my lips.
"Oh, it is so nice to see so many young people out enjoying nature," the old man remarked. "Well, I'll leave you two young people alone. I am sure you'd much rather be flirting with the cute girl next to you than chatting with an old man like me."
I was rooted to the spot in shock as the old man walked away. Did he truly think that Terra and I were a couple? Did we really give off that vibe? The very thought of my sister and I as a couple brightened my heart.
I looked over to Terra and she was standing there with a slight smile on her face. I could not be sure whether it was the comment that made her happy or surviving the unexpected social interaction.
The first obstacle overcome, Terra and I continued into the park. We walked a few laps around the park before stopping at the pop-up ice cream stand positioned in one corner of the park. It was important that Terra associate going outside with a positive reward if I wanted her to become more confident in the future.
Using psychology tactics to subtly influence my sister's behavior did feel wrong on some level, I was doing this for her own benefit. My conscience could never use these tricks to alter my sister's behavior in any nefarious ways. It was merely my duty as her older brother to ensure that she lives a healthy life.
After buying the ice cream, Terra and I sat down on a bench together and ate.
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Terra's Perspective
Big Brother and I sat on a bench eating ice cream. The bench was somewhat small, so we sat with our legs touching. It made me extremely happy to be this close to Big Brother.
The look that that ice cream selling girl gave Big Brother was suspicious. Was she trying to flirt with him? A hard knot began to form inside my chest. Looking at all the couples around the park, my mind began to ponder darker thoughts. I'm not good enough for him. I can't cook. I am completely helpless in public. What if Big Brother finds another girl who is better than me? Will he abandon me for her? Should he abandon me for her? Am I just holding Big Brother back?
A sharp squeeze of my hand brought my racing thoughts back under control.
"Terra, what are you thinking about?" Big Brother asked. "It must be something difficult if you were squeezing my hand like that without noticing. You know that we have always been together. You can tell me anything. I will always support you, no matter what."
Big Brother's words did bring me some comfort. The fact that he cared so much about me and noticed even the tiniest signs of my distress. It was more than I deserved. Nevertheless, only one thought raced through my mind. Would he support me, even if I told him the truth? Would he still accept me if he knew how I see him or would he be repulsed by me, a girl who fell in love with her own flesh and blood?
That doubt ate away at me inside. A wriggling worm chewing its way through the core of an apple. I would need to do something about these feelings inside me, but not today. Right now, I would simply enjoy this peaceful time spent with Big Brother.