Blindsided (Game On 2)

“Hey, I’m just absorbing the culture!”

“I don’t think this is a good representation of average families. For one thing, anyone with an ounce of self-respect wouldn’t be caught dead on one of these shows.”

He made a good point. I’d never understood the benefit of dragging family drama onto the television for the world to witness.

I mean, other than to make viewers feel superior.

“You’re right. Switch!”

Hunter grinned and navigated his way to the children’s channels, where he found classic Spongebob Squarepants.

“That’s more like it,” he said, resting his bare feet on the coffee table.

When we were kids, we were obsessed with Spongebob, and seeing the show helped make England seem a little less far from home.

Before I even knew what had happened, the sound of someone coughing caught my attention.

What the hell …?

I blinked a few times before I realized I’d fallen asleep on the couch. Beside me, Hunter was snoring, and our sponge buddy still played on the gigantic TV. In the doorway of the living room, Janet smiled, and a pretty blonde giggled, probably at the fact I looked like an alien who’d been dropped from planet soccer into her super expensive living room.

Way to make a first impression.

I kicked Hunter, and he let out an eardrum-shattering snore before opening his eyes. We both leapt to our feet, and by this time, Janet and one of the twins were laughing uncontrollably.

“You boys are so cute,” Janet said, wiping tears from her eyes, “I bet you didn’t expect to find this when you got home, Georgie!”

Georgia shook her head, “No, I didn’t. Nice to see you’re both so excited about our return!”

I stepped forward to shake her hand. “Sorry. It’s good to see you again.”

She smiled. “Lovely to see you again too, Jesse.”

Hunter stumbled his way over, and pulled his cousin into a hug. “Hey Blondie One, where’s Blondie Two?”

“Isn’t it time you came up with more original nicknames for us?” Georgia asked.

“Probably. I’ll work on that while I’m here.”

She smiled up at Hunter, and it was then that I felt as though someone had sucked the air out of the room.

Blonde hair, just past her shoulders. Brown eyes, and a shy smile. She peered around the door, a slight blush on her cheeks.

You know that saying, ‘an English rose’? That’s what she was. Even with her hair dripping from the rain.

Hunter bounded over and hugged her too. “There she is, my other favourite cousin!”

She giggled. “Hi Hunter.”

“Isabelle, you remember my buddy, Jesse, don’t you?”

Isabelle nodded, her cheeks reddening more. I wanted to bundle her into a hug the way Hunter did, but she seemed so delicate and shy, I just muttered a pathetic hello.

You’re such a loser!

“Come on girls,” Janet said, “You should go and unpack, then we’ll go out for lunch. We can’t have Hunter and Jesse cooped up all day watching cartoons!”

I barely registered what she said.