Her Uncle

A pop song played loudly in the background. The teenage girl sat at her desk, headphones on. She chatted with her friends in a video call. However, instead of doing anything productive, they only had their books open before them for an excuse. They discussed more gossip than math problems.

The girls in the group chat had similarities. Their hair had a streak of a color picked out from the rainbow. It was like their small armbands to denote membership. Frieda Matthews had a streak of golden yellow pinned on her long brown hair. She also reinforced her designated color with small golden earrings and hair clips. Sometimes, she would wear yellow lipstick to school.

Despite their popping colors, these girls didn't look rebellious. They attended a prestigious high school in the capital. However, it didn't mean they weren't rebels. To avoid their boring summer camp, Frieda's group feigned their injuries. 

Her parents were concerned, but they decided against antagonizing their eldest.

"…argh, I can already feel it…" Frieda groaned. She moved to spy a look outside her drawn blinds. "Mom's home. The cousin she mentioned is with her. I can't believe I'm spending my summer break with a creepy uncle in the house."

"It should be fine. You haven't even met him yet." The girl with the violet streak giggled. She leaned her chin on her palm. "Have you met him before?"

Frieda exhaled through her nose. "He was that guy who caused Dad's hotel to suffer. Mom should have convinced him to fix what he has done. Argh, I really don't want to meet him."

Another girl, who had the red streak, clapped. "Send a picture! If he's hot, we'll try to sneak around to visit you! I'll take his attention away from you!"

"Damn, girl!" The girl with the blue streak laughed. "Your 'older male' game is going strong! Hey, hey, how old is your uncle again? Just because Ish is legally an adult now, she wants to jump into the dating scene! Introduce her! Introduce her!"

"He's thirty-five… ish? I don't know." Frieda shrugged her shoulders. She turned to the one with the violet streak. "Ari, what do you think? Should I pretend like I like him in our house or something?"

Aria shook her head, followed suit by everyone else. She waved her hand. "Don't think too much. He's an adult. He probably knows you don't like him. Just take photos. If he's hot, leave Ish to do her thing. No one's too old for her. If he's ugly, let's have some fun!"

Frieda didn't like the plan. However, she didn't want to overthink. Regardless, she would have to face the man. Her mother made it clear that she should meet him. He would be living there with them. She would have to be around him for at least the whole summer break. At worst, he would live with her parents for as long as they were alive.

Her eyes fell on the book before her. "I'll just use SAT as my excuse. I have to score almost a hundred higher than I did the last time. God, have mercy."

"We'll help you through it. Don't worry." The quietest one in their group joined in. She wore the indigo streak on her hair. However, instead of happy faces, the girls looked at her quietly.

Aria said with uncertainty, "Girl, are you okay now? Is your sister… home? I mean… I don't want to be so direct, Mitch. But… are you sure you should bother with Free right now? Aren't you…? Your parents… your sister… You know… well?"

Michelle giggled and shook her head. "They told me to focus on school. College should be the only thing that matters to me right now."

The girls exchanged looks. Aria smiled at her. "Okay… then let's work Free's ass so she could get into our college this coming school year!"

"Great…" Frieda sighed and crumpled her face. "Ugh, I need a miracle."

Knocks came to her door. She turned to the door to her right. Her room's layout allowed her to hide her screen from anyone entering the room. However, she could easily see whoever went inside. When the door opened, a maid smiled at her.

The maid said, "Miss Frieda, Madam calls for you. Dr. Huxley has arrived. She wants you to meet him. Are you seeing him now?"

"Oh, wow…" Frieda glanced at her friends and waved. "Gotta go. Here comes the inevitable. I'll tell you girls how it goes later…"

Frieda ended the video call and moved around to make herself decent. After combing her hair and retouching her lip balm, she left the room. She walked with the maid, wearing her unwillingness on her sleeves. She didn't forget to slip on her fashion cast. It had always been a good excuse to return.

In the video chat room, the girls were quiet for a few seconds. Shyla, nicknamed Ishtar, flinched and looked at everyone's videos. "Did the maid say 'Dr. Huxley'? Free's uncle is the Dr. Huxley?"

…

Downstairs, Frieda saw a flawless man sitting on their couch. The air surrounding him was cool and light, charged with charm and arrogance. His visuals were stunning, and his clothes were creaseless. Frieda didn't realize she would be seeing such a man today. Her tongue pushed back as if trying to eat her words from earlier. No, she wouldn't allow Shyla to find this guy.

Her mother sat on a single couch. She looked up and found Frieda gawking at their guest. Deresita laughed. "Frieda, don't be too shy. Say 'hi' to Uncle Rhodes."

"Wow, uh…" Frieda stepped closer and chuckled. She shrunk herself and feared occupying space on the couch facing the one Rhodes was on. "Hi… Uncle…"

"Hello." Rhodes offered a small smile. 

Frieda wanted to run and die at this very second. She glanced at her mother as if reminding Deresita to dismiss her daughter. The deed was done; let her scream against her pillow now.

However, Deresita had other plans. She clapped as if delighted. "Right! Starting today, Rhodes will be staying here with us. He's yet to meet your dad, but… I'm hoping you can… at least be friends? I mean, Rhodes might be able to help you with your review."

"Review?" Rhodes hummed. Frieda froze at this.

"My daughter wants to attend the same college as her friends… but her scores… She has to score so high for their college." Deresita giggled, unaware of Frieda's dying gaze. "You can help her, right? You can manage, right? I mean… mental stimulation should be good for you."

Rhodes stared at her for a while. He then dragged his gaze toward Frieda. The daughter looked like she had passed away from embarrassment and fear. She had no idea Rhodes was as equally screwed as her.