"Yo, sis! How's it hangin?" boomed Erica in a voice slightly too loud and a joke that after even one use was seriously too old. She was wearing a gray muscle shirt from one of the local gyms, no bra, cut-off denim shorts with the fly in front, a pair of crew socks, and running shoes. Clearly, she hadn't shaved her legs or armpits in months.
"So it goes," Lizzie replied noncommittally.
"Hey, you wanna go shoot some hoops?" Erica suggested. Her hair was barely more than a crew cut on top, but she did have a bit of shag around the sides and back.
"No, I don't like basketball that much. You should know that," Lizzie stated. "I wouldn't mind going to the mall, though."
Erica pointed to her mouth, made gagging sounds, and then scratched her thigh. "Well, I'm going to go out and look for a pickup game," she announced.
"OK, have fun, but before you do can I ask a question?"
"Sooot," replied Erica while executing an imaginary jump shot. Then she exclaimed, "Two!"
"Do you have a date for the Senior Fall Dance?" asked Lizzie.
Erica immediately lost the bounce in her step, sat on the corner of their bed, and stared directly at Lizzie. Our bed, thought Lizze? Oh yeah, since Erica was biologically a girl, she wouldn't be sharing their younger brother's room anymore. The little rat would have his own room and Erica would be sharing with Lizzie. Lizzie hadn't thought of that.
In any event, Erica finished her staring and spoke. "Lizzie, do you think I'd necessarily have to go with a guy?" she asked.
