Lin was even smaller than his stepsister and as always, she was wearing her pink jacket and a skirt that revealed just how skinny her legs were. For some time he had wondered if it was because ofher size that she had to buy her clothes at the children's department, but often when the two girls went shopping together, they both returned with pink and fluffy or glittery things.

" Pearl?", she asked.

" She's inside. A bit grumpy..."

" Thanks."

She bit her lower lip and stepped inside. He noticed her boots had high heels and thick soles, probably intended to make her look taller. They seemed out of place with the rest of her clothes though as they looked far too sexy. Or rather, they would have looked too sexy if they had been worn by anyone else than Lin with her skinny legs.

She staggered inside clumsily and he considered that she probably wasn't used to this foot-wear yet.

" Hi Pearl."

" Hello Lin."

He had never seen his stepsister's give someone such an icy look. Quickly he began to gather the plates, bowls, saucers and cups from the dinner table. This was girl's business and they wouldn't need him soon.

He retreated to the kitchen and closed the door to allow them some sense of privacy, but he could still hear them talking.

" I'm so sorry."

There seemed to be no reaction and he imagined his stepsister staring out of the window to avoid Lin's gaze. She could be terrible stubborn when it came to accepting someone's apologies.

" Really. It was stupid. I should have been there for you. I'm so sorry Pearl."

" Hm."

" Can I do anything to make up with you?"

" No."

" Please?"

He turned on the tap and put the plug into the drain. Someone had to do the dishes...

" I was selfish OK? And stupid and silly..."

There was silence and after a while he heard the short, noisy breath of someone who was sobbing. Great... Two crying girls. He would do the dishes very slowly.

" Did you know about him and May?"

" No. There was nothing between them until yesterday. I think they both got drunk and it just happened."

" Just like that?"

Hot water filled the sink and he threw some of the cutlery. He shouldn't be eavesdropping. The girls had to sort out their little soap-opera themselves. Pearl had quarrelled with Lin before, although never in a similar context. He wasn't sure about what Lin knew and what not. She usually seemed to be pretty well informed about all sorts of gossip. It was one of the things that bothered him about that 'community'; that some people seemed to know everything about each other and that rumours spread so quickly. By now they'd probably all know that Pearl had fled from the club with a tearful face and he imagined that he would himself be mentioned too. It was one of the main reasons why he had objected to the boy, even before he knew his reputation. 

A smell of lemon filled the kitchen while the bubbles appeared on the water's surface. He heard the girls laugh and wondered how quickly moods could change.