Can We Just Call It a Tie? Chapter 1

"Love is just a word until someone you meet gives it a proper meaning."

Chapter 1

The owner of the tie and shirt shop looked at me and frowned.
'So you want to work here, but you don't have any experience, at all?' I almost rolled my eyes, but stopped just in time.
This was my 15th application in 3 weeks and it looked like this wasn't going too well.
'I know sir, but I've been ill, so I couldn't get a job and the paper said experience wasn't required.'
'That is true' He was silent for a while and then started talking again. 'Well....ehm' He checked his paper for my name, '....Opal, I think I should give you a chance. When can you start?'

My jaw almost fell off. 'Y-You mean I'm actually hired?' He raised an eyebrow.
'Why else would I ask you that question?'
'I'm sorry, thank you sir, I won't disappoint you.'
Almost flying from happiness I walked out of the shop 10 minutes later. I have a job! I resisted the urge to shout it to a passing stranger and walked to my car. As fast as I could -within limits- I drove home, I couldn't wait to tell everyone.
You're probably wondering why I'm so excited over a job.
Well, let me explain. My name is Opal Bushnell, I'm 18 and this is my first job since 3 years. I know what you're thinking; wow you're lazy!
Not true. The thing is, I have had some kind of rare disease. Something like Pfeiffer, but the doctors had no idea what to do about it. I'd like to see you try and work, while actually wiggling a toe is too tiring.
But after 2 years, the disease started to disappear, so I'm healthy again, I can earn money and take care of myself. The last 2 years people took care of me, but now, I will be independent. The summer has just started and when it's over I'll be going to a university, so I have to make sure I have enough money.

Within 15 minutes I arrived at my house and tried to make my expression as depressed as possible. I was in the mood to fool my family. I dropped my shoulders and entered the house face down. As I entered the living room, only my mother is there, reading a book. She looks at my face as soon as she hears me stumbling into the room. 'Oh honey...' She rushed over and pulled me into a hug. 'It's okay, your chance will come.'
'Mum,' I said with a smile, 'I have the job'. She released me immediately and stared at me, unable to believe what she just heard. Then she hugged me again, but this time from happiness.
'Opal I am so happy for you! Oh we have to celebrate this, wait till your father hears this! Shall I order Italian tonight?'
'Oh please, I love Italian. Now I'm going upstairs to bring my little brothers the good news.'

I ran up the stairs to the room of my brothers. From a distance I heard the shooting, the explosions and the shouting.
'How could you! That was my last tank!'
'Hahaha, look who's talking, your own fault loser, that'll teach you not to kill my sniper!'
Without making a noise I opened the door and stepped into their room. On the ground, are my twin brothers. Their curly brown hair is messy and their dark brown eyes are glued to the screen. You'd think they're 12 instead of 18. Yes, they are the same age, because we are triplets. My hair is the same brown; only is it straight like I ironed it,(not fair, why do they have the curls), but my eyes are green. So no, we're not identical. Well, they are, I just happened to grow at the same time too. Our brown hair is coincidence, but the fact that both our parents have brown hair, will explain something.

It seems the game has ended, but still they don't notice me.
'That sniper was just nasty, it is almost cheating.' Jasper said, while stretching his arms. 'Oh you poor guy,' Ky teased, 'did I destroy your pretty toy? I'll buy you a new one tomorrow.'
'Save your trouble Ky, I'll buy it.' Surprised, they turned around to see me standing in the doorway. 'Hello little brothers.'
'Hiya Opal!' Ky grinned at me. 'And what makes you think you have the money to buy a tank for Jasper? Who has -again- lost spectacularly, might I add...'
Jasper punched him on the shoulder. 'Because, you moron, if you for once remembered what people told you, you'd know that our sister had an application today and her line suggests that she actually got the job!' He smiled. 'Am I right?'
I couldn't help but grin. 'Yeah. You're looking at the newest employer of 'Tie me'.'

Jasper and Ky roared and jumped at me. I screamed and tried to flee but it was too late. I fell on the floor with them on top of me. 'Get of me you elephants!' I yelled.
'Did I just hear someone call us fat?' Ky said with devilish smile.
'Yes, I believe I heard something like that. I really think that someone should be punished' Jasper answered with exactly the same look on his face.
My eyes widened, I knew what was coming. 'No, no, I didn't...no!' I laughed, screamed, wriggled and begged for mercy, but it was no use. After years of practice, they had brought their tickle attack to perfection. Finally they stopped and Jasper asked me, while I was out of breath on the floor, 'So you were saying?'
I sighed. 'I said that you two are the most handsome, lightweight, caring, gentlemanly brothers a girl can wish for.' It was no use, if I didn't say something like that, they wouldn't let me go. 'Don't forget sexy' they both said at the same time. I laughed. 'Gosh you are so arrogant, sometimes I just can't believe we actually are family, let alone triplets.'
'My little sister, you are so naive. It is obvious that Jasper and I are way more mature than you are. Of course we're not arrogant, we just know ourselves' Ky winks.
I glared at him; he always had to point out that I was the youngest of the three. 'Oh shut up Kyanite.' That earned me a glare from him, by using his full name.
You see, my mother has a hobby: Gemstones. She absolutely loves them, so she decided to name her children after gemstones. Kyanite, Jasper and Opal.
Well, it makes a nice change with children being named after their grandparents.

'But Opal, I hope you know that we're proud of you.' Jasper said, to stop Ky and me from arguing. Ky nodded in agreement, 'Yeah, good work sis.' Aah they're so sweet. 'Thank you darlings, you've been really supportive these years.' 'Triplets rock!' Ky shouted to the ceiling, just as my mother openec the door and saw us lying on the floor.
'Oh. I just wanted to say that diner is ready, but it seems that you have found your own way of celebrating Opal's new job.'
I stood up and walked over to my mother. 'I think we better start eating mum, 'cause if we wait before these two elephants are downstairs, the pasta will be cold.' I ran away.
It was silent for a moment. Jasper and Ky looked at our mother, who looked amused and then at each other. 'Let's get her' Ky said. 'Oh yeah' Jasper agreed and they ran after me.

When we're done eating my father toasted on my future success. 'I'm sure you'll do great and that you will learn a lot about yourself on the way.' My first thought was 'It's only a job!; but he was just proud.
'Yeah' Jasper grins, 'and a lot of handsome guys will come and buy shirts, so you'll have a boyfriend in no time.
'A boyfriend?' I say 'Don't be stupid.'
That's the last thing I need, someone who tries to take care of me.