She could hear her brother getting back from his date and pull up into the parking lot across from their small apartment. They shared the place to save money during college. He was a senior, while she was a sophomore. They were two years apart, but still very close. The apartment was modest, although they could only afford a one-bedroom place.
She heard his keys jingling, and then the door opening as he walked into the room. She looked at his face and saw that his thin lips were smeared in red lipstick, and there was more lipstick stained on his chin and neck. She felt a rush of air fill her up, and then a simmer of heat inside of her chest. She controlled her breathing and looked back at the book in her lap before speaking.
"So did you have a good time?"
He chuckled, and flopped down on the couch next to her feet.
"It was... pretty good."
"Did you guys kiss?" she said, looking down at her feet avoiding his soft brown eyes.
"Oh." he mumbled, roughly wiping his lips, remembering that his date must have gotten lipstick on him during their rushed make out session.
"I don't know If I can do this right now Edwin, I thought that I could, but I'm not sure." She looked up, and he saw for the first time that her eyes were puffy and red.
"I thought this was what you wanted, you were the one who said I should try dating."
"I know, I just don't know if I can bear seeing you with someone else."
"You know, I didn't even want to go see this girl tonight, sure it was fun but I only did it for you, because I wanted to help you feel normal, you said that if I was with someone else it would keep us apart. Even though I never want to be part from you."
"God Edwin, don't you understand! We are sinners, abominations! There is nothing normal about us, I love you and you are my brother, and I don't want to love you. Our love never should have existed." She started to weep, and hid her face in her arms.
He leaned over and tried to pull her arms away from her gently.
"NO! get away from me! I hate you Edwin!" She choked out violently.
His eyes became fierce, and he grabbed both arms and pulled them away. She looked at him feeling defeated. Wet streaks damping her face. He nuzzled his face close to hers, and used his cheeks to dry her damp face.
"There is nothing evil about us, nothing at all. Its not your fault that we are like this, and it is not my fault either. We were born for each other; and coincidentally we were born brother and sister. That shouldn't stop us from being happy." He whispered into her ear.
"I can't bear to be without you, and I suffer so much with my guilt of being with you. It is my fault; none of this would have ever started if it weren't for me. I was the one who came into your room late that night, and willed myself on you. Please forgive me, I'm so sorry, this is my entire fault. My-fault." She choked out again.