Changed Landscapes

I used to hate school. To me it always meant eight hours of loneliness broken up only by cruelty. I can't say that assessment has been incorrect for the majority of my time walking through these gates... But something this final week is tearing me up. I'll never forget all the terrible ways I was treated, but in the end, I got closer with my sister, I made real friends, and most importantly... I met her. Even after all the torture, I can't help but think the good outweighs the bad.

Look at me, getting all mushy, it's only Wednesday.

Rouge, Elise, and I arrive at the school, and we're quickly greeted by Trish who wraps her arms around my sister. They're not a couple who are worried what people will think of their public displays of affection. How unfortunate that we now have enough out LGBT folk to make a club at the very end of school. Is that the definition of irony? Maybe, Rouge would know, but she's busy right now...

Breakfast, attendance, back to the canteen since I have literally nothing to do today. My plan is to get some French practice in until Elise and Rouge are free to revise Science. One might wonder then, why I've gone to the canteen instead of the library? That one's simple. Snacks. You need at least three types of snacks in order to study, I don't make the rules, it's just the law, pretty sure it's in the Magna Carta. I'm obsessed with chewy sweets, Rouge prefers crisps to sweet stuff, and Elise is, naturally, a chocoholic.

I'm sure this isn't what Mum meant when she said 'get a balanced lunch.' Eh, I'll take the hit of being a bit unhealthy for a while, I need that sugar high to get through the insanity that is A-Level science. You never know, if I get this job they might need an advert to explain thermodynamics.

Sustenance acquired, I head down the corridors towards the library. It's as dead as I expected, just the way I like it. I take a seat at a table hidden towards the back, and open up the book Gabriel recommended. It's been doing a pretty good job so far, but it's something I need to keep on top of or I'll lose focus and my grasp on the language will begin to slip. I don't want anything like that, so it's important that I-

"Hey." A scared voice reaches my ears. It's a familiar one. Damn it, I'm not meant to be distracted, but here's my secret sister. Here's Jenny. "Can... Can I join you?" She asks. She's shaking? I guess it's one thing to know you're made a stranger's life Hell, I imagine finding out that person's your own flesh and blood is probably a shock to the system.

"It's a free country." I respond. I don't know how I feel, as much of an arsehole as Jenny is, she's still a victim of our father's selfishness... Maybe even more so considering she got left all alone.

Apparently what little of an olive branch I offered is good enough for her as she takes a seat across from me. "I-I'm sorry." She stutters.

I look up from my book at her shivering form. "For what? You've done a lot of shit, Jenny, you might want to specify which atrocity you're apologising for." I growl, I have no interest in making this easy for her.

"Because... Because you should have had a dad." She begins. Okay, not what I thought I'd hear, but it's at least peaked my curiosity. "I... I never should have existed, you... Your family should have been... He shouldn't have ruined it, and I'm sorry I'm a product of him... I'm part of the reason he left you... It would be better if I didn't exist."

For... Existing? What the fuck?

"My family is fine without him." I correct her. "We never needed him. Ever. He left us because he's a selfish waste of space, not because you were born. Don't flatter yourself." I continue. I can blame Jenny for so much, but Ashley doesn't get to run away again and let her take the blame, his failure is his, not hers.

"Even so, my father... Our father, he wouldn't have come back if I hadn't destroyed my life, if I hadn't been a monster to you, I'd still by living with my mum, and he'd have had no reason to come here... You didn't need to get hurt like that, none of you did." Jenny pushes, tears welling up in her eyes. Tears? Jenny? Never. I've seen her as a sadistic bully and a broken shell, but weeping? No.

"Who are you?" I ask.

Jenny's face contorts with confusion, makes sense, not like I expected her to understand the question.

"See, you can't be the Jenny I've been picked on by my entire life, she was a lot of things, but she wasn't a wimp." I inform her, shutting my book and placing it on the table. "Now, that Jenny? She was pure evil, but at least I could respect her strength. You? No chance. Ashley's a pathetic stain on the concept of shitbags, he's an insect, he's nothing. Now, if you're trying to tell me that someone so worthless could bring that Jenny to tears? That Jenny that never blinked in the face of the brutality she brought to my life? I don't buy it. You were unbeatable, it's why I never tried, if you're implying I'm so weak that someone who would cry for that bastard could push me around? I'll punch you right now." I argue.

I don't like Jenny, I really don't, but if taking away the pain he inflicted on her is even an iota of a middle finger to our father? I'll do it.

"Like it or not, you're half me, not half him, half me. In my family, we don't get knocked down so easy, so you better fucking shape up, because you're not being compared to him anymore, you're being compared to us. Don't fuck up." I conclude, opening up my book again. "If that's it, I've got a whole other language to learn." I shoo her away. I don't want to look to check... But I think I see her smile as she gets up and walks away.

That's the best opportunity you're getting Jenny. I hope you take it... For your sake.

*

"You're too nice." Rouge decides, chomping into a crisp. I'd told her and Elise about our confrontation when they joined me in the library. It felt oddly final, I know I'll see Jenny again, probably more than ever, but it feels like... Like I've let go of who she used to be. Unless she proves she's still the same. "I'd have told her to fuck off."

"I think that's why she came to me. Even a mortal enemy is more inviting that you." I smirk. I mean, I'd rather walk through fire than get on Rouge's bad side, it'd probably hurt less, and I'm her twin.

Elise decides to change the subject, looking up from her book. "So, you two got dates to prom?" She asks innocently. I look over to her, knowing full well she's fishing for an invite. We don't really do big prom invitations here, not so much big dresses and limos, more clubwear and booze on tap. Still, I'll take a chance to unwind, especially on the school's dime, they owe me.

"Actually, yeah, I've got a date!" I answer coyly. "You wouldn't believe it, she's this gorgeous French girl, super elegant, body to die for, incredibly talented... I think I might just fall for her." I smile as sweetly as I can.

"Wow, she sounds great... So Rouge, you want to go with me?" Elise replies, holding back a grin. Very funny. I gently slap her wrist, leading to giggles from my girlfriend.

Rouge only seems to be paying half attention. "Huh... Hey Elise, you know we're the only ones that haven't had sex?" She states. Huh!? I mean, she's not wrong, other than me and Rouge, and wow is that never happening. "What do you say? Ditch the zero, get with the hero?" She jokes.

"I thought you'd never ask!" Elise responds, overdramatically clutching her heart. It's great that these two get along so well, better than bickering or something... But does it have to be like this? I'm being bullied on both sides.

"So, now this conversation is actually scaring me, please never sleep with my sister?" I request humbly.

Elise laughs again before taking my hand. "Don't worry, you're the pretty one." She reassures me. But... But we're identical twins... "I'd love to go to prom with you." She adds, placing a kiss on the back of my hand. And, like that, anxiety gone. Apparently she can now cure ailments, guess I'll add it to the list of things Elise can do.

We're going to prom, isn't that cute? Rouge rolls her eyes, but I don't care, it's something nice, and normal, no secret families or crazy schemes, just a chance to celebrate with the girl I love. The girl I'm gonna move in with. The girl I want to spend my life with.

I need to ace this interview.