Normality Begins

I feel Elise's lips on mine, our bodies conjoined, her soft moans ring in my ears, my eyes wander down our bodies to our warring sexes. I see... My dick? Not the bets at Biology but pretty sure I don't have that... That's right... I don't... He does.. That's why he's fucking her... And I'm not.

I bolt up in my bed. My heart is beating like an 80's drum solo. I glance at the clock on my chest of drawers. 6:14, wow, didn't know I could wake up that early. Maybe it's the fact that I'm sweating through my pyjamas, but I'm parched. I pull the covers off me and exit my room, making my way to the kitchen. I grab a glass from the cabinet and pour water from the fridge. Cold water is a delicacy, I swear, It's like ambrosia, I could-

"You're up early." A deadpan accusation shocks me. I spin around, almost throwing my water and falling over myself. Rouge is sat in the dark, fingers rapping at the keyboard. How did I not see her, or at least hear the typing? I'd blame the **** if I'd had any. As it is, I'm going with the lack of sleep.

"Uh, yeah, had a nightmare." I stutter, I'm too tired and too thirsty to think up a cover story. Just gonna drink my water and retreat.

"Aww, diddums, you wet the bed as well?" Snorts my sister, a smug grin flashing across her face, still typing away. So good at mocking me she doesn't even need to look away from what was probably the 4th or 5th essay of the morning.

"No!" I respond immediately. The damp patch springs to mind. Not counting that. Think it was rhetorical anyway. I finish my water and leave the glass next to the sink. Finally I can get away, I make my move towards the door.

"Stop." Rouge's voice is little more than a whisper but carries the strength of a fog horn. "Why didn't you tell me?" This wasn't the question I expected.

"You gonna act like you didn't know? Figured you'd have done something if you gave a shit." I explain with an uninterested tone. Didn't figure Rouge for the plausible deniability type, suppose it's the smart move though. Wait. Why can't I hear typing?

I turn around, she's stopped, she's actually stopped working. I know this isn't much without context, but she never stops working once she's started, not until she's done. Maybe she's done. Hard to tell. But she's definitely looking right at me. Biologically me and Rouge are identical, but whereas I wanted to blend into the background, my long hair, plain clothes, and basic make up , Rouge always stands out. She leaned into her hair, styling it like a rock chick with stylish bangs, ripped clothes were her forte, she even wore fishnet stockings to school. Guess she's a scene kid that never grew out of it. But it was her make up that really stood out, in particular her smoky eyes that would draw you in, it made her feel all-powerful. Invincible. So why did those eyes look pained right now?

"I stayed out of it because it was your business." She states plainly. "I thought you were handling it, everyone I spoke to just said it was fine, you didn't correct them, so I thought it wasn't my fight." She continues to rationalise. Not sure which of us she's trying to convince. I don't care. I've got enough to worry about.

"Spin it how you want." I concur, I don't have the strength to fight right now, and start moving towards the door. "But, be honest, what would you have done?" I conclude. No response. Nothing. Silence. Typing. Guess old habits die hard.

I make my way back upstairs and reach my room, 6:32, fuck it. I root through my drawers to find my other uniform, might as well get ready early. Who knows, I might even eat today. Pretty sure my diet yesterday consisted of ice cream. Should probably correct that today. Skirt? I dunno, couple of days since shaving, legs have a hit of roughness to them, the joys of womanhood. Fuck it, trousers. Why do none of my bras and knickers match? Why didn't I notice this yesterday? Suppose it's less obvious at 100 miles an hour. Fuck it, not like anyone's gonna see them, black bra, pink pants. I pull my clothes out and head for the bathroom.

You know the routine, run shower, brush teeth, strip, wash. I know I've got time for some quality time with senorita showerhead, but honestly, I just don't feel like it. Two days in a row with no attention? That shower might leave me for another woman. I step out and dry myself. I hear Mum walk past the door, weird feeling being awake first.

I dress myself and exit, heading to my room, tossing the pyjamas in the empty basket. Empty? Huh, guess Mum took it out. I take my time to dry my hair and re-apply my make-up. Dunno what it is, I want to look good today. Never tried winged eyeliner before. Think it suits me. I turn to the clock. 7:41. Wow, getting up early has its advantages.

I open my laptop, not sure what I'm hoping to see, Elise's profile hasn't changed, still taken, but I got another notification.

"Trish Patel sent you a friend request!"

Nope.

Nope. Nope. Nope.

Didn't put all this effort in to turn out to still be asleep. Wake up time now. Now. I said NOW.

This is real, isn't it? Timestamp says 7:22, she added me twenty minute ago? Must not have heard it while I was making myself up. No way, this is a trap, guessing she's using my goodwill to draw me out so the others can ambush me. No way. I close the laptop without responding. I don't have time for this. I mean I do. But I don't want the time. Food. Food solves all. I look around for by bag and jacket, still downstairs, must've forgotten to bring them up in my hormone-induced zombie state.

I head downstairs, through the door into the living room. Sure enough, there's my stuff.

"Oh, you're up." My Mum's voice rings, coming through the door behind me. "Wow, that looks nice." She adds, gesturing towards my face. "I've got to nip to the shelter, I've put some more money on your card, can you get breakfast at school?" Did I mention Mum manages an animal shelter? She sometimes gets called in on her days off, and it's not great money, but Jasper helps costs, and it's always been her passion.

Not going to tell her that school breakfast was already my plan, or remind her I have yesterday's money as well. "Sure." I respond, smiling. Butter wouldn't melt.

"And you tell me if you have any trouble." She says seriously, making her way out the door. "Love you!"

"Love you too!"

Honestly, this is looking up, I load myself up, stick on my shoes and jacket and head out the door. The short walk seems to pass in an instant, and I'm quickly face-to-face with my old nemesis. The school gates. I should be terrified. But something's feeding my bravery, maybe it's hope, maybe it's that I've reached rock bottom, who knows? Not me, but I'm heading to the canteen anyway.

"Bonjour stranger!" Heaven has a voice. I turn to face Elise. She's as radiant as yesterday, but something's different. She wasn't wearing a skirt yesterday. A skirt with knee-high socks. Huh. Didn't realise I was into that. But I am. Oh God, I am. "Oh my gosh, how did you get your eyes to look like that?" She inquires. Well that settles it. Doing my make-up like this forever.

"I'll show you another time." I smile. "You coming for breakfast?" I ask, gesturing my head toward the cafeteria doors. Elise nods and we make our way in. We grab a couple of omelettes and take our seats. Salt and pepper. Best way to start the morning. Even better with this bombshell next to me. I turn to talk to her.

THUNK.

"You two mind if I join you?" My imaginary version of Trish asks. Imaginary. Definitely imaginary. Oh God, she's not vanishing. Why is she here? What does she want? What is this? Are the others here? how dead am I? Elise jumps to her feet. I almost expect her to leap across the table before Trish speaks again. "Woah, woah! I come in peace!"

"Bullshit." Elise snarls. How does growling sound sexy? Like that, I guess.

"I'm serious, you missed a lot when you ran off yesterday. Long story short, I'm persona non grata with the others, and I can't say I'm upset about it." Trish explains, a **** in her voice I haven't heard before. Is she... nervous? Elise and I look at each other. If she's lying she's a damn good liar.

"Fine." Elise concedes, taking her seat. Trish follows suit. This tension is palpable. I'm not sure how this could get worse.

"No one's sitting here." A deadpan voice states, not asks. Rouge? What? Why? Who? My Twin takes a seat across from me. This breakfast table starting to feel like a peace conference. But why?

It's fine, it's just the best friend I can't stop crushing on, sitting with the bully I can't stop crushing on, along with me, and my potentially sociopathic sister. It's fine. Totally fine.

...

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