LOST TWINS FIND THEIR IDENTITY AND THEIR MATE'S

CHAPTER 2

THE PARTY LEVI AND MARS POV.

The Friday afternoon sun filled Mars's spacious room with a comforting glow as he and his brother, Levi, prepared for their upcoming birthday celebration. Mars's room exuded a thoughtful sense of organization, with a bed positioned at the center, flanked by two windows that offered a picturesque view of the vibrant outdoors. Sturdy chests of drawers stood on one side, providing ample storage, while on the opposite side, a sleek study desk held a computer and a soft night light, creating a soothing ambiance. A small bookshelf adorned with an assortment of books and posters added a personal touch to the room's decor, while a walk-in closet offered abundant space for their belongings. A door led to a Jack and Jill bathroom, shared with Levi.

Mars paused to study his reflection in the mirror. He was dressed in a pair of sleek black skinny jeans, a vibrant red Converse shirt, and matching black Converse sneakers. Despite the cheerful atmosphere of the party preparations, Mars couldn't shake off a lingering sense of unease that had been with him throughout the day. He couldn’t recall ever falling ill as a child, which made this unease all the more disconcerting. Seeking solace and understanding, he turned to his brother, Levi, who was seated at his desk. Levi sported a similar outfit, donning black skinny jeans, a crisp white Converse shirt, and pristine white Converse sneakers. He sat with his elbow propped on the desk, his head cradled in his hand.

"Lee, I've been feeling peculiar since this morning," Mars confided in a subdued voice. "Every bone and cell in my body aches, and I've been grappling with an unyielding headache that seems to worsen as the day wears on. Strangely, it's as though I have this incessant voice urging me to head to the woods for a run. It's maddening."

Levi looked at his brother, mouth slightly agape. "Bro, I've been feeling the same all day long, thought I was undoubtedly losing my mind with this thing that I needed to go running in the woods. I've never been the woodsy guy, that’s more your speed than mine, but I can't seem to shake this feeling or voice as you put it. To top it off, I can’t remember either one of us ever being sick as kids. Maybe it’s just our time to be sick, I guess, but don't you find it weird we both get sick at the same time?"

"You tell me, Lee. I have no clue as to what’s going on," Mars replied. "Maybe we just got the same bug or something... I think. Maybe we should just get the party over and take a break. Maybe we are just overworked or, you know, with exams just being over and college applications, we have had a lot going on the last few months."

Levi shook his head in agreement. "You could be right, Mars. Guess we should go down then. We can’t be late for our birthday party now, can we?" he tells his brother with a smirk.

With that, they both make their familiar way out of Mars's bedroom down the hall and descend the stairs. Their mum and dad move to the stairs as they see them coming down. They look up smiling as the boys look down at them.

Beth hugs her boys each in turn and wishes them a happy birthday. Clark does the same and wishes them. At that point, they start mingling as they greet all their friends that came and everyone wishes them a happy birthday.

Not long after, the party is in full swing, with people dancing and speaking in small groups. Levi is standing in the backyard speaking to a few friends from school who are with him on the football team.

Rick is telling him that he and a few of his friends have arranged an after-party of sorts at his place, seeing as his mum is out of town for the next two weeks, and that as soon as they did the cake thing, Levi and Mars should join them at his place, or they could catch a ride with them, seeing as the boys' car was in an accident a few months back.

Levi was standing there looking over his friends' heads, looking at the fence that separates the backyard from the woods, barely hearing what Rick was voicing to him.

The distinct feeling that he needs to get to the woods is all he can concentrate on, and it is taking over every thought he has. He shakes his head, trying to focus back on the conversation.

But just as he is about to answer Rick, he gets this stabbing pain in his head, lifting his hands to his temples and rubbing them, his vision goes blurry, and he starts to breathe rapidly; his heartbeat increases, and he hunches over from the pain.

Rick naturally starts to panic, earnestly asking him. Bro, what's wrong with you? Should I call his parents or someone else? Levi's breathing slowly returns to normal, and the fierce pain in his head lessens back to the insistent it’s been all day long.

He replies to Rick. "I’m fine man". With a pained look on his face. But..." He gets cut off from finishing what he is about to say to Rick when Mars taps him on the shoulder.

"Hey, Lee, bro, I don't think I’m going to make it through the rest of the night. Whatever I have is getting worse; I think I’m going to inform Mum to hurry up with the birthday cake cutting so that I can get to my bedroom and have a laydown." Maybe I'll feel better after some rest.

Levi tells his brother that he was thinking the same thing as he was because he felt like a s**t storm just hit him right in the head as well. You go ahead of I'll find you. Now I just want to hear Rick out quickly. With that, Mars makes his way back into the modest house.

Levi turns back to Rick and the guys. I’m sorry guys, but can I get a rain check on the after-party with you guys? I feel like a s**t storm, not only because I think I’m coming down with something, but because of having to ditch you guys as well. Rick looks at his longtime friend after what I just saw happen to Lee. He can’t hold it against him.

It's good man. I can see for myself you are not yourself tonight, so when you feel better, we can celebrate again. No hard feelings man. Levi thanks his friend and turns to make his way to the house to find his mum, dad, and brother. As he nears them, he hears his brother explaining to their parents that they aren't feeling well and hate that they need to cut the party short, but they just need to rest and take it slow.

Levi stands next to his brother now looking at his parents with a sad expression on their faces. Their mother is fusing over them from the minute she hears her boys not feeling well, touching their foreheads feeling as if they had fever. All the wail they are trying to reassure her that it’s probably nothing to worry about, that all they need is a good night’s rest, and they will be fine in the morning.

Mars tries to distract her by reminding her that they have the cake-cutting thing to do before they can bit their guest's goodnight and apologize for cutting things short.