Two of a Kind
925 Words
Back in the dorm, the room was filled with laughter — the warm, easy kind that made the walls feel alive.
Alexa sat cross-legged on the floor while Sarah dramatically reenacted something from training.
“And then Instructor Kai looked at me like this —” Sarah narrowed her eyes and folded her arms stiffly, imitating him perfectly.
Everyone burst out laughing.
“Oh my goodness, that is exactly how he looks,” Mia said between giggles.
Stella tossed a pillow at Alexa. “You, miss mysterious, why are you laughing so much? You’re supposed to be scary.”
Alexa grinned. “Please. I’m adorable.”
Ferah smirked. “Adorable? That’s not the word I’d use.”
Wendy laughed softly. “What word would you use?”
Ferah shrugged playfully. “Chaotic.”
Alexa gasped dramatically. “Rude!”
Sarah pointed at her teasingly. “Yeah, you chaos gremlin.”
“Excuse me?” Alexa said, laughing. “You’re the gremlin.”
They started playfully arguing, tossing cushions and joking.
“Honestly,” Stella said, laughing, “if people saw you now they’d never believe you could blow up a battlefield.”
Alexa rolled her eyes. “Good. Let’s keep it that way.”
Sarah nudged her. “We love you, you know.”
Alexa smiled warmly. “I love you guys too.”
She hesitated — then said quietly, “Ariella is coming to the school.”
They froze — then suddenly squealed.
“WHAT?!” Sarah shouted, pulling Alexa into a hug.
Mia grabbed her arm. “Are you serious?”
Wendy clapped happily. “That’s wonderful!”
Ferah nodded approvingly. “Family reunion.”
Sarah laughed. “I’m going to hug her and pretend she’s you.”
Alexa laughed. “Please don’t confuse us.”
Stella grinned. “Too late. I already plan to.”
They all laughed again.
—
Outside, unnoticed…
Headmistress Seraphine stood by a tall window, quietly watching.
She observed Alexa laughing, joking, tossing pillows — carefree.
Seraphine whispered softly, “You laugh like a child… yet you carry the power to level kingdoms.”
She folded her hands.
“We must guide you well.”
—
The next day…
The barrier shimmered brightly — reinforced, sealed, strengthened.
And through the gate…
Ariella entered.
Seraphine watched closely — her breath catching slightly.
“…Remarkable,” she murmured.
Ariella looked exactly like Alexa — same face, same height, same mannerisms.
Only her blue hair set her apart, shimmering like frost under sunlight.
Seraphine stepped forward. “Welcome, Ariella.”
Ariella bowed slightly. “Thank you for allowing me to stay.”
Seraphine asked gently, “Tell me — how long have you been away from your mother?”
“Since I was seven,” Ariella said quietly. “I ran. I stayed near the forest… watching the school.”
Seraphine’s expression softened. “You must have been very brave.”
Ariella nodded faintly.
“You may stay with your sister,” Seraphine said warmly.
Ariella smiled with relief. “Thank you… truly.”
Alexa rushed forward and hugged her tightly.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Alexa said.
“Me too,” Ariella replied softly.
—
Inside the dorm…
Alexa pushed the door open.
“Guys — she’s here!”
The girls turned — and froze.
“…Whoa,” Sarah breathed.
“Okay,” Stella said slowly, “that’s actually scary.”
Mia blinked. “You’re identical.”
Wendy smiled warmly. “Welcome.”
Ferah nodded. “Nice to meet you.”
Ariella laughed softly. “Nice to meet all of you.”
Sarah walked around them in disbelief. “Same voice… same face… this is wild.”
Alexa laughed. “Told you.”
Just then—
Valerina walked past with her friends.
She stopped dead.
Her eyes widened.
“There are… two of you?”
Alexa smirked slightly. “Problem?”
Valerina backed away nervously. “Nope. Absolutely not.”
She turned quickly. “Let’s go.”
Her friends followed, whispering.
Sarah burst out laughing. “She actually ran.”
Alexa shrugged casually. “Guess she finally learned.”
Alexa leaned toward Ariella. “That’s the bully.”
Sarah added, “Alexa almost burned her.”
Ariella looked impressed. “Really?”
Alexa smirked playfully. “I didn’t want to burn her… just lightly fry some of her flesh.”
They all burst into laughter.
—
Later, in the dorm…
They sat in a circle.
Sarah leaned forward eagerly. “Tell us everything — how did you two meet?”
Ariella smiled. “She walked into the forest looking confused.”
Alexa laughed. “You literally blasted me with water.”
“I was being cautious,” Ariella said defensively.
“You knocked me flat,” Alexa teased.
Mia giggled. “What happened next?”
“We both screamed,” Alexa said.
“And kept screaming,” Ariella added.
They laughed.
Wendy smiled warmly. “Sounds like you.”
Ferah asked, “When did you realize you were twins?”
Ariella turned her hand slightly. “When our marks reacted.”
Alexa nodded softly. “It felt… like recognition.”
Sarah leaned back happily. “This is the best thing ever.”
Stella grinned. “Double trouble.”
Alexa wrapped an arm around Ariella’s shoulders.
“I’m just glad we found each other.”
Ariella smiled gently. “Me too.”
The room filled with warmth — laughter echoing late into the evening.
For the first time…
They felt whole.
Outside, the barrier shimmered quietly.
Holding.
Watching.
Waiting.
- Writer
