Of All

Dreadful Morning

Now where were we? Oh yeah the pep talk! I start by doing a few deep breathing exercises. Don’t worry your gonna be great. Fantastic even and you will NOT be sitting alone at lunch.. Yeah sure Asher is more outgoing than you are but that doesn’t mean you won’t make at least one friend today.. I am determined.. I continue reassuring myself out loud while wiping my day old mascara off to add a new coat for today and looking at the dreadful bags under my eyes in the mirror half asleep per usual before an equally half asleep Asher walks into the bathroom..

Remember I said we share a bathroom? Well it’s both a blessing and a curse. Like thank god for the his and her sink addition and the double locks on both sides of our doors because privacy is a must but I guess this morning it’s not. “Morning sis, your up early.. Talking to ourselves again are we?” He says stretching his back and arms out then leaning over his sink to grab his toothbrush from his cabinet and get washed up for the day. “Yeah well I couldn’t sleep as good as you little prince and for your information it’s a known fact that genius’s talk to themselves” I tell him while putting some toothpaste on my toothbrush. “Will you shut up we are the same age and for your information sis I’m not little just ask any of the girls back home.” He glares at me walking back into his room clearly annoyed and shuts his door. Okay so I pushed a few of his buttons this morning. I’ll pay for that later. Great.. I decide to walk over to his door and take a listen. I put my ear on it quietly and I think I hear him on the phone. Sounds like he’s on a video call and from the other rambling voice. I listen longer and I can tell it’s definitely his stupid girlfriend Ana..

“Morning baby. I miss you so much to. I wish I could come back but try to have a good first day without me. We can FaceTime again tonight and you know I will be thinking of you every second. No Ana I’m done talking about that I can’t change my situation. Now help me take my mind off of it and show me what underwear you are wearing baby..” I hear him say before I almost vomit walking back over to my room. Well I feel slightly defeated that my other half is hurting this much by the move and honestly I really could have lived a lot longer not hearing the last part of his conversation.. I’m sorry you are so out of place right now bro. It will get better.. I whispered glancing back at his door one last time before closing mine to get dressed for school.

“Good morning my babies. Breakfast is out on the counter for y’all” I hear mom say loudly as she walks down the hall to my sister’s room to wake her up and I hope luck is in her favor today because Sage is not a morning person unless it is Saturday and the 90’s cartoons are on. “I’m already awake mom you don’t need to come into my room. I’m not some little kid anymore” Sage announces loud enough back for all us to hear before mom turned her doorknob all the way. “Okay hunny” Mom answered her. Alrighty then I guess she didn’t sleep well either or maybe she’s just as nervous as I am being the new kid. She will be alone in Middle School for the next couple of years.. Eh maybe not completely alone if she hangs out with our cousins but besides that she’s got a thick skin she can handle her own. If that was me I’d die not having Ash at my side and that’s just straight facts. After I drag a.ss getting dressed I quickly walk out onto the balcony. Ash and I are gonna start cleaning it up when we get home later. We got paint for the railing the other day. I can’t wait! His half will probably be something dude related but I want to make my side a little more zen especially with this beautiful view. I want my own reading nook in nature.

I smile wide thinking of my ideas and turn to walk back into my room out the door to the stairs and head down into the kitchen. I see Sage and mom already sitting at the table enjoying some breakfast. I go over to the counter and see all the yummy food mom made but I just grab some orange juice because my stomach is in knots and take a seat next to mom. She starts to rub my back asking me how I feel about today and before I can answer Asher strolls in. “Morning ma, Hope you slept well.” He says giving her a kiss on top of her head as he goes over to the bacon making his plate.. Clearly someone’s in a better mood. Mom stops rubbing my back to smile at him. “Yes hunny I did” She says. “Good ma. Sagey, Do you want to walk with us down to where the bus stops are. We are new here remember?” He raises his eyebrow towards her knowing something ruthless is about to come out of her mouth. As he sits down she says.

“Hell no. I can’t be seen with you people I have to make this day memorable and how can I do that with you freaks near me.” I of course give her side eye and our brother starts laughing his a.ss off. Typical. “Well I’m glad to know you think I’m too much of a freak to be seen in public with sis. That makes me feel awesome about myself.” I say to her. “Oh stop it you are all wonderful in your own ways and that’s why I am the luckiest mom in the world” Mom says. “I don’t know about you guys but I’m starving and this food looks great thanks mom.” Asher says and starts eating. Mom smiles happily again. We all take turns continue talking about a few things we want to change around the house while having breakfast. Mom stands to grab her jacket, purse and keys.

“Well you kids have a great first day I cannot wait to hear about it later I’m off to work and if anyone needs me today I am a phone call or text away. I will be home sometime after dinner so please don’t wait for me and there is plenty of leftover pizza in the fridge from last night so please please eat it before it goes bad and do not burn down my beautiful house. Remember to always turn the oven off when done using it. Love you all much.” She says as she blows us each a kiss and heads out the door. Ever since we were kids we all have said love you much. It’s something so simple but so special between our little family. The three of us sit a little longer enjoying our time and laugh about memories we have of our past school years. While also give Sage some much needed pointers on middle school. Time sure flies by.. And yet again here we all are starting a new chapter.

“Alright guys that’s my cue. I will see you both later. Maybe we can walk home together.” Sage playfully sticks her tongue out and goes to grab her bag. “Be safe little sis and text me if you need anything. Love you much kiddo.” Asher says to her with a smile on his face. “I love you much too big bro.” She quickly shouted back before shutting the front door. Once she left we sat in awkward silence for a few minutes so I took it as my moment of opportunity. “Ash is everything alright with you?” I look over to him. He takes a few minutes drinking his coffee before saying “Yeah everything is going good sis.” He says. “Okay because if not you know I’m always here for you and..” I try to continue but he cuts me off. “Look Aspen this move has been really hard on me. I know we are twins and we are close as sh.it but I really just miss my old life.. Meaning my girlfriend. My team. Our home town. Just all of it. I need some time to get adjusted to this new one and who knows when I will ever see Ana in person again.” He is rubbing his face frustrated. “So maybe that is for the best Ash! She has been holding you back these last few years! Imagine the opportunities you can have here and the different people you will meet!” I raise my voice at him and his face says it all. He’s shocked. Shocked that I’m doing this..

That we are having this argument now at seven in the morning when we should have already been walking to the bus stop.. Well guess what buddy it’s now or never.. He starts to say “Aspen I know you have never been a big fan of Ana..” But this time I cut him off. “No Asher. Stop it. Give this place a real try. You might as well kiss everything and everyone in Montana goodbye until you are eighteen. Your precious little love bug won’t even wait that long for you. Seriously think about what you are saying!” I yell and release a few deep breaths. “Alright” He says softly looking at the floor releasing a few deep breaths as well. “I really am sorry Asher I just know there is more out there for you then to be this miserable before giving it a solid shot. It might surprise you.” I tell him. “What surprises me is your confidence for this place. I hope you take some of your own advice too.” He says and I smile at him grabbing his hand and giving it a little squeeze.

“I don’t know why but I have a good feeling about this place for all of us.” I say. “I know you are looking out for me and I appreciate it. It’s just hard right now but for you I will give it a genuine shot.” He says giving my hand a squeeze back and smiling. “So enough of this mushy sh.it.. You ready for the first day of High School?” He says as he gets up and comes over to my chair grabbing both my shoulders then roughly begins to shake me like a rag doll. “Ready as I’ll ever be I guess, Let’s get this nightmare over with.” I replied rolling my eyes and standing up going to fetch my bag.