My twin's a witch

Two

As usual April and I were alone at home cause our parents were working late again. We were in the kitchen talking about school and April's weird boyfriend - who of course is a nerd like her. We were rummaging through mom's secret cookie stash to find chocolate chip cookies. Mom always hid cookies away from us. She still thinks we are kids. Being in high school still doesn't count according to her. But we always know where she hides them. So it can’t be typically called hiding.

We found the cookies and went to our room. We had a bunk bed which I still think my parents should change to two separate beds. Actually two separate rooms would be nicer. Anyways, as we were chatting away, April got really interested in a book on my table. She was checking it out when the doorbell rang. I went downstairs to check who it was. When I opened the door, I saw the delivery guy leaving and a parcel with my mom’s name lying on our doorstep. I carried the parcel inside and set it down on the dining table. Mom will find it when she comes back.

I went back to our room and saw April fumbling with something.

“What are you doing?”

Hearing my voice she panicked and turned quickly which caused a pile of books on my table to fall down.

"Really April?!"

"Ah... I’m sorry sis. I was reading that book and was immersed in it. You startled me. I'll clean this mess right up."

"Never mind. I'll do it."

I picked up the books and placed it back on my table. April put the book she was reading back on the table.

"I have some more homework to do. I'll catch you later sis."

She left the room and went downstairs. I was confused. She looked flustered. Where was she going?

I sat on the bed and pulled out my diary from the pile of books to write. My table was not really a good sight. It was always messy. I couldn’t blame April for dropping the books. When I was writing on it, I suddenly smelled something burning in the room. I looked everywhere and saw flames coming from under April's bed. Smoke filled the room. I ran out of the room and searched for April. She came out of the kitchen.

"What happened? Why are you running?"

"RUN!!!..... FIRE!!!...."

I rushed out the front door and April followed me. I heard the sirens of the fire trucks wailing from the distance. Soon the top floor was engulfed in flames. A couple of fire trucks stopped in our driveway. Firemen jumped out and started to work on dousing the fire. One of them, most probably their captain, came towards us.

"Are you girls ok? Is there anyone else inside? Where are your parents?"

April was the first to find her voice.

"No one else is inside. We were alone at home. Our parents are at work."

He led us to the fire-engine and wrapped us in blankets. People crowded our driveway. The heat from the fire subsided as the flames were doused. The chilling air started to bite at my feet. We were both barefoot and it was getting cold.

"JUNE?!!! APRIL?!!! WHERE ARE YOU?"