Revenge In Disguise

CHAPTER FOUR

Thankfully, the electric bell came to rescue me from the sneers of my school mates, making everybody temporarily forget about me and rush to get to their various classes but I didn't. Mr Sanders can go f**k himself for all I care, I needed fresh air and a different life right now.

It's bad enough that I can't get on with defending myself or searching for evidence because Valli had gotten a restraining order and worse still, the courts only wanted discussions about a reduction of the fines and not my innocence. f**k them all!

“Ouch!” I cried at the same time as a deeper voice did. I looked up to meet the stern gaze from two set of eyes and pretty faces unless, the second face looked like a mirror version of me and she obviously wasn't Kaylin. In horror, I touched her face , her arms, her legs and soon her toes before slipping into darkness.

I woke up to whisperings but I was more interested in getting acquainted with my surroundings. This wasn't the healing bay and it looked expressively decorated to be a place in school or even a hospital but I let out a shriek when I saw a picture of myself hanging on the wall even though, it wasn't as big as the painting I'd been gifted by mum on my 16th birthday.

“Oh f**k! Just shut up, moron! You're in my house, Kaitlin and I'm Darla Mitchell. We met in the school hallway and you f*****g fainted!” The sweet voice came to my hearing in a sharper tone.

I turned to her, moping like an i***t.

“What?” She lifted a brow, stylishly which caught me off guard. I didn't respond but instead drank in her style. She was the full definition of a goth girl unless unlike Kaylin, she didn't wear baggy or hoodie but stylish clothing and had piercings on her lips, nose and ears.

“You –” I gulped. Isn't she seeing it? “We look alike.” I eyed her, wondering whether she had difficulty placing faces.

She grunted, “So what? I'm not some colourful social media sensation going through a scandal so, that doesn't matter. Wake up, moron!” She snapped and immediately went silent.

I wanted to jerk out of her bed and run away. I didn't want another person shoving my ugly life into my face especially after mum has vehemently refused to let me change schools with her defense being that “Running away doesn't solve the problem but standing strong does.” Unlike her, I wasn't strong but a weak and probably spoilt crybaby.

But I didn't run away. I began to do the very thing I'd kept doing since the afternoon at Valli's house with her cousin and the night at her party and the talent day - crying and bawling loudly. It didn't surprise Darla who sat there humming softly and playing with her fingers as if she were strumming a guitar.

I sniffled, curiosity shoving me into someone's world, “D-Do–Do you p-play the gu-guitar?” I stuttered for fear of her reaction as she seemed deep into her world with her eyes closed. She didn't flinch and I asked a second time, louder.

Slowly, her green eyes opened to stare at me with a soft gaze, “D–Do you always stu-stutter?” She mimicked with a playful smirk, causing us both to laugh.

“When I'm anger, anxious and nervous.” I shrugged

“And… which were you now?” She made her eyes danced and I giggled.

“Your reaction. I was worried or anxious about how you'd react to me asking such a personal question.” I avoided her gaze.

“For a social media celebrity, you seem a little shy and not the type of girl who'd pull off such stunt but I guess the world needs evidence.” She reclined into her chair before adding, “I'm sorry about how I spoke to you, earlier. I'm currently having a hard time and my brother hates that I brought you home.” She pressed her forehead with her fingers and I smiled, sweetly at her.

“I get it. I was rude and grumpy at the beginning of everything but nowadays I force a smile and play around in the house so my mother doesn't worry but… I sob throughout the night.” I chuckled, nervously. f**k! You gave out too much.

She drew closer, “I get you and yours stings because it's a perfectly staged scandal.”

“How do you know?”

“Look at you, you're a sweet girl and shy too who desperately loves everyone around her and how you showed thanks to those celebrities for having your back should be studied. You can't do such a thing plus…” she trailed off, her face scrunching into a nasty and deep frown.

“Plus?” I proved, every inch of me wanting this information.

“Plus, I f*****g know Valli. I was her friend once and she sure loves the spotlight and she always gets it.” Her face looked twisted in rage and I wished I could help soothe her.

We sat in silence for a while then she blurted out with a deep sigh.

“I broke my guitar last week and big bro won't buy me another one.” I gasped and she looked up at me with a sigh. “Yeah, the other guy you saw is my twin brother. I live here with two brothers, my senior male cousin and his friend. Trust me, I'm not a little princess but a housemaid to them all.” She frowned but the dreamy look on her face told the opposite.

“Well no, I do the chores and follow them out to do rough work by choice. Living with men just makes you lose touch of your feminity or that's what my boy — ex-boyfriend said to me once.”

I sighed deeply, “Thank God you broke up with such a jerk.”

Still with a far away look, “No, I didn't. He did with the usual.” She finger-quoted, “It's not you, it's me. I need to work on myself more and you deserve better” but obviously he liked my ex-best friend, Tamara and I believe it's because of her huge ass.” She smiled faintly and blinked twice.

I reached for her hand, “I'm sorry about that. You're beautiful and I love your style.” I cooed and she blushed with a smile, showcasing her dimples. “There! I don't have those.” I praised, making her cover her chin.

“I wish for a different life though. Seeing them everyday in school and in church and at home is a disaster.” She passed me a glance and chuckled at my confusion. “They live closeby and unfortunately, we still have same classes. It hurts differently when your best friend does that to you.” She sniffled and I gasped, rushing to her side.

“I understand you perfectly and I wish there's a way we both can have revenge and my name came between cleared. I just f*****g hate my life!..”

“We could switch” She interrupted me, owing my sweet smile.

“What? Are you crazy?!” I yelled at her, staring at her as if her nose had grown longer.

“Listen.” She grabbed my arms and stared into my eyes, her eyes dancing in glee. “Here's the catch, we look perfectly alike and we both hate our lives and want revenge on our best friends. Won't it be perfect if we embrace each other's lives and styles for a few weeks and work out and elaborate plan to clear your name and revenge our besties without having to always cross paths with them and you know… living our best lives!” She squeaked the last words as she picked me up and spun me around.

Was she serious right now? I couldn't wear black always or stay in this depressing room or even get piercings? It's impossible!

“No! No! Stop this! Stop this madness!” I cried, slapping her hands away from my waist. “We can't do that, I can't be you. We look alike but that's not enough, your brothers will find out in a jiffy and so would my sister and mum!” I eyed her, furiously.

“Well, we can learn each other's lives and I know you dread my style but that's not a problem because I've decided to try something new, get rid of my piercings and mix a bit of other colours into my wardrobe.” She announced excitedly whilst shaking me. “Think about it! Is your style and life much more precious than getting back your brand deals, following and credibility? What's your style without a brand?” She'd struck the chord.

“Fine, I'm in! Let's do revenge!” I squealed as we both jumped aro

und.

What an epic change this will be. Valli wouldn't see this coming!