Chapter 14
732 Words
The next day, when the twins arrived at school, they were just stepping out of their car when Alex appeared, striding up with her hands on her waist.
“Which one of you is Conrad?” she demanded.
Conrad raised his hand slightly. She spun toward him with a frown.
“I thought we were friends. The whole weekend went by, and you didn’t even bother to call or check up on me. Not once!” She kept ranting, and Conner only rolled his eyes and walked off, leaving them.
“Care to explain?” Alex finally ended, tapping her foot.
Conrad shifted awkwardly. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. I don’t really have an excuse. I’ll try to call you more from now on—it’s just… all of this is still pretty new to me, hmm?”
“You better keep your word,” she warned. “Otherwise, I’ll stop talking to you.”
They ended up chatting lightly until their first class. But for the first time ever, Conner didn’t sit beside Conrad. He chose a seat across the room, leaving Conrad with Alex.
Alex noticed immediately. “Are you guys fighting?” she asked in a hushed tone.
Conrad hesitated. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” she pressed. What do you mean by maybe?”
Conrad began debating whether to tell her or not, but the lecturer walked in just then, saving him.
After class, they went to the canteen. Once they sat down, Alex leaned across the table, eyes sharp with curiosity. “Okay, spill. Why are you and your brother not talking?”
“Don’t you ever forget about a conversation?” Conrad muttered.
Alex smirked. “Not when I’m thirsty for tea. And trust me—I always get filled up.”
Conrad sighed. He wasn’t the type to share much about himself, but Alex’s persistence chipped at his defenses. Finally, he spoke.
“Its not like we're not talking okay.......We went to my uncle’s house—”
“Which uncle?” she interrupted. “I thought they don’t live here?”
“No. Uncle Smith.”
Alex gasped, eyes wide. “Wait—the Mr. Smith? As in the bully Jeremiah’s dad?”
Conrad frowned. “Yes. Now can you stop interrupting me, please?”
“Fine, fine,” she said quickly.
“So we went, decided to stay the weekend. Then Conner suddenly told me… he likes Jeremiah. He even asked if I do. I said no. But yesterday Jeremiah and I went for a walk in the garden, and when I came back to the room, Conner asked what we’d been talking about. I guess he’s still angry about it.”
By the time he finished, Alex was staring at him, eyes huge.
“Hey, did you even hear what I just said?” Conrad asked.
Alex blinked dramatically. “Holy moly. This is… I don’t even know what this is!”
“Don’t tell anyone, okay? Conner wouldn't want people knowing. I shouldn’t even have told you.”
Alex leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Relax. We’re friends. I won’t say a word.” Then she tilted her head, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “So… do you like the bully?”
“You mean Jeremiah?” Conrad asked. “I do—but not that way. We were friends when we were little.”
Alex gasped again. “You knew him?!”
“Yes,” Conrad said flatly, unwilling to say more.
“Well…” Alex tapped her chin. “Maybe Conner’s just jealous. I mean, if I had someone I liked, and i have an identical twin who got their attention, I’d be jealous too. Makes sense.”
She leaned in, lowering her voice even more. “But tell me—who do you think the bully likes between you two?”
“I don’t know,” Conrad muttered. “And stop calling him the bully. He said he wouldn’t bully anyone anymore.”
Alex raised her brows. “Wait, he said that? And you believed him?”
“Yes. Jeremiah don’t—”
“I don’t what?”
Conrad froze. Slowly, he turned to see Jeremiah standing right behind him—flanked by his two friends and also Conner. His gaze was locked on Conrad, unreadable.
Alex went pale instantly, her face draining of all color.
- Writer
