From Mystery to Romance

An Emily Chapter: Twins

"I didn't know she was a twin. Not until North found out she was adopted." I told Xander.

I remember that day like it was yesterday. 

______________

Five-year-old North was looking through mom and dad's cabinets.

"What are you doing?" Sixteen-year-old me asked.

"Looking for clues," North said in her squeaky voice.

"About what?" I asked.

North turned to face me, "About if I'm adopted or not."

My eyes widen, "North, you're not adopted. What makes you think that anyway?"

She put her hands on her hips, "Well, I don't look like any of you guys. And I don't have many personalities from mom or dad. And my name is unique. Your name and Julia's name are girly and common. So that must mean I'm adopted.

I shook my head, "North you should-"

Then, North got still. As still as a statue. She found it. The adoption certificate. With her name on it.

She didn't say a word. Just held the certificate in her hand.

Something fell from the certificate. Two pictures.

One was North as a baby. We all knew that picture because mom had it in the kitchen.

The other picture though was a picture of a woman in a hospital bed carrying two babies.

One was North.

The other was a girl, that looked exactly like North.

______________

"Wow," Xander said after I told him the story.

We sat there in silence. In the cool January air. It wasn't so cold for some reason here around California. It was nice.

I realized this was the only time I actually enjoyed being with Xander. I have had a small crush on him before. But those memories weren't good.

But just sitting with him there, at the playground, all quiet.

It felt good.

It made me warm inside.

But I got second thoughts.

Xander hates me. He was probably wishing I would leave by now.

So I got up doing him a favor, "I should probably get going."

"Oh, alright. But one more question?" Xander said.

I nodded.

He huffed.