Fresh Start

N i n e t e e n

   As I look between Aaron and Maia, him in the driver's seat and her in the seat beside me, I can see the similarities between the two; They both share the same toothy smile that highlights their dimples. The same dark hair that looks black from a far, of course Aaron having part of his brown hair bleached. Maia's light freckles still present on Aaron's cheeks.

But still there were differences. Maia's features were softer, more feminine, like how her jaw was rounder, while Aaron's was sharper. Maia's nose, slightly slimmer than his, but still rounded out the same as his did. Even his lips were a bit thinner than hers, more defined.

"Stop." Maia comments, bumping her knee into mine. I give her a questioning look, because frankly there's no way she can tell what I'm doing. "I already told you we're fraternal twins, so you gotta stop seeing if we look the same." She says, with a knowing smile.

I blush slightly, mostly at the fact she can read me so easily, "But you do look similar." I point out, looking again between her and Aaron.

"Yeah, because we're siblings." She replies, "We wouldn't look any more similar than say, you and Teddy do."

I let out a small laugh at that before stating; "Me and Teddy, do not look alike." I admit, not filling in the gap by saying something like, 'oh yeah and I'm adopted'

"Still it's kinda chance, you know, two siblings could look identical but be years apart in age, vs. some twins who look nothing alike." Aaron adds, turning up the volume on one of Maia's songs.

"Exactly." Maia agrees, giving me a slightly amused but still pointed look.

"Fine, fine, I'll stop." I say, putting my hands up in defense as I turn to look out the window.

---

I'm embraced after Maia introduces me, her mother-Lisa-wrapping me up in a tight hug, which I admit I'm too shocked to react, but eventually as it seems she might never let go, finding myself leaning in slightly before I'm immediately released, and suddenly giving the power to breathe again.

Once again I find myself noticing the similarities between the small family, the brown hair, the dark eyes, the same nose. But sadly, Lisa's cheeks aren't touched by the same freckles as the twins.

"And Kris this is my Step Father, Micheal." Maia says, gesturing to the man beside her mother.

This time instead of a hug I'm met with a hand, "Nice to meet you." I say while shaking Micheal's hand.

"You too." He replies, offering me a smile as he wraps an arm around Lisa.

"So we were right in the middle of setting the patio table for dinner, so Maia you could give Kris a tour while Aaron helps with finishing the table."

I look to Maia who shakes her head, laughing a bit, "I told you we didn't need dinner, Mom."

"That's before you decided to come here at 5:50." Lisa points out, giving her daughter a challenging look.

"That's only because these two refused to even get ready before they finished a fucking book." Aaron says, crossing her arms over his chest.

My eyes widen slightly at his words. I know my parents are the more lenient with swearing and I also know other parents do much worse than a brief scolding. But Lisa's lips tug up into a smile as she looks to her daughter, "You found someone who's into those old books as much as you?" She asks, while glancing at me.

Maia smiles a bit, before replying, "You just never gave them a chance, maybe you would have liked them."

"Sweetie, I dropped out of school for more than one reason, one being those very books." Her mother says laughing when Maia rolls her eyes. "C'mon Aaron, you grab the plates and I'll get the cutlery." She tells her son. Aaron kicks off the wall he's leaning against, following her, and as they walk off I hear her sassily tell him, "You do still remember where everything is right? It's just been so long since you've visited your mother, I thought you might have forgotten." Her comments followed by a shared laugh between the two as they disappear around the corner.