The McCann Twins

40

Gabriella

Two and a half weeks have gone by and it's been pretty quiet. The twins and Roxy took turns watching over Alison as she was locked up in one of the guest rooms all day. I was starting to think they were purposely trying to keep us away from one another. I've only seen Roxy in passing while the twins alternated spending the day with me whenever they didn't have to go out and 'handle business'. The days were becoming extremely repetitive and I just wished that I could go out and do something. I wished Jason would take me out again or Justin would make do on his promise to let me teach him how to cook. I just wanted something to do...or someone new to talk to.

It was midnight, and Roxy just got in the shower. The twins both had somewhere to be so I was alone like I was starting to get used to. I try not to dwell on things, but it's kind of hard when most of the time all a person has is her thoughts. These past two weeks have really opened my eyes.

What does the future hold for me?

Is this really my life from now on? Will I ever see my father again? What will become of the twins and I?

So many questions and no one knows the answers.

I sighed deeply, standing from the bed I'd been laying in all day, and dragging my feet towards the door. My body felt sluggish and I had to use more energy then normal to do that one simple task.

I quietly made my way towards the kitchen, the moonlight from the open blinds being my only source of light. Roxy was still showering so my plan was to get in and get out before she was done. Ever since Alison woke up, I've been basically banned from coming out of my room at night. I can't tell you how many times I've went to sleep with a dry ass throat because of that stupid rule, but tonight I'm throwing caution to the wind.

I reached the kitchen, going straight for the cupboard and grabbing a clean glass. I went in the fridge, grabbing some apple juice and helped myself to it. The cool liquid slipped down my throat, immediately relieving me of thirst. I downed it, and poured more juice before putting the bottle back in its spot. I decided since I was already out and wouldn't be able to come back later, I would go ahead and get a snack for my room. I opened the drawer where I usually kept my bag of pretzels to see that it was empty. I rolled my eyes, suddenly annoyed that no one went the store to restock my pretzels even though they go out every single day. I huffed, going to look around the kitchen for something else to eat but couldn't find anything that I liked besides a whole bunch of carrots and celery. I checked the fridge to see it stocked with organic groceries, but nothing I would actually eat.

"Seems like they went to the store, but forgot to get anything for me." I muttered to myself. With a deep sigh, I decided the only edible thing would be a bag of pecans I saw in the cupboard. I grabbed it, tearing it open as that search for food made me hungry and started to eat them.

"Hmm, not bad." I said aloud, reading the brand on the package.

"They're my favorite." A voice said out of nowhere. I whipped around to see a redhead and out of shock, started choking on the pecan I was in the middle of eating. The girl slightly panicked, rushing up to me but I reached my hand out, stopping her from coming any closer.

"Are you okay?" She asked as I downed my drink and after a few seconds I was able to answer her.

"I'm fine." I said even though I felt like I almost died and my throat was scratchy and strained. I put my hand on my chest, trying to control my breathing as I stared at the girl before me.

Dark brown hair, thrown in a messy bun and a t-shirt that was obviously one of the twins came into my view. We sat in silence, just observing one another. She was skinny, like she hadn't eaten in weeks and stood a little taller than me. A few cuts were still littered across her face but I could see they were healing nicely. She looked way better than she did when she first got here. The twins and Roxy have been taking good care of her.

"I didn't mean to scare you." She said with no emotion in her voice. The complete opposite of the concerned girl I just saw a few minutes ago.

"It's fine." I said, my voice hoarse, prompting me to clear my throat. I gestured to the pecans in my hand. "Sorry about taking your last bag." I said. She waved her hand, brushing it off. We stood in silence, looking anywhere but at each other. I figured we'd come face to face eventually but I didn't expect this much...awkwardness. Maybe it was a good thing they kept us away from each other.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Alison walk towards the fridge and open it. I picked up my glass, getting ready to leave when her voice stopped me.

"You don't have to hide from me Gabriella." She said. "It's been years. I didn't expect the twins to never move on. You all have no idea what I've been through, so trust me when u say that I'm stronger than I look." She spoke, her back still turned to me.

"I was never trying to hide from you. They just kept us apart." I replied. Alison nodded but didn't say a word as she grabbed a box of almond milk.

"I figured they were hiding something. They were always so easy to read." She mumbled the last part. I didn't say anything, not exactly knowing how to respond. I could see Justin being easier to read, but Jason was a whole different story.

"You didn't know about me?" I asked, a little surprised. I mean I didn't expect them to read her a book about everything but I at least thought she would've known about me.

"No, but I knew they were acting differently then I thought they would." She mumbled the last part again "but seeing you tonight, everything just clicked." Alison finally turned around to face me. "They are in love with you. The both of them." She said with no emotion whatsoever. I looked down, not knowing how to respond. It was weird, I almost felt intimidated. She turned out to be nothing like I imagined.

"And I take it you feel the same?" She questioned.

No response.

"It's hard not to. Trust me, I tried. In the end, they snuck their way into my heart and now..." she looked off into the distance. "things will never be the same." She muttered. After a few seconds, she shook her head, like she was coming out a trance and smiled at me.

"You're very pretty." She said. "I can see why my boys like you so much...they always had a knack for ruining beautiful things." Her eye twitched and I was starting to think that there maybe something a little off about her.

She placed the sandwich that I didn't even notice her making on a plate and walked up to me. Her eyes searching my own and I could've sworn I saw a look of pity.

"Don't let them ruin you like they did me. You still have time...get out while you can." And with that, Alison walked out of the kitchen, leaving me alone to process everything that just happened.
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Hi 👋🏽, Ik it's been awhile, but I'm back. This chapter...isn't my best work, but I hope you still enjoy. I have already started on the next chapter and I promise to post soon. Within a few days tbh. Hope some people are still sticking this through with me. As always excuse any and all mistakes 🙏🏽, Happy New Years!