Always Near

New Mall

The bus pulls up and I step on, then I see her. Shai is sitting on the second to last seat, and I can't believe it. I look straight at her, and she notices. I look around, but the only seat available is almost directly in front of her. I take the seat, and avoid eye contact. The boy sitting next to Shai, I assume her (our) brother, looked back and forth from the two of us. He leans in toward Shai and almost immediately Shai covers his mouth. I look away as fast as possible and put in earbuds. I glance over and notice that there is this man glaring at his children, my siblings. I resist tears once more.

The bus comes to a stop, and I realize that we're already at the mall, and I stand. Right as I stand, Shai and her (mine too I guess) family are standing as well. I shuffle off the bus and the second I am down, I dart. I go towards the mall, and I'm sure, they noticed. I quickly go to the Starbucks in the mall, to chill out.

I order a Strawberry Frap w/ whip and sit. I can't believe that happened, I can't stop thinking. I try to contain myself, but seeing that I have another brother also? I've always been an only child, I would have never imagined that I have two brothers, nor a twin!

I stand up, not even a quarter done with my frappuccino, and I start walking. I walk to the Walmart and go to the toy section. Okay, granted, I must look stupid. A grown girl walking into a toy isle at Walmart, to but a Cabbage Patch Kid? Pathetic, but so worth it, I fight with myself, whether it's worth it, but it is. I go to the Cabbage Patch Kid area, and there is a beautiful boy, and I know it's mine. I grab the box, with ever most care, and go to the register. I check out, and with my saved $100, I use up only $22. I go out side of Walmart, and head to the food court.

Inside the food court, there is a McDonalds, and I decide that's good enough. I stand in line, which isn't busy at all. I order a McDouble and a large soda, surprisingly, it's only $4. I wait for my order, then find a place in the food court to sit. It's not that busy, so I find a nice, calm area to eat. I enjoy my food, and think of how good life can be. I have my new Cabbage Patch Kid, named Houston, by my side (in a box) and I sigh with relief.

It all goes away when I see my family, Shai is walking right by me, and I try to hide myself, but it doesn't go well. Shai looks directly at me as her and her (my) family sit down. She says something to excuse herself from the table, and walks away from the table, toward me. I look away from her gaze, and feel tears coming. I sigh and hope it'll be over soon.

"Hey," Shai says, sitting next to me.

"Hi," I said, hushed.

"Are you surprised?" Shai asks, looking me dead in the eyes, "I mean, we both keep popping up in each others way, obviously the universe wants us together."

"Yeah, agreed," I nod.

"So, how about I introduce you to my, or, our dad? Our mom couldn't make it to come to the mall. Oh, I saw your email! Maybe we can talk to him!" Shai excitedly requests.

"I, I don't know. I have trouble speaking, you know that," I squeak.

"Oh, come on! I'll do the talking," Shai drags me up, and I quickly grab my things.

I get pulled over to the table my dad is sitting at, and he glares. He just about chokes as he realizes how similar Shai and I look. I look down at the ground and feel ashamed. I feel like he doesn't want me, like he wouldn't take me for anything.

"Who is this, Shai?" He asks, his voice softer than on the phone.

"Dad, don't freak, but this is my twin," Shai speaks, clearer than I ever could.

"Your...Your twin?" He looks at me, and I drop the gaze. I look toward the floor harder than ever.

"Yes, this is Shay Anne Westerman. S-h-a-y, the one difference is spelling," Shai speaks loud.

"Shai, Shay, come, sit. I need to explain something," He hushes, quieter now than ever.