act like you arent famous

lessons in humility

Velvet held her brother's hand in hers, a tight grip as if to soothe him through numbing fingers. he was clammy and shaking slightly, fiddling with his backpack strap that was hiked up as tight as possible against his new sweatshirt, blue to match Velvet of course.
their parents insisted on getting them a new wardrobe when they moved as if that would distract them from stripping away their childhood.

Velvet was bitter, no, completely sour and rotten to the core about leaving her old school. she threw tantrum after tantrum when their parents finally told them about a new job in the heart of the city, hours away from the home they grew up in.

she didn't work hard her entire childhood to build the hierarchy in that small education system, having everyone under her thumb, just to move away like it didn't matter. she would have to work twice as hard this time around, now that she had ironed out the works.

Veneer was disappointed of course, but didn't outwardly show it like his female counterpart. he had few friends to say goodbye to, and made his peace with most likely never talking to them again, as almost all friendships die the second one moves away.
Veneer knew his parents didn't have the time nor care to put forth the effort to reunite his companions after the move, so he had to move on with a pout and a few stray tears while packing the cardboard boxes into the moving van.

the two stood in front of the main entrance, looking up at the bold-lettered sign that read 'ASTERIA RAGEON ELEMENTARY'
Velvet had pointed out how dumb it was to name a school with the abbreviation 'ARE' but Veneer countered it with 'at least it's easy to remember,' that earned a loud groan and a dramatic eye roll.

Veneer tried to ignore the wide eyed looks from the rest of the younger students walking into the open school doors, many holding hands with their parents and probably confused why two twins were standing still in front of the doorway like they were being held at gunpoint.

Veneer wished he could still hold hands with his mother. but Velvet was quick to fill that void as she stuck by his side like she sewed them together.
she knew how fragile her brother was, how the lack of a backbone made him easy to manipulate. of course she did. experience is the best teacher after all.

"it's time to go Veneer. are you ready?" Velvet asked, swinging their tight enclosed hands in between them. it caught Veneer by surprise, blinking away the wetness in his eyes to look at his sister. her blue glittery headband sparkled in the sunlight behind them, matching her blue flowey dress and shoes.
she wanted everyone to know that she was That Girl. alongside her brother of course, but he couldn't wear the glitter like she could.

with a sigh and a hesitant nod, Veneer let himself be dragged into the new school by his twin sister.

the multicolour halls were bright and it filled Veneer with a buzzing sense of anxiety. his blue eyes danced around the crowded foyer, meeting eyes with children his age and older, accompanied by their parents and siblings.

a pang of jealousy washed over him, envious of the close bond his new peers had with their parents, while Veneer only had his twin to keep him grounded. said twin was giving children looks of disgust at their choice of attire. do they not know how important the first day of school is? first impressions people!

Velvet straightened out the sheet of paper his mother had given her, the only writing the crinkled sheet had was the classroom number, the teachers name, and a reminder to not lose her brother. the audacity of this woman... as if Velvet would let that happen.

the two greenettes weaseled their way towards the decorated door, rainbow paper taped and cut out into flowers and animals with large numbers reading '122' at the top. Veneer peaked over his sisters shoulder to read the paper in her hand, but it was folded up and stuffed into her purse when she sensed her brother was looking.