Twin Fate: Sun and Moon

Chapter 3 - Bad Idea

After Alex parked the car in the garage, we stepped through the garage door into the house. The entry led us into a quiet hallway, its simplicity marked by two doors on one side and a single door on the other. The solitary door opened into a spacious bathroom. The two doors across from it led to a large, open space that served as both kitchen and living room. This expansive room seemed to blend effortlessly, its design inviting us to settle into the warmth and openness of our new home.

The living room radiated a serene, modern charm. The dark hardwood floor, polished to a gleam, was softened by a large, wool-like rug that added warmth and texture. At the center, a glass-topped table with a wooden base offered a stylish focal point, surrounded by a large grey linen sofa and two matching single-seaters. Against one wall, a wooden cabinet held the TV, its rich tone complementing the room's polished floor. The space was a perfect blend of comfort and contemporary style. The other part of this big room served as the kitchen.

The kitchen had a clean, again, modern feel. Dark hardwood floors continued from the living area, with a light rug near the sink adding warmth. Honey-toned wooden cabinets lined the walls, paired with white countertops for a fresh look.

A simple wooden table stood in the center. Above it, pendant lights with a brushed metal finish provided soft illumination. Stainless steel appliances, including a refrigerator and in built oven were also perfectly blended with their surrounding. The pale mosaic backsplash caught the light, enhancing the kitchen's open, airy atmosphere.

"Now this is something," Alex said after a while, taking in the room. I couldn't disagree. After spending my whole life in sleek, modern homes, this place was a refreshing change. It was modern, yet the wooden accents gave it a charming retro feel. Upstairs, there were three rooms and a smaller bathroom, which, though cozy, still had a pleasant ambiance. The rooms were compact but practical, just right for a student's needs. We decided I'd take the room overlooking the driveway while Alex would have the one facing a small clearing behind the house. I mentioned how exhausted I was and headed for a nap. It wasn't ideal to mess up my sleep schedule the day before school, but I couldn't help it. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and I was asleep almost as soon as I lay down.

When I woke, it was already dark outside. I turned on the nightstand lamp and checked the clock—it was 7 PM, meaning I'd slept through most of the day. I stumbled to the bathroom and took a warm shower, which was a relief after the cold room. We'd definitely need to get a heater for the upper floor, despite my usual preference for cooler temperatures. After getting dressed, I went downstairs for some food. Alex was on the couch, watching TV. His favorite team was playing, and strangely enough, they were up against my favorite team. Although we both loved basketball, we didn't often clash over it, though we always hoped our teams would win.

"And Peterson scores for the Silver Sabers," the TV announcer said. "34 to 30 for the Stellar Comets. Sabers are closing the gap in the second quarter." Alex turned up the volume as I opened a can of tuna and emptied it onto a plate. "Definitely getting better as soon as you woke up," Alex said, shifting in his seat. "The Comets were dominating, it was almost boring."

The Comets were Alex's favorite team, a connection to his father and one of his few memories of him. "And that was a foul. Two free throws for Smith. The Comets are making a comeback. If Smith lands these shots, it'll be just a two-point difference, and anything could happen," the announcer continued as Olson nearly shoved Smith. "Typical Sabers, playing dirty," Alex joked.

"So, did you go to the store?" I asked, noticing the groceries that had appeared while I was asleep. "Yeah, the prices are decent, and the store's not far," he replied, eyes glued to the game. "Good. Did you see any clothing stores? It's a city full of young people; there must be some good ones," I asked. "Oh yeah, there were a few shops. The clothes were a bit unusual, though," he said, still watching as Smith made both free throws. I appreciated the diversity of styles, though it must be odd for Alex, who usually stuck to more conventional clothing. I cleaned my plate and joined Alex in watching the game. The Comets managed to win by two points in a thrilling finish. It was a high point of the season, watching these two teams clash. Alex said goodnight and headed upstairs to get ready for bed. I, on the other hand, stayed up, planning to read a book. In hindsight, it wasn't the best idea.

~

"Did you sleep the whole night here?" Alex asked, shaking my shoulder gently to wake me. "What?" I replied, feeling foolish for asking, realizing I had slept in the most awkward position before my first day of college. "What time is it?" I asked, yawning and stretching out on the sofa. "Seven-thirty," Alex said, setting a plate of cereal on the kitchen table. "Thirty minutes to get ready for college. Not stressful at all," I muttered, trying to shake off my sleepiness.