Twinning

Chapter 32

"Hey Harry. I uh... Need to talk to you about something, so call me back as soon as possible. I love you, babe." I sigh and hang up. Maybe I should just go over to their house right now. It's not like I have to be afraid of Marcel anymore, and I'm sure Harry's home. I think about this for a couple minutes until I finally grab my keys and head over to Harry's house. It doesn't take me long to get there, and when I do, I immediately walk up and ring the doorbell. There's a bit of fumbling around at the door before someone finally opens it. I can't tell which twin answers the door, but judging by the almost scared expression, I'm assuming it's Marcel.

"Hey... Is Harry here..?" I ask, uneasily.

"No, he went to go get something from the store. He left his phone. I saw that you called." I just kinda look at him and nod.

"Well uh... Can I come in?" I finally ask, awkwardly. He nods and steps aside. I simply take a seat on the couch and set down my purse at my feet.

"Would you like some tea?" Marcel asks as he walks over to the kitchen. The kettle begins screaming, announcing that the water is boiling and I nod my head,

"Yes, please." He takes out two mugs and makes the two of us plain green tea and he slowly walks in to the living room with both mugs in hand.

"Here you are, Jennifer." He hands me my tea with a slight smile and I just try to smile back. He takes a sip of his own tea before setting it down on the table and sitting beside me on the couch. I can feel the tension but I try to make myself as relaxed as possible. "So uh... How have you been? I mean... Besides the..." He sighs and just looks to me for some help, I can't help but laugh,

"I've been alright." I nod, slightly. But really my life has been a living hell all because of the guy sitting right beside me. "And you?" He nods,

"Yeah, pretty good." He says as he takes another sip of tea. "Y'know your friend, Luke?" He says. I roll my eyes, remembering what he said about Luke and I just yesterday, "after detention he came and found me in the hallway." I look up at him as he reaches up to touch his face, "You and I are matching now with our bruises. I just covered mine up with makeup." He laughs a bit. Actually, a genuine laugh bubbles up inside of me as I study his face. He did an excellent job of hiding it.

"Oh my God, I didn't think he'd do it." I smile wide. "But you deserve that." He laughs a little and then looks down at his feet,

"No, I think I deserve much worse, actually..." There's sadness in his voice and I can't help but reach out and rest my hand on his shoulder,

"Hey," he looks up into my eyes, "we'll get though this, okay?" He nods slightly, his curls bob up and down on his forehead and I just stare into his eyes for a moment. He's broken. And so am I. I think everyone that was any part of this whole issue has been broken, but we can get through this. If I trust Marcel again, that's already one big step.

"So what brings you over here? Are you going to talk to Harry about me?" He asks, casually and I kinda laugh,

"No. Something happened this morning and uh... I feel like I need to tell at least Harry about it. I mean, everyone will know soon enough, but still."

"Is everything okay?" Marcel asks me, concerned. My mind begins racing with the memories of cheer. The stunting, the tumbling, all the practices in 100 degree weather... It was my entire life. Just the thought of being without it brings a few tears to my eyes and I just take a sip of tea and shake my head, no.

"Not really..." I say and look down at my mug as I rest it in my lap.

"You can talk to me about it." He says and I look up at him.