Double Trouble (ON HOLD)

Chapter 1. Shattered reflection.

Chapter 1. Shattered reflection.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My wavy, black hair fell in waves down to a little under my chest. Perfect, for once it wasn't tangly. I had some dark circles under my greyish-blue eyes, and they were very visible because of my pale skin. I had to fix it with some concealer later. If anyone had looked at me, they would’ve labeled me as perfect. I too thought that I was beautiful, but I had a big flaw. I pulled up my tight, navy blue sweater a bit; just enough to reveal the jagged scar that marred my skin. The scar went from a little over my belly button, around to my middle lower back. I could still wear tight sweaters without it being seen, but when it came to bikini season… Well, I’d have to deal with the remarks and questions. But after all, I’ve had 5 years to learn to handle it. The pain hit me like a wooden club. Why did I have to think of that now? I cursed myself for my foolishness and rammed my fist into the mirror. Instantly, the mirror shattered, leaving my hand bleeding. I cursed yet again and started to pluck the glass shards from the wound on my hand. It wasn’t a pleasant task, but it was my fault. Even after 5 years, the pain of losing Dad was still as intense as ever, and my reaction to that sort of pain is anger. It had always been anger.

When I’d been 7, my grandfather had died. My reaction was to beat the shit out of a girl I hated at school. I said I was sorry afterwards, even though I didn't mean it, but yet to this day we are still bitter enemies.

I sighed as I threw the shards of glass in the trash and took out my little makeup kit. I applied a little concealer on my dark circles and a light champagne colour on my eyelids. I put on just a little lip balm on my chapped lips. After I put away my makeup kit, I went downstairs, grabbed my jacket and bag and walked out the door. My best friend, Olivia, was sick today, so I had to go to school alone today. The weather was mild today, unlike yesterday’s storm.  I was glad it was Friday; I just wanted the day to end so that I could get home and take a nap. I’d gotten a real big headache from all the glass plucking before. Of course I had to call Olivia as well; she just had to know what happened in school. I suspected that her boyfriend wasn’t in school today too; he always stayed home with Olivia. Even though I don’t approve of skipping school, I thought it was cute that he cared so much about her.

I’d been so lost in thought, that I didn’t notice that I had arrived at school until I bumped into Kyle. Kyle was a 6 feet tall, blonde hunk with beautiful blue eyes. I couldn’t help but think a few naughty things about him every time I saw him.

“Oh! Excuse me, are you okay Luce?” Kyle said, always the gentleman.

“I’m just fine. And it was my fault, really. Good morning, by the way.” I said, smiling a huge smile.

“Good morning to you too. And it wasn’t your fault.” He said.

“I know you won’t give up about that, so we’ll just say that you’re right. Well, I need to get to my first class. See you later!” I said as I hurried away.

I saw him wave goodbye to me. My heart melted. Why did he have to be so cute? We had been good friends for a very long time, but we were stuck in the “Friend-zone”. Not that I cared that much… Who am I kidding? He’s the most amazing thing since sliced bread! Well, we were friends, so I shook off all of those thoughts and arrived at my locker. I spun the little code-spinny-thingy and opened it. My drawing pad, pencil, eraser and other school utensils was right where I’d left them the week before. The first lesson I had was Art. I liked Art, so it was fun, but after Art I had a two hour-lesson of Algebra. I hate Algebra, I have a love-hate relationship with Fridays.

After having Art and enduring Mr. Crowley’s blabber about Pi, Ellipsoids and other things like that for two hours, I was finally free. Well, not literally. I still had another lesson after lunch, which was now. What could the cafeteria possibly have to offer today? The answer was fish and boiled potatoes. I couldn't possibly eat that! The potatoes didn't even deserve to be called potatoes and I bet the fish was one of the three-eyed fish from The Simpsons. I saw Kyle standing in line with a skeptical look on his face. I sneaked over to him and whispered:

“Want to go get some fries and a burger instead?”

He looked at me and nodded eagerly. I knew he’d agree. We sneaked out of the cafeteria, grabbed our jackets and walked to the small burger place called “Jerry’s burgers.” Since Kyle’s dad knew Jerry, and we were nice to him and cleaned up after us, we always got a 30% discount. When we walked into the burger place, Jerry was standing at the counter. His small grey eyes lit up when he saw us walk in.

“Hi! What do you want today?” He said, smiling at us.

“I’d like a Sweetwater Burger, some of that vitamin water-thing and a big bowl of fries.” I said.

“The same for me.” Kyle said.

Jerry punched in some numbers on the old cash machine.

“And that will be… 35 dollars, but for you it’s 24,50.” Jerry said and smiled even bigger than before.

Kyle put 25 dollars on the counter.

“Keep the change.” Kyle said and smiled. It was one of those genuinely nice “Keep the change”, not a douche-baggy “Keep the change.” Even though it was only 50 cent, it was still nice of him.

Gosh, he was pretty and nice. Jerry nodded, put the cash in the cash machine and started to prepare the burgers and fries. A Sweetwater burger doesn't really contain sweet water, it's just called that because... Well, just because! It's really delicious, though... A juicy burger with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, cheese, some kind of sauce, bacon and some fresh water cress. It sounds like a lot, but it's not like I eat it every week... Okay, I lied. Don't judge me! It's sooo delicious...

"Luce? What are you thinking about?" Kyle said, smiling.

"Nothing, really. I'm just so hungry!" I said and pouted.

Kyle laughed. A wonderful, light smile.

"Well, little miss Hungry, shall we take a seat?" He said and intentionally sounded old-timey.

"Certainly, mister Burger. Let's." I said and struggled not to laugh.

"Mister Burger? Really?" Kyle said.

"Little miss Hungry? Really?" I said.

"Point taken. Let's just take a seat."

We sat down at our usual table near the window. It was a tradition to sit near the window and look at all the old people taking their noon walks and the cars rushing back to work after lunch. It was just one of those things you and someone else has that's special and that no one can take from you. We talked a bit before Jerry came with our food. I nodded and whispered a quick "Thank you," then I started to eat. Kyle tried to start a conversation with me a few times, but I was busy eating... So delicious... Lucky that I didn't gain weight, no matter how much I ate. My metabolism rocked.

After about 10 minutes, I was finished with the burger. Now I could have a conversation that didn't consist of "blarggh"s and "nomnomnom"s. And that was a good thing. I was just going to ask Kyle about the History test next week, when his face went completely absent. As if he was somewhere else.

"Hello? Earth to Kyle?" I said, waving my hand in front of his face.

"What? Oh, sorry, I just thought I saw someone that looked exactly like you." Kyle said with a confused expression on his face.

My stomach twisted and I suddenly wasn't very hungry anymore. It was just an... Instinct, to react like that. Not that I cared that he saw someone that looked like me, but there was something wrong about it... I looked out the window. I only saw old ladies and a few, rusty cars.

"I don't see anyone. You probably just saw my reflection in the window." I said.

"Yeah... Probably..." Kyle said and suddenly looked at least 10 years older.

That expression told me that it hadn't been my reflection, but I tried to tell myself otherwise. It was impossible that he'd seen someone that looked exactly like me. I tried to shake off the feeling that something was wrong, but I was still looking over my shoulder as we walked back to school.