Rendering Wren

Chapter 1

Fall Semester 2011

"You're going to thank me for this." Wren said again.

They were almost to Lincoln. For 18 years, the twins had lived in the same room. Cath wanted to share a dorm room in college. Wren rejected the idea and sent in her housing forms.

The whole point of college is to branch out and meet new people. How can Wren do that if she still lives with the same person?

"It's college, Cath. It's supposed to be an adventure." Wren loves Cath; she really does. But, she also wanted to become her own person. She knows Cath should to.

Wren has always been the one in their family who was put together. She was the glue. The glue that comforted Cath when she worried. The glue that made sure dad paid all the bills and took his medicine.  They saw her as strong and brave. Fearless.  She held them together. But her foundation cracked under all the pressure. Wren barely recognized herself. But they never saw that because she didn't let them.

Wren has been waiting for this day ever since high school started. College. The whole idea is to find yourself through independence. Also, she needed freedom. To not have limits. To take care of herself. To start fresh. And she was going to have load of fun doing just that.

"I just don't want to do this alone." Cath sighed as she gazed out the window.

"You're never alone, Cath,"  Wren noted with a hint of exasperation in her voice. "That's the whole point of having a twin sister. "

...

When they finally reached Lincoln, Wren was buzzing with excitement. She helped Cath carry a few boxes up to her room. They were in separate dorms since Wren turned in her forms early.

"You have a nice view of Campus." Wren heard her father say to a glum looking Cath.

"Yeah," Wren sighed as she gazed out the window, "My room faces a parking lot."

"How do you know that?" Cath asked.

"Google Earth."

"Alright ladies," Dad slapped his hands together like he always does when he has a plan. "Next stop: Schramm Hall. Second stop: Pizza buffet. Third stop: my sad and empty nest."

Wren smiled sadly at their dad. She knew how hard this was on Dad. But, she already had plans.

"No pizza," Wren said. "Sorry, Dad. Courtney and I are going to the freshman barbecue tonight." She shot her eyes at Cath. "Cath should go too." She hinted with a tone her sister should pick up on. The you-know-I'm-right-and-you-need-to-do-this tone that she used quite frequently when talking about College.

"Yes, Pizza," Cath said defiantly.

Their Dad smiled. "Your sister's right, Cath. You should go. Meet new people."

"All I'm going to do for the next nine months is meet new people. Today I choose pizza buffet," Cath huffed.

Wren rolled her eyes.

"All right," their dad said, patting Cath on the shoulder. "Next stop, Schramm Hall. Ladies?" He opened the door.

Cath didn't move. "You can come back for me after you drop her off, she said, watching her sister. "I want to start unpacking."

Wren didn't argue. She wanted Cath to come, but she needed to stop making Cath's decisions for her. She stepped out into the hall. "I'll talk to you tomorrow," she said, not quite turning to look at Cath.

"Sure," Cath replied bluntly.

And they walked out.