Paranormal Parallels

Not so Terra-ble

Terra POV.

I picked at the dirt under my short fingernails. My English teacher was currently animatedly explaining whatever essay I wasn't going to write. I didn't hate school, I only hated classes where language was important. Growing up, I was severely hard of hearing, to the point where the only way to get my attention from more than a few feet away was to stomp your feet. Because that's how I was born, I never really understood verbal language. Even now, when I can hear fairly easily since I got hearing aids, verbal communication isn't exactly my forte.

"Ms. Erdos!" I looked up at my teacher standing next to my desk, "I've been trying to get your attention for the past minute,"

I tapped my black hearing aids that were currently on display since I had my dark choppy hair up in a pony tail. It was a little difficult to get all of my hair into it, since it's so short, but today was really hot, so I forced it up. Since I didn't want to listen to this teacher drone on, I turned down my hearing aid to the lowest setting. "Sorry, my hearing aids have been really bugging out lately." I bsed.

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Then you should have been looking at me."

I nodded, but under my breath, I mumbled, "I don't want to turn to stone,though,"

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, Terra." She said, clicking back up the aisle to the front of the classroom.

________

I breathed in the scent of dirt mixing with freshly bloomed flowers. Wind blew the heavenly scent into my face as I wiped a bead of sweat off my tan forehead. Spring had finally sprung so I was able to get started in weeding out the front entrance. Each year since I came to this school, I would take care of the garden almost entirely by myself. My brother had clubs on most days, so it made it much easier for me to stay as well, but I wasn't a club person. The first day I had to stay in freshman year, I went to the counselor and asked about the abandon garden, and now it's my responsibility. This garden is probably the only reason I haven't gotten expelled already.

I always loved gardening. Plants always seemed more interesting to me than people. People always want something, plants just want some sun and water, maybe a little shade now and again. They don't pity you

After what felt like only a few minutes, my brother, Loreto, emerged from the front entrance, surrounded by his club-mates, and all the other people from clubs that just ended. Debaters, artists, and jocks alike exited the building in one giant mass of people.

"Hey, sis," My brother very carefully picked his way over to me, stepping over the weed piles strewn around me, "Time to clean up and head out, alright?"

I nodded and began gathering the weeds into a huge pile to carry to the dumpster out back. It was an impressive pile, but they weren't a pain to get out or anything. I never understood people's complaints about how difficult weeding was; the weeds practically flew into my hands.

After disposing of the pestersome plants, I hopped into my brother's car. On the drive home, he explained to me ad nauseum what happened at his debate meeting. I subtly turned down my hearing aids as he waved his arms around extraneously to show the world his Italian blood.

___________

At home, I ran upstairs to pretend I was dead to the world while Loreto began making dinner. Our dad worked until seven and our mom died in an accident when I was two. I don't remember much about her, except for I always felt so peaceful when she was nearby. Dad said she had that effect on people: that she could make them feel calm or scared or excited just by being around them. I wish I remembered more about her.

By the time dinner was ready, I had just finished my math homework, also known as the only homework I was going to do. I liked math. It never required words except for the occasional proof, but I could forgive it for that.

My brother sat across from me at our small dining table as we ate. He had made some mashed potatoes as usual, and a few different vegetables. I inhaled my food while he took his time.

"So I finished weeding today." I tried initiating the conversation for once.

"You started weeding today too, but I'm not surprised." He tucked his chin length hair behind his ear. We looked so much alike, but so different at the same time. We were fraternal twins after all. While my face was a little more rounded, Loreto's was harsh and angular. My hair was straight and fell flat against my face, while his was curly and contrasted nicely against his features. I was a few inches taller than him, but we were both taller than average.

"I need to carry the tomato plants Mr. Berning has on the third floor down to the garden tomorrow," I mumbled. Even our wardrobes were different. I wore just anything that washed easy. Loreto, on the other hand, dressed like he was in a photoshoot. Right now, his style was blazers and pencil skirts. He never liked mens clothes, and people respected him for it. He had so much confidence in what he wore, I doubt even the most conservative priest would question his taste in fashion.

"Just remember ketchup is better when the tomatoes have grown,." We both snickered. The one thing we had in common was our sense of humor. The weirder the thing, the funnier it was. We called each other Chicagoan defoggers as an insult.

"I'm not clumsy enough to do that. You are." Admittedly, I was pretty clumsy, but Loreto was about ten times more clumsy than me. Everyday, he trips over his own feet at least once. That may in part be caused by the fact he wears high heels so he can be taller than me, but he's still the clumsiest person I knew.

"At least I didn't walk into a pole because a cute girl smiled at me," He retorted.

"That's not fair. You don't even like girls," I waved my hand at him. My brother was asexual and aromantic. I was pansexual and panromantic. We joked that in the womb, I absorbed all the sexuality.

Aaaaa