Unlike her sociable twin brother, Apollo; 17 year old Artemis has always felt content with the familiarity of her small, simple life in Freeport, Maine. Population: 7,879.
Well, make that 7,877.
Acknowledging the sibling's need of a change in perspe...
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Once upon a time, my tall and shy American father, Nick Bennet, went to Greece for spring break. There, he met my wild and eccentric mother, Diana Pavlidis, and by the week's end, they were off and wed.
Once upon now—17 years later—my twin brother, Apollo, and I would sit in the very nest of our living room and listen to the story of how our parents' fairytale had came to be. Though fairly cheesy, this was the story that I had grown up listening to every night before bed. It was so magical that, not even the dozens of books I'd kept piled in up my room, could compare in the slightest bit.
"Uh, okay we get it." Apollo says, his expression nearing ill at the sight of our parents gazing dreamily upon one another. "You guys got married and almost gave Grandpa and Grandma a heart attack."
I stifle a laugh as Mom rolls her eyes at my twin brother.
"No, but seriously though." Apollo continues, running a hand absentmindedly through his matte-brown hair. Though I hated to admit it, we both looked strikingly alike for a set of fraternal twins— same colored hair, green eyes, and fair complexion.
"I still don't understand what's the big deal." he says. "I mean, unless you've suddenly decided to send Artemis and I on some European getaway, then this is just cruel."
A smile creeps upon my face as Apollo frowns childishly. Laying across our feet, Orion stretches, eventually rising on all fours. He yawns, refreshed from his momentary nap, and hops onto the sofa. I scratch his favorite spot—just behind his left ear—when a photograph on the mantle catches my attention.
Our parents had decided to spend the holiday in Greece and, in the shot, is a candid picture of Apollo and I as kids beaming happily at Orion as a golden retriever puppy; crawling out of a box with an obnoxious red bow tied across his belly.
The warm memory clouds me so that, before I know it, I've missed Mom and Dad's announcement. As far as I can tell, Apollo is at my side, repeating the words 'are you serious' over and over again with an astonished grin plastered across his face.
"Honey, are you okay?" Mom asks, looking at me worriedly.
I shrug, grabbing the leash on the table. "Yeah, I'm just going to take Orion for a walk. He seems a bit antsy right now."
"Can you blame him?" Dad replies, looking over at my brother who's gone over the moon. "Your mother and I just announced that you're going to Greece for spring break and-"
"Wait." I interrupt. On the floor, Orion whines, tilting his head in confusion. The news has seemed to catch us both off guard.
"Artemis! Can you believe it?" Apollo exclaims, grasping my shoulders.
I shrug off his excited grip and turn towards my parents with a perplexed laugh. "You guys can't be serious."
Mom's hopeful expression fades. "We know you're not exactly the extroverted type. But this is a great opportunity, Artemis! Your grandmother is so excited to have-"
