Apples Don't Just Mean School [in process of rewriting]

Too Coincidental

A/N: OMG LOOK AT THE NUMBER. TWENTY. This is almost a NOVEL! Let's go! 

Emily's POV

I was allowed to return home after a day, and was utterly showered with attention by my worried parents. It was actually quite embarrassing, really. I was resigned to cooping up in my room, alone, working quietly from home and emailing all the paper work to Matthew to print and send to all the necessary people. I WAS the head of the Character Development department so I had a lot to do, like write letters to parents, craft worksheets, that sort of thing.

Actually, in the one day so far that I had stayed at home for, I felt more energised than I was in a long time. The rest really helped, and I was beginning to settle into the mundane, plodding lifestyle of working at home. At least at home I could just wear comfortable clothes and type while lying down on my bed. But Matthew was running late, as he had promised to be here ten minutes ago... Well, he's usually late anyway, it's nothing special, haha!

 I had already discarded the loose, ugly (but COMFORTABLE and that was what mattered!) clothing I usually wore when there was no company and donned a pair of dark jean peddle pushers and a black tank top. True, I never wore this style of clothing, but hey, there's always something new, right? On my usually bare wrists, I had put on a rubber bangle on one hand, and a metal bangle on the other. They were given to me by a friend, and I hardly ever put them on... So why not today?

Matthew's POV

I had FINALLY found her house. It was surprisingly near to my own, but I got confused in the maze of streets outside her apartment. Oh... My... God... I couldn't tear my eyes from a pair of shoes outside her door, obviously belonging to Emily... But they were WAY too familiar. Sarah wore these. Yes, she did... Almost everyday... Black heeled pumps, exactly the same! And the pattern, the brand, it's identical to hers! Oh GOD. This is too coincidental to be happening!

I held back tears. I'm too emotional. Focus, Matthew, you're here for a PURPOSE. Stop thinking about Sarah and focus on NOW. Alright? I composed myself and looked away from the terrifying shoes. Taking a deep breath, I rang the doorbell. I could faintly hear the ding-dong! in the house and waited patiently for my colleague and friend to open the door and let me in. The doorknob turned and the lock clicked open, revealing Emily standing there with a smile.

I took one look at her and closed my eyes. SHE'S DRESSED EXACTLY LIKE SARAH. I remember that clearly! How are all these coincidences being thrown in my face? I opened them quickly, hoping that it was passed off for nothing. After the usually greeting, I was ushered inside, but not before I thankfully noted that Sarah would usually have a black and white sash when she wore Emily's current outfit. At least their not IDENTICAL. And Sarah puts on makeup, Emily doesn't...

Emily's POV

I couldn't ignore the look on Matthew's face that he unconsciously had when I opened the door. It was a look of pain. What's wrong? What happened? It's scary. Did he hurt himself? I also couldn't forget how he avoided looking down at the shoe rack, how his eyes darted around a little but keeping away from the shoes like the plague. What's wrong with my shoes? Did they bring up bad memories? What's WRONG with Matthew? He's DIFFERENT. It's weird... I'm repeating myself, shut up Emily!

I shut the door and escorted him into the living room, motioning for him to sit on the sofa while I rushed into my room to get the papers. Oh no! I need to clean up this junk pile, what if he comes in? I frantically shoved all the clothes and *ahem* unmentionables (no, nothing like that, more like my... private stuff that a woman needs?) into the wardrobe, then turned my attention to my desk, pushing the piles of books into a vaguely tidy shape. 

I emerged from the bedroom to notice Matthew closing his eyes. Is he asleep? No, his breathing looks irregular. He's awake, he's just thinking. Odd. He doesn't usually act like this. Usually, he'd be bouncing around, asking questions. I slapped on a smile and walked out, tidying up the stack of worksheets, oral notes and answer sheets. "Thanks, Matthew, I've written down all the instructions on this paper. Now, shall we go for that promised meal?" 

Matthew's POV

I was a little startled, but smiled (falsely. I was too nervous) and accepted the huge stack, sliding it into my old, brown satchel. "Alright," I sighed dramatically, wiping my forehead. "Shall we?" Offering my arm theatrically, I smirked. Emily rolled her eyes skywards and slapped my arm away. "Stop playing, you drama queen," she laughed. I put on a hurt expression. "Mine heart aches at thy casual dismissal. ALLONS-Y~" I sang out, emitting laughter from my friend.

I insisted on driving, and Emily didn't argue, but rode shotgun as I pulled out of the parking lot. The air was thick with awkward silence and I tried to break it by asking, "So... how was your first day of rest?" Emily turned her head and rested on her hand, staring out the window. "Well, it was surprisingly comfy, but I was kind of lonely with no one at home," she answered finally. "But it does you good." We were quiet again, and I couldn't help but blurt out, "Where did you get those bangles?"

Emily looked over her shoulder. "Umm, a friend gave them to me," she replied, a little puzzled. "Oh." A friend? Thank God! I thought that, like, she bought them and is just wearing them... Like Sarah. Why is my life so terrible? Ugh, my life is WAY too cliché, it's so cliché, it's DISGUSTING. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. "What's your friend's name?" I asked, trying to pass the time with small talk. "Oh, her name's Sarah Askinare."

A/N: Oh yeah, a twist! Love twists! But it's a badly written twist so... meh. Cliff-hanger again!