Finding a Twin

Chapter 1 : The announcement

Chapter 1    

Riker POV

"Kids! Get down here! We're having a family meeting over dinner!" Mom called.

My heart started beating slightly faster. 'Family meeting'. I hate those words so much. We literally never have them because of something good.

I shut my laptop, and went downstairs. I took a seat at the kitchen table, waiting nervously for everyone else to gather. 

Mom put the food on the table, and dinner began. 

"Alright. We have some news for you guys," dad said.

"Who died?" Rocky asked.

"Nobody died. It's not really bad news. It's good news."

We all just stared at him, sort of confused.

"Alright, well here's the story... Your mom had another child. And there was some mix up at the hospital, and the baby went missing. And we did everything we could to fix it, but we couldn't. But the police found out where our baby is," dad said.

"How old is he or she?" Rydel asked.

"Well, that's the thing. He's Riker's age. They're twins."

My mouth fell open. And everyone looked towards me. I was speechless.

"That's so cool!" Ross said.

"Yeah, they're identical twins," mom said.

"Um... Could I please be excused for a minute?" I asked, quietly.

"Riker, are you ok?" Mom asked.

"Yeah... I-I'm fine."

I got up, and walked to the bathroom. I shut the door, and just took a few breaths. I felt so many emotions at once. I was really upset that I had a twin but never met him. But I was super happy I was finally going to meet him. And I was mad with the hospital for screwing everything up. 

There was a knock on the door. 

"Riker, are you ok in there?" Rydel asked.

I opened the door, let her in, and then closed it.

"Sorry... I just... I don't know how to react exactly..."

"Mom's worried about you."

"No, I'm fine. Really. It's just... this like... changes everything... I don't know... It's hard to imagine a second me."

Rydel laughed.

"Come on. Mom won't tell us anything else until you come back."

"There's more?"

"Yeah."

We walked back to the table together.

"You ok, Riker?" Mom asked.

"Yeah. I'm ok. This is just kind of... crazy, that's all..."

"Yeah... Alright, so we have a few other things to tell you. He'll be coming this Friday afternoon. So right after you guys get home from school, we'll need to go to the airport."

"This is literally going to be so fun," Ross said.

"Alright, but I have to tell you guys something else. This is very serious," mom said.

Everyone was giving her their full attention.

"His name is Jeffrey. And the police didn't tell us everything exactly. But they did tell us how they found him. His parents had enrolled him in this boarding school, and on the first day, one of the teachers called the police. Apparently his parents have been abusing him, and the reason he transferred to another school was because he was being bullied at his old one. So if he seems a little nervous at first, that's why. I need all of you to be sensitive," mom said.

I haven't even met him, and already my heart is practically breaking for him. 

Later...

Riker POV

Mom and dad had given me a picture of Jeffrey. And he pretty much looked the same as me. Same hair style too. Except his was a little bit shorter than mine. 

I was super excited to meet him though. I mean, we're twins! That's really cool!

I'd helped Rocky move into the guest bedroom. Mom wanted me to share a room with Jeffrey to make him feel... not so lonely, I guess...

So I would be sleeping in here all alone tonight, which was going to feel weird. But I was excited. In 2 more days, I get to meet my twin!

I hope he's excited to meet me too. 

Jeff POV

"Jeff, hey! Look at me! It's going to be ok, I promise!" My roommate, Nick said, trying to get me to look at him.

I just pulled the covers over myself.

"Jeff, I know you barely know me because you just got here the other day, but I promise. You're going to be just fine with that new family."

"T-they l-look scary," I whispered, trembling.

"No, they don't. Can I see the picture again?"

I handed him the picture the police had given me.

"Jeff, they look nice. Especially the one that looks like you. I'm sure they'll be super nice."

"B-but w-what if t-they h-hurt me!?"

"Jeff, just go to the police. Maybe they'll let you come back here."

"I c-could n-never call the p-police. T-that's w-why I n-never have. I w-would g-get t-too scared!"

"Jeff... Ok. How about this? Do you trust me?"

"Yeah..."

"Alright. You have my phone number. If anything bad happens, text me, and I will call the police for you, ok?"

"No!"

"Jeff, come on. You need to stop getting yourself so worked up."

"S-sorry."

Nick sighed.

"Alright. Well why don't we just go to bed? Try to get some sleep, ok?"

"O-ok..."

Nick shut off the light.

"Night, Jeff."

"N-night, N-Nick..."