Even Bad Boys Have Souls

Appearance

Sophomore Year

"The closer you look, the less you see."

"Wakey-wakey eggs and bakey!" I yelled in a sing-song voice to my night owl of a sister. China layed in bed holding on to her Disney princess blanket for dear life. I opened the blinds to allow some sunshine in and as I did, she groaned. I decided to leave and give her another minute to rest. Knowing her, she was up all night planning family trips or something to that effect.

When I returned, she was still in the same fetal position. Fine. We'd do this the hard way. In one swift movement, I tore the blanket away and doused her in cold water. She let out an infuriated groan and I smiled, knowing mission impossible was complete. Sauntering down the hall, I could feel her remember what today's events included and why it was so important she woke up before noon.

I followed the aroma of mouthwatering breakfast foods into our lavish kitchen. My whole life I wondered why we needed such an extravagant house for four people and a dog, but I definitely wasn't complaining. Having top of the line appliances always served us well when it came to creating the best substance on Earth: food. The fact that my father studied culinary arts before he became a stay at home dad is simply the icing on the cake. You could see the joy in his eyes two doors down and around five corners when he was making meals for the family.

That man gave up his dream to cater to me and my sister. For as long as I can remember, he never missed one of our events. We'd look out in the crowd and see him, row three middle seat. Then when the production was over he'd wait for us, holding a stick of gum and a pack of our favorite candy, along with any other special gift he purchased. We truly owed him everything...

It wasn't until my loving sister began spraying my freshly straightened hair with water that I realized I had been standing in the doorway as my mind wandered. "I literally did this before you woke up so the fact that you are changing my hairstyle so we don't look like complete clones is not cool." I glared at her through every word.

"Straight is my thing, copy cat" she retorted. "And you turned my bed into a slip 'n slide!"

"Ahh yes. India the curly haired wild thing. China the straight haired, always cheery, always right, kiss up rule follower... Shall I continue?" I grinned.

"When did you become such a brat?!" she scowled. I couldn't help but chuckle on the inside. That facial expression was so foreign to her.

"The moment I was conceived, young grasshopper."

China stared deep into my eyes for a moment. To anyone who didn't know us personally, it looked like she had asked me the million dollar question and I gave her a roundabout answer. But, since she was my twin, I knew she found what I said amusing and would begin laughing like a mad woman in three, two, -

"YOU'RE... SUCH... AN... IDIOT!" she managed to choke out inbetween fits of laughter.

I leaned against the wall and sighed. "Well if I'm an idiot so are you. I hear that kind of thing lurks in your genes until it's ready to pounce like -"

"A cheetah with an extra set of legs" my dad chimed in dramatically. We began sobbing with laughter at his ridiculous statement. As we settled down, he eyed us with false curiosity and questioned, "Is every morning like this with you two?"

"Yes father and you ask us that every morning." we said in sync, mocking his concerned tone.

"You girls truly are twins."

"Well I would hope so. Otherwise, the wrong children were brought home and although it's been a lovely sixteen years, I will not hesitate to drop them off at the fire station and never look back." a voice said.

All three of us spun around to see who was in our home and decided to make themselves known by issuing idle threats. When I saw who it was my mood dampened.

"MOM!" China squealed, "I should've known it was you." China and my mom met in a typical mother-daughter embrace. Well, if you can call an "I-haven't-seen-you-in-ages-so-lets-stand-here-and-squeeze-the-life-out-of-eachother-and-cry-about-it" hug, typical. I personally wasn't big on those kinds of hugs, or any kind of hug for that matter. The only person I ever bothered to give a genuine hug was my sister. I guess because we shared a womb, and a face.

Mother tapped me, interrupting my thoughts. People were going to get enough of that. "Not gonna give your old lady a hug?"

"I beg your pardon but fourty-five hardly qualifies as an old lady... and no."

She became stone in that moment. The atmosphere was tense, but apparently I was the only one who noticed. Within seconds the motherly expression was back on and she began speaking while forcing out a laugh. "Personal space. Not a hugger. Got it."

"Right. Now does everyone agree it's time to eat dad's delicious breakfast and head out to open house?"

With that statement, the happy chatter and carefree mood was restored. My mind, however, was on an entirely different plane. Something was telling me today would be a special day.