Every Tear That Falls

Chapter Two - Val

Val

Chapter Two

    She came into school with a cut on her left hand. It looked...different, but I suppose it placed as normal because of how clumsy she is, and she does like to climb trees. I, personally, didn't give it a second until I saw Kaite, my twin sister. She seemed to know something I didn't based on the looks she and Ally were exchanging. She always knows more than me, mainly because Ally clearly likes her more than me. That's fine with me. Kind of.

    That was two days ago. And even though it's early May, things have gotten a lot worse, just when they're supposed to be getting a lot better. I'm supposed to be focusing on exams and daydreaming about summer plans, but instead I'm stuck think about what Ally did to her hand.

    According to her, she cut her hand on a mystery item while sleepwalking. She claims she doesn't know and/or remember what happened. Code for: I know, but I don't want to tell you. Which happens a lot.

    According to Jess it was a laugh and a, "go ask Kaite."

    According to Kaite it was a shrug and a whispered, "I just know what you know, Val. I don't get special treatment."

    Lies. Kaite knew something. I could just tell she did. It's obvious, really. Her face pales when she looks at Ally. Her eyes are now filled with a mix of fear and concern.

    Seeing her like this hurt me. I mean, I'm her sister, I don't want to see her this way.

    You could say we have some sort of bond. Not like the bonds you hear about in movies, but a real bond. I can feel her pain, almost. I can see the “weight on her shoulders” as they say. I know when everything’s too much for her, but maybe that has nothing to do with being a twin - just being a friend.

    I wonder - can she see the pressure i’m under? She probably doesn’t - not that it matters anyway. She’s better - we all know it.

    “Jess!” I called, snapping out of my thoughts when I see my brunette friend hurrying down the hall. She turned around, searching for the source of my voice. Her blue eyes are darker, more frantic than usual.

    “Hey! Have you talked to Kaite or Ally? It looks like they’re in a fight, but Kaite hasn’t said anything to me,” Jess wondered. I shook my head. Great. If Jess didn’t here from Ally, then there’s not way I will. As for Kaite? She won’t tell.

    “No. I was going to ask you the same thing. I think it started  two days ago - if you know what I mean,” I said sadly. Jess nodded thoughtfully, like she was playing back the events of the last two days in her head.

    “Yeah, she was kind of obsessing over the cut. Then all of sudden, she wasn’t I think she found out and wasn’t happy. That’s when the look started,” Jess explained.

    “Well, the truth hurts.”

***

    “Kaite, I’m your twin. I tell you everything. Why aren’t you telling me this?” I begged. I probably asked her for a solid 10 minutes. She was just absorbed in the screen of her MacBookPro, probably chatting Ally for approval.

    “I would tell you, but Ally would kill me...well, she doesn’t know that I know but...remember the last time I told one of her secrets?” Kaite snapped. Her chocolate brown eyes were full of fear, like they usually are nowadays. She tries to keep it together, but I know she’s falling apart.

    “Kaite, I”m not Alex,” I muttered simply. A few months ago, Kaite had told Alex that Ally had a crush on Jackson - the 6th grade “hottie”. A little over a month later, Alex decided that she should tell Ally what she heard from Kaite - a month ago. Both Kaite and I had forgotten even telling her, which just made things worse. That probably ruined their friendship for around 2 or 3 weeks and then, Poof!, they were fine.

    “Fine, but I guess it won’t be a big deal for you,” Kaite said with a shrug.

    “What’s that supposed to mean?” I snapped back, causing a small smile to brighten up Kaite’s face - for the first time in days. You could say I have that affect on people.

    “Basically, you don’t care about Ally I do. Sure, I think she can be a jerk sometimes, but...I don’t know. She’s just so fragile, inside,” I raised my eyebrows. Ally? Fragile? No way! “You know what I mean. She’s self conscious and all. But the good part is it won’t be like the weight of the world for you - probably just the weight of the U.S,” Kaite smiled weakly.

    “That’s still pretty bad...” I trailed off. Kaite rolled her eyes.

    “Not as bad as the world. Look, Ally didn’t even what me to know this...” Kaite said in an uncertain tone.

    “Just tell me!” I exclaimed. I finally got her to agree to tell me, and now she’s doubting herself? Really?

    “Okay, okay,” She paused, “It was...her. She cut herself.” A silent tear fell.