Through the weeks that followed, I waited for Lola to realize her mistake but it was in vain. Rumours had begun circulating around campus about Darey's first serious girlfriend and I wondered if my twin was heartbroken but too stubborn to come to me and admit I had been right.
Impulsively, I decided to go and visit Lola alone after classes and hastily made my way towards my sister's faculty building where I knew shed be having classes.
Hands in pockets and earphones in place, I made my way through the corridors/hallways and up the stairs until I came to the floor where my sister had classes.
Taking a bend, I suddenly came to a halt at the scene before me.
There Lola sat with Wendy, Darey and his friends, her head on Darey's shoulder and his arm around her. They were all chatting happily.
Confused, I stared for a moment, hesitating before turning around to walk away.
Unfortunately, Wendy spotted me.
"Lara!"she called, making me turn back around to meet all their eyes on me.
I kept my face expressionless.
"Lara", Lola whispered in surprise. She clearly wasn't expecting me to show up.
Ignoring the boys,I turned to the two girls.
"Hey Wendy", I said with a small smile before turning to face my twin - ignoring the curious looks of students passing by. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay", I said.
Lola smiled. "I'm fine, Lara", she said.
I nodded. "Good", I said and began to turn away. "See you around then".
"Lara, wait!" Lola called and stopped. "We were about going out. Why don't you join us?"
I smiled humorlessly.
"Sure", I said. "I'll just forget everything that's happened and join you to hang out with the reason behind our fight like it never happened in the first place".
Lola's smile disappeared.
"It would never have happened if only you'd listened", she spat.
"Well excuse me for caring about my own twin", I snapped, making sure to keep my voice down so as not to attract attention.
Lola rolled her eyes.
"You were wrong and I was right", she said. "Just admit it!"
"When hell freezes over", I replied. " I still don't trust him!"I said pointing at Darey. "For all I know he's just using you to prove a point".
"And here I thought you came to make peace", Lola said.
I rolled my eyes.
"You know what?",I said. "Coming here was a mistake".
"So what..." Lola asked. "You're going to walk away and pretend I don't exist for another three weeks?"
"Nothing stopped you from picking up the phone and calling", I said.
"Nothing stopped you either", Lola shot back.
I groaned.
"This is becoming really immature", I told her. "When you finally decide to act your age, you know where to find me'. I said and turned to walk away.
"Same goes for you!" Lola called after me.
I halted.
"Do me a favour though", I said without turning around. When she didn't interrupt,I said the words I had come to say.
"Stay safe", I told her and paused before adding " for me ",and hastily walked away before my sister or anyone could respond.
*****
Seated alone in the library, I finished working on my assignment and stuffed it neatly inside my bag before standing up to leave. It had been two weeks since my last encounter with my sister - though I'd seen her around campus but mostly in company of her 'boyfriend' and his friends - and tried my best to avoid her.
If we ever locked eyes, I looked away first and walked off. Though part of me always hoped my sister would call out to me, she never did.
I felt lonely most of the time, even in Tamara's company and never one to lie to myself, I admitted to my ailment .
I missed my twin.
Lola had always been my first and best friend and not being able to see and talk to/with her whenever I wanted was taking a serious toll on me.
Clutching my bag tighter and pushing away reoccurring thoughts of my twin, I stepped out of the library and descended the stairs, only to come to a halt at the sight of Darey and Jayden.
Since they were standing right in front of me, I knew they wanted to see me.
"What do you want this time?" I asked.
"To talk", Darey simply said.
"About what?"
Darey sighed at my harsh tone.
"Why don't we go somewhere and talk?"he asked.
"No", I said firmly and made my way to the side where his car was parked. Leaning on it, I crossed my arms over my chest and faced them.
"Talk".
Standing before me, he began.
"Listen", he said. "I know you have every right to hate and mistrust me but I'm being completely honest when I say my intentions towards your sister are good. I really care about her and I can promise that I won't do anything to hurt her".
I kept my face expressionless.
"Are you done?"
He hesitated.
"I want you to please reach out to her", he said.
"What's wrong with her reaching out to me?" I asked.
"She wants to but she's just being proud and stubborn", he said.
"Well, if you know me like she does, you'll know that I'm thrice as proud and stubborn", I told him.
He sighed in frustration. "Can't you just make the first move and make up with her? She really misses you", he said.
"If she misses me so much then she should make the first move", I replied stubbornly.
He ran a hand through his hair and groaned. "I can so see the resemblance", he muttered.
I raised a brow. "Clearly, everyone can". I said in a 'duh' tone.
He rolled his eyes.
"I meant in character", he said.
I rolled my eyes in return but said nothing.
He sighed once again. "Look, I know you miss her just as much, if not more", he said.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"You know nothing about me", I hissed. "And don't let the fact that we just had a conversation deceive you into thinking that I hate you any less", I said and pushed away from the car.
"Is that all?" I asked.
He nodded and without another word, I walked away.
Deep within me, I prayed that my twin made the first move.
