1999

Chapter One: In the beginning, there was an end.

Friday September 4, 2020: 6:57PM

It had dawned on Emma Wilson that she was furious. More than that, she knew she was broken hearted. Life as she had come to know it, was truly over. Because of this, the sniffling bleary eyed fifteen year old refused to make eye contact with the current cause of her upset. Not with either one of the pair currently situated across from her on a coordinating loveseat.

Instead, she directed her honey tinged gaze out the window beside her as she wrangled most of her unruly brown locks with one hand, casting them over her shoulder as she guided her long legs to fold beneath her with the other.

At the other end of the same sofa, sat her twin brother Aidan. Unlike his sister, he hadn't shed a single tear. His smooth stoic face had yet to give way to any emotional response. But like Emma, he too felt the hot anger rising within him. It rushed throughout his whole body and began to simmer just beneath the surface.

In turn, the sandy haired boy found he was content to make aggressively direct eye contact with the nervous couple sitting across from him. He continued to hold their gaze with an icy stare, and followed it with a furrowing brow and ever expanding grimace.

Once having realized the true meaning behind his parents calling them together, in addition to both of their long, convoluted speeches - Aidan refused to look away, not even once for a second, for whatever would remain of this so-called "family meeting".

Their parents, Tom and Diana Wilson, both 36 and moderately successful real estate agents, as well as former high school sweethearts, were separating with the intent to divorce after 16 years of marriage. Neither Aidan or Emma  had seen this coming. The proverbial rug had indeed been pulled out from under their unsuspecting feet, and now both teens were shaken from the threat of impending life changes.

When was it happening? Oh, just immediately. Their father made no bones about how he had already begun to pare down his personal effects in secret, and had already packed away most of what remained. He planned on officially relocating to his new residence the very next morning, after breakfast of course. To their father you were nothing, if not succinct and efficient.

He also made it very clear that both twins were to remain in their mother's custody and that was to be final. So there would be no "fussing", and no "choosing sides". Aidan was decidedly fine with that arrangement. After hearing of his father plotting in secret to walk out on their family, he had no interest in remaining under the same roof as "Big Tom" Wilson anymore.

"What's stopping you?" He suddenly spoke, clearly but quietly.

"Uh, what was that?" His father leaned forward in his seat and cocked his head to the side in genuine surprise.

"I mean, what's the hold up? You've gathered your things. We now know what's up. Why don't you just head out tonight? What's stopping you?" The defiant teen leaned back and angled his head to rub thoughtfully at his chin. At his father's lack of an immediate response, he followed it up with a raised brow and single nod of his head.

"The great Tom Wilson is suddenly speechless? Wow." Aidan suddenly rose from the couch and turned his gaze to address only his mother.

"I'm going to bed now, I think I've heard enough. Good night Mom. Emma." His mother immediately began to protest, while his father only stared at the floor.

"Oh Aidan, no. Come back here, let's talk this through!" Diana fretted, pulling at the front of her cardigan and then her fingertips anxiously. At this, her husband spoke softly as his hand reached out to grab hold of hers.

"Let him go Dee, he just needs time. We knew this road would have bumps." His fingers intertwined with hers and gently pulled her back to reclaim her spot beside him.