Judged

Chapter 5

[Author's Note: My plan was to try to update every week day, but yesterday I somehow managed to hit myself in the face with our SUV door. Hard. So, now you know why I didn't feel like writing yesterday...haha. Really, who hits themselves in the face with car doors? Probably the same people who walk into sliding glass doors and poles and stuff. Anyways, Judged is #378 in Chicklit! And considering two days ago it was #848, I'd say that's pretty amazing! This chapter is dedicated to @BerryBubblePops for voting, and finding this story relatable, because honestly, what's the point in writing if somebody somewhere can't relate to it in some way? Also, Declan makes his official appearance in this chapter!!! Sorry for the long note... Here's chapter five! Enjoy!]

Chapter Five

*BOUNCE BOUNCE BOUNCE* What the hell? Why am I moving up and down? The movement continues. *BOUNCE BOUNCE* Is it an earthquake? We don't get earthquakes here. That's weird. The bouncing is getting quicker and more violent, *BOUNCE*.....*BOUNCE BOUNCE* 

What the fuck! Have I died and gone to trampoline hell? I hear faint giggles, and I peak one eye open. My clock says 11:14 AM 

"What the-" Just then a little body lands onto me, and I automatically register what was causing my bed to shake. Trampoline hell has been avoided for now. 

I fake a painful groan, and double over in bed, clasping my stomach. I briefly open my eyes, to find two sets of eyes staring back at me, puzzled looks on their faces. 

"Sissy, you ok?" Alanis says from her spot on my bed. Lennon just raises an eyebrow at me. 

I let out another pain-filled noise, and cover my eyes with my hands, faking sobs. I peak through my fingers, and the twins look seriously concerned. 

"GOTCHAAAA!" I yell, reaching out for both of them, pulling them into a bear hug. On cue, they erupt into giggles, leaving behind no signs of worry that were just present seconds before. 

"You're silly Harper," Lennon shows his toothy grin. 

"I know, I know. What are you two squirts doing up here? And, who taught you to wake people up like that? Didn't we teach you manners?" I tease.

"No," Alanis answers, deadpan. 

"Okay, maybe you're right about that," I laugh. "We should work on that, huh?" Alanis nods, her shoulder length blonde curls swinging up and down as she moves her head. 

It's funny. You'd think that since Lennon and Alanis are ferternal twins, obviously because they're different genders, that they wouldn't look too much alike, but they're actually really similar. They both have curly dishwater blonde hair, and blue-gray eyes, no doubt inherited from my mother. But unlike Alanis' hair which curls perfectly at the bottom, Lennon's curls sit messily atop his head. Almost like an afro, but not quite. Lennon's face mostly resembles my dad, and Alanis resembles both of my parents equally. 

Lennon takes off running out of my room, shouting "She's awake!" at the top of his miniature set of his lungs. 

I'm in the process of braiding little strands of Alanis' hair when my dad walks into my room, Lennon situated in his arms.  

"Why Alanis, don't you look just dashing," my father states in a horrible British accent. 

Alanis has pulled away from my grasp now, and her face is lit up. 

"Do I look like a princess?" she questions, while pulling at her hair.

"But of course, darling!" again, with the awful impersonation of a British accent. My dad sets Lennon down, who grabs Alanis' hand and leads her out of the room, presumably to play or terrorize Lally. My dad plops down on the foot of my bed, letting out a long sigh. We sit there in silence before he speaks.