Signs Of The Invisible Fingernail

#2- Remedies pt 1

" I'm tired

Of pretending like i'm okay

Of smiling fake smiles

Of forced happiness

Of the loneliness

Of giving everything but not getting anything in return

Of trying

I'm tired of life

I'm so sorry..."

"Penelope. Whenever you're ready."

Theo's casket stood in the middle of the better of the two small, cramped rooms at Ms. Jones's cemetery and mortuary, located on the west coast of Branchtown, New Hampshire. It's dirty old curtains that are covering the foggy glass panes are so smudged up that you couldn't even see through them if you wanted to. "He doesn't deserve this.." I thought to myself, wishing we could have him in some big, nice room with lacey bright colored curtains and velvety soft carpets. Theo loved all things bright. Some twins are the same, but Theo and I are -were- like sun and moon. Light and dark. Him light, me dark. We were complete opposites, but he was still my best friend. My partner in crime. As I walked up to the casket, my new doc-martens(a birthday gift from Theo) squeaked loudly on the newly polished floor. At least something was taken care of around here, I thought.

Then, I saw him. Theo. Dressed in his favorite navy suit with that one old and paint covered tie that he always bragged about to anyone that would listen."I painted it all", he would always say, wearing his usual smirk...and... He looked exactly like he did then, lying there, only without the smirk.

Wiping the tears from my puffy red eyes, I looked at his face. It was cold and expressionless, and when I reached out to brush his hair out of his eyes, his skin was frigid and almost rubbery. He was the same, but- something was off. Reaching out, I ruffled his hair one last time, like old times. I wiped my eyes again and walked away from the casket. I went to stand by my parents.

My mom was crying madly. Her eyes were all red and puffy, like mine, and she had dark circles around her eyes from not sleeping. She was shaking from head to toe. My dad looked almost the complete opposite. He looked angry, almost. Like that time when Theo and I were 12...

"Hey, Penelope! Let's play a prank on Dad!"

"Are you sure, Theo.. It's a little risky.."

"Aw c'mon sis! Live a little!"

"FINEEE. What's the plan?"

"Okay, so Dad comes home from work at 3:00. We have exactly 20 minutes to get it into order.."

"Anddddd-"

"What if we pretend we died?!"

"How?"

" We could put ketchup all over ourselves and lie down in my room. When he comes home he'll be sooooo spooked!"

"I don't know, Theo.."

"Penelope, c'mon please?"

"Fine. But only because I owe you for the whole bet thing."

"Okay. Perfect. Let's get ready."