Two of a Kind

Prolog

Two of a kind, a parents trap - no matter what they are called, my FF tells a similar story based on the film versions as well as the german book "Das doppelte Lottchen" by Erich Kästner.

The story takes place in America. Both get to know each other in the holiday camp. But the strange thing about it is that it is about boy and girl.

And yes there are siblings who look similar! Same hair and eye color, stature, facial features ... especially children who have not yet reached puberty still look very similar.

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They stared at each other: same facial features, the same eye and hair color. They are the same size and if they were not of different sexes, they could be clones.

"Somehow the others are right. You're the female me," he said.

"Or you are the male me," she said. They both grinned. The grin was also very similar.

"This is really crazy and I'm sorry that the others tease you about it," he said, holding out his hand to her, "I'm Jakob Halstead."

"Ella Lindsay," she said shyly and shook his hand. It was the beginning of a wonderful friendship. From then on they were inseparable in the holiday camp, behaving like brother and sister.

On the penultimate evening before departure, both of them were sitting on the jetty, dangling their legs in the water and eating cookies.

"You absolutely have to come for my birthday on September 22nd," Ella said. Finally she can show her mom that she has gained another friend besides her best friend. Basically, she has no friends other than her best friend. That's why she was sent to the holiday camp. Her mom didn't want her to entrench in the house for the big summer holidays.

"It's also my birthday!" Jake said perplexed.

"Really? I was born in New York," Ella said, and Jake was amazed, "Me too. My parents were on vacation in New York."

"I live with only my mom,"

"I live with my Dad," Jake laughed.

"Do you think what I think?" Ella asked.

"Twins?" Jake said unsettled and looked at his alleged sister.

Ella nodded, laughing. They used the last 24 hours extensively and researched their past. They both knew a Hank Voight from Chicago. Ella explained that it is her mother's foster father. However, she only knows him through stories, she never met him. Jake explained to his sister that Hank Voight is his father's boss and likes to act like a grandfather. Now he knows why...

"I'd love to meet Dad," Ella sighed, looking at the picture on Jake's smartphone.

"Why don't we switch? I would love to meet Mom too!"

"We look pretty damn similar, but I think our mom notices it. She works for the FBI," Ella said.

"We have to switch roles perfectly," Jake said, pulling his sister into the boys' bathroom. It was after bedtime that no one would see her.

"Put my clothes on," Jake laying down a blue shirt and dark jeans. Ella took the clothes, changed and returned to her brother.

"Now only the hair," he grinned, playing with scissors.

"No way! You don't cut my hair!" Ella shouted as her brother made a soft sign in front of his mouth.

"Only up to the chin like my hair and in the morning you don't comb your hair, but tousle it a bit. You can also wear a cap all the time. I usually do, too," Ella reluctantly gave in. She had her long hair, which was well below her shoulder, cut off by her brother.

"Okay, it doesn't look that bad," she said, admiring herself in the mirror.

Then she stared at her brother and dragged him into the girls' bathroom. There Jake put on her clothes.

"I'm not going to wear a dress or skirt," he said.

"You don't look like a girl," said Ella, "Your hair is much too short."

"You were at the hairdresser," said Jake, "Or a mean boy cut your hair short."

"Don't you think mom will see through you?" Ella asked.

"Oh, I'm wearing your clothes and when I comb my hair I look like you did before," said Jake. In fact, with hair made, he looked much more like a girl.

"Mom works a lot and she doesn't come home before the evening. I usually cook dinner." She pulled out her cell phone and showed a photo of her mother's team. She explained the names of the people Jake is likely to meet. She also told him about her best friend, her mother's typical habits, and what Jake needs to watch out for.

"Dad is a detective at the Chicago Police Department. He has strange and very different working hours depending on the case. We play soccer together and that is his team and our uncle Will." Jake jerked out his cell phone and also showed pictures. Finally, they exchanged their luggage, smartphones and names.

"So Jake have fun with Dad," Jake grinned.

"With the camouflage, Mama definitely doesn't ask you to cook, Ella," Ella grinned. She bandaged her brother's hand and forearm, who will use the excuse of hurting the hand, which is why he cannot cook.

"See you in a month!" The twins said goodbye.