THE LAST RESORT.
❝ Temperance is the outlier of Forks' High School - the one girl people recognise but never take the time to remember. She followed her friends blindly in hopes she'd be included time and time again. She would squeeze into the tinie...
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Paint chipped nails thrum against the felt covered steering wheel in time to the beat of Hippo Campus' new single. Temperance couldn't place the name of the song but she could guarantee that Lauren Mallory would recognise the lyrics if she were to recite them to the blonde girl.
Her tired eyes scan the the road for oncoming traffic in her side and rearview mirrors before switching into reverse. Temperance eases down on the clutch and begins to back the rusty blue, Toyota corolla out of the driveway.
Both girls fell in love with the old timer at the Seattle second-hand car yard and paid half each. While both girls are studying, Beatrice is covering their insurance and maintenance while the twins take turn paying for gas.
"Bike!" Carolina warns from her right and groans as Temperance slams on the break, both girls jerking forward at the sudden action.
Temperance places her hand against her chest in hopes to calm her ragged breathing as she watches a small boy speeding past on a blue bike, helmet straps dangling loose by his chin.
Carolina winds the passenger window down with a huff before leaning her head out of the window. "Reverse lights mean don't cross, idiot!"
Temperance slaps her sister's shoulder in a scolding manner at the blonde's shout. "He can't be more than twelve, Care."
"Shove off you old hag! I'm a pedestrian!" a high pitched voice answers Carolina's shout.
Both girls turn in the boys direction in surprise only to see his figure riding away with a raised middle finger.
"I change my mind, run him over Tansy, now," Carolina huffs, her bottom lip forming a pout.
"Let's just get to Ang's, she can calm you down so you don't blow a fuse before first period."
Temperance pats her sister's arm gingerly as she checks her side mirrors for any more unexpected pedestrians. Seeing the clear side walk, Temperance backs out of the driveway and onto the road.
"How are you feeling with your new outfit?" Carolina pulls out a dusty pink compact mirror from the centre console to inspect her make up closely.
Temperance hesitates for a moment, glances at her sister's indifferent slouch in the passenger seat out the corner of her eye. "I feel like my boobs are going to pop out of my shirt."
A heavy sigh erupts form her twin's pink lips and her hands slap against her bare thighs in an annoyed gesture. "Temperance, beauty requires sacrifices. I would die for your boobs and here you are, wanting to hide them from the world."
Tansy nods her head stiffly in acknowledgement to her sister's words and despite not agreeing with her, Tansy chooses to keep her opinion to herself. She didn't want to upset Carolina.
Easing her foot on the brake, Tansy stops at the intersection, watching as Mrs. Yorkey's red minivan takes the left turn towards the middle school. Seeing an opening in the traffic, she pulls forward, turning the wheel to the right to avoid hitting the concrete round about before signalling her exit.
