ONE

Twins Lila and Lily Oliver move with their family to the small town, Burden Valley. With a supernatural secret, the twins have to adjust once more to another school and town, when they meet Sender...

Lila yanked herself out of bed wildly. It took her a moment to register where she was and groggily glanced at the alarm clock. Four thirty. Wonderful. Now she was wide awake and had no hope of getting back to sleep, and she really didn't have to be up for another three hours. Flopping back onto the pillow, she stared up at the dark ceiling, trying to remember what it was that woke her up. A dream, definitely a dream. But what about? A blurry figure, glowing yellow eyes, sharp claws? Huffing Lila threw an arm over her eyes, trying to will herself to back to sleep. But sleep had vanished so she slipped out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. Might as well get ready now, put a little effort into her attire, hair and makeup.

It could be first day of school jitters, she reasoned, as she flicked on the light. Blinking a couple times to get adjusted, she moved over to the sink and stared into the mirror. First day of a new term at a new school, it normally was a big deal. To anyone but Lila. Her blonde hair lay in a tangled mess, strands stuck on her cheeks. Her cheeks were pink and her whole body felt sticky. She hadn't realized she'd been sweating. The dream must have been scarier than she thought. At least she was up early enough to take a calming shower. Raising a hand to brush the hair out of her face she noticed it was trembling. Something had unnerved her, but what?

Her pale green eyes looked back at her through the mirror, her pale face looking gaunt and pasty. Pushing away she hurried to the shower hoping that would revive her a bit. It didn't matter if the running water woke her parents up or not; her mom was a deep sleeper and her dad was working the night shift. He wouldn't be back for a couple hours at least. Just in time to take Lila to school.

After the shower Lila did feel a little better but something still bothered her. It had to have been the dream but try as she might she could only catch snippets of it. Nothing substantial enough to leave her freaked the way she'd been upon waking up. Just the glowing yellow eyes and the blue of a person...

A shrieking sound from her parents' room sent her jumping sky high. The alarm clock. Just breath, it's just the alarm clock, she told herself, steadying her pounding heart. Her mother always got up at five to try and get everyone up and moving. Never really worked on the older kids but it wasn't go lack of trying. At first her mother got really creative with ways to wake everyone up. Buckets of water, a blow horn, flipping on the blinding bedroom lights. But those things got old " the bucket of water was just a mess " so she ended up targeting the younger ones and made sure to by the older kids all alarm clocks set with loud, annoying beeping sounds that wouldn't stop even if you hit sleep. Lila heard her mom rolling around in bed and a faint tap indicating a hit on the snooze button and then all was silent again.

Out of the bathroom and into the bedroom Lila moved stealthily, barely making a sound. She shared a room with her twin sister, Lily. Glancing over at the bed Lila saw a steady rise and fall of Lily's breathing and smiled. Good, she hadn't woken her twin. It used to be that the slightest change in emotion or health would affect the other but that had died down the older they got. They had different friends, separate lives, and it was all kind of painful really. To drift further and further away from the one person who understood you better than yourself.

Sighing, Lila moved over to the closet she shared with her sister and pulled it open. It was full of clothes, not really separated between Lila and Lily. They both shared everything naturally. Most of the stuff had been unpacked, but there were still some clothes in suitcases on the floor. They'd been in Burden Valley for a month and stuff was still packed away. Her phone in her hand, Lila flipped on the flashlight so not to disturb Lily and pulled out a shirt, jeans and underwear. She slipped into her clothes easily in the dim lighting, and by the time she was done she could hear her mom shuffling around in the hallway, moving towards the younger kids' rooms. A muffled knock, then hushed voices. Lila pulled her damp hair into a ponytail; putting effort into her appearance was exhausting this early in the morning. Makeup would have to wait, her stomach grumbled for sustenance. Eating with eight kids usually ended up chaotic, so Lila hurried down to the kitchen to grab something before the others came down. Groans and protests filled the air, as her mother moved from one room to the next. When Lila stepped out of her room her mom stopped dead in her tracks and blinked a couple times as if she couldn't believe what she saw.

“Couldn't sleep,” Lila shrugged.

Nodding, her mom crossed her arms. She looked tired, with dark circles under her eyes and her short hair sticking up all over the place. “Well it's nice to see someone up and ready to go. Go get breakfast ready will you? If you're done with that then start on the lunches. Might as well help me out if you're all set.”

Great. Of course her mother would recruit her to do some work first thing in the morning. Huffing, Lila went downstairs and moved to the kitchen. Probably the one place in the house that had been fully unpacked and ready to go. Cereal being the easiest thing, Lila grabbed nine bowls, the almond milk for her and Lily, and regular milk for everyone else. They had an array of cereal available so she pulled out the ones that she figured everyone would eat without too much complaining and set the table. Now that she was fully awake she felt energized. This morning seemed like a distant memory, and even the glimpses of the dream had faded into the background. It was her first day in a new school she shouldn't be worrying about something she couldn't remember. When she was finished setting the table she sat down and poured herself a bowl of Rice Crispies and almond milk and dug in. She could hear little footsteps upstairs, a door slamming, someone whining. The only time this house was quiet was when everyone was asleep.

She was starting on the lunches when the first batch of kids came into the kitchen. Kayley, Bryn and Madison. Kayley was eleven, Bryn thirteen, and Madison fourteen. Bryn and Madison were inseparable even at school. Their arms were locked as they bounced into the room, talking excitedly about what school would be like. Kayley was quieter, with mousey looks and round glasses. She had a book tucked under her arm as she sat at the table. The other two ignored their older sister but Kayley smiled shyly up at Lila who smiled back. With those three and the twins, girls really did outnumber the boys in this family.

Their mother graced them with her presence and took over the remaining lunches. Lila hurried out of the kitchen before she could get assigned something else and realized she had to finish getting her backpack ready. The light on in her room indicated Lily was up so Lila waltzed in without a worry and greeted her sister. It was like looking in a mirror. They had differences in hair styles and makeup, mainly so other people could tell them apart, but underneath it all they were identical. Big dull green eyes, pale skin dotted with freckles, thin blonde hair, and small, curvy bodies.

“Morning,” she said, grabbing her bag from her chair.

Lily sat on the edge of her bed and yawned. “Morning. You're up early.”

“Yeah...had a bad dream and couldn't get back to sleep.” She stuffed her bag with her binders, tablet and pencil case.

“I figured....” Lily paused. “I had a bad dream too.”

Lila straightened and glanced over her shoulder. Something in her twin's voice made her skin crawl. She didn't think they ever shared a dream before. She didn't think that was entirely possible. “About what?”

Lily fiddled with the sheet over her lap. “Can't really remember. Something about a guy with yellow eyes and fangs I think. I don't know, I managed to fall asleep again afterwards and by then the dream was gone. But I remember feeling scared.”

Trying not to seem too unnerved, Lila turned back to her bag but nodded her head slowly. “I had the same dream...I think. It happened so fast though I can't be sure.”

There was a pause, and Lila eventually heard Lily get up and then she was gone. Lila could hear the water running in the bathroom they shared and sighed again. School was the focus now, but she was losing it again. The dream had been unsettling enough without the addition of her twin sharing the same one. Her mother called for her downstairs, so zipping up the backpack, Lila shouldered it and went to see what chore was in store for her this time. 

The youngest kids, Aiden (who was two) and Shawn (five) were dropped off at daycare and preschool before the older kids were dropped off. Lila and Lily would have to take the bus if their ride was late. Fortunately, their dad came back just in time to grab the twins, though Lila grumbled about getting her own licence so they wouldn't have to risk the bus. 

"Relax, you'll be able to get it once you get a job," her dad said, pulling out of the driveway. Lila called shotgun for the front seat so sat next to him while Lily sat in the back. 

"Yeah but we can't keep a job when we keep moving," Lily complained, crossing her arms. Really it was the twins' fault that they kept moving, and when their dad spoke he treaded slowly over his words. 

"Well, this time don't do anything to attract attention to yourselves and we won't have to move. Then you can get a job and then your car."

Easier said than done. It wasn't like they could just turn it off. Lila suppressed a groan and leaned her head against the window. It was turning out to be a bright sunny day. Not a cloud in the sky. Burden Valley was a tiny town of about two thousand with one high school and one elementary/junior high school. Both were located close to each other, though the high school started a little later than the other school. There were about three churches, and a strip of shops that ran right down the middle of the town, making up downtown Burden. The only way a person could get around the place was with a car and if the twins were going to have to keep their heads down, it was going to be tough. At least in a city it was easier to blend in.

Dad parked the car in front of an old building in desperate need of a renovation. Or to be demolished. Burden High. Students filed in to the building, some hanging about on the front freshly cut lawn, greeting their friends and presumably talking about their fun-filled summers. When the car stopped, a few students glanced over their way and turned back to whisper to their friends. Lila and Lily exchanged an annoyed look before saying goodbye to their dad and escaping the car. It was expected that, with a town this small, news would spread about the new kids. And it lived up to its reputation. The twins stuck close to each other, a first in a long time, and they made their way up the steps and into the old building. Students continued to stare the whole trek and it took every ounce of will Lila had to stop from snapping at them. She could feel it under her skin, threatening to come out. It would be a record if her power came out now. A record she didn't want to happen. She felt like a spectacle and it unsettled her. Lay low, right, that was going to be tough with the whole school putting a spotlight on them.

“Well, maybe they'll get over it. Just ignore them Lila, we can't risk anything,” Lily whispered, “look there's the office.” She dragged Lila after her, and Lila forced herself to stare at her twin's backpack. It bubbled in her core, and Lily's tightening of her grip meant she felt it too.

One step. Three steps. Ten steps, and they were standing in the office. It was a grim looking place, kind of dull with grey walls and the dingy florescent lights. The carpet was an ugly blue and orange, and a pathetic looking plant sat in the corner next to a small sitting area. One light flickered and buzzed incessantly. A plump woman sat at a desk directly in front of them, the phone pressed against her ear. She nodded and made agreeable noises as she listened, took note of something, then thanked the caller and hung up. She smiled brightly at the girls.

“Good morning. You must be the Oliver sisters. Just let me go get your schedules and book list.”

She left the office for a second and the girls stood there awkwardly for a moment, the buzzing light the only sound. Then the receptionist was back and she handed the twins each a piece of paper.

“Here you are dears. I think you're pretty much in the same classes though it was specified that some of your electives be different?” They nodded. Lila loved sports while Lily loved art. Lila wanted to take Spanish; Lily, French. They checked over their lists once more before they left but the receptionist stopped them.

“Someone will be here soon to help you to your classes. Oh there he is now.”

The office door opened and a young man stepped in. His brown hair was down to his chin, his skin lightly tanned from the hot summer. His bright blue eyes held a permanent mischievous twinkle to them and his lips quirked up in a half smile. He wore torn, faded jeans and a band t-shirt. He was handsome but looked like a Trickster. Lila couldn't take her eyes off him. He hardly looked like the type to show people around, and yet here he was.

“Alright I'm here. Let's get this over with,” he said with a sigh. The receptionist rolled her eyes.

“This is Sender. He got into trouble during the summer and now has to do some extra school activities.” She glanced down at the files and when she glanced up again, her eyes were stern and directed to the boy. Sender, this is Lila and Lily Oliver.” She pointed at Lila when she said Lily and to Lily when she said Lila.

“Um. I'm Lily. This is Lila,” Lily pointed out, trying to keep the annoyance out of her tone. Lila blinked and tore her gaping gaze away from Sender and back to the receptionist.

“I'm sorry girls. Well there you have it Sender. Here's a copy of their schedule, make sure they get to their classes on time and don't go showing them any bad habits. Enjoy your first day at Burden High.” She waved her hand at Sender to dismiss them, and the twins followed the boy out of the office.

He kept a few feet ahead of them, checking the schedule as he walked. Impressively he managed to dodge around people and avoid getting hit without paying attention. The twins had to walk fast to keep up, and Lila bumped into a couple people along the way. She took Lily's hand again and stuck close, her eyes on Sender. It seemed that the school was packed to the max but really the students just didn't want to move. They stood in the middle of the halls, in big groups off to the side, or hurrying off to class. It seemed to function decently enough, everyone knew where to go, how to dodge others. Sticking Lila and Lily in the middle of it seemed throw a wrench in the system. It was the same at every school, and it was something neither twin seemed to grasp.

First class was English literature. Not a subject that would keep Lila's attention, but she had to keep up appearances. If they didn't get at least a B plus in all subjects they would lose what little driving privileges they had. Plus their parents wouldn't help with what they could to pay the insurance. So on top of keep a low profile, they had to keep a good grade. No pressure or anything.

“Here's your class,” Sender said suddenly. Your teacher is Mrs. Wylder. Good luck.” He threw them that half cocked smile, his eyes twinkling. He was looking at Lila as he said it and it made her heart flutter a bit.

“Er, thanks,” Lila managed to say. She grabbed Lily's arm and pulled her into the class quickly, trying to hide her warm face, though nothing got by Lily.

“Oh my god,” Lily laughed, stopping Lila. “You haven't been here for five minutes and already you're checking out the local boys?”

Lila groaned. “No. It's not that! It's....” She spotted an elderly lady standing near the front of the class, scribbling notes on the board. “Come on that's our teacher.”

“Right, you're not getting off that easy,” Lily smirked, looking relaxed for once. Lila sighed and tugged on her ponytail, going up to the teacher.

“Yes?”

“Um, hi,” Lily said, putting on her polite facade. “I'm Lily Oliver and this is my sister Lila Oliver. We're new here and "”

“Yes, yes, go sit at an empty seat,” Mrs. Wylder said dismissively. Lila raised her eyebrows and was about to protest but Lily dragged her away before she had the chance.

“Just ignore it. Lay low remember?”

Lila rolled her eyes but nodded her head. She'd never been really good with authority figures and she had a feeling she and Mrs. Wylder weren't going to get along. She pulled out her binder, flipped it open to a clean piece of paper and watched as the class filled quickly, a lot of the students shooting glances over to the twins. Points to Mrs. Wylder, though, for she didn't call any more attention to the twins, and just jumped right into the lesson. As predicted, Lila's attention drifted and her thoughts shifted, surprisingly, to Sender. Her pen doodled on the paper absently, but she wasn't really paying attention to what was being drawn. All she could think of was Sender with those yellow...no blue eyes with that mischief spark. All she could think of was his snarling face...no his half cocked smile? Out of the corner of her eye Lily saw Lila's glazed look, and peeked over at the paper. Her eyes widened.

When Wylder turned her back to them, she nudged Lila and pointed at the paper. Lila looked down, and there on the piece of paper were a set of narrow, yellow eyes. Above the eyes was a pentagram drawn upside down. 

Reviews

[Albert Teague]

I love it, Brilliant story, I'd very much like to see where this goes. Kmu

[~*~Peace Keeper~*~]

This is a very interesting story, it caught my attention. I noticed that one time you put Lydia instead of Lily. You do a good job painting a picture with your words. The only thing I didn't really like about it was the pentagram part, and with that I probably wouldn't read any further but that's just me.

[Justine]

Thanks! Her name was originally Lydia so I guess I missed that change when I edited it xD
The pentagram part was awkward for me too, and I kind of wasn't sure about it (probably could have gone without the spiral which actually wasn't supposed to be in there, oops...), but there will be an explanation for it in the next chapter when I go into more detail about the girls and their powers.
Thank-you for your feedback! ^^

[~*~Peace Keeper~*~]

lol you're welcome and I can see forgetting that lol and personally I don't think you would really need it (the pentagram thing) I think its powerful with her just drawing the picture she is doing, but it is your story. You're doing a good job with your writing style. Would be interested in other stories you might write later.

[Justine]

I see what you're saying! I did consider leaving it out but then decided to add it in last minute lol. Again thank-you, I appreciate it ^^
And hopefully I'll add another story soon!

[~*~Peace Keeper~*~]

lol You're welcome, give me a heads up if you decide putting another story up

[Justine]

I shall! :)