The Gemini Reign
: Chapter 3

I strolled into my first class, smiling at everyone in the hallways, even when I felt like crap. I had to do this. I reminded myself. I entered the class and walked up to the teacher. I told him that the “principal” needed him.

As the day went on, I made quite a few friends being polite with everyone. Many people asked if Avery and I were together, which didn’t make any sense to me. However, I let them think what they wanted to think by not answering or changing the subject.

Until I saw Avery in the hallway after the fourth-period bell rang, grabbed her, and asked, “What are you telling people?” I didn’t realize how much it disturbed me.

“Me? I didn’t tell anyone anything? You’re the one who isn’t denying anything?” She said, annoyed.

“You don’t seem to be denying anything either,” I replied sharply; I wasn’t a weirdo; she was my sister. “Just because you can’t live in my shadow doesn’t mean I have anything to do with this.” she gasped, eyes widening.

I cursed. “I didn’t mean to say that.” I reached out to grab her, but she was already gone, disappearing into the crowd now surrounding us.

Avery was more of a quiet, shy person who used rudeness as armor and didn’t make friends easily. I was the loud, friendly, popular guy who made friends instantly. People always said mean things about her or compared us when they knew we were related, so it was best not to say anything about it. Otherwise, the state Avery would get in was…not good.

I tried to talk to her all day, but she was avoiding me. As I was walking into my next class, someone pulled me back.

I turned and saw a small girl. She looked at me with her big green eyes, her straight brown hair…It was the girl that was with Avery this morning. I smiled and said, “Hi, can I help you?”

She flushed and said, “I need to talk to you about something important. You can meet me after school outside!” She smiled, determined. I watched her skip away and stood there, shocked. She had looked so shy and small.

How could she just assume I would come?

As the day went by, I thought about the girl, wondering what she wanted to talk about. When the time finally came, I decided to go just out of curiosity. As I walked outside, I saw the girl standing next to Avery. It looked like she was talking to Avery about something very important. Her eyes were wide, her eyebrows were raised, and her arms flailed around as she spoke.

I watched as Avery’s eyes widened toward her friend and then as she whipped around and saw me. I tried not to stop smiling as the friend struggled to keep Avery there while she scowled at me and was continuously trying to rip her arm out of the friend’s hand. I walked with ease and advanced toward them. Avery gave up and slumped against the wall they were leaning on.

“Hi!” The friend said happily when I reached them.

“Hello,” I said, glancing at Avery looking down, her mouth fixed in a defiant front.

“Hey, Avery,” I said, knowing it would annoy her.

“Um, well, we were just talking about you, weren’t we, Avery?” The friend said into the awkward silence, but she just made it even more uncomfortable.

I decided to help her and said, “What did you want to speak about?”

She looked relieved and started chatting away, “Well, I wanted to talk to you about the situation you have with Avery.” she said assertively. I raised my eyebrows, not surprised. But before I could say anything, Avery did.

“What do you think you’re doing? I am not doing this! We are not “friends,” okay? I just met you a day ago, and we’ve only spoken a few times.” She said and started to walk away but then the “friend” spoke, just as fiercely.

“Hey, we are not done here. I’m not gonna let you leave already. Did you know this guy is spewing lies about you all around the school? Even if we aren’t “friends,” I am going to help you! ’Cause I am nice! That’s more than I can say about you! You’re always so rude to everyone!”

“Hold up! I didn’t lie to anyone!” It was like I didn’t even say anything.

“Exactly, because I don’t like you! I don’t know you or want your help. I was only talking to you because it looked like you had no friends, now leave me alone. I’m not your charity case. I hear what people say about you!” Avery retorted, but her friend didn’t skip a beat.

“Excuse me? I will have you—”

I cut her off, tired of them yelling at each other, “Wait! First, name,” I pointed to the friend.

“Rebecca Adair,” she said, annoyed.

“Okay, Rebecca Adair, I did not come here for you two to fight; Second, I didn’t lie to anyone, and third, what situation?” I asked beyond confused, which was saying a lot because I usually knew what was going on.

Rebecca looked at me weirdly and then said, “The situation where you didn’t say ‘I love you’ back to her!”

Avery stared at me, and I looked back at her. I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing, Avery joined in, and Rebecca flushed.

“Oh…my…god! You!… you..” Avery sputtered out between laughing. She was practically on the floor.

“Okay, who wants to tell me what is going on!” Rebecca said, clearly annoyed.

We stopped laughing long enough to spit out a few words, “We…” I said, pointing between Avery and me, “Are not dating,” Avery finished.

“So what are you then.”

I immediately stopped laughing, and the seriousness of this situation dawned on me.

What were we going to tell her?

Avery

It felt like hours passed before I could decide. How was I supposed to tell her? Should I tell her? She seems genuine. It’s better if people don’t know…

“We are…” I was trying to come up with something believable, and I looked back up at Justin, and he answered for me, “…Friends.”

“Sure,” Rebecca rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “If you aren’t going to tell me the truth, I’m leaving.”

“It’s true!” I said desperately. Why did I want her to believe me? Justin started to say something, but Rebecca cut him off.

“You said you don’t lie,” she accused.

“I didn’t say that, and I am not lying,” he retorted, probably knowing from our many fights how she would twist his words.

She looked disappointed that she couldn’t say what she wanted and impressed at his save at the same time. She looked at me and raised an eyebrow. I didn’t realize I was smiling. And I immediately stopped and glared at her.

She smiled and said, “You sure act like more than friends. I mean finishing each other’s sentences, seriously?”

She looked way too happy with torturing us, but I was stunned when Justin said what he said. “Fine! You’re right….we used to date.”

“Used to?” Rebecca looked disappointed.

I finally came to my senses, “Justin and I are not together, and we never were together,” I said that last part glaring at him. “We just live together,” I said without thinking. Justin rubbed his fingers on his head as if he had a headache and let out a breath.

Rebecca was shocked, “What?” She shrieked. “You!” She said, pointing accusatively. “Live together?”

“Scream it louder, Rebecca,” Justin said, annoyed. “I’m leaving now!”

“Bye!” I said, running after him. He was my ride, after all.

“Avery, Avery!” She yelled behind us.

When we got into the car, Justin whipped his head around and gave me a death stare, “You made it worse!”

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking!” I said quickly, smiling sheepishly. It was gross. My older brother, my… I wanted to gag at the thought.

“Clearly!” he said, irritated. I couldn’t imagine how he was feeling. I mean, I was his little sister.

Again gross!