Chapter 43
32
I looked from my dad to Mum’s angry face. I could see a little smug smile on Ava’s lips but she quickly hid it, pretending to sneeze. She’s definitely enjoying this.
“Fine.” I whispered.
I stood up, I dumped my leftover dinner in the kitchen sink and walked out through the back door, the cool air doing nothing to cool the building pain in my chest. I should be used to it but I still feel hurt.
The door creaked open a few minutes later.
I didn’t need to look to know she’s the one.
“Go away, Ava.”
“Lol” she scoffed, crossing her arms across her chest. “I just came to tell you that my dress for the rehearsal is silver. So don’t wear anything that will clash in the photos.”
“That’s what you’re worried about? The photos?”
She shrugged, “what else am I to be worried about? I want us to be a little coordinated. We are twins, after all.”
“We just share DNA, Ava. That’s it.” I said flatly. “We’re not a team. We never have been.”
“Who mentioned being in a team with you?” She mocked. “Well, one of us is clearly on the winning team. Maybe if you tried being more of a follower of mine, Mom and Dad wouldn’t be so disappointed in you all the time.”
“I’m done talking with you” I whispered, going back to my room.
*****
“Status report,” Madison said, sliding into the seat next to me, at lunch the next day. “I got the public budget reports you needed for your article. It’s all in the group chat.”
“You’re an angel,” I said, a genuine smile on my lips for the first time all day.
“So, the rehearsal is tomorrow,” she sighed. “Are you really going to have to sit through the whole thing?”
“I don’t have a choice,” I sighed.
Madison leaned in, her voice dropped to a whisper “Well, what if you sneak out?” She winked.
*****
The morning of the rehearsal arrived. I put on a simple blue dress, a silver belt around my waist.
“You look nice, Avery,” mom said
18:56 Thu, Jan 1
Chapter 43
“Thank you,” I replied, putting on a lip balm.
The dance studio was a hive of frantic energy. Girls in varying stages of costuming fluttered around like anxious butterflies. Ava was at the center of it all, like a queen bee being preened by her workers- my parents.
“Your posture, sweetheart! So elegant!” Mom gushed, fixing Ava’s headpiece for the tenth time.
“Remember to smile during the grand jeté, pumpkin,” Dad added, his phone already out to take some pictures.
I rolled my eyes and hovered near the back, by the water cooler. My phone binged in my pocket.
Madie: The debate semi–finals are starting in a few minutes. Don’t forget the plan.
32
Ava caught my eye from across the room and gave me a wink before putting her legs into a stretch. I forced a smile when my mom glanced my way, complimenting one of the other dancers on her ribbon.
Soon, a girl woman with a clipboard and a shrill voice, clapped her hands. “Parents! If I could have your attention for a brief pre–rehearsal meeting in the lobby! It will just take five minutes!”
My parents, ever eager to be the most involved, immediately perked up.
“Come on, Robert,” my mom said, grabbing my dad’s arm. “Ava, sweetie, we’ll be right back. Just warm up.”
“Okay, Mom!” Ava chirped, already turning to admire herself in the wall–to–wall mirror.
I held my breath as they walked out with the other parents.
I quickly fetched a cup of water from the cooler and walked gently through the crowd of stretching dancers, the full cup of water held carefully in my hand.
I positioned myself just behind Ava as she began a series of graceful arm exercises, her back to me. She was murmuring her counts under her breath, completely absorbed in her own reflection.
I took a half–step forward, timing it perfectly with her backward extension. As she swept her arms back, I “stumbled“, my foot catching on nothing at all. The cup of cold water flew from my hand, arcing through the air and splashing directly on Ava.
A sharp gasp, followed by a shriek, cut through the studio chatter.
“Avery!” Ava whirled around, her face turing white with fury and shock. The water soaked through the fabric, darkening the silver and plastering it to her skin. “You did that on purpose!”
The room went quiet, the other dancers stopping to stare.
I widened my eyes, pouting. “Oh, Ava! I’m so, so sorry! You stepped back right into me! I was just bringing water to you….”
“Liar!” she screeched, her composure shattered. She looked down at her ruined costume, on the verge of tears. “You ruined it! You ruined my dress!”
18:56 Thu, Jan 1
Chapter 43
Just then, the studio door swung open and my parents rushed back in, drawn by the commotion.
32
“What’s going on?” my mom asked, her voice sharp with alarm. Her eyes landed on Ava, dripping and furious, and then on me.
“She poured water all over me!” Ava wailed, pointing a trembling finger at me. “She ruined my costume right before the rehearsal!”
“Avery,” my dad’s voice was a low, warning growl. “Explain yourself.”
I let my shoulders slump, “It was an accident, I swear! I was bringing water for her, and she stepped back right into my path. I tripped. I didn’t mean to…” I let my voice trail off.
“For heaven’s sake, Avery, can’t you be more careful?” She rushed to Ava’s side. “Oh, sweetheart, let’s get you to the dryer. We can fix this.”
“It’s not fair!” Ava sobbed, shooting me a look of pure venom. “She did it on purpose because she’s jealous!”
“I’m not jealous, Ava, it was a mistake!” I insisted,
“Just… go wait outside, Avery,” my dad said, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “We’ll deal with this later.”
That was all the permission I needed. “Okay,” I mumbled, hanging my head as if ashamed.
I turned and walked out of the studio, down the hallway toward the back exit. The sound of Ava’s sniffles and my mom’s soothing voice fading behind me.
The hallway was quiet, lined with closed studio doors.
I pushed open the heavy door, the bright sunlight momentarily blinding me.
I gasped as a large, rough hand clamped over my mouth from behind, smothering my gasp.
“Don’t make a sound,” a low, deep voice growled in my ear.
I froze in panic. I tried to struggle but my attacker, who was too strong, easily lifted me off my feet. Another man came out from a white van packed nearby, its door already open.
No! No, no, no. This isn’t happening. This is too soon! And Ava is the one supposed to be kidnapped. But it was happening to me. Everything was wrong.
“Ugh” I gasped as I was thrown into the back of the van, my head cracking against the metal floor. The door slammed shut, and the van sped away almost immediately.
“Let me go!” I screamed, scrambling back against a stack of boxes. “My parents don’t have money! You have the wrong person!”
The man who had grabbed me turned from the passenger seat, a scar running down his cheek. “Shut up girl.”
“But… but it’s supposed to be Ava!” I mumbled, feeling disoriented.
18:56 Thu, Jan 1
Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
