D.O.R.K. Series Box Set: Diary of a Rocker's Kid, The Sister Code, Twin Wars

by Haley Allison

  An uninvited tear emerges and turns cold on its way down my cheek. I especially can’t stand living next door to Gio. Right now, I can hear the pumping of his EDM music rumbling all the way across our two yards and under our house. It’s almost as if he takes every possible opportunity to remind me he’s here and he’s not mine, yet that’s impossible. He doesn’t even care that I exist.

  I take my laptop from the little shelf inside my modern black nightstand and open it up, preparing for one hell of an entry to distract myself.

  November 2

  The Aftershock

  I’m here alone in my bed just two days after the cutting betrayal by Raven and Gio. Now that she’s ripped my heart out of my chest, chewed it up, spit it out, and squished it into the floor with her stiletto heel, it’s official. Raven and I are now opposing parties in a full-on feud. No doubt she’ll be announcing it to the media soon just to get the headlines…not that I care. Nothing can hurt me more than what she and Gio have already done to me.

  Amazing how someone you thought was such a nice guy could turn out to be such a jerk. I already knew Raven was trouble, but I never thought Gio was capable of such a low-blow play on someone else’s emotions. He’s either the greatest actor of all time or the most twisted human being I’ve ever come across…probably both. I keep replaying our times together in my mind and trying to figure out why someone would do such a thing like this. He was already famous. Why did he need Raven’s plot? Is he actually in love with her and did it to get on her good side? Is there more to this plan that they haven’t had time to carry out yet?

  My stomach jumps. I physically jerk with fear at the thought.

  That last thought terrifies me more than I want to admit. Raven’s talons have come out, and I’m on the receiving end of whatever evil she plans to carry out next. I have no protection this time. No deal to prevent her from harming me. No superhero to swoop in and save the day.

  I just don’t get it. Raven didn’t even give Dad and me a chance before she concocted a scheme that was guaranteed to get her on our bad side. What is her game? I wish I could get inside her head, just for a day, and see what’s going on in there. Jess must have screwed her up real bad. Whether or not it was on purpose, she’s partly to blame for all this. Raven got her conniving ways from our mother. I am absolutely sure of that.

  I’m scared to go back to school tomorrow, but I can’t fake sick and avoid this. Going back to Kentucky after this semester is a tempting option, but the more I think about it, the more my determination not to look weak won’t let me. Leaving is running away. I don’t want to show them they have power over me. I don’t want to give them that satisfaction.

  I’m Madison “Basket Baby” Daley. I’ve dealt with abandonment, worldwide humiliation, and my mother’s cancer diagnosis and I’m still in one piece. Surely I can handle this. It’s just one day at a time, choosing to keep the life I’ve made for myself and not giving in.

  Raven can make whatever threats she wants, but it’s not going to stop me from living my life. I’ll probably cling to Devon and Chandler like a magnet, though. Thank God for Chorus. It gives me an excuse to escape with my friends after the school day is over.

  Dalton still hasn’t heard anything about this. He was out sick yesterday. I wonder what Gio’s been telling him. Guess I’ll find out soon enough.

  Ttyl,

  Mads

  I watch my shadow lengthen in front of me as I trudge down the sidewalk toward Wilcox High. I parked as far away from the school as I could so I’d have time to work up my courage before facing the inquisitive mob at the front of the school. Student media isn’t quite as bad as the main media, but they can still corner you when you least expect it. The last thing I want to do right now is have to answer questions about how I am after the weekend’s events.

  Of course I’m not okay.

  Of course it was a shock.

  Of course I hate Gio.

  What they didn’t know until yesterday is that the one person I hate more than Giovanni Abate is my identical twin sister.

  When I reach the covered walkway at the front of the school, Raven is perched on a bench with five minions clustered around her. She catches my gaze and her blood-red lips curl into a sinister smirk. That look makes it official: she planned this from the start. I wish I knew why. If I understood, it might make this easier, but I never even knew her. I had no chance to hurt her before I came to town back in June.

  Maybe she’s just your typical sick mean girl, except even her own sister isn’t safe from her schemes. That makes her one of the worst forces of evil I’ve ever met in person. Once again, I feel compelled to stop her path of destruction, but how? I’m still so clueless about school life and making it in this world. I’m not capable of coming up with a rescue plan for an entire high school.

  Brushing by the school reporters crowding the doors, I step inside the school lobby, feeling relieved when none of Raven’s minions follow me in. Some people call out after me from outside the building, but I ignore them, sure that giving any kind of response right now is not a good idea. After a quick scan of the faces around me, I duck and dart toward my locker, ignoring their pitying stares. Just once, it would be nice if my classmates didn’t know my personal business when I walk in the door. It’s a pipe dream, I know…

  Chandler and Devon join me at my locker to help block me from Liam and other prying eyes. A couple of girls from the school newspaper try to shove their way past them, but thankfully Chandler makes a good, sturdy bodyguard. She has actually been slimming down some lately, but her frame is still thick. One scowl from her, and the scrawny sophomores scurry away, whispering as they go.

  “Don’t look behind you,” Devon whispers. My heart clenches painfully. Without looking, I know who just walked in the hallway. I can hear his ugly voice greeting his friends and laughing it up. I want to punch his ugly face and make it match his ugly heart. Unfortunately, I can’t get away with that in school, and if I tried hopping the fence at home to plant my fist in his face, I’d face the wrath of Alfonzo Abate.

  Maybe someday…

  Violence has always been something I kept strictly limited to video games and shooting my rifle at a gong target back home, but this pain I’m going through has me ready to punch a koala. The visual of punching a koala has me almost giggling as I pull the last school essential from my locker and prepare to close it for the day. I must be in a horrible mood if such a thing could even enter my head. Shaking it off, I reach down in my bag to get my phone.

  All of a sudden, as I’m about to lock my phone up per school rules, my text alert goes off.

  Logan: I woke up early today just so I could send you virtual hugs. Hang in there. I’m rooting for you, heartbreak buddy.

  I chuckle, feeling warmed by his sweet gesture.

  Me: “Heartbreak buddy.” That has to be the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. Thanks, though.

  Logan: Yeah, we’re pretty pathetic. Guess we can be pathetic together at BlizzCon this weekend.

  My heart sinks low in my chest. I had completely forgotten about our plans for the weekend.

  Me: Actually, I’m not so sure I’m up to that.

  Logan: Thank God. I’m not either.

  Me: Why don’t you just come over and we can watch it together in our living room? I can stream the live broadcast from my computer. That way we don’t have to see people, but we won’t miss anything.

  Logan: What about our tickets?

  Me: We can sell them or give them away. I’m sure somebody would want them around here.

  Logan: Sounds like a good idea. So I’m coming to your place then? Should I bring anything?

  Me: Nah, we’ve got you covered.

  Logan: Okay, cool. See you Friday, sweets.

  Me: See you then. :)

  Sweets…

  A smile I only get for Logan tugs at my lips. Chandler notices and clears her throat.

  “What’s going on?” When I glance up at her, she’s grinning a
t me with deep dimples.

  “I’m hanging out with Logan this weekend.”

  Devon exaggerates a groan. “Ew. She’s drooling over my cousin.”

  “Oh…you don’t mind, do you?” I search her face for any warning signs.

  She smirks teasingly. “Nah, go for it. You two are cute together.”

  “Thanks.” I smile, and Devon reaches for my upper arm.

  “You sure about this?” She searches my eyes with her deep brown ones. “I’m all for you and Logan hanging out, but I know both of you just got broken up with.”

  I shrug. “I don’t think anything’s going to happen. I have a fool-proof plan for keeping our hands off each other.”

  “Oh really? What’s that?”

  I lean over and whisper in her ear, “My virginal dorky glasses.”

  I arrive at Chorus early, and as usual, Dalton’s already in his seat studying before class begins. When he glances up and sees me, he motions for me to sit in the seat next to him. I cross the room and set my books on the desk next to me as I take the seat.

  “Hey…what happened this weekend? I heard you and Gio broke up, but I don’t know the rest of it,” he says gently.

  A deep sigh escapes me. The last thing I want to do right now is relive the events of the worst weekend of my life, but Dalton deserves to know. I go on to tell him everything I know, right down to seeing Raven and Gio kissing in his bedroom and Kiki filming the whole thing. Dalton drops his head into his palm with his elbows braced on the pull-down desk at the end of my story.

  “Goddamn. I knew Raven was crazy, but Gio? I…” He sighs into his palms, shaking his head in disbelief. “Believe me, I had no idea.”

  “I know you didn’t.” I lay a hand on Dalton’s shoulder. “Guess we’ve both been played for fools.”

  “Gio fooled me good. I thought he was legit. Everyone did. People love him in this school, and now to find out he’s just another one of the bad guys…and what he had the nerve to do to you…” Dalton slams his fist down on the desk with a caveman grunt. “I should punch that shithead in the face.”

  “But he’s your best friend, Dalton—”

  “Not anymore.” Clenching his teeth, Dalton huffs toward the front of the room. “No friend of mine would treat an innocent girl like this. He’s just an asshole.”

  “Dalton, I’m going to be okay. I’m strong.”

  “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you deserve to suffer.” When he turns back to look at me, I can clearly see the pain written in his hazel eyes. “Neither of us do.”

  I squint at him. “Are you talking about Raven?”

  A muscle in Dalton’s jaw bulges with tension. Looking back toward the front of the room, he nods. “You know that song ‘Over and Over’ by Three Days Grace?”

  “Of course.”

  He swallows and drops his gaze to his clenched fists on the table. “That song sums up the way I feel about your sister.”

  Tears prick my eyes. It’s the first time Dalton’s admitted to me outright he has feelings for Raven. People trickle into the room, but before I leave to go to my seat, I lay my hand on his forearm. I can’t even imagine being in love with someone that ruthless…

  Or maybe I can.

  “I’m sorry, Dalton.”

  He folds his hand over mine and nods. Squeezing his arm, I stand to my feet. Then I grab my books and head to the alto section, wishing not for the first time that I didn’t have an evil twin.

  Chapter Two

  November 3

  Heartbreak Buddies

  In a strange and devastating turn of events, three out of our four bandmates are now caught in the throes of heartbreak. Logan and I already bonded over the scariest Halloween yet, but I didn’t realize Dalton would be joining our ranks. Gio is definitely not the person I thought he was. Apparently he didn’t bother to tell his “best friend” anything about his secret life. There’s going to be a showdown between them soon. I can feel it. In the meantime, I’ve got a very mopey band leader and drummer to deal with when I’m already pretty mopey myself. Something tells me Saturday’s practice is going to be cancelled this week.

  The good news about heartbreak is that it’s the number one inspiration for writing music. I’ve already started three new songs based on this weekend alone. If it takes getting my heart shattered and stomped into the floor to produce my best work, I guess it will be worth it in the end…not that I enjoy the process, though.

  Here are some lyrics I whipped up off the top of my head during Physics today—

  Lying in your shadow

  Watching through the window of my own mind

  Can’t believe I didn’t know

  You shouldn’t trust a soul to treat your heart kind

  You tore right through me

  Cut into my dreams

  Left me on the street

  Did you look back? Please

  Why do I have to look at you?

  Do I have to face the truth?

  Will I ever feel right again

  Or has my story already reached the end?

  Not the greatest, I know, but it’s something. Even trashy, dumb lyrics are more than I was writing for the past three months. Time to jump back in the zone.

  Ttyl,

  Mads

  As I’m walking out to the Jag to drive to school the next day, I get a text from Jess. It’s been a while since I heard from her. There hasn’t been any communication since the newest round of articles, either. My stomach knots with nerves as I read her message.

  Jess: Hi, Madison! Sorry to hear that Raven is no longer welcome to visit you and Michael. I was truly hoping we could make this family unit work, especially since I don’t know how long I’ll be around. Regardless of whatever happened between the two of you on your birthday, are you still able to see me? You’ve given me such cheer in my hour of need. I’d hate to stop seeing you because of a sisterly disagreement.

  “Sisterly disagreement?” I’m not surprised to hear that Raven sugarcoated the situation, but damn. I’d be surprised if the tabloids don’t know more than Jess right now.

  Me: My relationship with Raven doesn’t have to change anything between us. I can still see you when she’s not around.

  Jess: I am so glad to hear that. Can I see you on Sunday?

  Me: Actually I have a lot going on this weekend. Maybe next week?

  Jess: That’s fine. I may be stronger by then, anyway. Perhaps we could even go horseback riding.

  I smile. That’s something I will very rarely say “no” to.

  Me: Sounds good. I’ll see you then.

  Jess: See you!

  Locking my phone, I toss it on the seat beside me, then shove the keys in the ignition and blast the car on. Something is making me feel a little ticked off at Jess. What Raven did is not directly Jess’s fault, but I can’t help but wonder what kind of childhood Jess gave her that would lead her to act like this. I could never even dream of doing something like what she did to me. Yeah, I’m a bit devious and scheming sometimes, but never that wicked.

  Driving to school is not as fun as it was earlier in the school year. Now I have plenty of time to sit alone and think about what happened over the weekend. Plenty of time to remember things Gio said to me that didn’t make sense at the time, and now make perfect sense. I keep wondering when he started working with her. Was it at the beginning, or did it start after I broke up with him? Is this his sick revenge for choosing my sister over him?

  I wish I knew the truth. It would make this so much easier to have all the facts. Now that I’ve told Dalton, I’ve lost my one chance at getting the inside scoop on Gio’s involvement in this whole thing. No one else I know is close enough to him to get him to open up about such secret dealings.

  I park in my usual spot and trudge down the sidewalk, dreading passing by Raven yet again. This time, she doesn’t even acknowledge my existence. I push the right door open and stick by the wall on my way to my locker. All is normal until someone grabs me by my rig
ht arm, yanks me inside the janitor’s closet, and slams the door shut, leaving me in total darkness.

  “H-hello? Who’s there?” I speak into the silent blackness, shaking with anxiety. Did Liam Wellington finally corner me? Is he planning on deflowering me against my will? Now I’m wishing I had taken Nana’s advice and gotten a permit to carry pepper spray for my birthday.

  A bright white light suddenly blinds me. I grunt and shade my eyes. My captor shushes me and takes her iPhone flashlight down to a bearable height between our chests. I look into the narrow, coffee-brown eyes of Kiki Nyugen, the assistant Raven gave me who ultimately betrayed me.

  “You!” I jerk back from her, a painful scowl twisting its way onto my face. “What the hell are you doing? Let me out of here!”

  I search for the doorknob, but Kiki catches my hand. “Madison, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  “What? You’re sorry for taking the video of the worst night of my life and blasting it all over the Internet? Apology not accepted.”

  “It’s true that I took the video and posted it per Raven’s orders, but…” She grunts out a sigh, looking terrified. “Look…I may have fudged the truth a little when I said I’m doing this because of my acting dreams. I was at first, but I tried to stop assisting Raven a long time ago.”

  “You did?”

  She nods. I see her dark eyes flash with pain even in the dim lighting. A strand of her sleek black hair falls out of her right braid, and she tucks it back. “She threatened me to keep me working for her. I have no choice. If I stop, she’s going to destroy me and everything I have. A lot of the other girls are going through this too. We don’t want to do these horrible things, but we just have to. I hope you understand.”

  Crossing my arms, I huff out a breath. Sadly, I know that feeling a little too well. “I guess…but is that all you wanted to tell me?”

  “No.” A naughty smile plays at her lips. “There’s something Raven doesn’t know.”