The Twin

by Natasha Preston

  My head snaps in Haley’s direction.

  What? They’re doing what with Iris?

  “Oh? Iris didn’t mention anything to me this morning.”

  Haley looks over her shoulder; my shock has set me back a step or two.

  “You’d probably already left your house. She only sent us a new group message about ten minutes ago.”

  A what now? I’m not in this new group.

  Why does Iris need a group chat with my friends?

  19

  Iris is going out with Haley and Sophie without me. That’s all I could think about during our swim. Sure, I managed to get it together long enough to give them some pointers, things they couldn’t see themselves, and they left feeling more positive, but my head wasn’t in it.

  Coaching is one of my favorite things to do, but today Iris ruined that.

  Why is she going out with my friends? Iris definitely invited them out tonight because she knew I couldn’t go. I don’t get why she would do that.

  When I get home, she’s in my room, borrowing one of my T-shirts since we haven’t packed up Mom’s house yet. Still, she brought almost her whole wardrobe with her.

  “What about this?” she asks, spinning around in my favorite Maroon 5 T-shirt.

  “Do you even like them? You know it’s only okay to wear band T-shirts if you listen to them, right?”

  Her shoulder lifts in a lazy shrug as she pulls the T-shirt over her head. “I like the lead singer.”

  There is no point in arguing this.

  “Looks good on you,” I tell her, opting for maturity.

  “That’s because I look like you.”

  “You were born first, so technically I look like you.”

  That makes her laugh. The first proper laugh that has her body shaking. “Well, yeah. I’m the original and you’re the imposter.”

  Not sure I would go that far, but I like the teasing. It’s so…normal.

  “Or you weren’t quite perfect, so Mother Nature had to try again.”

  Her grin widens. “No, I don’t think that’s it.”

  She looks like a perfect mixture between the two of us, like she’s trying to bridge the gap. Her yellow pencil skirt and my band tee. It’s cool but doesn’t look like the top half is her.

  “Where are you guys going?” I ask.

  “Movies. What about you and Tyler?”

  “I have no idea. He won’t tell me.”

  Her eyes widen. “Really? I would hate that. How do you know what to wear?”

  “Jeans and a T-shirt.”

  “Ivy! You should make an effort.”

  “I put more curls in my hair, didn’t I?”

  “He’s your boyfriend.”

  “And we’ve been together long enough that neither of us feels the need to impress the other anymore. It’s a good place to be.” Ty wouldn’t care if he saw me before I put makeup on. He doesn’t care when I’ve just got out of the pool with no makeup on! He won’t care if I’m wearing jeans or a dress, or if my hair is tied up or curled all pretty.

  Iris bites her lip, staring off into the distance. “That must be nice.”

  “Yeah, it is. We’ve never really talked about boys before. Is there anyone back at your old school?”

  She shakes her head slowly. “No, I dated a little, but nothing went anywhere.”

  “Well, there are a couple of cute and nice guys at our school. Besides, we’re only sixteen. Plenty of time to play the field.”

  “Yep. Plenty of time for me to nab the one I want.” She purses her pink-tinted lips. “No one has caught my eye yet, though.”

  “Well, when someone does, he’d be crazy not to want you.”

  “We could double-date.”

  I hate formal double dates. It would have to be something casual we would do with a group. The only time I’ve felt awkward with Ty is when we went to dinner with one of his teammates and his girlfriend.

  “Sounds good. What time are you meeting Sophie and Haley?”

  “I need to leave soon. Can I take your car?”

  “Um, okay. Ty is picking me up, so I won’t need it.”

  “He’s the perfect boyfriend,” she says quietly, almost to herself, as she’s not looking at me anymore. Grabbing my leather jacket off my chair, Iris wiggles her fingers in a Mean Girls–style wave. “See you later.”

  That’s fine, sis, I didn’t want to wear that jacket anyway.

  I finish getting ready in my room, hearing Iris start my car and drive away. It’s weird. I don’t mind sharing friends, but we’re so different, and she has nothing in common with Haley and Sophie, other than that they’re best friends with her twin.

  She should be out with Ellie and her gang of merry cheerleaders.

  And, no, I’m not jealous. This whole sharing everything with my sister is very new to me. I haven’t had to do it in six years.

  It bothers me that she’s suddenly wanting to hang out with me and my friends when she never has before. She spent four weeks here every summer and didn’t once want to come out with us.

  Maybe it is genuine. Mom’s death could have changed what she wants in friends. I’m not saying Ellie and her friends are faking it, but they all look and behave in the same way. Iris might not want to have to change who she is to fit in anymore.

  That or she’s totally trying to wedge herself between me and my friends.

  Biting my lip, I glance toward her room as if I’ll be able to see through the wall. She left already. I could be in and out in minutes. Tiptoeing out of my room, I tilt my head to the stairs.

  The house is silent. Dad will be in his office, doing whatever it is people working in insurance do.

  * * *

  • • •

  I hear the roar of an engine as Ty rolls up on the gravel outside. A date with him is the distraction I need, especially after an hour of math homework. He is very good at putting things into perspective when my mind runs away.

  “See you later,” I call to Dad as I rush downstairs and out of the house.

  “Back by ten!” he shouts as if I’ve suddenly forgotten the weekend curfew he set a whole year ago.

  I close the front door and jog to Ty’s car.

  “Eager,” he teases as I get in and buckle the seat belt. He leans over and gives me a kiss. Ty looks amazing in a plain white tee and dark jeans. His messy hair has been tamed against its will. Thankfully his surfer style is breaking through; he looks like he’s only arrived at the beach rather than his usual coming-home-from-it mess.

  I love both.

  “Where are we going?”

  He sits back in his seat. “Movies.”

  Oh great.

  Seeing my face, he frowns. “You don’t want to?”

  “Iris is there with Haley and Sophie.”

  Raising an eyebrow, he questions, “And that means we need to boycott the place?”

  “Don’t you think it’s weird that she’s going out with them on her own?”

  “Not really…,” he replies.

  “Tyler!”

  He holds his hands up. “Babe, I’m not sure what you want me to say. I don’t think it’s weird. She’s friends with them too and you’re out with me tonight. Are you saying you don’t want them to be friends?”

  I bite my lip. Damn, I’m in the wrong here.

  “Ivy, what’s going on?” he asks. “You’ve been acting weird about Iris since she got here.”

  Wow. Looking to my right, I scowl at him. Shouldn’t he be on my side?

  “Don’t give me the death stare. You’re too cute and it doesn’t work. I’m trying to understand why you’re so hostile toward her.”

  “I’m not,” I defend. How am I the hostile one?

  “Do you not want her here?”

 
Sighing, I reply, “Of course I do.”

  “You don’t want to share anything with her?”

  “I don’t mind sharing.”

  He rubs his hand over his face. “You need to help me out, here.”

  “I’m being unreasonable.”

  “Yes, you are, but why?” he presses.

  Throwing my hands up, I reply, “I don’t have an answer, Ty, okay?”

  I hate feeling like this, like my own sister is playing a game. But I do.

  He looks away. “Movies or somewhere else?”

  “Do you already have tickets?”

  Shaking his head, he puts the car in drive.

  Although he’s denied having the tickets, his lack of a verbal no tells me he has.

  “A movie sounds good. As long as you don’t refuse M&M’s and then try to eat mine.”

  His lips tug into a grin, and I know I’ve won him back. The earlier frustration with our conversation is gone. “That’s tradition.”

  Ty drives down the winding country lanes toward the movie theater with a casual smile on his face. He holds the steering wheel with one hand and the other is curled around mine.

  “Do you think you’ll make the gala next month?” I ask him.

  “Haven’t missed one yet.”

  “I know, but training is going to get crazy for you soon. You have way too many games coming up.”

  With a small shake of his head, he says, “I’ll be there, Ivy.”

  He likes swimming about as much as I like football.

  “Well maybe I’ll share my M&M’s with you tonight then.”

  Ty laughs as we pull up at the theater.

  I sit straighter as I immediately spot Iris, Haley, and Sophie outside. They’re huddled together and laugh in unison. Sophie and Haley are a little more dressed up than usual. Haley is wearing skinny jeans and a blue and white striped shirt. Sophie has an orange summer dress, hair still tied high on her head.

  They look like they belong with Iris and Ellie.

  Ty side-eyes me but he doesn’t mention them.

  He thinks I’m being unreasonable, and I hate that. I wish it didn’t bother me, but I’m not usually wrong when my gut tells me something is off. Though, clearly, I’m the only one who thinks that.

  He parks the car and we get out. I slam the door with slightly too much force, but he doesn’t say anything. I wince. It’s not his car’s fault.

  Ty walks around the car and wraps his arm around my waist. “We are going to have a good night.”

  It’s almost like he’s pleading with me.

  I bump him with my hip. “Obviously. Maybe after we can go to the lake and jump in fully clothed.”

  “One time, Ivy, and it was so cold I almost lost my toes.”

  That time was last October; the lake is considerably warmer now. But I didn’t bring a change of clothes with me.

  Ty leads me to the snacks, and I assume he’s bought tickets online. “Popcorn and M&M’s?”

  I lift my eyebrow, and he chuckles.

  We get the same snacks and drinks every time, so there’s no need for him to ask.

  “Ivy, you’re here too,” Iris says.

  My body recoils, and I look to my side. Where did she come from?

  “I am, yep.”

  “That’s so funny.”

  Amazing what she finds amusing.

  I smile. “Where are Sophie and Haley?”

  “They went ahead with our popcorn. I came back to use the bathroom and saw you. Are you watching Buried too?”

  “That’s what you’re watching?” Iris and Sophie hate scary movies.

  She shrugs. “The trailer didn’t look that bad. Hey, do you two want to sit with us?”

  “They prebook the seats, so we might not be able to,” I tell her.

  Shaking her head, her smile widens. “I’m such an idiot. You’re on a date. I’ll see you after.” Turning on her heel like she’s auditioning for ballet, she jogs in the direction of the screens, not the bathrooms.

  “If looks could kill, your sister would be dead,” Ty says, handing me a box of popcorn and my Coke.

  I blink away the narrow eyes I was giving Iris. “Thanks for this.”

  “Everything okay?”

  “Sure.”

  Not really. Why did she come back if she didn’t need the toilet?

  Ty shows his ticket receipt on his phone and we head to Screen 8. “We’re near the back, the double seats on their own,” he tells me as we navigate walking in the dark. Behind us the screen is already playing trailers. We never get here too early; I hate finishing my popcorn before the movie has even started.

  Ty caught on pretty quickly to arrive ten minutes late when coming with me.

  We find our seats, and I try to ignore the urge to look around. We’re right near the wall, out of the way. I should focus on Ty and not worry about where Iris is.

  So why can’t I?

  The tips of my fingers pad against my leg.

  “What’s wrong?” Ty whispers in my ear.

  I keep my head straight, looking at the screen. “Nothing,” I reply, and take his hand with my other. Ty squeezes, and I feel my shoulders relax.

  That doesn’t last long, though. As soon as the movie starts and Ty is engrossed, my eyes wander. I scan the darkness, looking for her.

  My gaze halts and my grip on Ty tightens as I find her across the other side of the darkened theater…staring back at me.

  20

  In the morning, I wake at six and get straight up. Nan and Grandad won’t be here until ten, but I want to be ready. It’s going to be weird having them here, but I’m also excited about it. It’s been just me, Dad, and Iris for three weeks now. She’s seen our grandparents a lot more than she’s seen me and Dad since our parents split, so hopefully they will be able to get through to her.

  I take a quick shower, get dressed, blow-dry my hair, making my blond waves more pronounced, and put on a light layer of neutral makeup. Nan always goes on about how Iris and I are naturally pretty and don’t need anything, but I don’t feel very confident without a little on.

  When I get downstairs, Dad is in the kitchen, scrubbing the countertop.

  “Morning, Dad. That looks clean to me.”

  He looks over his shoulder and smiles. “Right. It’s not like your nan and grandad have never been here before.”

  His stubble is gone and he’s wearing a new shirt. He looks like the dad I know.

  “Nope, so chill.”

  “What do you want for breakfast?”

  “I’ll just grab some cereal in a minute. Is Iris up?”

  “I haven’t seen her yet. I’ll wake her in an hour if she’s not.”

  I turn my nose up. “You think she’s asleep? She’s been getting up earlier than me.”

  “She has? I didn’t know that was possible.”

  For the next two hours, I watch Dad clean and rearrange things. I have never seen him so nervous before. Iris came down about thirty minutes after me, her hair and makeup looking runway ready.

  When the doorbell rings, Iris doesn’t even look up from her phone.

  “Ivy!” Nan coos, wrapping me in a tight hug that stops me breathing while simultaneously making me feel safe. “How are you, darling?”

  “I’m doing okay,” I tell her, and give Grandad a hug too.

  They both look a little older and their eyes a little duller. That’s not surprising, though; they lost a daughter.

  “How are you two?”

  “Oh, darling, we’re hanging in there,” Nan replies. Dad shakes Grandad’s hand and hugs Nan. They all seem kind of stiff, like they’re strangers. Iris hugs them but then hangs back, like she doesn’t want to get too close.

  “Time to start lunch,” Nan says, pickin
g up some grocery bags.

  “You know it’s ten in the morning, right?” I ask.

  “Yes,” Dad says. “And I thought I would take us all out to eat.”

  Nan waves her hand. “Nonsense. I’m making pasta and sauce from scratch. My granddaughters can help me.”

  Oh, I have missed cooking with Nan. She’s a bit much in the kitchen—food is her passion—but I love it. Besides, I’m not going to learn how to cook from Dad, and I can already dial for takeout.

  I follow Nan into the kitchen. I get the feeling that she is separating us, taking on the girls while Grandad talks to Dad.

  They’re probably worried about how we’re coping. All of her texts are geared toward finding out as much information as possible without actually pushing. She asks a lot about what we’re doing, if we’re spending time together, if we need to talk to a female adult in the family. All of the embarrassing conversations already happened with Mom, so I don’t know what we would specifically need a female for.

  I look back over and see Iris hovering by the door.

  “Ivy, grab the canned tomatoes and the herbs. Iris, you can get a bowl and start mixing the ingredients for the pasta.”

  I put the bags on the counter and take out what we need.

  “I’ll put on a pot of coffee and we can have some girl time in here.”

  Girl time is code for her grilling us and finding out if we’re okay.

  Iris hasn’t moved from the doorway. “The bowls are in that drawer,” I say, pointing to a cabinet.

  She gives a small shake of her head. “I don’t like cooking.”

  Nan turns to her. “It’s not about the cooking. It’s about us spending time together. That’s even more important now your mom is gone.”

  I lower my head as my heart tears a little bit. God, I would love to cook with Mom just one more time.

  Iris folds her arms. “We’ve never done this, or not since we were little, anyway. Why do we need to do it now just because Mom is gone? I’m not pretending. You two are on your own.”

  Turning on her heel, she stalks out of the room.

  Sighing, Nan begins measuring out coffee grounds. “She’s hurt and angry.”

  “She won’t talk about Mom,” I tell Nan.