I sprinted toward the bus stop, my bag bouncing against me, lungs burning. The school bus was just pulling in when I arrived. Perfect timing.
I climbed aboard and scanned the rows until I spotted Samantha in the back corner. My best friend, my anchor. She was glued to her phone, so much so she didn't even notice me.
"Hey, Sam."
She jumped so hard her phone slipped from her hands.
"Jesus! Holy shit, Addy, you scared the living hell out of me!"
I rolled my eyes, grinning. "What, did you kill someone? Why so jumpy?"
She smirked, picking her phone back up. "I just didn't see you coming."
"That's what I get for trying to greet you?"
"Sorry, Addy." She gave me a fake puppy face that almost made me laugh.
"Okay, baby," I teased.
She threw her arms around me and hugged so tight I thought my ribs cracked.
"Sam can't... breathe." I tried wriggling free, but she only tightened her hold.
"I missed you so much," she whispered, finally letting go.
I caught my breath, smiling despite myself. "You're acting like we've been apart for years."
"Well, your mum didn't even let me visit during the holidays. You know how unfair that is, right?" She pouted again.
I sighed and changed the subject before she could go deeper. "So... how was your summer?"
Her eyes lit up instantly. "Amazing! We went to Georgia, and my mum took me to the biggest aquarium in the world. Addy, it was magical. I wish you were there."
She hesitated, her smile faltering. "If only your mum would—"
The blaring horn of the bus saved me from the conversation. We'd arrived at school. Thank God.
First period: Mathematics. Usually my favorite subject, but with Mr. Adeniyi, it felt like a slow death. He droned on as he called the register.
"Toke Williams."
"Present, sir."
"Nancy Ikechuku."
"Present, sir."
...
"Adira Williams."
"Present, sir."
"Ashley Williams."
"Present, sir."
Her voice always sounded smug, like even attendance was a competition.
Then he called a name none of us recognized. "Jayden Craig."
All eyes turned when a hand lifted from the far corner. A new boy, quiet, calm. His beauty was striking so much that even the boys shifted uncomfortably, like his presence alone dimmed theirs.
"Damn," Sam whispered. "How did we not notice him before now?"
I froze. There was something familiar about him, something that tugged at a memory I couldn't place. Where had I seen him? When?
"Earth to Adira!" Mr. Adeniyi's voice thundered.
My head snapped up. The class roared with laughter, led of course by Ashley. My twin. My shadow that always mocked instead of mirrored.
I clenched my jaw. Maybe when I die, I'll ask my ancestors why she enjoys humiliating me so much.
The lesson dragged on with his endless list of rules and regulations. Dutifully, I copied them into the first page of my notebook. I wasn't the type to risk breaking rules — not when order was the only thing I had control over.
By second period, Geography lifted my mood again. Nature, the earth, the environment things that made sense, unlike my family.
The day slipped by faster than I expected. By the time I got home, the house was quiet. No parents. Just Lizzy, bless her soul.
She had baked red velvet cake, my absolute favorite. I sank my teeth into a slice, moaning dramatically. "Heavenly. Thanks, Aunty Lizzy."
She narrowed her eyes. "Adira, how many times must I tell you? Stop calling me 'Aunty.' You make me sound old. My name is Lizzy."
"Okay, Aunty Lizzy," I teased, grinning as she rolled her eyes.
On my way upstairs, she called after me. "Where's Ashley?"
"Not home yet?" I asked.
"No."
"Probably out with her friends," I muttered.
I finished my English essay, nibbled cake with cold orange juice, and was just drifting into sleep when I remembered Ashley's clothes. If I didn't wash them, she'd make my life hell.
Dragging myself into her room, I was greeted with the usual sight: piles of dirty clothes scattered like a battlefield. The stench hit me instantly.
The worst part? Mum never let me use the washing machine. According to her, I had to wash by hand, like some punishment she'd designed just for me.
I stared at the heap, my shoulders sagging. Sometimes I wondered if she ever really gave birth to me. Scratch that...I wondered it all the time.
"God, please save me," I whispered before plunging my hands into the mess.