"He's my brother. Fraternal twin, to be exact."
December still couldn't wrap her mind on what Pierre just said.
What…I can't even…?
How did I not noticed that at all?
When she was slowly coming out of the shock, the bell rang and just like that, everyone around her started to move as the noise grew louder with chatters and the clanking of trays with people dumping them in the piled section.
Unfazed, Pierre and Max stood, and Katya blinked before following suit. Even worse, Raven, her best friend who shared a strong intuition and almost accurate train of thoughts, disappointed her this time when she got up and simply said, "Ah, okay then. D, I've got to go tutor Blake right now, but I'll see you later."
December could only nod mutely, and just like that, they were gone.
She was left there in her seat in the almost empty cafeteria, wondering confusedly to herself.
"Am I the only one who's surprised at what I just found?"
Their reactions at that moment seemed like she had dreamt it all up, and December chewed on her lip in uncertainty.
She then shook her head and stared at the figures exiting the cafeteria.
I'm pretty sure I wasn't daydreaming.
She wished the conversation didn't end there because there were a lot that she needed to ask now that she knew about this. December didn't know how to process this entire information.
The only thing that she was fairly certain, however, was that the bells, which was something she always looked forward to during classes, had just interrupt their profound moment, and for once, she cursed its existence.
December felt like a zombie, as she walked down the empty hallway. She didn't know how long class had started – possibly a few minutes now – and while she would have rushed to them to avoid being reprimanded, she couldn't bring herself to move any faster.
It was like walking in a dream.
Ridiculous as it seemed to mull this over being punctual in class, she was still not over what happened in the cafeteria. In fact, December could not believe that Pierre, Max, Katya and especially Raven, who was supposed to be on her side with this just acted as if she should have known about it.
She frowned.
Did they not get that that was a huge thing? Especially since no one knew Pierre and Max were related?
And why did they become all hostile with each other in the first place?
So many thoughts racing through December's mind, even those suspicions that she wasn't even aware, all came crashing down on her.
December then stopped in her tracks. But of course.
His evident animosity she saw in the hallway that time when she crashed into the lockers.
His fluency in speaking Russian with them and now that she recalled, his prominent features that looked a little bit like Max. But more importantly, she bit her lip as another realisation dawned on her, she knew why she felt as if something was amiss earlier with them both.
Their smiles.
It was no wonder that they're siblings – no, twins – their similarities were apparent.
Why had she not noticed their resemblance before?
She stopped and sighed to herself. "Why am I so worked up over all of this? They're twins? Great."
December tried to move again but found herself rooted. "And yet, why can't I stop wondering the reason why they seemed to clash?" She shook her head again.
I'm being too nosy for my own good…but damn it, I'm so curious!
The strong pull to get to the bottom of it, despite knowing that this wasn't her business was too strong to ignore. She didn't know why but she wanted to help them. December was puzzled at this sudden need to lend a helping hand. It wasn't as though she was reluctant, in fact, she had always been helpful, and, if she dared to admit it, she loved when people needed her assistance, yet this feeling was stronger than it had always been.
I can't even make sense of what I'm feeling!
Unaware of the hateful gaze boring holes at her, December almost jump in fright when the figure appeared in front of her.
"Karen." December said, startled yet wary.
Pursing her lips, the blonde beauty snapped, "Are you dating Zach?"
She looked at her in confusion before her expression became indifferent as she felt her temper rise.
Oh, for Heaven's sake!
"Didn't your cronies tell you? And why does anyone care, anyway?" She snapped back.
December had had enough with being patient. First she was being attack by none other than Karen's cronies, and with the shocking information she just found out about Pierre and Max, coupled with the sudden appearance by the she-devil herself, December was just too frazzled to even care.
Taken aback, Karen stared at December with anger simmering behind her eyes, but it slowly dissipate when a smile suddenly curled her lips.
"You really have some balls, December," Karen spat. "So, what? Now that the golden boy of the school notices you, you've suddenly grown a spine?" December had no time to react when Karen took a step too close to her. "What have I always told you?"
December was distracted by the uncontrollable rage in Karen's eyes. There's no mistaking the hardened gaze and sharp glare directed at her. Karen was furious.
But why?
She never knew why Karen made her a target in the first place, never even did anything to her, unlike the girl who had humiliated and belittled her every chance she could get.
When she didn't answer, Karen gritted her teeth venomously, "What. Did. I. Tell. You?"
December was startled, and she took a step back due to the intensity in her gaze. "W-what?"
The small laugh elicited from Karen was nothing but mocking. "Of course. You couldn't even remember one simple thing. I guess I have been lenient in the lessons, haven't I?"
December stiffened, a foreboding feeling settling in her gut. Wait... this is…?
"Very well, then. " Karen sighed dramatically. "Considering how faulty that memory of yours can be, allow me to refresh it, hmm?"
Too engrossed in her turmoil, she was too late in defending herself when Karen threw a swift punch to her stomach, before using her knee to inflict the blow again.
Seeing December gasping sharply and wincing in pain on the floor brought Karen some satisfaction. She would make it her duty to remind December who was in charge of the academy.
She couldn't have December being the center of attention by the student body – her student body.
Because she own every one of them, especially the boys in this school. Since her ancestor built this academy, she felt it was hers to rule by right and she would bend them over to her whim.
Despite the news that broke out about the student President, the guy who was worshipped by everyone and are looked upon as her almost equal in popularity, people started to gush about her enemy instead.
How sweet they looked, how perfect and adorable they were together.
Karen wanted to gag herself.
As popular as he was, she was the one whose status are elevated like a goddess. They should be comparing her with Zach, instead of the weakling before her.
She could have made him more popular, too.
There had never been a decrease in her popularity, yet today had been its first mark. Worse, they were people whom she deemed acceptable enough to be part of her circle, which was a lot compared to those outcasts. It only took one person from her clique to say something nice about her, and that was enough to make her flip, as well as punished whoever said it.
Those people, Karen chuckled to herself, their significance to me is as important as a dirt, and that includes her little circle of friends.
Karen then amended herself as she thought she could make some exception to December's little friends, since she saw some potential in one of them to be a part of hers.
She tried to calm herself, but looking at December's pitiful face made it hard to. She wanted to inflict more pain to her just like how her pride had suffered. Still, Karen reminded herself that she could be jeopardising her reputation if someone caught her doing this. She hoped those blows would be enough for compensation.
Winning the crowd's affection wasn't easy, surprisingly but she would always come out victorious, because if there are things she hated about December, which are countless, was to see her grabbing that shining spotlight which should have been hers.
She gritted her teeth in anger, her fist clenched tight she was sure blood was drawn on it.
But then, she suddenly smiled to herself, seemingly determined as something came to mind.
I will bid my time, she soothed herself, but first, I'll give her the lesson she has forgotten.
"Life is like a chess game and everyone is a piece, December. When you're the master of the game, everything goes your way. And by you," she put her finger on December's forehead before pushing it, then pointed to herself, "I mean me because let's face it…I always get what I want." Karen took a step back, crossed her arms and smiled smugly.
"Oh, and before I forget," She crouched to December's level, holding the girl's gaze with hers sharply, "I want you to remember this," she enunciated it slowly as though December was incapable of understanding her. "You don't deserve to be treated kindly by me. You're beneath me, do you hear?"
A brief flash of emotion passed Karen's face but it had disappeared fast enough for December to name what it was.
Karen's voice was tinted with amusement as she said, "All the guys in this school want me, not you. Not your friends, and…" she chuckled darkly before continuing in a sugary voice, "Not even your boyfriend. You know why? Because you're pathetic and no one cares about you."
Satisfied at what she saw, Karen hummed to herself and made a move to walk away. Before she could, December stopped her.
She had been sitting there, taking the blows and words in. This had happened before but the intensity was doubled this time. It hurt a lot, December could not deny that. Karen had no right insulting and humiliating her, yet she couldn't do anything to defend herself at the onslaught.
December felt shame and anger at herself, and while half of her felt numb because of what Karen said and who it reminded her of, what she could conclude from the entire monologue was that she was wrong on the last account.
How could she possibly know what her friends were thinking? Or even Zach? She hardly saw him crossing paths with her let alone talked, despite both being looked up on by the rest of them. She hardly spoke to any of her friends and she could never have known the extent of their kindness towards December.
So after all that, the only thing that she elicited to Karen's rant was a low chuckle.
She stood and spoke, her gaze firm. "If this is the worst you could do to me, Karen, then I'm afraid you're losing your touch."
December knew how much Karen hated her authority being undermined and she had just challenged that. Despite hurting, she wanted to inflict some blow to the hateful blonde's ego, and by the look of it, it hit bulls eye.
Karen narrowed her eyes into slits, her fist itching to hit December again. She licked her lips and blinked, composing herself to look unaffected. A dangerous glint flashed in her eyes as she grinned menacingly.
"This will be fun, actually. Grow some backbone then. I will just have more fun breaking it."
"Why do you hate me so much?" It seemed like that was the only question she found herself often wondering, with her brother and now Karen.
The question came unexpected and it took Karen off guard, but as if she remembered the reason why, she seethed, "You simpleton. After all these years and you still don't get it? I hate you, your every core, your mere existence disgusts me!"
December didn't falter, even though the glare in Karen's amber eyes were enough to burn a hole in her.
"You won't always get your way, you know."
Karen stared at December, an eyebrow raised as she looked on, both amused yet puzzled.
She chuckled airily. "You truly have no idea who you're dealing with, do you?"
December's electric blue eyes were hard as steel, and this time she paint her lips with a smile. A smile that was enough to make Karen doubt herself for one miniscule second.
"Neither do you."
With that, a silent challenge had been spoken between them, making their past involvements seemed insignificant. This time, no one could anticipate what were to come for them; it would be a change so huge that it could either make or destroy them.
After the face-off with Karen, December went to the washroom.
She felt lightheaded.
Everything that happened today left her feeling overwhelmed and tired. She needed time to gather her thoughts and focus on them, specifically on what Karen told her in all those rants.
It was eerily familiar…those words that Karen uttered to her. She realised why she was frozen in her spot earlier.
They reminded her of her brother.
"You couldn't even remember one simple thing. I guess I have been lenient in the lessons, haven't I?"
"You're worthless and it seemed like I'll have to drill that into your thick skull since you haven't learned your lesson yet. Maybe I have been lenient all these years."
Pain. There's a sharp pain in her chest. No.
"So, what? Now that the golden boy of the school notices you, you've suddenly grown a spine?"
"…Guess you found some backbone, didn't you?"
Was there air in the room? She needed space to breathe. Why are the walls suddenly closing in on her? Help.
"You know they don't really care about you."
"You know why? Because you're pathetic and no one cares about you."
In her mind, she could still hear Michael and Karen's voices dripping those venomous words in her head, repeating louder, and louder, and louder until she could no longer discern which ones were their voices as the words overlapped with one another… Stop, please.
"You don't deserve to be treated kindly by me. You're beneath me, do you hear?"
"An unlikable, friendless, pathetic girl like you do not deserve to be treated equally by me."
December shut her eyes tight, her fist clenched tightly as she pressed it against her chest. Something snapped within her.
"ENOUGH!"
Her breathing was heavy, breaths come in gasps until she couldn't hear anything but the sudden white noise that grew louder at a constant frequency. She opened her eyes and stared at the girl before her, tears streaming down her face…her hands slowly bringing them to her ears, her lips trembling as her eyes looked at her wide, unblinking and bleary.
December stepped back from the counter as if her skin were scalded, horrified at the image as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Slowly, her senses started to kick in and she was beginning to make sense of her surroundings. The ventilator fan whirred quietly, the sound of droplets from the water tap echoing like a constant rhythm of a pendulum, and the air – yes, she could feel the air rushing in to her lungs again, her chest no longer felt constricted.
What…what just happened?
December was still disoriented and she tried to focus on her breathing, and once she could calm herself, she picked out her thoughts.
The girl before her looked bruised, pathetic, and very, very weary. December could barely recognise herself in the girl. She let out a sob before biting her lower lip, that slight feeling of disgust washing over her at who she had become.
As she studied herself in the mirror, she was all the things her brother and Karen had told her. The girl in the mirror was the outcome of those words.
Yet.
December blinked her eyes, wiping her tears away. As she looked past the girl, December knew that was not who she really was; she should have known better.
Am I really that easy to break? Is the girl before me so fragile?
Not if I have a say in this, she thought to herself with a sniffle and a determined look.
She tried to remember those picnics, trips, every little occasion and celebrations and happy moments she had with her parents and friends into mind, tried to remember the sound of her laughter when she was truly in bliss because of them; there were plenty. 903Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAyOMNX0rf
December smiled inwardly.
She couldn't possibly have dreamt any of them all.
She was a bright and cheerful girl, and despite her average academic achievements, she was loved. She was loved by her parents, and she was loved by her friends…and no one – especially not Karen nor her brother was going to change that.
I'm so sick of this.
She didn't want to be the bruised and helpless girl before her anymore.
She needed to remember that.
She needed to believe in herself….slowly, but surely.
December tried to muster a smile onto her face. The vision before her struggled with the gesture, it seemed heavy to curve her lips upwards but she managed to do that until finally, she saw reflections of her old self.
I'm picking up the pieces again, but this time I won't back down so easily.
Classes must have come and went, and she knew she hadn't attended any one of them that afternoon. December didn't care, but her friends didn't seem to share that notion.
She picked up the phone on the second call, looking at the receiver briefly before answering, albeit a little hesitant, "Hey, Raven."
"Don't 'hey' me! Where have you been? Where are you? You've missed the last two classes already!"
December winced, one because of her friend's high pitched tone – which only ever came up when Raven was extremely worried, and for a moment, she felt bad for not telling her – and second, because she had just finished inspecting the damage Karen did to her; the bruises started to form but while it didn't look ghastly, it felt excruciating.
Damn, Karen. December bit her lip in irritation.
"I should have texted, I know but I was…." December paused, not certain whether she wanted to tell Raven what happened. As soon as that thought crossed her mind, she frowned at herself.
Sure, this had happen before but back then, she hadn't had courage to speak up in fear of being pitied. What was worse, she already knew by experience that she couldn't tell anyone about it because Karen would always find a way to twist things and escape punishment.
She shook her head. She was no longer the timid December, and while she would have to figure out how to get back at her, she needed her friend right now.
She repeated her newfound mantra. Believe in yourself.
"Actually, I'm in the third floor's lavatory..." She trailed off and frowned, fully aware now of which floor she was once she checked the plated signboard above the ceiling outside.
She could imagine Raven looking puzzled at that, and it was apparent in her voice when she said, "What? What are you doing there? Classes are always held in the first and second floor. How did you even ended up there from the cafeteria?"
December blinked. "I…don't even know that, actually."
It was true, in her half-dream state of wandering around the hallway figuring some things out, she had somehow wind up on the upper level, where some clubs used the space to practice and the music room was located. It usually remained empty during class hours yet that was also where Karen had found her. A small part of December had wondered what Karen was doing on this floor but she soon cast the thought away, not thinking it mattered.
"You really do suck at directions, D." Raven joked a little, though her worry was still evident.
December chuckled half-heartedly. "I'm sorry…and you're right, I'm terrible at them."
December thought she really needed to be aware of her surroundings now, or it might just land her in trouble someday.
"So, do you want to tell me what is going on? You've got us all worried."
December let the twinge of pain hit her, and said quietly, "I know," before continuing, "Let's meet up at the dorm first."
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