ERIN
As I went about my morning routine, my mind couldn't help but drift back to the strange absence of Clark's usual morning text. It was unlike him to miss even a single day of showering me with his sweet, albeit slightly annoying, gestures. I tried to push the thought aside, convincing myself that maybe he was just preoccupied with something else.
 
I took a deep breath as the lukewarm water cascaded down my body, washing away the remnants of another sleepless night. The steam filled the bathroom, creating a hazy veil around me as I stood under the showerhead. I reached for my phone, unable to resist the urge to check it once again.
 
No new messages
 
I let out a sigh of disappointment, feeling a mix of frustration and longing swirl inside me. He had promised to stay in touch and be there for me. But as the days turned into a week, his messages became sporadic, his presence in my life fading like a distant memory.
 
I shook my head, determined to rid myself of these thoughts. Today was a new day, and I refused to let disappointment weigh me down. I turned off the shower and stepped out, grabbing a fluffy towel to dry myself off. As droplets fell from my skin, I felt a renewed sense of hope blossoming within me.
 
Drying myself briskly, I took meticulous care in selecting my clothes for the day. A simple yet elegant blue dress caught my eye, and I quickly slipped it on, appreciating the way it hugged my curves. Determined not to let my disappointment overshadow my grand plans for the day, I squared my shoulders and zipped up my bag.
 
Heading down the stairs, the creaking wood beneath my feet reminded me of the countless memories I had in this house. Yet I couldn't help but feel a twinge of loneliness in my heart as if a vital piece of the puzzle was still missing.
Stepping into the kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, filling my senses with a familiar warmth.
 
"Good morning, sweetie." Mom greeted me as she came up to me, hugged me, and looked at my face properly. There was a warmth in her eyes, a love so deep that it seemed to fill the entire room. I smiled back at her, feeling the comforting embrace of a mother's love.
 
"So gorgeous," she said, smiling at me. My heart skipped a beat as her piercing eyes met mine.
 
"The two gorgeous ladies of my life," we heard Dad say from the kitchen counter, holding his cup of coffee, his voice filled with love and admiration.
 
"Thank you!" Mommy and I said it together, so we laughed. My parents are really like this; every time they see me, they never stop praising me. They believe I possess extraordinary talents, and their constant encouragement fills my heart with warmth.
After a while, the three of us ate breakfast together and left the warm confines of our cozy home. It was a routine we had come to cherish, a simple yet precious tradition that brought us closer as a family. Dad, being a police officer, was often whisked away in the early hours of the morning to serve our community. Today was no different.
As we finished our breakfast, the faint sound of approaching sirens gradually grew louder, signaling Dad's imminent departure. Moments later, his co-worker's police car pulled up to our driveway, its flashing lights casting an ethereal glow on our front porch. Dad stood up, kissed Mom on the cheek, and exchanged a quick goodbye with me before heading towards the car.
I watched them from the kitchen window as Dad settled into the passenger seat, his uniform crisp and his resolve unwavering. It always amazed me how he could uphold justice with such unwavering dedication. The police car's door closed with a solid thud, and it roared to life, echoing through the silent morning air.
With one final wave, Dad disappeared down the road, leaving behind a void in our little home. However, I knew he would return, as he always did, bringing with him stories of heroism and moments of humanity that reminded us of the good in the world.
Once Dad was gone, Mom and I gathered our belongings and walked outside, the chill of the morning air nipping at our skin. Our family vehicle, parked beside the police car, was a stark contrast to its powerful presence. A red sedan, it had witnessed countless family adventures and sentimental journeys.
With a gentle smile, Mom unlocked the car, and we slid into the familiar seats. The engine hummed to life, its gentle purr acting as a comforting lullaby. Mom looked at me, her eyes filled with love and determination, before giving me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.
Her hands, once tenderly holding my small fingers, now gripped the steering wheel with confidence and grace. Mom was a reliable force; she was the one who balanced our family's needs while chasing her dreams. She was the unwavering pillar that held us together, a superhero in her own right.
The ride to school was filled with silence, but it was the kind that spoke volumes. There was an unspoken understanding between us—a shared knowledge that our paths were intertwined and that each step we took together was a testament to love and support.
As we arrived at the school gates, Mom turned to me, breaking the silence. Her eyes twinkled with a mixture of pride and anticipation. "Have a great day, my love. Remember, you have the power to make a difference in the world, just like your dad."
I smiled, feeling a surge of determination wash over me. That was always Mom's way, her words of encouragement fueling my aspirations. I stepped out of the car, backpack slung over my shoulder, and caught a glimpse of her adoring gaze before she drove off, her destination clear in her mind—work.
I just walked quietly to my locker, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness as I prepared for another day at high school. As I turned the corner into the hallway, my heart skipped a beat when I spotted Clark and his group of friends standing a few feet away.
 
I cleared my throat and turned my gaze towards him, hoping for a moment of connection. To my surprise, he met my eyes briefly but then quickly averted his gaze as if he hadn't seen me at all. Confusion washed over me as I watched him pass by, his friends following him, completely oblivious to my presence.
 
Did he purposefully ignore me? What could I have done to deserve this sudden cold shoulder? My mind raced with questions and doubt, wondering if there was anything I could have done to offend him. I replayed every interaction we had in my mind, trying to uncover any possibility that could unravel this mysterious behavior.
 
As I arrived at my locker, my hands trembling slightly, I struggled to comprehend what had just occurred. Clark had always been friendly towards me on Instagram, making me feel special with his attention and annoying morning messages. But now, it felt as if I were invisible to him.
But then it hit me, why am I even bothered?
I shook my head to get rid of the thought, a nagging feeling that had been lingering in my mind since I woke up this morning.
 
"Hey!" A familiar voice greeted me from behind, causing me to jump slightly from where I was standing. I turned around only to see Jacob with a mischievous grin on his face.
 
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," he said, his voice laced with genuine amusement. He stood there with a mischievous smile on his face, his eyes holding a glimmer of mischief. I couldn't help but feel irritated at his carefree demeanor, so I rolled my eyes at him.
"Hey, I'm sorry." He apologized again, his voice barely a whisper. I stopped what I was doing and looked up, surprised to hear his apology. The bustling hallway faded into the background as I focused on him, trying to understand the weight of his words.
 
I glanced around us, expecting the other students to be tuning in, curious about the sudden display of remorse. But to my surprise, they seemed oblivious, their attention fixed on their conversations and activities. His friends, typically boisterous, paid no attention to our brief interaction. It was as if the universe had conspired to shield this vulnerable moment.
 
I leaned closer to him, lowering my voice to match his. "Aren't you afraid of what others might say about us talking to each other like we're friends? Because as long as I remember, we've been enemies, and you used to bully me," I asked him with a hint of annoyance in my voice. He was taken aback by the way I sounded, but later on, his surprised expression changed, and he smiled.
 
His smile widened, revealing a hint of regret, and he took a step closer. "I must admit, I never intended for things to turn out this way. The past is filled with mistakes, and I can't help but feel sorry for the way I treated you."
 
I looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of deception, but all I found was an earnest desire for redemption. His words hung in the air, begging for my understanding. We had crossed paths throughout our lives, always marked by animosity. I had grown accustomed to associating his name with negativity and pain, so it took me a moment to let his words sink in.
 
"What is it you want from me?" I pressed, my annoyance now mixed with a curious perplexity. It seemed hard to believe that someone who had once tormented me could genuinely want to make amends.
 
He simply replied, "I want you." I blinked in confusion, unsure of what he meant by those four simple words.
 
"What do you mean?" I asked him, searching his eyes for any hint of clarity. His gaze remained steady and unwavering as if he believed wholeheartedly in what he had just uttered. He shrugged his shoulders, a nonchalant gesture that left me even more perplexed.
 
Jacob paused, his eyes filled with a mix of amusement and affection. "You know what I mean," he said, his voice dripping with laughter.
"Whatever," I said, trying to project an air of indifference as I closed my locker and walked away from him. The sound of his chuckling grated on my nerves, fueling my frustration. Reluctantly, I turned to face him once again.
 
I looked at him, meeting his amused gaze, and without a second thought, I raised my middle finger in a defiant gesture. To my surprise, instead of getting angry or offended, he laughed even harder. His laughter echoed through the hallway, drawing the attention of nearby students.
 
Confusion washed over me. Was this his way of belittling me further? Mocking my attempts to assert myself? But as I examined his reaction more closely, I noticed a genuine warmth in his laughter, as if it were laced with camaraderie rather than malice. A part of me couldn't help but crack a smile. Maybe Jacob wasn't such a terrible person after all.
JACOB
After my encounter with Erin, my heart was still pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. She had always been just a friendly acquaintance to everyone, an enemy to me, but something had changed between us today. We had connected in a way I couldn't quite put into words. As the school day came to an end, my friends and I gathered at our usual table in the common ground, eager to share our daily escapades and unwind with laughter.
 
Sitting down, the lively banter began almost immediately. We teased each other unabashedly, exchanged witty remarks, and reveled in our inside jokes. It was our sanctuary, a place where we could let go of the outside world and be ourselves. But as the conversation flowed, I couldn't help but feel a stir of apprehension when a few of my teammates mentioned Erin's name.
 
"Let's stop making fun of Erin, guys," I simply said, so they went silent and looked at me, puzzled. It was a seemingly harmless suggestion, but it caught my friends off guard.
 
"Why should we stop?" Oliver asked while twirling the rugby ball on his finger. He challenged me with a slight sneer on his face. His question hung there, thick with contempt. I glanced at Oliver, whose face was contorted with a mix of arrogance and disdain. The question reverberated in my mind, lingering there like an echo in an empty room.
 
"Jacob, can you explain to us why we should stop making fun of Erin and his friends? There's no use in stopping now; we're the bad jocks, as they said, so what's the point?" One of my teammates said, so I glared at him.
 
"Just because we've done things we shouldn't have doesn't mean we can't change," Caleb stated, his voice sincere yet filled with determination.
 
I turned my attention toward him, captivated by the sudden intensity in his eyes. It was as if he had unveiled a hidden aspect of his personality, a side that not even I, his closest friend, had seen before.
 
"Exactly, Caleb," I replied softly, allowing his words to resonate within me. "The mistakes we make don't define us; it's how we choose to learn and grow from them that truly matters."
 
"Listen, guys," I began, my voice steady. "We've been caught up in this cycle for far too long. Making fun of Erin and his friends may seem harmless to us, but it's having a detrimental impact on them."
 
"But Jacob, they're just a bunch of losers. It's not like they can fight back," another teammate interjected dismissively.
 
I shook my head, my expression grave. "That's exactly the problem," I said. "We, as athletes, are privileged with physical strength and popularity. These qualities shouldn't be used to belittle or demean others. Erin and his friends are no different from us. They have their strengths and their worth."
 
My words lingered in the air for a moment before I continued. "We are the ones who can make a change here. The point isn't about being labeled as the bad jocks—it's about being decent human beings. It's about empathy and respect."
 
Some of my teammates exchanged glances; they must be silently considering my words. "Look, I get it," I continued, my voice softer now. "We've all been there, trying to fit in and prove ourselves. But targeting someone else to make us feel better is not the solution. It's time for us to rise above this and set a positive example."
 
"Do you think we're stupid? Why don't you just admit that you have fallen for that guy, Erin!" Kenzo said, laughing at me. I gritted my teeth, struggling to keep my composure. Kenzo's words echoed in my mind like a broken record, replaying his mocking tone over and over again. We had been friends for years, but as I stood there, feeling the heat of humiliation creep up my cheeks, I wondered if I had misjudged our friendship all along.
 
Kenzo had always been quick-witted and a master at playful teasing and banter. But this time, his words struck me differently. They held the sting of betrayal and the sharp edge of judgment. I fought back tears, determined not to let him see how much his words had wounded me.
 
"Do you think so?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
 
Kenzo smirked, clearly enjoying the power he held over me. "Come on, it's obvious. You've been acting strange lately, all dreamy-eyed and lost in your thoughts."
 
"Erin's a woman," I simply said, my fist clenching.
 
"You mean a transwoman," he said, laughing.
 
"Transwomen are women, therefore Erin's a woman, and you're right, I've fallen for her. Is there a problem with that?" I told him, raising an eyebrow.
 
The air in the ground grew heavy as my words hung there, challenging his belief. His mocking laughter had abruptly ceased, now replaced by an uncomfortable silence. I could see the wheels turning in his mind as he struggled to grapple with the concept I had just presented.
 
Inhaling deeply, he finally managed to find his voice. "But she's different," he stammered, his eyes avoiding mine. "I mean, she was born a man. Isn't that something you should consider?"
 
I could sense the thinly veiled prejudice creeping into his words, a bias fueled by ignorance and a failure to understand the complexity of human identity. My fists unclenched, and I took a step closer to him, determined to make him see the truth.
 
"Being born a certain way doesn't define a person's core. Erin has always known deep within her soul that she is a woman, and that truth is far more important than any external factors," I replied, my voice steady and resolute. 
Through gritted teeth, he muttered, "Wait until the coach hears about this!" The words slipped out with a hint of defiance, sounding as if he were a child trying to find solace in the potential consequences of his actions.
 
"Go ahead, tell your transphobic and homophobic coach about it. It's not like I care if I get kicked out of the team; trust me, you'll get promoted as the team captain after that!" I continued, my voice now resonating with conviction. I could see a mix of hesitation and determination flickering across their faces as I scooped up my bag and walked away. Some of my teammates went after me.
 
“We hope you win the championship next month!” one of us yelled, causing us to burst into laughter.
"Finally, I can freely date anyone now, regardless of gender." said my friend Seth, a mischievous glint in his eyes. His statement caught our attention, and we all turned to look at him, intrigued.
 
"I thought you were already dating someone from the cheerleading squad?" I asked him, my voice laced with both curiosity and disbelief. His nonchalant shrug of the shoulders only deepened the mystery, leaving me feeling even more perplexed.
 
"We broke up in peace after she came out to me as a lesbian and said that she's dating someone right now," he said. The words echoed in my ears, leaving me momentarily speechless. The air around us grew heavy as we both let the weight of those words sink in.
"You know, after my breakup with Emily, I realized something," Seth began, his voice tinged with sadness. "People like them are special too."
 
I listened intently, offering nothing but a comforting presence. I knew how much Seth had loved Emily and how hard the breakup had hit him.
 
"When you tell us that you see Erin as a woman, it makes me want to understand them more, accept them, and validate them for what and who they are," Seth continued, his words hesitant. "You're like my eye-opener, Jacob, and I'm glad I got to see this side of you."
 
"Thank you, Seth," I said with genuine gratitude, my voice filled with appreciation. I quietly patted him on the shoulder, acknowledging his remarkable act of kindness.
 
Looking at us with a sense of purpose and determination in his eyes, he spoke up. "And can I ask you guys a favor?" he asked, his voice a little hesitant yet determined. We all nodded simultaneously, curious about what he was about to request.
"Can you not tell anyone about Emily being a lesbian? She's not out of the closet yet, and I don't want her to come out by force," Seth requested, his voice betraying a worried undertone.
 
"Of course, her secret is safe with us," Oliver stated firmly, a reassuring smile lighting up his face. "Besides, forcing someone to come out is never good. It's their journey, and they deserve to navigate it in their own time."
 
I nodded in agreement, adding my voice to Oliver's sentiment. "Seth. We're here for Emily, and that means respecting her boundaries and allowing her the space to come out when she's ready. Her truth is hers to share, whenever she feels comfortable doing so."
 
Seth let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders visibly relaxing. "Thank you, guys. I knew I could count on you. It means a lot to me and even more to Emily."
CLARK
"Clark! What the hell?" Klaus hissed, his eyes wide with alarm. I blinked, shaken from the thoughts that had consumed me. Glancing down at my hand, I gasped, realizing that my fist was tightly clenched, my knuckles turning white from the pressure.
 
My mind raced, trying to make sense of my feelings. I hadn't realized just how close I was to letting my anger control my actions. The overwhelming rage that had boiled within me nearly led to a violent outburst.
 
Taking a deep breath, I released my fist and forced myself to calm down. Klaus watched me closely, concerned etched on his face.
 
"What's wrong with you?" Klaus asked, his eyebrows furrowed with concern.
"Sorry, I guess I lost control for a moment there," I replied, forcing a smile. "I just got caught up in some frustrating thoughts."
 
Klaus nodded, his face reflecting his understanding. Being twins, we often shared an unspoken connection that allowed us to sense each other's emotions. It was as if an invisible thread bound us together, an unbreakable bond that even our thoughts couldn't escape.
 
"I know that look; c'mon, tell me," he said softly, so I sighed.
"I ignored her a while ago, and now I feel guilty about it," I said, pouring my heart out to him.
 
"You deserve it," he said, unable to hold back his laughter. I glared at him, my frustration growing with every second. How could he find enjoyment in my pain?
 
"No, I don't deserve it; I just wanted to stop chasing her, but I can't seem to," I said, sadness enveloping my words. His laughter subsided, and his expression shifted to one of seriousness.
 
"You know, guilt is a tricky thing," he said, leaning back in his chair. "It lingers, it eats at you, and it makes you question every decision you've ever made. But you have to ask yourself, did you ignore her for the right reasons?"
 
I sighed, contemplating his words. "I thought I was doing what was best for both of us. We seemed caught in an endless cycle, and I wanted to break free from it."
"Are you in love with her?" he asked teasingly, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
 
His question caught me off guard. I hadn't thought about it before. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. Thoughts raced through my mind as I replayed the events of that recent night in my head. The memory of that kiss flooded my senses, and suddenly everything became clear. It wasn't just admiration or a simple crush anymore; I had fallen in love with her.
 
The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. I turned to Klaus with a mixture of disbelief and excitement in my eyes. "I guess? Ugh! I don't know!" I stammered, unable to contain my growing enthusiasm.
 
Klaus burst into laughter, his jovial tone echoing through the room. "That's what I thought!" he exclaimed, finally satisfied.