CLARK
Klaus and I had always been competitive when it came to video games. We spent countless hours at the local arcade, battling it out in various virtual worlds. Tonight, however, things took an unexpected turn.
 
As we stood in front of the Street Fighter machine, I found myself staring blankly at the screen, my mind miles away. Klaus eagerly chose Ryu, his signature character, while I remained motionless, not even bothering to select my fighter. Unbeknownst to me, my lack of focus was about to cost me the match.
 
With lightning-fast reflexes, Klaus launched a flurry of attacks, flawlessly executing combos that would've impressed even professional gamers. It was a spectacle to behold, and yet I couldn't muster a single response. My fingers remained idle on the arcade buttons, devoid of any intention to fight back. To my surprise, Klaus emerged victorious, his character delivering the final blow.
 
"Hey, are you okay?" I went back to my senses when my twin brother, Klaus, interrupted me. He stood there, concern etched across his face, which was hit with the purple hue of the neon lights of the arcade.
 
I blinked, trying to gather my thoughts. The sounds of the arcade machines and the chatter of the crowd overwhelmed my senses for a moment. "Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, forcing a smile. But Klaus knew me too well to accept that answer.
 
He sighed, his eyes searching mine for any signs of deception. "Clark, you've been acting strange lately. Are you thinking about Erin again?" I knew Klaus would ask me that, so I just rolled my eyes at him, chuckling.
 
I hesitated, unsure if I should open up about the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. Klaus had always been my rock and my confidant. Growing up as twins, we shared every secret, every joy, and every fear. And now, as an adult, I trusted him to understand.
 
"No, Klaus, it's not that, and what makes you say that?" I manage to utter, trying to brush off his concern even though I know it's a lie.
"Your face says so, and yeah, I can read minds, especially yours," He added most sarcastically. His unspoken abilities had always intrigued me, but I had never fully believed in them. But today, as he casually mentioned my thoughts about Erin, my interest turned into an uneasy fascination. How had he managed to penetrate the fortress of my mind?
 
Suppressing my surprise, I fought to maintain a calm facade. I shrugged my shoulders, avoiding Klaus's piercing gaze. Denying his speculation would be futile. Besides, it was true. I had been thinking about Erin, and my feelings for her consumed my thoughts more often than I cared to admit. The forbidden allure of our connection haunted me like a haunting melody.
 
Klaus chuckled, clearly relishing the discomfort he had caused me. "Ah, young love. So predictable," he mused, his tone tinged with a mixture of amusement and something deeper I couldn't quite decipher.
 
It had been weeks since that fateful day, the day I foolishly tried to avoid Erin. But try as I might, I simply couldn't get her out of my mind. Our connection had become inexplicably stronger after that unexpected kiss, leaving me feeling unsteady and more attached to her than I'd ever thought possible. The mere thought of her being with someone else, especially Jacob, ignited a flame of jealousy within me that threatened to consume my every thought.
 
Erin had always been an enigma to me, a puzzle waiting to be solved. She possessed an undeniable charm and a mischievous sparkle in her eyes that bewitched me in some way. I had watched her from a distance, apprehensive of my growing feelings. But that one stolen moment changed everything.
 
Jacob, with his sudden change of behavior and captivating smile, had become my rival in this unspoken competition for Erin's attention. He seemed to effortlessly waltz into her life, making her laugh and capturing her heart without even trying. Perhaps it was the pang of jealousy that urged me to action—to confront this simmering rivalry head-on. It should've been me doing those things with her, not Jacob.
 
But is this love?
"Tell me, were you like this when you found out that you were in love with Charles?" I asked, a playful smirk forming on my face.
 
Klaus' eyes widened briefly, and his cheeks flushed the faintest shade of pink. He looked away, feigning disinterest. "Seriously, Clark?" he replied, his annoyance evident as he raised an eyebrow.
 
I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. "Oh, come on, just tell me!" I pestered, determined to uncover his secret.
 
Clark let out a resigned sigh, giving in to my persistence. "Fine, fine," he muttered.
 
"When I found out that I was in love with Charles, I freaked out because I did not know what to do," he confessed, his voice laced with vulnerability.
 
"But later on, my courage gave me strength, and then boom! We're dating now!" He added, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
 
I couldn't help but burst into laughter, relieved by my brother's response. It was our typical banter, and familiarity washed over us, grounding us in their shared upbringing.
 
"Of all the times to use your sarcasm, Klaus, this has got to be the worst!" I chuckled, slapping my brother playfully on the arm. "I wasn't kidding about Charles, you goofball!" And then we both laughed.
 
"Wait, is that Erin?" I stopped laughing as soon as I heard Erin's name and saw Klaus looking behind me. Intrigued, I turned to follow Klaus's gaze, and as I did, my heart plummeted, witnessing the worst sight of the night. From a distance, Erin's infectious laughter filled the bowling alley. Her eyes gleamed with joy as she aimed the bowling ball towards the pins, her movements graceful and skillful. Jacob stood beside her, matching her enthusiasm with his vibrant energy. They appeared to be in sync—a perfect dance of camaraderie and laughter. It was evident to onlookers that they were enjoying each other's company so much.
 
"Are they on a date?" I pondered, unable to tear my eyes away from the charming duo.
"What an eyesore, Klaus; let's go," I said, my frustration evident in my voice. As I was about to turn to Klaus, prepared to express my desire to avoid this peculiar couple, I was rendered speechless. Klaus was already approaching them. Even worse, he was talking to Erin.
 
A knot formed in my stomach as I watched them converse. Klaus's eyes twinkled with genuine interest, and his usually bashful demeanor was replaced with mischief. Erin, on the other hand, seemed equally enthralled, her laughter filling the air as they shared animated stories.
 
"Fucking Idiot!" I murmured as I was about to walk away. My frustration was reaching its boiling point. I could feel my annoyance bubbling up inside me, threatening to explode. But just as I was about to storm off, I heard Klaus calling my name.
 
Reluctantly, I stopped clinching my fist and cursed his name a few times before begrudgingly turning to face them from a distance.
 
I felt a mix of confusion and annoyance as Klaus's eyes locked onto mine and his finger extended, pointing directly at me. My heart sank, knowing that Erin and Jacob had also noticed his gaze and were now turning their attention towards me. Their smiles widened, almost as if they were relishing the discomfort it caused me.
 
Reluctantly, I raised my hand, giving them a half-hearted wave. I couldn't help but wonder what Klaus was up to and why he seemed so eager to draw Erin's attention to me.
As they continued their conversation, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping over me. Klaus was known for his mischievous nature, and the sight of his goofy smile only heightened my anxiety. What was he up to? My mind raced with speculations, but nothing concrete came to mind. All I knew was that I didn't feel right about whatever he had planned.
 
Erin, oblivious to my growing apprehension, remained engaged in their discussion. She continued to nod her head, seemingly agreeing with Klaus's every word. I wanted to interrupt to warn her about his antics, but curiosity held me back. I was torn between protecting her and satisfying my curiosity.
 
Finally, Klaus excused himself from Erin's side and started making his way towards me. As he approached, his eyes twinkling mischievously, I couldn't help but gulp nervously. My imagination ran wild with possibilities, each scenario more absurd than the last.
 
"Dude, what the hell are you doing?" I whispered to him as soon as he reached me. He was grinning mischievously, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Ignoring my concern, he just chuckled and tapped me lightly on the shoulders three times before simply saying, "I just asked them if they mind us bowling with them, and they both said no and that they'd be glad hanging out with us, so let's go."
 
I stared at him, dumbfounded by his audacity.
ERIN
The moment I saw Clark, my heart skipped a beat. I never expected to see him here, especially not with his twin brother, Klaus. A whirlwind of emotions filled me, from surprise to excitement to a flicker of hope. I couldn't help but wonder if this encounter meant that he wasn't mad at me anymore.
 
It had been weeks since Clark started avoiding me, and the tension hung heavy between us. We had exchanged glances and brief moments of acknowledgment, but our communication had been limited to polite greetings, avoiding any conversation that dredged up our unresolved issues.
 
As Klaus and I sat at our table, munching on our snacks, our attention was captivated by the sight of Jacob and Clark bowling together. The clattering of pins echoed throughout the bowling alley, mingling with the cheerful chatter of other patrons.
 
"Erin, can I ask you a question?" Klaus asked, his voice filled with curiosity. I turned to look at him with a puzzled expression, wondering what he was about to inquire about.
 
"Sure, Klaus. What's on your mind?" I replied, trying to brace myself for whatever he was about to throw my way.
 
Klaus hesitated for a moment, then pointed his finger towards me and Jacob. "Are you two dating or something?" he blurted out, his eyes widening with anticipation. The question caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but chuckle at his straightforwardness.
"No, Klaus, we're not dating; we're just friends and nothing more," I replied in my most defensive tone, and Klaus simply nodded his head in response. Why does everyone think that Jacob and I are dating? We barely know each other!
 
Suddenly Jacob came to our table and happily said, "Come on guys, let's have some fun!" His voice was tinged with amusement.
 
Klaus merely shrugged his shoulders before standing up. He chuckled and said, "I love the enthusiasm. Lead the way, Jacob."
 
Jacob's eyes lit up, and a mischievous grin stretched across his face. "Don't forget about the bet, m'lady," he reminded me, winking at me playfully.
 
Rolling my eyes with a smile, I stood up, ready to take on the challenge. "Just watch, Mr. Jock," I said, my voice filled with confidence. "Then show me what you've got," he replied.
 
I smiled as I watched Jacob step up to the bowling lane with a determined look in his eyes. I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement, ready to unleash my inner bowler.
 
But as I stood there, ready to take my turn, something caught my attention. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Clark glancing in my direction, or rather, his gaze fixated on me. It was a peculiar sight; his eyes were filled with a mix of curiosity and recognition. It was as if he had seen something within me that I didn't even know existed.
 
A slight uneasiness crept up within me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that Clark knew something I didn't. I wondered if he had figured out a secret or stumbled upon a hidden truth that I had so effortlessly hidden from the world. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I found myself struggling to concentrate on the game at hand.
 
With a deep breath, I tried to push these thoughts aside and focus on my turn. I rolled the ball down the lane, the sound of its grumbling echoing through the bowling alley. The pins stood tall and unwavering, waiting for the inevitable collision.
 
As I watched the ball roll down the lane, I stole a glance at Clark. His attention had shifted back to the game, and it seemed as if my concerns were baseless. Maybe I was just imagining things, letting my paranoid thoughts get the better of me.
 
But before I could dismiss it entirely, something unexpected happened. The ball, seemingly defying gravity, veered towards the edge of the lane, on the verge of missing the pins completely. In that split second, as my heart skipped a beat, Clark's eyes met mine.
...
As the gentle breeze brushed against my cheek, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness tugging at my heart. The bowling session had been filled with laughter and entertainment, but now the silence of the night enveloped me, amplifying my thoughts. The twins, Klaus and Clark, had bid us farewell, adhering to the stern rule of their curfew. We waved them off, their playful banter lingering in the air.
 
Jacob had offered to drive me back home. However, as we arrived at my doorstep, we found ourselves hesitant to part ways. With a glance at my watch, I realized that it was still too early to step inside the house. The night held a certain magic that whispered in the darkness, urging us to seize the moment.
 
We decided to lie down in front of Jacob's car, gazing upward at the vast expanse of the night sky. The stars twinkled above us, casting their mystical glow upon our faces. It was a peaceful night, with the moon shining brightly, lending an ethereal aura to the surroundings.
 
Watching the constellations scintillate, my mind wandered to Clark. Back at the arcade, the neon lights flickered and cast colorful shadows on the bowling lanes. As we laced up our brightly colored bowling shoes, Every time Jacob tried to touch or talk to me, Clark would shoot him these odd glares and piercing glances.
 
At first, I dismissed it as a passing mood, thinking Clark might be preoccupied with something else. However, as the night wore on, his behavior became increasingly unsettling. The way he looked at Jacob, it was as if he was silently plotting his demise, simmering with anger and jealousy.
 
I went back to my senses when Jacob said, "So what now, m'lady? You lost the game," he teased, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. I chuckled, shaking my head in good-natured defeat. It was true. Jacob had just defeated me in a game of bowling, and I couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed and embarrassed.
"Shut up, it's embarrassing!" I said, my cheeks are flushing with humiliation. I couldn't help but laugh, although it was more of a nervous chuckle. Just moments before, I had confidently challenged Jacob to a bet, so sure of my victory. But now, with his triumphant grin and mocking laughter, I couldn't help but feel like a complete fool.
 
We both laughed and then silence enveloped us as we continued to watch the stars.
 
"Erin, there's something I wanted to tell you," he stated. Intrigued, I slightly got up, leaning my elbows on the car's surface, and looked at him, trying to read the emotions playing across his face.
 
"Do you remember when I told you I'd changed?" He asked, his voice filled with sincerity. I could feel the weight of his question pressing against my chest, making it hard to breathe. Nervously, I nodded my head in response, unsure of what to say.
 
"It's true, Erin," he continued, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions. "After I found out that Billie is a brother of mine, I started to see things differently."
 
My mind raced with confusion. His sister, Billie? My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Wait, you mean your sister, Billie Huffman? I'm so confused right now."
 
He nodded, a mix of frustration and bewilderment evident on his face. "Yes, exactly! But it turns out, Billie is no longer a woman, Erin; he's just like you. He started his transition when he moved to France."
 
My eyes widened, surprise washing over me. Oh my God! Billie is a man now? I'm so happy for him!
"I just found out when he came home for the holidays, and the worst part is that my whole family knows about his transition except me. I was angry but Billie talked to me; he didn't tell me sooner because he thought I wouldn't accept him as my brother and that he knows how homophobic and transphobic I am. Then I realized, maybe the problem was not you guys, maybe it was me?" After he said that, he looked at me and smiled.
 
"That night at the party," he began, his words barely reaching her ears over the music. "I was meant to apologize to you because I realized that I was being such a dick towards you and your friends."
 
I winced at the raw honesty in Jacob's voice. The memories of that night stirred within me, but I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
 
"Then I saw you in that sparkling dress right in the crowd. You don't know how badly I want to say this, so I'll just say it now. You looked gorgeous even now. I wanted to apologize, not because I wanted to make myself better, but to make you feel that I wanted to become a better person worthy of your attention." I was stunned and speechless because of what he said. There's a lot to take in, and my head is not working properly. He got up and stared directly into my eyes.
 
His words echoed through my mind, causing a jumble of emotions to surge within me. Confusion, attraction, and a hint of vulnerability mixed, leaving me uncertain of how to respond. As I returned his gaze, searching for any signs of insincerity or ulterior motive, I couldn't help but notice the intensity behind his eyes. It was as if all his words were coming from a place of deep honesty and a genuine desire for self-improvement.
"I like you, Erin," he whispered, his voice barely audible. But as quickly as my elation surged, a wave of confusion crashed over me.
 
"But Jacob, you just got kicked out of the rugby team because of me," I blurted out, my eyebrows furrowing in disbelief. I had never expected this twist in our story.
 
Jacob's expression shifted from a playful smile to one of concern. "Who told you that?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry. His eyes searched mine, desperately seeking the truth hidden within them.
 
"Kenzo told me," I replied hesitantly. "And there are also rumors about you at school."
 
Jacob's face fell, and he sighed. "I should have known he would spread rumors," he muttered under his breath, his frustration palpable.
 
"I wasn't kicked off; I quit the team for a reason besides that I don't want to be associated with people like Kenzo and Coach anymore; they're the worst," he said, rolling his eyes, so I chuckled.
"I'm happy I'd get to witness this character development thing of yours, huh?" I jokingly said, breaking the silence that enveloped us. We both chuckled a familiar sound that made me feel at ease.
 
His eyes met mine, and there was a glimmer of understanding within them. "You should get inside, Erin," he said gently, and I nodded in response.
 
"And you should go home too; it's getting late now." He smiled and nodded his head in response. I turned my back to him, making my way to the porch. My hand grazed the doorknob, ready to step inside, but before I could, he called my name.
 
"Erin!" Jacob's voice held a sense of urgency, causing me to turn and face him once more. There was a mixture of vulnerability and determination in his eyes that caught me off guard.
 
"Yes?" I responded, my heart pounding, unsure of what was about to follow.
 
"I know I'm a bit early, but will you go to prom with me?" he asked, staring directly into my eyes. His voice was confident yet gentle as if he already knew the answer lay within the depths of my soul.
 
Those eyes reminded me of Clark's when he kissed me at the party. Clark was the man who tread through the corridors of my mind, his presence embedded in my memories.
 
My heart skipped a beat, and a wave of excitement washed over me. The world seemed to stand still at that moment. Jacob closed the distance between us, walking closer, his presence enveloping me. The anticipation built with every step he took.
 
The smile that had never left my lips widened, and I nodded, barely able to contain my joy. "Yes, Jacob. I would love to go to prom with you." We exchanged glances at each other for a while, our eyes conveying a mix of excitement and nervousness. There was no denying the connection that had grown between us over the past few weeks. It was undeniable—an unspoken attraction that had been bubbling beneath the surface.
 
But before I knew it, as Jacob leaned in closer, closing the distance between us, his lips brushed against mine, and just as I was about to let go of my doubts and give in to the moment, an unexpected image flashed across my mind. It was Clark. His bright blue eyes, gentle demeanor, and infectious laughter filled my thoughts, putting a halt to the whirlwind of emotions between Jacob and me.