CHAPTER 3

 The rays of sunlight beaming through my window was enough to get me out of bed and inform me that my shitty alarm didn't go off. I glanced at the clock and realised I barely had twenty-five minutes to make it to school. I tumble out of the bed, landing on the floor with a thud. 

 With narrowed eyes, I storm to my sister's room and see she had already left. The sound of the car taking off in the driveway was enough to alert me that she had ditched me and gone to school alone. I swear I'd rather be an only child than have that witch for a twin.

 Without wasting a second, I sprint to the bathroom. I hastily brush my teeth, dropping some toothpaste on my shirt in the process. I take off my clothes and hop in the shower for a quick bath. Drying off my body and putting on the first pair of jeans and hoodie I see, I run downstairs to grab a bite. 

 I glare at my parents sat on the kitchen island having breakfast who just look at me and don't acknowledge my existence, then gulp down some orange juice straight from the carton.

 "That's so inappropriate Ava!". Oh, now she speaks to me. I remember last night, look at her and flip her off, then dash out of the house. My foot got caught in the cord of my phone charger and I stumble down a few steps. I let out an exasperated sigh and silently pray my day gets better.

 I debate on whether to ride my bike to school or run down to the bus stop and try to catch the bus, since Megan left me stranded by taking our car. I silently cuss at her and make a mental note to pay her back for that. I unchain my bike from the garage and ride as fast as I can to school. There's no hope arriving early but for the sake of attendance, I can't skip today. 

 My school comes into view and I hop off the bike, not caring to secure it, and sprint to my first period.

 "So kind of you to finally join us." My economics teacher drawls looking at me through his glasses. I smile sheepishly and head to the back, settling in the seat between my two best friends, Chiz and Kamara. 

 "Megan ditch you again?" Chiz whispered. I nod my head yes and rest my head on the desk in an attempt to recover from the stress of this morning. The day just began and I am already anxiously waiting for it to end.

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 Megan and I are twins but do not share the same birthday. We were born a whole week and a half apart, which is a whole phenomenon I am yet to actually fully understand. We had a good relationship initially growing up, but at about seven years old, all her actions towards me began being out of hate and I could never understand the switch up.

 The only thing that makes it evident that Meg and I are sisters are our skin and hair colour. We both have dark brown hair that cascades down our back in curls. I have dark brown eyes and sharp defining features, while Meg has hazel eyes and soft, doll-like features.

 I genuinely can't wait for this senior year to be over so that I can go to college and start a new life, away from my lousy excuse for a family. I am fantasizing about how exciting college will be when the shrill sound of the school bell snaps me out of my reverie, indicating lunch break. I pack up my stuff and leave class with Chiz and Kamara, keeping my eye out for Megan. I spot her at her locker and charge towards her. 

 "You bitch! How can you not wake me and even go ahead to ditch me knowing that we share a car?!" Hatred seeps through each word as I glare at her. It takes all my self-control to not give her a slap that will wipe off the smirk from her face.

 "Next time get up early Ava!" She chirps in the most sickening sweet tone. I close my eyes and mentally count to five to calm myself down, then turn around to walk away, but not before slapping her phone out of her hand letting it fall to the ground.

 The sound of it hitting the floor and cracking causes a satisfactory smile to appear on my face, and my friends and I head towards the cafeteria, Meg screaming profanities at me in the distance.

 The smell of the cafeteria food hits my nose and causes a wave of nausea to ripple through my body. I tell my friends I'm going to skip lunch and immediately head out of the cafeteria, making my way through the hallways in a bid to get to the roof of the school.

 I look around to make sure no one is following me and I hoist myself up the ladder leading to the out-of-service door which in turn led to the roof, then sit down at the edge of it, my feet dangling lazily in the air. I reach into my bag pack and grab my lighter and pack of cigarettes. I deserve a little smoke after the kind of morning I just had.

 As I stare into the distance, I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the sound of shuffling coming from behind the door to the roof. It sounds like someone was coming up the ladder. 

 "Shit!", I muttered, putting out the cigarette and stuffing everything I brought out into my bag. I go to hide behind one of the vents, trying to make out the person who found this place. People hardly ever come here so it's strange that someone did. 

 I see a face that I am not familiar with. A tall, dark-skinned man dressed in all black steps unto the roof, looking around like he was sent to look for someone. I scan over his body and am impressed by the intricate tattoo design which enveloped the whole sleeve of his left arm. His face though held the expression of unapproachability, and I can't help but wonder what he was doing here. He definitely wasn't a student.

 After standing at the entrance for about a minute, he speaks into what seems like a walkie talkie.

"Not here." He said gruffly into the speaker of the device. I cannot help but laugh silently, questioning if he thought this was a spy kids movie or some shit.

 He leaves and I wait for a few minutes to make sure I'm in the clear, then head out as well. As I try to make my way down the ladder, I feel heavy arms grab me and circle my waist. Before I can even scream or call out for help, one of the hands clamp my mouth down with a damp rag, and slowly, everything fades into darkness.