The Gemini Reign

I ran faster, harder, trying to stay ahead of the others. To show them I’m better. That they should stay away, it was for their good and mine. Right?

She said I didn’t work well with others. Thank you for stating the obvious.

“Why don’t you try harder?” she asked. Going to the school counselor was enough but being told you weren’t trying was not cool. I told myself I didn’t care but was that true?

No, I didn’t need the answer to that.

Instead, I ran faster, letting the air push against me. Letting all of my thoughts and worries fly into the wind.

“Avery!” I heard my name called from behind me. I skidded to a stop and turned around. They—we, I supposed— had stopped. Everyone was looking at me. My cheeks burned from embarrassment. Hopefully, they would think it was from the running.

Why did I do this to myself?

I sprinted back to where everyone was standing by the bleachers on the side of the big, black track that we were running on during p.e.

I didn’t have any friends, and I didn’t know anyone, so I changed as quickly as possible and went to my next appointment.

Honestly, I wasn’t listening, but I didn’t need to be called out. Thank you very much.

“Avery, I am talking to you. Are you listening?” Ms. Cornelius’s expression was annoyed. With her blue eyes and red hair, she looked familiar. Too familiar. I focused my eyes on the lava lamp behind her.

Ms. Cornelius was the school’s Guidance Counselor.

“I am so sorry, I blacked out for a while,” I droll.

“No problem, I said that I think you should join the track team,” she said, slightly narrowing her eyes at the sarcasm. I doubt she even had to move a muscle before me. Except, of course, everyone here was perfect and rich; they wouldn’t need counseling.

“I don’t want to be on the track team, Ms. Cornelius.”

“It was just a suggestion,” she said with a defensive tone. Finally, the shrill ringing of the bell sounded, and I asked her, “Can I leave now?”

“Yes, of course, we wouldn’t want you to be late for your next class, would we?” she answered.

I hated the way she said we like she was coming with me. Not that I wanted her to. We already met twice a day. I hated our meetings, so extending them to being with her all day would be a nightmare.

“Okay then, bye,” I said, relieved. I gathered my stuff and headed to my next class, English. Though I wouldn’t admit it if anyone asked, English was my favorite subject. It was the only period I was excited about besides the free period.

I walked into class, and all the talking abruptly stopped. The classroom was small compared to some of my classes yesterday—It was my second day of school. It had 6 rows and 4 columns of desks. The walls were bare except for a poster with a bunch of classroom norms and two big windows set with white blinds on the far sidewall. I glanced at the chalkboard and rolled my eyes. Who still used those anyway?

Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at me in the doorway. I should have been embarrassed or annoyed, but I was just weirded out that the students looked closed off. I wasn’t complaining; they should be. That way, I wouldn’t make any mistakes, like making friends.

The teacher spoke first, “Ah, welcome, Ms. Adam,” I winced at my last name. The same name they had—my parents.

“It’s Avery.” I blurted out.

“Huh?” The teacher responded, confused.

“My name.”

“Yes, I am aware.”

“Well, then use it.” I spit out.

“Excuse me?” He raised his eyebrows.

“You’re excused.”

I heard gasps. All of the students were looking at me, but this time, with disgust. Confused, I discreetly looked down at my clothing. I wore black jeans, combat boots, and a white sweater. My blonde hair was up and away from my face in a ponytail. The one thing I couldn’t check was my black eyeliner and mascara. Walking through the rows of desks, I took a seat in the third row to pay attention still and not look too eager to learn.

“Well then, Ms. Avery, we were just starting class, so grab a book out of the shelf to your right.” My head jerked up at the ease in his voice after I had disrespected him in front of the whole class. I stood up and walked over to grab a book.

The cover was beautiful, with streaks of metallic blue, dark red, and purple.

Wait ….it had no title or author’s name? Maybe on the inside?

“Avery?”

“Huh? Oh um, I…sorry,” I headed back to my seat, hating how I sounded so vulnerable. The class continued, but as the bell rang and I started to leave the classroom, I was called back.

“Avery, wait up!” Oh no. I knew that I wouldn’t be let off so easily for disrespecting a teacher.

I stopped and turned around, walking back to his desk. “If you were not aware, I am Mr. Cedar. I wasn’t sure since I didn’t get to introduce myself earlier properly,” He looked like he was in his early thirties, with glasses, brown hair, and brown eyes.

He wore a white button-up shirt tucked into his gray slacks with a dark blue blazer. He looked down at a folder laid out on his desk.

“I did,” I said, lying.

“Oh, well, I have seen your record, and your reading level is astonishing,” he said, lifting his head to look at me.

I had to hold back from squirming underneath his knowing gaze. Trying for nonchalance, I said, “Okay.”

“Well?” He said as if I hadn’t answered a question even though he didn’t ask me one.

“I’m not sure what you’re asking?”

He raised an eyebrow. “How much have you read of the book we are going over?”

Though inside I was freaking out, I replied with a simple, “A lot.” He gave me a knowing look. How could he know?

“Fine. I finished the book.” I deflected the attention off myself, “Why wasn’t there any title? Or the author’s name?”

“Why do you need a title? What does it have to do with the content inside?” he said, his voice sounded almost annoyed.

I didn’t know if he was actually asking me or testing me. I decided on the former because of his tense demeanor.

“I don’t know? Every book has a title. Aren’t you an English teacher? All English teachers say that the title is important.”

“I am not a typical English teacher. I wrote that book,” he answered with a smile. Though he still sounded a bit nervous.

“Really?” I was stunned.

“Yes, and here, a late slip for your next class.”

“Thanks!” I still had so many questions, but I was already late. Still, I had a feeling Mr. Cedar was going to be a favorite. Now I knew why those students were disgusted earlier. No one degraded a teacher this cool.

As the day went on, I was dreading my next meeting with Ms. Cornelius. I knew she would ask me about my day and insist on me joining an extracurricular activity. I must have zoned out because I bumped into something…or should I say, someone.

“Ow, watch where you’re going!”.

She had big brown eyes, strawberry blonde hair, a purple outfit, and a designer tote. There were two girls beside her; one had straight black hair and blue eyes, and the other had bright, wavy dyed-blue hair and brown eyes. I must have been staring at “Purple” because she looked at me with narrowed eyes and said something that shocked me, “Are you the new girl? The one who sees Ms. Cornelius?”

No one was supposed to know. How did she know?

She didn’t know why. Breathe, Avery.

That eased the panic in me. I cooled my features as “purple’s” demeanor showed sympathy and pity. I didn’t have time for this.

“I know how miserable you are, so don’t think you have power over me with a simple fact,” with that remark, I walked past her and her shocked and confused expression. I heard her talk to her friends, “Who does that girl think she is?”

“I don’t know?” Blue hair replied.

“Ooh, is she someone famous?” the other girl said, excited.

“Ugh, you’re so annoying!” she shrieked, then stomped away to her next class.

“Avery, Avery?”

I didn’t realize someone was calling me until I felt a tug on my shirt.

I turned, surprised to see the girl who sat in front of me in English. She had straight thin brown hair that went down to her skinny shoulders. She wore an off the shoulder bright orange sweater that hung down to her hips as if it were a size bigger. Her silky navy blue skirt was loose around her ankles. Her slight tan did nothing to cover a collection of freckles on her small, upturned nose and her green eyes looked at me with curiosity.

“Hi!”

“Hello,” I said blankly.

“I’m Beck, short for Re-becc-a,” she said.

“Okay.”

“Oh yeah, I know your name, Avery, right?”

“Yeah, I got to get to class, so…”

“Okay, um …yeah sure,” she moved out of my way.

I didn’t mean to be rude, but I would have been late for counseling. I hated to admit it, but it was entertaining.

I knocked on Ms. Cornelius’s door and waited for her to call out. When she didn’t respond, I pushed the door open, walked up to her desk, and saw the note.

Be back in a few. Wait for me in the chair, Avery. Don’t touch anything, I’ll know.

-Ms. Cornelius

I ignored her efforts to keep me from snooping as I took a sweep of the room. It was any mood you wanted it to be because of the large lava lamp in the corner, resting on top of the white shelf. On the wall above the white shelf was a collage of inspiring words. The room turned yellow as my gaze turned to the succulents resting in baskets, which were hanging from the ceiling. I turned to the two big fluffy chairs that were the focal point of the room.

I glanced back at her desk in the corner, seemingly not necessary, when my eye caught the various picture frames on it. I examined them, and one had a man with his arm around her. They were on the beach. Their red hair was sparkling in the sun, both of them smiling. I moved to the next, which showed her holding a newborn, smiling down at him, with another woman who wrapped her arms around them. Her head was buried in Ms. Cornelius’s shoulder, so I couldn’t see her face, but her red hair was eerily similar to Ms. Cornelius’s. They all seemed to be family.

“My nephew.” I jumped in surprise when I heard her voice. I didn’t notice Ms. Cornelius watching me in the door frame. It was kind of creepy. “I thought I told you not to touch anything?”

I replied with, “Technically, I didn’t touch anything.”

“I also told you to wait for me in the chair.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not exactly known for my ability to follow directions. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here, would I?”

“That’s not why you are here,” she said.

“I know exactly why I am here.”

“I am sure you do,” she said, her voice laced with—well, I didn’t know, but it wasn’t good. She moved to sit in one of the fluffy chairs, and I followed. Of course, I wanted to say sarcastically, but I bit back my retort. Instead, I sat down in the chair obediently and stayed quiet, waiting for her to start pestering me about life, college, and sports.

But before she said anything else, she asked me, “Are you okay?” Concern shone in her eyes, and I regretted my decision to stay quiet. I didn’t want her to care about me. I didn’t need her to. If Justin didn’t, then she shouldn’t either. I went through the rest of the session, trying to act normal. If only I knew what that was.

“Okay, times up.” Ms. Cornelius announced. I gathered my things and said goodbye.

Once the school day was over, I walked to the school’s main door, but before I could get to it, the door opened. Someone came in. He was wearing a black leather jacket over a white t-shirt and blue jeans. He had clean-cut blonde hair and striking blue eyes that bore into me, his usually straight nose scrunched up, and his mouth turned down in annoyance.

Justin.

I looked up at him slowly. He glared at me for a minute, then suddenly said, “Let’s go.”

He grabbed my arm and pulled me outside and into the parking lot, in front of his black car. Though before he could open the door, I got over my initial shock.

“Hey!” I pulled my hand from his. “What do you think you’re doing? You can’t just take me anywhere!”

“Yes, I can,” he shouted, “Come on!”

My heart was pounding as I stepped away from him in slow, small steps, hoping he wouldn’t notice. But he did.

“You can’t run. Get in the car,” he said in a calm menacing voice, speaking in a lower voice, realizing everyone around us was watching us.

But before he could make another grab for me, I ran. He was too fast, though, and caught me. He tried to pull me, but I wouldn’t budge.

“Where were you planning on going?” He said, clearly frustrated.

“You would like to know, wouldn’t you?” I said, instead.

“You! My patience is wearing thin, Avery!” he said through gritted teeth.

He gave up on pulling me and just tightened his grip on my arm, knowing I would run the moment he let go. I gasped as my hand started to numb, and I knew I would have bruises later.

“I was going home!” I yelled, the pain getting worse.

He loosened his grip and said, “Where did you think I was taking you?” He said back, exasperated.

“Is everything okay?” A short, stout man came up to us.

“Yes, everything’s fine,” Justin said politely to the man.

I didn’t say anything, and Justin and the man turned to me.

“Is everything okay?” The man asked again. A small crowd was now surrounding us.

I knew Justin was a bit rough, but it was my fault. I shouldn’t have left this morning without telling him. I jolted into action, “Oh, I’m okay!” I smiled brightly.

The small crowd moved away, convinced by my shiny smile. I turned to Justin, my smile slipping away from the look on his face. He looked scary, his eyebrows furrowed and mouth in a sneer, his nose flared.

He started pulling again, and I went with him. I stayed quiet as he opened the door to his car, but when I didn’t move to get in, he threatened to make a scene, and I hopped in. Once he got in the car, I turned and glared at him. He just smiled at me and put the car into drive.