I didn't even dare look up as she walked away from me, just listened to her footsteps fade away before they were engulfed by all the noise in the cafeteria. Only after she left did I realize that I had failed to tell her of her job interview with Jack. He would be disappointed when she failed to show up but I could just tell him that she had already gotten another job or something like that. In my defense I had not asked to be the messenger in the first place. If Willow hadn't already found another job, she would sooner or later. I refused to feel guilty about ruining a possible chance of her getting a job at the arcade.

Besides she had been the one to catch me off guard. I didn't expect her to join me for lunch. I appreciated her apology, it had been a shock when she sat by me and even more surprising when she apologized. The girl already affected me when we weren't interacting, how did she expect me to behave when she addressed me directly. She had rendered me speechless so if you looked at things perspectively, it was kind of her fault.

It stung when she said that my brother and I were the same person, we could not be any more different but I hadn't proven her otherwise. Her accusation was justified so as much I wanted to be angry at her, I had no right.

I looked up and was met with a murderous glare from my brother who was seated across the cafeteria at the popular table. My little interaction with Willow was definitely the reason why his eyes were shooting invisible lasers at me. He started getting up, probably to get to me but was cut short by the ringing of the bell. I gathered up my stuff quick and high tailed out of there running to my first class of the afternoon. It was not my fault that Willow chose to talk to me but my brother would definitely not buy that excuse. I knew I would only be able to escape him for so long as we lived in the same house but I'd hold out as long as I could.

By the end of the day my thoughts were driving me crazy so I decided to head home first, get a shower and a short nap before heading to the arcade. I'd had a free period in the last class so I'd done most of my homework then.

No one was home when I arrived which to me was a good thing as I was in no mood to deal with anyone. I rushed straight up to my room for a shower. After my shower I stood infront of my bathroom mirror with a towel tied around my waist. I wiped the mirror with my palm to get rid of the mist and my face became clearer. Immediately Willow's words rang in my head.

"You know I actually thought for a second that you were different from your brother but you and him are one and the same."

Maybe she was right, Matthew and I were twins after all, born of the same womb and as much as I tried to deny it, I was probably lying to myself. I had after all hidden vital information from Willow, was rude when she was just trying to be nice and apologize. I was pathetic and the more I thought about it the more I could relate to all those names my brother called me to taunt me. Loser, coward, weirdo, freak. I was all that and Willow had seen it yet she had only known me for only a few days.

A surge of anger washed over me and before I could stop myself I slammed my fist against the mirror shattering it into a thousand pieces. My fist was bleeding but I wasn't feeling the pain. I stared at it for a few minutes willing myself to feel something, anything but came up blank. I washed up all the blood, applied disinfectant before wrapping it in gauze. It was not my first broken mirror and it would not be my last. I didn't even bother cleaning up the mess I'd made, just walked out of the bathroom to get a change of clothes. One of the maids would do it anyway when they dropped off my laundry so why bother.

I'd just finished pulling on my shoes when Matthew burst into the room, fists clenched, his chest rising up and down in anger. I didn't even bother running or making excuses because I knew what he was angry about.

"Why was Willow sitting with you at lunch?"He gritted out.

I was not about to tell him that she was apologizing as that would require me telling him that we had ran into each other at the arcade so I just shrugged. I was not about to poke the bear any more than I already had.

"Speak up you freak. What did she want from you?"He yelled fisting my hoodie and pulling me closer so that our faces were only a few inches apart.

Replying would only make him angrier so I just kept my mouth shut.

"Did you tell her anything about me? You're the one turning her against me aren't you."He spat some of his saliva landing on my face.

I almost gagged but I kept a straight face. I wanted to shout back and tell him that his behavior was the one turning Willow against him but I didn't dare open my mouth as I was avoiding a fight between us. I could handle my brother in a fight but the last time we fought, my mom grounded me for a month for giving her handsome baby boy a black eye. He was the one who started the fight and broke one of my ribs but I was the one who got into trouble.

"Listen here loser, Willow is mine so if you think that you can weasel yourself into her life then think again. If you even try to bad mouth me to her, I will make your life a living hell."He threatened shoving me back.

I stumbled but managed to catch myself before I fell. Matthew was being a dick as always but I wouldn't let him get to me. He could have Willow, I might have had a crush on her but she was not worth risking my future plans for. There would be plenty of girls to meet after I left Crescent. I just had to lay low and avoid trouble with my family while bidding my time. Matthew could do to me what he wanted for the next one year because after that I refused to be his punching bag anymore.

"Oh and before I forget, here. Make sure it's all done by morning."He demanded shoving his heavy backpack at me.

I didn't bother catching it, just let it hit my chest before falling on the floor. It was probably full of his homework which I had been doing ever since elementary school. I began doing his homework as payment for his protection from bullies while we were younger. As we grew older, Matthew became my bully and always made me do his homework. The guy was as dumb as a pile of rocks and we're it not for me, he would have been kicked off the football team for poor performance ages ago. I didn't get bullied anymore, people just ignored me as I was the uncool twin. I didn't mind it though, I hated the spotlight.

Matthew left my room without another word slamming the door on the way out. As much as Willow said we were alike, on some level I had to disagree with her,I would never bully anyone, lest alone my own blood just like my brother did. I might be rude and a little snobbish, but one thing I was not was a bully and never would be.

I needed a break so I grabbed my phone and some money before leaving my bedroom. I pulled my hood over my head to cover my face but apparently it wasn't enough to hide me from the world. Before I could walk past the Millers house a set of angry unmistakable footsteps marched towards me blocking my path. Someone was definitely plotting against me somewhere as it seemed I could not catch a break.

I tried to side step Willow but she moved with me, preventing me from leaving. I stopped trying to escape and looked up to meet her gaze. The anger I saw behind those amber eyes was nothing compared to the disappointment that fleeted across for a second before being masked by the anger once more. In that moment I knew that she had found out about the job offer from Jack and my lack of providing her with that piece of information. I braced myself for the outburst that I knew was coming and she did not disappoint.

"I actually wanted you to prove me wrong, that you weren't a dick like your twin but oh no, you didn't even try. I even felt a little bit guilty for my outburst at lunch but guess what, not anymore. You Matthias are even more selfish and self centered than your brother. Thanks for telling me about the job at the arcade. At least someone out there is actually looking out for me otherwise I would never have gotten the job. Goodbye prick. See you never."She shouted furiously before turning on her heel and leaving me standing alone on the street.

Her words hurt moreso from the fact that she had called me Matthias when I'd specifically told her that I preferred Henry. She had probably done it to spite me and make me feel bad. Well kudos to her because it worked.

It took a few seconds to gain momentum again but with each step I took the guilt I felt kept gnawing away at me. I was happy that Willow had gotten the job even without my help but she was right, I had wronged her. I wanted to make it right and maybe apologize but there was the little factor of my brother staking his claim on her. If I went anywhere near Willow and my brother found out, he would make good on his promise and make my life a living hell. According to him, it was all sunshine and rainbows and the moment so I would hate to find out what hell felt like. As much as I felt guilty about disappointing Willow, there was a lot at stake. I could live with my guilt but I would not do anything to jeopardize my freedom so Willow would just have to keep hating me. It stung but it was better than risking my brother's wrath.

When I got to the arcade I found a very jovial Jack whistling as he put away a new shipment of comic books. His interview with Willow must have gone pretty well to put him in such high spirits. It was nice seeing him so happy.

"Henry my boy. How are you this fine evening?"Jack asked.

"Not as good as you definitely."I replied with a chuckle.

"I'm happy because for the first time in months I actually have hope for this place. Willow passed by after school, we got talking and I offered her the job. She has a lot of good ideas which I hope will turn this place around."Jack explained excitedly.

"That's good, I'm happy for you Jack."I replied.

"Speaking of, she told me that you didn't tell her I wanted to see her. Weren't you at school today?"He inquired.

I had hoped that question wouldn't come up but it had meaning I had to find a way to lie to Jack so he didn't see me like a jerk too. I already had enough people hate me for the day, I at least wanted one person who wouldn't be against me.

"I was but you know first days are all hectic and stuff. We also didn't have any classes together."I excused fumbling over my words.

I didn't lie but I didn't tell him the whole truth either.

"That's okay, the main thing is that she came and I gave her the job."Jack assured me.

"Yeah."I mumbled still disappointed in myself.

"I know what you're thinking, a girl working here, very uncommon but I have a good feeling about this. And besides you know this place almost as well as I do. You two can be friends and work together to improve the arcade except you won't get paid but she will."Jack pointed out with a laugh.

I didn't laugh with him because his words registered in my brain. Willow and I would be in the same place daily after school and on weekends. It's would be so much harder to avoid her seeing as she was at the one place I loved most. I could not stop coming to the arcade or avoid seeing her, the arcade was only so big. That only meant one thing, I was screwed, so screwed if my brother found out. Good thing was that he would never be caught dead at the arcade so I was safe at the moment but for how much longer.

"Henry do you mind locking up tonight, I've got to pick up a few things from the store."Jack requested.

"Yeah, of course."I replied.

He retrieved the keys from his pocket and handed them to me.

"Thanks kid. Leave them under the fire extinguisher when you leave. Not that anyone would try to break in anyway."Jack instructed.

"I would."I joked.

"True."He replied laughing.

After gathering all his stuff, Jack said his goodbyes and left. I was all alone and instead of feeling lonely, I felt at peace. The only person I could rely on truly was myself so I found comfort in being on my own. Sure it got lonely sometimes but that feeling never lasted long. It was better to be alone than to be betrayed by those I held dear.

Jack was a good friend and in some ways I could depend on him but I never let him see the ugly sides of me. To him I was just a nerd obsessed with vintage games. That was all I ever allowed him to see because I didn't want to loose the only friend I had in world because of all the problems in my life even if he was a forty year old man.

After a few hours, darkness set in and I could no longer avoid going home. I had my douchebags brother assignment's to do and some coding to complete. My first day of being a senior was complete hell and I didn't expect it to get better. I had been living in hell my whole life anyway so it was just another normal day to me. I thought that my final year of high school would fly by but if twelve hours felt like twelve years then what would eight months feel like? In the end it was all going to be worth it though, all I had to do was hold on a little longer. I had been patient for seventeen years, I would definitely survive eight months. I just had to.