LYRA*

While I have made attempts at dating, my track record hasn’t been the best. The troubles began two years ago when Vega and I went on a double-date with a couple of guys from our local high school, and since then my dating and relationship experiences have been nothing short of none existent.

Harrison and Landon had to listen to our father rant before taking us anywhere. He wanted us to stay put until he expressed his thoughts, as he wasn’t pleased about our dating. Luckily, our mother stepped in and calmed him down, begging him to be lenient with our dates. We were grateful for her support, especially since she had plans to go to the hospital later. Even though she was on call, she refused to miss the send-off for our first dates.

Once settled into the cozy living room, dad caught us off guard, declaring, “My daughters both have mace,” he said. I could sense the seriousness in his voice. The flickering of the fireplace cast a warm glow on his face, highlighting the concern etched on his features. “I must also caution you,” he continued, “they have been taking self-defense classes since they were eleven.”

Vega and I panicked. Our voices rose in unison as we cried out, “DAD!” The sound of our frantic screams echoed through the room. We exchanged a look of terror and embarrassment before glancing over at the guys, silently mouthing our apologies. But their expressions remained unchanged, as if being used to such outbursts. The source of our embarrassment, other than his words, was the shotgun that dad had nonchalantly picked up from beside his armchair moments after speaking.

With a twisted smirk on his face, he declared, “If anything happens to either of my daughters, you better run. I don’t care if you’re underage.”

He declared firmly to the guys, “My girls will be home by ten, and not five minutes after ten. Do you understand?” The guys nodded nervously, gulping as they tried to process his stern words.

“Yes, sir,” their voices synchronized in perfect harmony, as they simultaneously stood up from their seats to confront our dad. The firm grip of their hands conveyed respect and admiration, leaving our dad feeling proud and appreciated.

“Okay, dad, they understand,” Vega interrupted, causing our dad to glare at her in displeasure.

Vega swings her hands around in the air as she speaks. “Dad, we’re going to miss the movie if you don’t let us leave. We were all hoping for a round of bowling afterwards, and we’ll need to fit in some eating, too.”

I struggled not to laugh the whole time. Vega, who is practically a mirrored image of myself, glanced over, shooting daggers at me, with her eyebrows furrowed together.

That’s right, my sister Vega and I are identical twins. It’s always amusing to see the looks on people’s faces when they realize it. We both have long, curly auburn red hair that falls to our mid-back, and we’ve inherited our mother’s striking emerald green eyes. Freckles adorn our faces and bodies, adding to our unique appearance. Our muscular physiques come from all the sports activities we’ve taken part in throughout the years. Our dad always encouraged us to stay active.

He would often repeat the phrase, “It keeps you out of trouble.”

It’s worth mentioning that Vega and I share the same height - five foot eight. Interestingly, our mom is only five foot four, while our dad is towering at six foot three. It seems we ended up somewhere in the middle. But what sets us apart are our personalities and the birthmarks on our backs.

Vega and I were born when our parents were forty-five. Long story short, the doctors had informed mom and dad that the chances of them conceiving were slim. So we were a surprise. Our mom had a tubal pregnancy when she was twenty-eight, so she had one working tube. So our parents got used to the fact that it was just going to be them. Until out of nowhere, that stick said mom was pregnant.

Our dad had remained in the army as a medic while completing medical school. Our mom had likewise finished medical school and specialized in pediatric surgery. Busy Bees, our parents, but they always made time for us. Mom and dad never missed any of our sports adventures; they made certain at least one of them was present at all of our many functions.

As Mom entered to rescue us, she annoyingly snapped some pictures. Who still does that nowadays? After giving us warm hugs, she allowed us to continue on our path and reminded us to buckle up and stay safe.

Landon was Vega’s date, and she sat in the passenger seat next to him. Meanwhile, I sat in the back seat with my date, Harrison.

Landon, Harrison, Vega, and I were all high school basketball and track stars. It was only natural that they had been pursuing us since freshman year. However, our dad had a rule that we couldn’t date until we turned sixteen. Looking back, we were all busy with school and extracurricular activities, anyway. Personally, I wasn’t interested in dating, but Vega was, so we gave in.

We couldn’t decide between pizza and hamburgers, so we drove through the drive-through and got both. Then, we headed to the park to eat.

Vega and I had indulged in a whole large pizza together, along with our hamburgers and fries. We had noticed that most of the girls the guys had dated at that time were thin, so we figured they would appreciate our uniqueness in that aspect. To kill time until our movie started, we played around and acted silly in the park.

The film was fantastic, and as we watched, the boys had held our hands. We had scarfed down some candy and popcorn, enjoying the movie. But after it ended, we still had about an hour to kill, so we decided to go bowling for a while. Looking back, we should have just concluded our date after the film, because what transpired next was nothing short of insane.

Vega was the first one to step up to the bowling lane, and as she approached, her footsteps echoed across the polished wooden floor. Neither Vega nor I had ever bowled before, so Landon showed her how to line up the bowling ball and roll it down the lane.

However, when Vega took her turn, her bowling ball barely made it halfway before veering off course and plunging into the gutter with a resounding thud. She spun around, laughing as she bowed in mock defeat, and we all joined in.

Undeterred, she stepped up for her second round, determination etched on her face. As she approached the lane, she took a deep breath. With a powerful swing, she released the ball, the sound of it hurtling down the lane. The clatter of two pins falling to the ground signaled her success, and Vega pumped her fist in excitement, her smile lighting up the room.

Landon took his rounds. The sound of the bowling ball hitting the polished wooden lane echoed through the alley as he knocked down all the pins with ease, not once, but twice. As he finished his turn, I felt a knot form in my stomach as I realized it was my turn.

“Man, I hope you’re better than Vega, or we’re screwed,” Harrison says with a grimace.

I tightened my grip on the bowling ball, inhaling deeply. Harrison’s attitude had changed, and I wanted to impress him. Slowly, I inserted my fingers into the holes, savoring the ball’s rough texture against my skin. As I neared the line, the sound of my bowling shoes squeaked on the smooth wooden floor. Once I had arrived at the lane, I inhaled and exhaled to relieve the tension coursing through me.

But as I went to release the ball, my foot slipped on the slick surface. I stumbled backward, landing hard on my backside. The sound of my fall echoed through the bowling alley, causing a few heads to turn in my direction.

A twinge of embarrassment crept up on me. However, upon looking down at my ball, I felt relieved to see that it had successfully made it down the lane, knocking down all but two of the pins. Despite the mix of frustration and amusement I felt, I couldn’t help but appreciate the challenge that bowling presented.

Vega and Landon erupted in laughter and applause. Though Harrison chuckled, his expression remained inscrutable. Nonetheless, I felt I had performed well.

I hoisted myself up from the cool and slippery surface of the bowling alley’s polished floor, massaging my rear end and giggling. The clattering of bowling pins and people’s chatter echoed in the air, mingling with the smell of waxed lanes and the pungent aroma of fried food from the snack bar. It was typical of me to take a tumble like that, and I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of humiliation.

As I approached the slot where the other glossy bowling balls sat, I heard the satisfying clatter of my bowling ball returning. I walked over to retrieve it. As I began trudging back to the lane, I heard a snide comment from Harrison. “Maybe if you dropped a few pounds, you’d be lighter on your feet,” he says, punctuating his words with a snicker. My cheeks flushed with anger as the sound of his laughter echoed in my ears.

I scowled and furrowed my eyebrows, the sound of Harrison’s words piercing through my consciousness. I turned my head towards Vega, hoping to glimpse her reaction. But her attention was elsewhere. She and Landon were lost in their own world, their whispers and giggles drowning out any sound around them.

I forcefully placed my heavy bowling ball back onto the rack, its weight thudding against the metal. My body spun on my heels, causing the soles of my shoes to squeak against the polished wood floor. I stalked back over to Harrison, my fists clenched so tightly that my fingernails dug into my palms. My face was feverish with anger, making my cheeks flush a deep crimson. Harrison’s words still echoed in my ears, his insult stinging like a bee. He had just called me fat, but I knew it wasn’t true. I’m full of toned muscle. One hundred and thirty-five pounds of pure strength. I’m not fat! Dang it! I was determined to make Harrison regret ever uttering those words.

As I made my way back, the sound of Harrison’s chair scraping against the floor caught my attention. I looked up to see him standing, a cocky smirk plastered across his face. At six foot two, he towered over me, making me feel small. But I was determined not to let him intimidate me. With one finger, I poked him in the chest, feeling the hardness of his muscles beneath his shirt. My other hand balled into a tight fist, ready for whatever might happen next. I glared up at him. The tension between us was palpable, like a thick fog that had settled over the space.

“I’m not sure that I heard you right,” I growled out through clenched teeth. “What did you just say to me?!”

With my hand jabbing him in the chest, he gripped it tightly and gave me a serious look. “Nothing really,” he said, “just that if you dropped a few pounds, you might be a bit more graceful.” Harrison shrugged his shoulders and smirked, clearly not thinking his words meant much.

Although I’m not proud of what happened next, I was so angry that I didn’t care about the other kids from our school who were there. He was going to pay for what he said.

I nodded in agreement, closed my eyes, and twisted my body as if I was going to walk away. Harrison released his grip on my other hand. I knew this was my chance. With a deep breath, I whirled around and punched him square in the nose with all my might.

As I think back, I remember hearing a crack. Though it may sound brutal, I’m certain that I broke his nose. But honestly, I didn’t mind at all at the time. It was satisfying to see him clutch his nose as blood gushed to the floor.

Vega and Landon turned to see what was going on when they heard Harrison’s loud yelling and saw him throwing a hissy fit. His face was beet-red and his eyes were watering, as if he was struggling to hold back the tears. But, honestly, he deserved it. He had been treating me rotten ever since we entered this establishment, and the way he had spoken to me was unacceptable.

I can remember every detail two years later and still don’t feel sorry for that idiot. He made the last two years of high school hell for me. Well, with dating, anyway.

For once, I’ve gained Landon’s attention. He stands from his seat and ambles over to us with concern stretched over his features. He glances my way in confusion, then confronts Harrison. “Harrison, are you okay, man?” he asks, putting a hand on Harrisons’s shoulder and trying to assess what has happened. “What happened?”

“You need to take me to the emergency room, man!” Harrison yells with a hitch in his breath. He glances my way, pointing, with a menacing glare. “This bitch just broke my fucking nose!” Harrison wailed in pain, cupping his nose, trying to stem the flow of blood falling to the ground.

I looked over at Vega and her eyes widened, pissed off. In a swift motion, she strode over to Harrison and kneed him in the balls. He crumpled to the floor, sobbing in agony; one hand to his nose, the other cupping his balls.

Shortly after, the supervisor arrived and declared his intention to call the police. It seemed someone had informed him of the situation. Landon took hold of Harrison, pulling him up and placing his arm over his neck. He informed the manager that we were leaving and not to call anyone.

Despite the blood that was scattered all over the place, the manager seemed relieved that we were leaving. To prevent more blood from getting on the floor, he grabbed a towel and handed it to Landon.

When Vega and I realized Harrison needed to be taken to the emergency room, we immediately reached out to our best friend, Michael, for help. Since Landon was going to accompany Harrison to the hospital, we required someone to come and pick us up. Fortunately, Michael had recently secured his first job at the nearby grocery store and had purchased a brand-new jeep.

That night, Michael gave me my first kiss to make me feel better. We attempted to date for a while, but it didn’t work out. Despite this, we have remained best friends for the past two years.

Harrison spread a rumor throughout the school that Vega and I were psycho bitches. His convincing act, with a limp and bandaged black nose and eyes, made many believe his lies. Two years later and I haven’t dated since.

All was well, though. I had more time for my dual credit courses and sports. However, it would have been nice to have a high school sweetheart like everybody else.

PRESENT DAY LYRA*

As we stroll through the corridors of Texas Tech University alongside some of our classmates, Vega exclaims with excitement, “In just a month, we’ll be walking these halls as juniors in college! It’s a fresh start, Lyra. Nobody knows us here. Nobody knows about that time you broke he-who-shall-not-be-named’s nose.”

“I’d prefer not to mention that person. He was an absolute jerk and made the past two years of my life unbearable. I’m excited about the chance of finding a decent guy who might be boyfriend material for once.”

“Girl. With our perfect bodies, stunning looks, and amazing personalities, we shouldn’t have any trouble finding guys. Just take a look around - they are everywhere.” Vega grabs my shoulders and turns me around to survey our surroundings. “Seriously girl, come on now,” she says with a smile.

As my eyes scan the room, they lock with a guy whose sapphire blue eyes were the most stunning I had ever seen. I couldn’t believe they were real. I wonder if he’s wearing contacts? We both stand there, mouths agape, gazing at each other in sheer amazement. I was so captivated that I couldn’t even move or take a breath. The feeling I have right now is so strange. It’s as if a magnet is pulling us together; but neither of us are moving. Just as I mustered the courage to approach him, someone placing a hand on his shoulder and pulling him away interrupted our encounter. He glances back at me with a smile before disappearing around the corner, leaving me yearning for another glimpse of those enchanting eyes.

‘Snap! You dumb butt! You didn’t check out the rest of him! How are you ever going to find him now?!’ I mentally scold myself and frown.

“Earth to Lyra, what the hell happened to you just now? I was talking to you, and when I looked over, you were spaced out!”

“Did you notice the guy across the way? He was stunning. His eyes were anyway. I didn’t have time to see much else. It felt like I was being hypnotized; I couldn’t seem to look away. His eyes were...”

“I’m sorry, Lyra,” Vega says, “my attention was elsewhere. But don’t worry, you’ll see him again.” She takes my hand and pulls me along. “Let’s catch up with the rest of the class so we don’t get lost.” As she leads me forward, I can’t help but glance back, hoping to catch another glimpse of him.

BLAZE

“Blaze, I apologize for what happened to you and Candice. What she did to you was unforgivable and horrendous on so many levels,” my cousin Tanner says, clapping a hand on my shoulder and shaking his head. “We both fell for women who didn’t deserve our love.” He removes his hand from my shoulder and sighs in defeat.

We both got cheated on. But his break up was more brutal than mine. My girlfriend Candice had an affair with a professor, and his girlfriend Baillie went and got knocked up by a college football player. It is what it is; I guess.

“You and Baillie were together eight years. What the fuck is so wrong with us that our women would go behind our backs and fuck someone else? Hell, you are willing to raise someone else’s baby, Tanner. Candice... She... What the fuck are we supposed to do with the rings?”

Yeah, he and I had both purchased engagement rings. Had proposed and got shot down because our girls had cheated and fallen for someone else.

“That’s what pawn shops are for,” says Connor, one of my other cousins. “You guys should be more like Wade and me. Just look at all this tail walking around Texas Tech,” he points out. “And don’t even get me started on this guy,” he adds, slapping Jace, my youngest cousin and Tanner’s brother, on the back. “He must be in the closet or something. Jace doesn’t bother with relationships or fucking.” Jace scowls and walks away.

Tanner and I growl in unison. “Go fuck yourself, Connor!” I yell, glaring at him.

As a girl passes by, who appears to be barely legal, Connor grins and winks. “I don’t have to worry about anything with all these girls falling into my lap,” he says confidently, grinning from ear to ear.

Pointing at Connor, I say, “This guy is a walking STD. I wouldn’t waste your time,” cautioning her. She grimaces and heads towards a group gathered in the hallway.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Blaze?! Shut the fuck up!” Connor growls and walks away.

“I guess I pissed him off. He doesn’t need to fuck with me right now. He can kiss my a....” I trail off when my eyes meet the emerald gems across the hall.

In all my twenty-two years, I’ve never seen such brilliant eyes. They could make me drown in them. I feel drawn to her, an overwhelming need to go to her. But her eyes aren’t the only striking feature she has. She also has beautiful long Auburn tresses framing her striking facial features. I can’t let this woman get away! To hell with Candice. Just as I’m about to approach her, Tanner smacks me on the back, bringing me back to reality.

“We’re going to be late for class. Come on,” Tanner states and yanks me away from the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.