Autumn

“Mom we’re going to be so late.”

“I know, I’m trying. My last patient would not stop talking.”

I think mom is the least organized doctor I’ve ever met.

“Mr. Anderson again?”

“You got it.”

“I don’t think it matters too much if we’re late, does it?” Smirked my evil twin, Jenna from the front seat.

“Thank you, Jen! You’re right. Nobody should miss you too much.” Smiled my mom.

Jenna was everyone’s dream- smart, athletic, perfect…which made me everyone’s nightmare by comparison. Nice system we’d developed.

The car went silent.

“Are you thinking about any sports this year, Autumn?” Asked my mother carefully.

Oh for the love of-

“Moooooommm!” I exclaimed. “We talked about this. Theater is a sport.”

“No it isn’t.” Disagreed Jenna, rolling her eyes.

“Oh shut up.”

“Autumn. Be nice to your sister.”

I sighed and looked out the window.

“I’m excited for soccer and swim this year!” Exclaimed Jenna. “Kaylee Thompson is going to be captain of both! She’s so cool. Did you know that she’s the captain of every girls’ sports team and only a junior?! Well…every team except for-“

“…except for volleyball and lacrosse.” I finished. “Would you shut up about Kaylee Thompson? You’re obsessed.”

“Sorry I have things I aspire to.” Snapped my sister.

“Girls!” reprimanded my mom. “Autumn why not try a sport? That Kaylee girl sounds pretty cool.”

“Mom.” I said, brushing a strand of long, blonde hair out of my eye. “We all know Jenna’s perfect, but I can’t tell a tennis ball from a soccer ball, and with my glasses, I’d have to wear sports goggles. Besides, I see no point to sports anyways.”

“What’s wrong with sports goggles?”

“Mom. I’d look as dorky as Madison Diaz with those on. No thanks.”

“Autumn! Be nice!”

“No mom, I take her side on this.” Interjected Jenna. “There’s a certain line that should not be crossed.”

My mom huffed her disapproval, but said nothing.

“…what about contacts?” tried my mom again.

“Stop trying. You know how I feel about contacts, ma.”

“Hm.”

The car screeched to a stop in front of the famed Alistair Hall.

Welcome home.

“Check-in ends in 5 minutes! I love you, have fun! Call me! Go, go, go!” Yelled my mom as I threw open the van door.

After a quick stop to the trunk, Jenna and I made a mad dash for the front office.

Oh GOD I was out of shape.

Reaching the doors first, Jenna turned around and spotted me struggling up the stairs behind her.

“This, this is why you need to play a sport.” She called, holding open the door.

“Yeah, shut up.” I wheezed.

Heaving myself through the door, Jenna and I slid up to the counter.

“Archer twins.” Breathed Jenna, trying to catch her breath.

The front desk lady rolled her eyes and aggressively flopped our information packets on the counter.

This was my third year at Alistair, but I still knew nothing about the front desk lady. No one did. The only thing that anyone knows is that she’s constantly grumpy and likes absolutely no one. She was Alistair Hall’s truest mystery.

“What room you in?” Asked Jenna.

“Uhh…205. Huh. I wonder who my roommate is. God, I hope they’re cool.”

“Yeah same.” She laughed.

“What room are you in?”

“212.”

“Wanna head down there with me?”

“Yeah sure.”

Despite being my rival, Jenna would always be my sister. And despite how much we fight, sisters have to get along somewhat to survive. It's simply fact.

“Good luck with your roommate.” Waved Jenna as we parted ways at my door.

“You too!”

Ok. Let’s do this.

I pushed open the door to find an already made bottom bunk, but an otherwise empty room.

“Hello?”

Suddenly, a crash sounded from inside the closet.

What in the-

I threw open the closet doors to find a small figure crumpled in a laundry hamper.

“Madison?!”

“I-I f-fell.”

Oh God.