I just sat on the bench staring at my hands, fiddling with my cell phone. I didn’t feel like talking.

The bell rang for the end of lunch. I gathered up my stuff and left the others where they sat in silence.

———————————

I walked out after school had finished. I took a seat on one of the benches lining the grass verge overlooking the parking lot. I was waiting for the ride Glen had promised.

To be honest, I was looking forward to some twin bonding time. I was still dwelling on the events in the quad at lunchtime.

‘Penny for them’ a lightly husky voice asked. I looked up and was met with my favourite pair of brown eyes. I couldn’t help but smile slightly. She wasn’t too close, I couldn’t catch her scent. We had a pretence to keep up and even though it would be so easy to seek solace in her arms I had to be content with a smile.

‘Hi’ she said.

‘Hi’

‘So…..I got a phone call from my jackass of a younger sister.’ She explained. ‘Seems someone couldn’t keep their mouth shut.’ she frowned at this.

‘Yeah.’ was my only reply. 

I had to give Austin some credit. She knew me well enough to know what would cheer me up. An apology was implied in the gesture. As I said, she hadn’t known. It was an honest blunder but I knew she felt bad. My behaviour had only compounded the guilt.

‘Want a ride home?’

‘I’m waiting for my brother,’ I explained glancing around. He should have been here by now.