The Twins (EDITED)

Chapter 11

Alexander's POV-

I know what my twin is thinking. Today is going to be a long day. I know, because it's going to pain me as well. Remembering makes it easier. We don't have to fight the memories. We don't have to try to let the pain go. We just have to clear our minds. That's what we're trying to do today.

"What should we do first?" Mike asks, breaking the tense silence. We all looked at him.

"What were you thinking?" Reese asked. Ari and I rolled out eyes at the same time. We both gave a 'duh' face.

"Ice cream idiots," we stated matter-of-factly in unison. We high-fived as soon as we had yet, another twin moment. All of our older brothers rolled their eyes.

"Fine, whatever the twins say. After you," Reese said. We rolled our eyes again.

"We can't drive nit-wit. One of you guys has to," Ari said. Reese playfully glared at her. Brian looked a bit concerned. We are not in a good mood today.

Well, who's fault is that?

Stop pinning this on me.

Why?

I said so.

That's not a good answer.

Agreed.

Ari grabbed my hand pulling me out of my thoughts.

"You okay?" She whispered. I simply nodded. That 'told' her that I'm not okay. I like responding in non-verbal answers. Not, verbal. That's Ari's thing. She thinks it makes her look more intimidating. It's true.

"So, what flavor do you guys want?" Mike asked, trying to ease the heavy tension in the car.

Key word: trying.

"You know the answer to that," I said with a sneer. Ari squeezed my hand.

"Don't take out your frustration on them, Alex. They had no control over it," Ari whispered. I sighed.

"I know, but. It's just-" She cut me off.

"I know, it's hard. It's hard because we want to be alone and be cuddling in our rooms right now. I know, Alex. But, they want to spend time with us. We can at least do that," she said in her 'calming' voice. That's supposed to be calming. It seems more like an order though. Isn’t everything she says an order?

"Okay," I spoke, releasing another sigh. Our older brothers all looked at each other. They heard our whole conversation, didn't they?

What do you think, dummy?

Just, stop. I'm not in the mood.

Yeah, I agree.

"Yes, we heard your whole conversation. We just don't want you guys to feel alone. Don't forget, we have to live with that guilt too," Reese explained. I rolled my eyes, while Ari scoffed. Wait, did I say that out loud?

"You have to deal with the guilt?!" She exclaimed, raising her voice with each word. I nodded.

"I feel ten times more guilty than you! Do you know why?!" She bursted out. She didn't let us respond.

"Because, in every flashback, all I can hear is Alex's cries for her to stop! THAT'S ALL I HEAR! DO YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT THE TRAUMA WE'VE BOTH HAD?!" she screamed. That also made me think. Why wasn't the abuse traumatizing?

"It was so hard to see...to hear my twin in pain. It was hard seeing the same when it was my turn. You wouldn't understand. You never would," she whispered, letting a few tears spill from her eyes, making perfectly blotted tears on her face. Today's been an emotional day.