TOBIASโS POVAnd the room was thick with it. The tension clung to the air, pressing down on everyone like humidity before the rain fell."What the hell is going on here?" I demanded.Isadora didnโt even blink. She scoffed, flicking a glance at me over her shoulder. "Well, well," she said with a cruel smirk. "Your boy toy has finally arrived."Nayaโs eyes darted to me and narrowed immediately. "Donโt you dare talk about him like that," she snapped, her voice tight. "Just shut up, Isadora."The teacher standing by the desk looked like she wanted to sink into the floor.The principal, an older man with a belly barely contained by his vest, gave me a look of exhausted relief.I walked forward, ignoring the brewing fight between the two women, and glanced past Naya's shoulder.Aiden.My gut twisted.He was sitting by the principal's desk, his tiny frame hunched, his hands knotted in his lap. His eyesโthose wide, knowing eyesโlooked up at me, and there was fear in them. Not for himself. For
TOBIAS'S POVI stepped toward her, the weight of Aiden pressed close to my chest, and reached out my hand.โNaya,โ I said quietly, but she heard it. Her head jerked in my direction. Her eyes were glossy. Her breathing erratic.I didnโt give her a speech. I didnโt ask. I just slid my fingers into hers and pulled her hand into mine.It fit, soft and shaking but familiar. She didnโt fight it. Her eyes darted to mine, searching, askingโbut I just squeezed her hand tighter and nodded once.โLetโs go,โ I said gently.And we did.Without a word to the others, I pushed past them. Aidenโs head tucked against my shoulder, and Naya walked beside me, her chin high and eyes fixed ahead, even though I could feel the tremble in her limbs.The crowd parted for us like a wave. Maybe it was the look on my face. Maybe it was the sheer weight of everything that had happened, or maybe it was because they wanted nothing to do with us. I couldn't spare a thought for it, so we just walked past them.Naya
TOBIAS'S POV The drive back is quiet. A good quiet.Not like how it was when we left that godforsaken school.Aidenโs asleep in the backseat, his head tipped to the side and his little plush shark tucked under his arm like itโs made of gold. Nayaโs beside me, her legs drawn up onto the seat, arms loosely wrapped around them. Her face is calm, and soft in the passing shadows of streetlights. Sheโs not smiling, exactly, but her face isn't in that strained blankness either.And Iโll take that. Hell, Iโll take it and wrap it in a bow.By the time we get home, Aidenโs blinking awake but too drowsy to fight when Naya lifts him into her arms.โCome on bug." She murmurs sweetly as she tucks the little boy into her side.He buries his face into her shoulder immediately, and she strokes his back, whispering something low in his ear I donโt catch.We walked into the house together, me switching on the lights and flooding the living space with a warm glow.Aiden scrunched his face at that but
NAYA'S POVThe soft glow of the light flickered against the walls of the cottage, casting long, wavering shadows that danced like restless spirits. Tobias and I sat close on the worn, threadbare couch, the fabric rough beneath my fingertips but comforting all the same. His arm was draped around my shoulders, pulling me in just enough to feel the steady warmth of his body against mine. Outside, the night was silent except for the occasional whisper of wind through the pines. Tobias had calmed me down earlier with all his assurances and I felt more settled in my skin. More secure.It was a lovely feeling after this afternoon of turmoil.But I couldn't stop thinking about it.I sighef before resting my head on Tobiasโs chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat, a rhythm that somehow anchored me in the swirling storm of my thoughts. The events of the day played over and over in my mindโthe principalโs office, the harsh words from the other twin, the cruel laughter that see
AIDEN'S POVI was standing in different room, the air thick with the smell of old books and dust. Light filtered through heavy curtains, casting the room in a dim, amber glow. I looked down at my hands, but they werenโt really thereโjust a faint outline, like smoke in sunlight.I tried to touch the desk, but my fingers slipped through it, leaving no mark."Hmmโฆ" I tried to make a sound , but no noise came out. My voice was gone.I looked around once more, eyes widening as i tied to catalogue more details.It was a big room, filled with books and strange objects. There were shelves that reached all the way to the ceiling, packed with leather-bound volumes. There were globes and telescopes and strange, glass jars filled withโฆ stuff.It looked likeโฆ the someone's study. But how did I get here?I looked around desperately, trying to make sense of it all, my heart thumping in my chest.Panic bubbled up inside me. โWhatโs happening?โ I thought to myself.Just a moment ago, I had been in
AIDEN'S POVI froze, my heart slamming against my ribs like a wild drum.Julian stood there, his shadow spilling out behind him, and in his hand gleamed a small, wicked knife. He waved it at me like I was some enemy, some intruder he didnโt want near."Aiden?" he breathed, his voice a harsh whisper.My jaw dropped. He could see me? Isadora couldn't but Julian saw me. A thrill shot through me, so intense it almost knocked me out of my astral form. This wasโฆ amazing.He could see me!Suddenly, the knife didn't matter. The anger in his eyes faded into the background. All that mattered was that my brother, my twin, could see the real me. It meant we were connected.The words bubbled up inside me, a torrent of excitement that needed to be expressed. My hands flew into action, fingers wiggling and twisting, forming the rapid, intricate shapes of sign language. I bounced on the balls of my feet, unable to contain my joy.โJulian! You're so cool! Best brother ever! Awesome! You can see me! Y
Aiden's POVThe next day at school felt like walking on eggshells.Mom and Dad were still giving me looks at breakfast, their silence thick enough to spread on toast. I knew they were worried about my quietness but I just wanted to see Julian, to try and make things right afterโฆ after whatever that was last night. The astral projection thing. The knife. His mom, Isadoraโฆ. Hurting him.It was all a jumbled mess in my head.They dropped me off at school, Mom pressing a kiss to my hair. And Dad rubbing my back gently.They were great but I still needed to get closer to Aiden.As soon as the school bell rang and Mom and Dad were out of sight, I grabbed the straps of my backpack and ran into the academy. I had a plan. A peace offering. I'd packed all my favourite things: Mr Snuggles, my superhero figurines, my best crayons, and even the half-eaten bag of gummy bears. It was everything a five-year-old could need to make a friend.I spotted Julian near the entrance, talking to some othe
(Aiden's POV)Julian saved me! He actually saved me from his mean friends! My heart did a happy dance.When he told me I could hang out with them, I almost burst with joy. This was it! This was my chance to finally be close to Julian.And when he said I had to do everything he saidโฆ well, that was okay too. I would do anything for Julian.When he told me to get him a snack, I ran as fast as I could to the cafeteria. I grabbed a juice box and a bag of cookies, just like I had offered him before.I ran back to the bench, my heart pounding with excitement. I handed him the snacks, beaming.He took them without a word, but I didn't care. He was letting me be his underling! That was the coolest thing ever!I followed him and his friends everywhere, watching their every move, trying to learn how to be cool like them. They were playing tag, so I played tag. They were telling jokes, so I tried to tell jokes (even though I couldn't talk, I could still make funny faces). They were being mean
(Aiden's POV)Julian saved me! He actually saved me from his mean friends! My heart did a happy dance.When he told me I could hang out with them, I almost burst with joy. This was it! This was my chance to finally be close to Julian.And when he said I had to do everything he saidโฆ well, that was okay too. I would do anything for Julian.When he told me to get him a snack, I ran as fast as I could to the cafeteria. I grabbed a juice box and a bag of cookies, just like I had offered him before.I ran back to the bench, my heart pounding with excitement. I handed him the snacks, beaming.He took them without a word, but I didn't care. He was letting me be his underling! That was the coolest thing ever!I followed him and his friends everywhere, watching their every move, trying to learn how to be cool like them. They were playing tag, so I played tag. They were telling jokes, so I tried to tell jokes (even though I couldn't talk, I could still make funny faces). They were being mean
Aiden's POVThe next day at school felt like walking on eggshells.Mom and Dad were still giving me looks at breakfast, their silence thick enough to spread on toast. I knew they were worried about my quietness but I just wanted to see Julian, to try and make things right afterโฆ after whatever that was last night. The astral projection thing. The knife. His mom, Isadoraโฆ. Hurting him.It was all a jumbled mess in my head.They dropped me off at school, Mom pressing a kiss to my hair. And Dad rubbing my back gently.They were great but I still needed to get closer to Aiden.As soon as the school bell rang and Mom and Dad were out of sight, I grabbed the straps of my backpack and ran into the academy. I had a plan. A peace offering. I'd packed all my favourite things: Mr Snuggles, my superhero figurines, my best crayons, and even the half-eaten bag of gummy bears. It was everything a five-year-old could need to make a friend.I spotted Julian near the entrance, talking to some othe
AIDEN'S POVI froze, my heart slamming against my ribs like a wild drum.Julian stood there, his shadow spilling out behind him, and in his hand gleamed a small, wicked knife. He waved it at me like I was some enemy, some intruder he didnโt want near."Aiden?" he breathed, his voice a harsh whisper.My jaw dropped. He could see me? Isadora couldn't but Julian saw me. A thrill shot through me, so intense it almost knocked me out of my astral form. This wasโฆ amazing.He could see me!Suddenly, the knife didn't matter. The anger in his eyes faded into the background. All that mattered was that my brother, my twin, could see the real me. It meant we were connected.The words bubbled up inside me, a torrent of excitement that needed to be expressed. My hands flew into action, fingers wiggling and twisting, forming the rapid, intricate shapes of sign language. I bounced on the balls of my feet, unable to contain my joy.โJulian! You're so cool! Best brother ever! Awesome! You can see me! Y
AIDEN'S POVI was standing in different room, the air thick with the smell of old books and dust. Light filtered through heavy curtains, casting the room in a dim, amber glow. I looked down at my hands, but they werenโt really thereโjust a faint outline, like smoke in sunlight.I tried to touch the desk, but my fingers slipped through it, leaving no mark."Hmmโฆ" I tried to make a sound , but no noise came out. My voice was gone.I looked around once more, eyes widening as i tied to catalogue more details.It was a big room, filled with books and strange objects. There were shelves that reached all the way to the ceiling, packed with leather-bound volumes. There were globes and telescopes and strange, glass jars filled withโฆ stuff.It looked likeโฆ the someone's study. But how did I get here?I looked around desperately, trying to make sense of it all, my heart thumping in my chest.Panic bubbled up inside me. โWhatโs happening?โ I thought to myself.Just a moment ago, I had been in
NAYA'S POVThe soft glow of the light flickered against the walls of the cottage, casting long, wavering shadows that danced like restless spirits. Tobias and I sat close on the worn, threadbare couch, the fabric rough beneath my fingertips but comforting all the same. His arm was draped around my shoulders, pulling me in just enough to feel the steady warmth of his body against mine. Outside, the night was silent except for the occasional whisper of wind through the pines. Tobias had calmed me down earlier with all his assurances and I felt more settled in my skin. More secure.It was a lovely feeling after this afternoon of turmoil.But I couldn't stop thinking about it.I sighef before resting my head on Tobiasโs chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat, a rhythm that somehow anchored me in the swirling storm of my thoughts. The events of the day played over and over in my mindโthe principalโs office, the harsh words from the other twin, the cruel laughter that see
TOBIAS'S POV The drive back is quiet. A good quiet.Not like how it was when we left that godforsaken school.Aidenโs asleep in the backseat, his head tipped to the side and his little plush shark tucked under his arm like itโs made of gold. Nayaโs beside me, her legs drawn up onto the seat, arms loosely wrapped around them. Her face is calm, and soft in the passing shadows of streetlights. Sheโs not smiling, exactly, but her face isn't in that strained blankness either.And Iโll take that. Hell, Iโll take it and wrap it in a bow.By the time we get home, Aidenโs blinking awake but too drowsy to fight when Naya lifts him into her arms.โCome on bug." She murmurs sweetly as she tucks the little boy into her side.He buries his face into her shoulder immediately, and she strokes his back, whispering something low in his ear I donโt catch.We walked into the house together, me switching on the lights and flooding the living space with a warm glow.Aiden scrunched his face at that but
TOBIAS'S POVI stepped toward her, the weight of Aiden pressed close to my chest, and reached out my hand.โNaya,โ I said quietly, but she heard it. Her head jerked in my direction. Her eyes were glossy. Her breathing erratic.I didnโt give her a speech. I didnโt ask. I just slid my fingers into hers and pulled her hand into mine.It fit, soft and shaking but familiar. She didnโt fight it. Her eyes darted to mine, searching, askingโbut I just squeezed her hand tighter and nodded once.โLetโs go,โ I said gently.And we did.Without a word to the others, I pushed past them. Aidenโs head tucked against my shoulder, and Naya walked beside me, her chin high and eyes fixed ahead, even though I could feel the tremble in her limbs.The crowd parted for us like a wave. Maybe it was the look on my face. Maybe it was the sheer weight of everything that had happened, or maybe it was because they wanted nothing to do with us. I couldn't spare a thought for it, so we just walked past them.Naya
TOBIASโS POVAnd the room was thick with it. The tension clung to the air, pressing down on everyone like humidity before the rain fell."What the hell is going on here?" I demanded.Isadora didnโt even blink. She scoffed, flicking a glance at me over her shoulder. "Well, well," she said with a cruel smirk. "Your boy toy has finally arrived."Nayaโs eyes darted to me and narrowed immediately. "Donโt you dare talk about him like that," she snapped, her voice tight. "Just shut up, Isadora."The teacher standing by the desk looked like she wanted to sink into the floor.The principal, an older man with a belly barely contained by his vest, gave me a look of exhausted relief.I walked forward, ignoring the brewing fight between the two women, and glanced past Naya's shoulder.Aiden.My gut twisted.He was sitting by the principal's desk, his tiny frame hunched, his hands knotted in his lap. His eyesโthose wide, knowing eyesโlooked up at me, and there was fear in them. Not for himself. For
NAYA'S POVAt my retort, she stopped talking, her eyes revealing her confusion.Her head jerked around, her eyes finding Aiden, who had quietly drawn in the corner.She blinked, and for half a second, her mask cracked.Surprise. Embarrassment. She hadnโt even noticed him.But just as fast, it vanished under a sneer."How low could you sink, Naya? Lurking in the principalโs office like someโฆ" She waved a hand vaguely, eyes glittering, "Shadow. Or were you trying to steal another child from a real mother?"I didnโt flinch. Iโd had worse thrown at me, sharper claws, bloodier fights."Youโre calling me out on morals? Thatโs rich, coming from the woman who waltzed into someone elseโs home and snatched a kid like he was luggage," I said coldly.The principal cleared his throat, but no one was listening.The air had gone electric.Isadora scoffed, the sound derisive and mean. "You had zero respect for ranking. You should have known your placeโan omega trying to speak in a world meant for bet