Disgraced: Twins of the Zodiac

Unbalanced Thought & Lingering Doubts

    It was Saturday morning, the day of a big game for Luxeville High. Jeriko stood there underneath his twin sister’s favorite Ash tree, something on his mind feeling sentimental; but most of all, lost of late.

    Jeriko had begun to feel unbalanced in his feelings as his thoughts. His resolve was weakened, and yet he could not pinpoint where, within himself, the kink in his metaphorical armor was or even why there was a kink in the first place. Despite the hiccups in life, he always seemed to know where he was supposed to be in life but, somehow he had gotten lost along the way lately, but why now?

    Over the nearly one hundred and ninety-seven years that he and Aurora had been on this earth, never had Jeriko been so mentally adrift. Never had he and his sister’s relationship been so strained.

    He hated himself for admitting that sometimes there was a bit of resentment in terms of Aurora being who and what she was; but never in those tension-filled moments did Jeriko ever imagined in his wildest dreams of abandoning Aurora. There was a sacred bond between them after all, and even amidst this immense strain on their relationship, he could still feel that bond.

    Part of Jeriko even hoped to find his sister standing or even sitting underneath that tree, though, ironically enough this was not something that he could admit aloud. 

    It wouldn’t have been too far-fetched for Aurora to be sitting under that tree anyway on a Saturday morning. Especially when considering the fact that she was supposed to be there anyway. 

    Regardless, of what was going on between him, Aurora and Jennifer, Aurora was still on the spirit squad and she never was one to just up and quit anything; even if she didn’t want to do it, something that he admired about his twin. Though, even Jeriko had to admit that this situation would probably carry a more sensitive significance than any other task that his sister was forced or even chose to endure. 

    It was as if Jeriko could only express his true feelings about this in his mind alone, however. He almost felt forced or maybe even cursed to only ever confide in himself. It was near torture and was driving him to the extent of his sanity. As he took notice of this, he couldn’t help but wonder if his sister ever felt the same. He was almost sure that she had.

    Jeriko felt so trapped, he couldn’t even convince himself to confide in the one person that he had gotten so close to since he and Aurora arrived in Luxeville over six and a half months ago.

    While Jeriko never needed help fitting in anywhere with his debonair attraction and devastating charm, Jennifer made the transition far easier than any other that he and Aurora had to suffer through than he could think of. The transition that Jeriko thought about wasn’t just about school either...or even being the new kids in town-or even on the block. 

    No, it was that transition of trying to cover their tracks; him trying to clean up a mess that either he, Aurora or they both made. He hated to confess to himself that it was usually Aurora that made the mess, though not of her own conscious volition. For the most part anyway. In him admitting this, it made him feel as though, he was casting blame on her; and while a lot of the time she did allow her temper to get the best of her, he was not innocent in that regard either.

    Regardless, of all of this, the point was that Jeriko had steady stress on his mind in terms of starting over. Always wondering if they covered their tracks well enough for the Zodiac to lose track of them or so that they would not be found out by the humans that they were forced to live among.

    It had gotten so overwhelming to Jeriko, that for a long time, he had forgotten how to be a kid or even how to relax. How to try and be normal. Jennifer changed that for him and made him feel like he could handle it all regardless, of what came his way. All Jeriko wished, was that his sister could understand that. He wished that he could express such feelings to her; but knew that in doing so, she would not take it seriously. She’d only find some sort of sarcastic and condescending remarks towards the girl that would cause further discourse between them. He was done with that.

    “Hey there, handsome.”

    Jeriko’s mind was suddenly averted from his thoughts when he heard the last subject of what he was thinking about, turn up behind him. He turned around as Jennifer took his hand with a warm smile at her lips as she approached. Then she kissed his lips.

    “The bus is loading up. We’re all about to head out.” She said.

    Jeriko nodded in understanding. “Cool.” He said without much thought to his reply. He was obviously reluctant as he spoke-not of his words, but of leaving. ‘Not yet.’ he said to himself. Upon seeing the look on his girlfriend’s face, she could obviously tell that he wasn’t quite ready to leave yet, as well.

    “You alright, Jer?” Jennifer asked.

    Jeriko looked around absentmindedly before he returned his attention to Jennifer; and when he did-for a moment-maybe even a millisecond, he thought he saw what looked like an annoyed scowl on his girlfriend’s face. The expression was so quick and barely seen, however, that Jeriko doubted whether he’d ever even seen it in the first place. This being the sole reason why he didn’t bother inquiring about it further.

    “Fine.” He hesitantly replied, all the while wondering whether he really was going crazy after all.

    “Are you waiting for her?” Jennifer suddenly asked, catching him off guard.

    Jeriko hadn’t even realized that he was looking around again, surveying his surroundings, until Jennifer asked this question.

    ‘Is there something wrong with that?’ He said-or at least that was what he wanted to say. In fact, so much so, that he felt those words on the tip of his tongue; yet, still he could not bring himself to say them. Why? He didn't know.

    “Nah, just thinking.” He found himself saying instead.

    “About her?” Jennifer asked, almost as if she were afraid that if she said her name, she’d show up. When Jeriko didn’t respond, she sighed. “You know, it is okay to admit that you are, Jer. Though, I doubt she’ll show.” She said that last part in a low utter, her gaze averted for a moment before she returned her gaze back to his. “She is your sister after all.” 

    Despite the last part of what she had said, Jeriko saw the sympathetic and understanding look in her eyes. He knew that when she voiced her assumptions that Aurora would more than likely not show, she was only speaking on truth-on what they both assumed in the first place. 

    Resentment, once again, began to creep up on Jeriko towards his younger sister, realizing that both he and Jennifer were more than likely right in their assumption. But more than that, he just couldn’t understand why. Why did Aurora hate Jennifer so much? Why did she distrust his girlfriend so much? Why wouldn’t she just give her a chance? He sighed, wondering what Jennifer could have done to produce such hostility from his twin.

    “Glad to know you don’t completely hate her after what happened the other day.” Jeriko finally said, trying to shake his thoughts away. A reluctant chuckle erupted from him as he said this, realizing that this may still have been a sensitive subject for Jennifer. 

    Jennifer, however, seemed to feel quite the contrary; she was actually unreasonably more cavalier about the whole situation than any other girl would have been.

    Jeriko always felt that a female’s ego was far more sensitive than that of a male, as they seemed to have far more to prove in this society than most others. However, it seemed that this was not the case for Jennifer.

    “Well, I’m sure she’s going through a rough time, Jer,” Jennifer replied. “I mean, I am stealing her brother away from her after all. Or at least that is what she thinks.” She said in a way seeming to impose that this was what his sister might have been assuming. “She’s probably just not used to having to share your attention for such a prolonged amount of time.”

    Jeriko wished it were that simple when it came to his younger sister, but he knew Aurora better than that and she never was so vainglorious and jealous hearted enough to hate girls because Jeriko showed them attention. Though as most sisters felt, Aurora never thought that any of them were good enough for her brother except one and she was long gone. Jennifer, though, was a different case. There was far more hostility there. He only hoped that jealousy was the stem of his sister’s disdain for Jennifer.

    “I will use this time to note that you apparently haven’t had a girlfriend to stick around as long as I have. And considering you haven’t been in Luxeville a full seven months yet, and we haven’t been dating but for only a few out of those seven months, that is something that I find quite unnerving actually.” Jennifer said, causing Jeriko to corner his attention back on her. She smirked. “Makes me wonder, whether it was them that got rid of you or you that got rid of them.”

    “And what do you think?” Jeriko grinned.

    “As...alluring as you are, I doubt it was the former.” She said. “So I take it you did the dumping.” She chuckled. “You must get bored easily.” 

    They slowed their pace. “I’m not bored with you.” Jeriko smiled. 

    “Yet.” Jennifer countered, brows raised in amusement.

    “Oh, I doubt that I’ll ever get bored with you.” 

    They approached the door of the bus, mostly everyone already having boarded. “Yea, we’ll see about that.”

    Jeriko chuckled with amusement, shaking his head before his sister returned to mind once again. “I just wish I understood why she doesn’t like you.” Jeriko expressed frustration concerning the thought. At that moment, he wished that it was as easy to get into his sister’s mind as it was anyone else’s.

    Jennifer didn’t say anything at first, just watching Jeriko for a minute before she pulled him to her significantly shorter, smaller form.

    “Jeriko, it’ll be alright. Don’t stress yourself about it. Everything will be fine.” She tip-toed to reach his lips with her own before she lightly pecked them. “This isn’t the first sister hates the girlfriend rodeo that I’ve been to.” She smirked. “I can handle her.”

    Jeriko looked at her concerned. “This is a different kind of rodeo, Jen.” He countered, doubtful that she truly realized who she was dealing with. “No one handles Aurora Valentine.”

    Jennifer eyed her boyfriend for an amusing moment. “Look, like I said, everything will be fine.” She sighed. “Either she’ll come around or she won’t.” Jennifer cooed, her lips still close to his. “And if she doesn’t...well, then that is her problem and her loss. You deserve to be happy. So, you do what makes you happy.” She insisted before pushing up against him and placing her hand up the untucked front of his jersey. “And if I make you happy.” She grinned. “Then so be it.”

    Jeriko breathed in shakily at the softness of her touch before he too felt the beginnings of a grin turning his lips. He wrapped his arms around her. “So be it.”

    Jennifer bit her bottom lip, seeming aroused by his words before they got onto the bus.

    As they both responded to the morning greetings of their fellow teammates and small talk with their friends, Jeriko’s mind partially lingered on Aurora again. Weird, he’d never thought so much about his sister in one day. It sort of scared him in a sense, a part of him hoping that this wasn’t some sort of warning that something bad was going to happen soon.

    When Marlo’s name, in particular, was mentioned, Jeriko’s thoughts were kicked into overdrive. After the incident with Aurora, Marlo attended school for a week before missing days on and off. Then he stopped showing up completely; Jeriko couldn't help thinking that with Aurora taking a bite out of him, it may have had something to do with it; something, that if Jeriko were being honest with himself, concerned him. Neither of them ever stuck around when Aurora fed on another human, so they really didn't know what effects followed such a tango with his twin.

    Jeriko was sure that his sister had fed on humans before without having killed them. No, he wasn’t necessarily sure how those humans faired after the fact, and he was reasonably sure that Aurora more than likely didn’t know either. He figured as much when he saw the look on her face upon telling her about how strange Marlo had been after what she had done; strange, considering because she had healed him, there should not have been any lingering pain left behind.

    Aurora never made it a point to feed on schoolmates or even neighbors throughout their endeavors together; and the one rare time that she did, no one survived. So, the side-effects of someone being bitten by her was a mystery, to say the least. Until now, that is; and even, in this case, Jeriko wasn’t completely sure about Marlo’s condition either.

    ‘Maybe it’s good that Aurora didn’t come after all.’ 

    “I doubt she’ll come at all.” Jennifer suddenly said.

    Jeriko doubled back at her. “Huh? What did you say?” 

    They sat next to one another in a seat near the back of the bus when Jennifer looked at Jeriko with confusion on her face. She then reluctantly spoke again.

    “I said...that she probably isn’t going to come. Your sister.” She added in clarification. “Especially, if she feels like she doesn’t have to.” She added.

    Jeriko looked at her incredulously. “Why did-why did you say that?”

    “What-Jer, what do you mean?” Jennifer asked. “Did I say something wrong-”

    “How did you know that I was even thinking about that, Jen?” He said, a sudden bout of paranoia creeping up on him. “I never said anything about my sister out loud. So how did you even know to respond that way?”

    “Je-Jer, I didn’t-I didn’t know that you were thinking about her at all. I was-I was talking to Lissa.” She added in unease. “We were only speaking in regards to the fact that she still, technically and officially, is on the spirit squad.” She clarified in unease.

    Jeriko looked to the left of him to see that Lissa had indeed been sitting in close enough proximity to be talking to Jennifer. By that time she had begun talking to another of her friends, it seemed.

    Suddenly, he felt foolish at his paranoid thinking; and even a tinge of guilt for questioning Jennifer so aggressively.

    “Jer...are you sure you’re alright? Jennifer looked at him with concern. “You’re sort of starting to freak me out.”

    “Yeah, yeah.” He sighed. “I’m sorry babe.” He apologized, feigning a smile.

     He couldn’t help feeling like maybe he felt that split moment of uncertainty-that distrust, towards Jennifer because, in a way, it was a last effort attempt to find some sort of solidarity in his sister’s dislike towards his girlfriend. Alas, he only found foolishness within himself, once again.

    “It’s okay. It’s fine.” Jennifer reassured. “You’re stressed and anxious about this thing with your sister. I understand.” She smiled. “You just need a little rush of football in your system...and your favorite girl cheering you on.” 

    Jeriko grinned, amused by Jennifer’s remark; it made him feel a bit more at ease. He wrapped his large arm around her waist before turning his gaze upfront of the bus.

    “Hey, coach! What’s the hold-up? We’re ready to play some football!” Jeriko exclaimed, causing the whole bus of football players and cheerleaders to erupt in cheer and excitement. 

    The coach, who could be seen standing at the stairs of the bus, stepped onto the platform with a grin on his face; one almost seeming of pride toward the way Jeriko pumped everyone up.

    “Nothing now.” Coach Anders said in triumph. “Just couldn’t leave one of our lucky charms.” He then moved to the side to allow another onto the bus.

    Jeriko looked on as she stepped past the first seat, the second, and the third to find a place to seat herself. Suddenly hushed whispers of desire and envy were all that Jeriko could hear, something that would always happen when she made an appearance.

    She had her hair worn in the curled ponytail and ribbon as well as her squad uniform. She even wore the required makeup on. She actually came; and in uniform no less. And no cigar in tow-or at least in her mouth. He was sure that there was one on her person somewhere.

    Their eyes met for a moment, her expression as well as her eyes expressionless. They were far apart in seating but had she said something he would have been able to hear as if she were the one sitting next to him instead of Jennifer. But she said nothing-didn’t even part her lips in consideration to speak...not even a nod. She then sat next to one of the other cheerleaders that were somewhat of a recluse over the others that begged her to share a seat with them.

    Jeriko sat there, wondering what on earth was on his twin sister’s mind. More than that, he wondered what convinced her to show up in the first place.

    “Guess I was wrong.” Jeriko heard Jennifer say in the background of his thoughts. “Guess your sister showed up after all.”