Opposites Attract

By Kate Deming

Introduction

“Wake up Aine!” my mom yelled from the door of my bedroom.

“Five more minu-” I said but drifted back into sleep.

“AINE!” she yelled again.   Begun

“Fine…” I moaned as I hopped out of bed.

I opened the curtains to the blinding sun, and looked over all the houses in the County Of Bel Air, California. I saw cars go by, dogs being walked, and the hot sun blaze upon the town. As I looked out onto the streets, I heard my mom yet again yelling from the kitchen.

“Aine Elizabeth Marie Smith, get down here this instant!” she yelled.

As I slipped on my slippers, I head out the door of my bedroom.

“Well look who’s awake!” my father said as my mom tightened his tie before he went to work.

“ Morning,” I say grabbing my cereal from the cupboard. My mother and father swoon as I eat, what a typical morning.

“Darling, are you excited for your last day of school?” my mother exclaimed.

“Uh, I guess,” I muttered under my breath.

“We have things to discuss tonight Aine, so come home early from Diane’s house, alright?” my father said.

“Okay,” I responded.

As I finish my cereal, I rush back upstairs.

As I dive into my closet as I grab the uniform for school. “Plaid skirt (check), White button down blouse (check), black tights (check), black mary janes (check), and finally my blazer (check).” I said out loud. As I put on my uniform I look around at my disastrous room. Clothes thrown everywhere, homework scattered. As I finish the buckle of my shoe, I scrambled around gathering textbooks. I glanced over at the clock; 7:06. “UGH!” I yelled as I shoved my books into my book bag. I have to be downstairs in 9 minutes! Thank goodness it was the last day of school, I thought to myself. But yet again I thought about what my father said. My family never has anything exciting going on. I wonder what it is? Im sure its nothing, I say again reassuring myself.

As my mother pulls my hair back into two ponytails, I squeal.

“Could you pull any harder!!” I exclaimed.

“Shush,” my mom answers.

“Do I have therapy today?” I ask.

“No darling,” my mom answer.

I have struggled from depression for 3 years, it’s been hard. HONK HONK, the bus honks interrupting my thinking. As my mom twists the last elastic band, she hands me my lunch.

“Have fun!” she yells.

“Bye Honey!” my dad yells close after.

I sprint out the door to the bus.

The Socialite

“Aine, over here!” Diane yelled across the school yard.

“Hi Diane!” I responded as I ran over to her and hugged her.

“Aren’t you so excited for the last day! I can’t wait to go to summer cam- oh… sorry I forgot you can’t go this year,” she said.

“It’s okay, you’re going to have so much fun!” I answered.

“Hey I need to ask-” I said but interrupted by Jane, Diane’s Science Partner.

“Hey Diane we have to meet with Mr. Harris to talk about our science project,” she said.

“Sorry Aine, see you later!” Diane said as she ran to the Science Lab.

I was left speechless as I walked over to my first Class.

As my teacher went on about Summer Reading and Safe Summer Rules, I sighed. I looked at the window to the mucky sand floor. As the wind picked up the sandy swirled up. I watched it spin until “Aine, can you tell us the directions for the Summer Reading?” the teacher asked as she crossed her arms.

“Uhhh-” I stuttered as everyone stared.  RRRRR RRR III GGG the bell rang.

“Well everyone enjoy your break, remember to do your summer reading!” the teacher yelled as everyone ran out of the room as if a stampede of rhinos, except me.

I gathered my books and folders as I looked up at the clock. It read; 10:58am. 2 minutes to lunch, I said to myself.  I ran to my locker to get to lunch on time.

“5, 4, 8, 0,” I whispered to myself as put my locker combination in.  

I shoved my books in and grabbed my paper bag lunch. I looked inside, apple, fruit roll up, turkey & cheese sandwich, and finally a bag of celery. I slammed my locker, and tightly clenched my paper bag.

As I sat down at the lunch table Diane socialized with her friends. She was the socialite of 7th grade. Everybody loved to hang out with her. I was her very best friend, but all of her friends didn’t like me. Sometimes Diane would go along with them, but not recently.  I never knew why not lots of people liked me. I just couldn’t seem to fit it. It really upset me, and I couldn’t seem to get over it. Also since I was adopted, I didn’t fit in with my parents. I was born in Dublin till they adopted me at 2. Only Diane knew that. I played around with my food and let my mind wander. I looked over to Diane. She laughed as her friends talked to her. She never had a idea about how I felt. I love Diane and all, but she never understands me. She will always think I’m joking, when I’m obviously not. Maybe she didn’t know how to help me with my sudden sadness. Wind brushed in through the windows on to me, then the hot sun took over. I’ll never get sick of this heat, I thought to myself.

I sat in Math for the last time of the year, the last class of the year. I was ecstatic! I looked over at the clock. The red narrow hand ticked steadily. I watched it almost reach the 12, one, by one. It ticked along the black lines. The more the teacher talked the more it moved, then 12!  “YAY!” I yelled as I jumped in my seat. Everyone one starred, my face turned a scarlet color.

“Guess that only happens in the movies,” I mumbled as I lowered back into my seat.

Diane yelled my name yet again as we raced outside. Her mother honked her horn of her Toyota Camry, with Diane’s dog hanging out the opposite window.

“Come on in Girls,” she said as she adjusted her hair.

Diane’s mom was very strict, and she is obsessed with herself. She had too many rules, and would basically control Diane. But of course she still loved Diane very much, and her little brother Jamie.

“So how was the last day of School?” her mother asked, then added, “Did you get any homework? If so you have to do it right away,”

“Yes mom, we got homework,” Diane said as she looked out the window, annoyed with her.

“But-” Diane said but her mother interrupting her “Diane you can do it right after Aine leaves, don’t worry. I won’t waste your Teen Time!” she gigggled.

“Ms.Yuni?” I asked.

“Yes Aine,” she said while putting on her lipstick in the car mirror.

“Did my parents tell you I’m leaving early today, instead of 5:30 it’s 5?” I said.

“They did,” she said, smiling.

I leaned back to the car seat. It was dead silence in the car, I could tell Diane was annoyed.

“So are you excited for summer camp?” I said trying to change the subject.

“I guess, but it won’t be as fun without you,” she said.

“I’m sure you will make friends in no time!” I said, trying to cheer her up.

Her mom would embarrass her, I don’t know why it made her upset though. I wish I could ask her. Whenever I try she says she doesn’t want to to talk about it. Maybe it’s something else. I had to stop thinking the worst, I thought to myself as I looked over to Diane. Of course, she was texting. We carried on talking about thing to come during the summer, but it drifted back into silence. The Socialite was silent to me.

The Big What?

As I waved goodbye to Diane, I ran out to the brick sidewalk. My bag was strapped over my shoulder as I waited outside for my Mom to pick me up. I was so ready for summer, the endless beach days, no more countless nights of homework, hanging with friends and enjoying the nice sun. I could hardly wait. But the only thing that was going to be different was summer camp, no more summer camp. My parents told me we would have some traveling planned. I hated traveling. But they said it would be good for my depression. As I waited to hear the the sound my mother’s car roll up the driveway, it was still sunset and silent. Finally a faint sound of the car come closer and closer, and eventually it turned into my mom yelling from the rolled down window, “Hey Sweetie! Jump in.”

She rolled the window up as I hopped in the back seat.

When I opened the door to my house, I saw my dad and all this friends in the dining room. They were celebrating and it looked like they just got back from work. But so early… my dad didn’t get home till 6:45. Confused and puzzled, I looked up to my mother who was smiling.

“Hey Pumpkin!” my dad said as he was finally aware that I was home.

“Hi?” I said, waiting for my parents to explain, “What’s the sudden celebration?”

My mom jestered for dad’s friends to leave as she pulled out a chair for me to sit in.

“Oh yes!” my dad mumbled.

After everyone had left it was me and my parents at the table. They held hands on top of the table as my mother was getting ready to say something. My dad took a sip of his beer and almost yet slammed it down.

“So as we said this morning, we have very exciting news to share with you,” my mom said looking straight at me.

In those 5 seconds of silence I thought, is she pregnant? It would make sense, she was unable to have kids. That would make sense! I smiled as I looked at my parents.

“You’re having a baby!!” I screamed. My parents were yet shocked then it turned into laughter.

“No, no, honey,” my dad said still laughing.

I could feel my cheeks turn red as I calmed down. I felt so embarrassed.

My parents faced each other then said, “ We are moving to New York!!!”

The words hit me like a bullet. My world stopped. I wanted to run away, leave behind what just happened. My parents stared at me, eagerly waiting for a response. I couldn’t seem to fit words into my mouth. I wasn’t able to explain the pain.

“Honey, are you excited to move to The Big Apple?” my mom asked, as she locked hands with my dad.

“The Big what?” I said as I started to tear up.

“Oh god,” my mom whispered to my dad as she came over to stroke my hair.

“So Aine, I got moved to New York for my job,” then added “It’s promotion!”

“We are going to move in early August. So we still have a month at home before we move.” my mom said, still stroking my hair.

“But what about school, my friends. What happens to them?” I say as I start to cry. My vision turns blurry as I shed tears. My parents crowd around me, hugging me tight. This was not the summer surprise I expected.

The Big What?

As I waved goodbye to Diane, I ran out to the brick sidewalk. My bag was strapped over my shoulder as I waited outside for my Mom to pick me up. I was so ready for summer, the endless beach days, no more countless nights of homework, hanging with friends and enjoying the nice sun. I could hardly wait. But the only thing that was going to be different was summer camp, no more summer camp. My parents told me we would have some traveling planned. I hated traveling. But they said it would be good for my depression. As I waited to hear the the sound my mother’s car roll up the driveway, it was still sunset and silent. Finally a faint sound of the car come closer and closer, and eventually it turned into my mom yelling from the rolled down window, “Hey Sweetie! Jump in.”

She rolled the window up as I hopped in the back seat.

When I opened the door to my house, I saw my dad and all this friends in the dining room. They were celebrating and it looked like they just got back from work. But so early… my dad didn’t get home till 6:45. Confused and puzzled, I looked up to my mother who was smiling.

“Hey Pumpkin!” my dad said as he was finally aware that I was home.

“Hi?” I said, waiting for my parents to explain, “What’s the sudden celebration?”

My mom jestered for dad’s friends to leave as she pulled out a chair for me to sit in.

“Oh yes!” my dad mumbled.

After everyone had left it was me and my parents at the table. They held hands on top of the table as my mother was getting ready to say something. My dad took a sip of his beer and almost yet slammed it down.

“So as we said this morning, we have very exciting news to share with you,” my mom said looking straight at me.

In those 5 seconds of silence I thought, is she pregnant? It would make sense, she was unable to have kids. That would make sense! I smiled as I looked at my parents.

“You’re having a baby!!” I screamed. My parents were yet shocked then it turned into laughter.

“No, no, honey,” my dad said still laughing.

I could feel my cheeks turn red as I calmed down. I felt so embarrassed.

My parents faced each other then said, “ We are moving to New York!!!”

The words hit me like a bullet. My world stopped. I wanted to run away, leave behind what just happened. My parents stared at me, eagerly waiting for a response. I couldn’t seem to fit words into my mouth. I wasn’t able to explain the pain.

“Honey, are you excited to move to The Big Apple?” my mom asked, as she locked hands with my dad.

“The Big what?” I said as I started to tear up.

“Oh god,” my mom whispered to my dad as she came over to stroke my hair.

“So Aine, I got moved to New York for my job,” then added “It’s promotion!”

“We are going to move in early August. So we still have a month at home before we move.” my mom said, still stroking my hair.

“But what about school, my friends. What happens to them?” I say as I start to cry. My vision turns blurry as I shed tears. My parents crowd around me, hugging me tight. This was not the summer surprise I expected.

Final Few Days

AUGUST 1ST, 2016

“Honey how’s packing going?” my mom yelled from the kitchen.

“Good,” I said, as I opened another packing box.

We were moving in 5 days, and I was a nervous wreck. The summer had been pretty boring. It was filled of trips to New York to go to; Schools Interviews, Finding new Doctor and Dentist Offices, and lots of shopping for the house. The one good thing was going to Florida for a week to see my grandparents, but that was about it. As I packed up more and more of my room, it really hit me. These are my last couple days in this room. I had lived here my whole life, and now I would be leaving it behind. As I thought of all the memories I had in this house, I cried again. I slammed on my bed putting my face straight into the pillows. It was going to be a very hard week for me.

I woke up and realized I had fallen asleep after crying, I looked over to the clock; 4:52. I jumped out of bed and raced downstairs. My dad and mom were talking to the movers, they discussed measurements and what not. I wiped my red tired eyes and I went back upstairs. I looked around my room and said aloud “I have so much more work to do…”

AUGUST 3RD, 2016

BEEP BEEP BEEP, BEEP BEEP. I slammed my alarm clock as I peeped open one eye. Today the movers were coming to get the bigger pieces of furniture. I closed my eye again. I hoped when I woke up it would all be a dream. But when I did my mom was right in front of me, trying to get me up.

“Aine! The movers will be here in 20 minutes and they are taking your bed!” my mom yelled into my face.

“Wake me up then,” I whispered.

“AINE! You have to pack your bed sheets and pillows,”

“WHAT?” I yelled as I sprang up facing my mom.

“When I come back in 10 minutes everything will be packed,” my mom said as she stormed out of the room. I raced out of bed and started packing.  

AUGUST 4TH, 2016

I pumped up the air in the air mattress. I would be sleeping on it for the last night in this house. I threw on my favorite blanket and the pillow I saved for the plane ride. I had my stuffed animal bunny with DUBLIN written on its belly. My parents got that from the orphanage I was born into.

As I turned off the lights I hopped into bed, sinking into the mattress. It had been overused since my mom’s friends that lived in Seattle stayed here often. My head laid against the pillow, my hair in loose braids layed on my shoulders. I had butterflies in my stomach, squirming more than ever. I was very anxious, and my body couldn’t take it. Tomorrow would probably be the most eventful day of my life. Getting up at 5:30am, the movers arrive at 6am to pick up all the things, go to the airport around 7, get on a 6 hour plane to NYC at 8am, arrive in New York at 5pm but 2pm my time, pick up furniture that was preordered at ikea, go to our new house, eat dinner, and go to sleep. But I wasn’t ready for the big move. I had been preparing all summer, but it didn’t seem right to me. Any of it. I belonged here. That’s why I was adopted, to be California girl. But now I was going to be a New Yorker. No more long drives to-well everywhere, no more Diane play dates everyday after school, and sadly no more Hampton Charter Middle School. It was going to be Red Wood School K-12th. Surely that was going to be interesting. My school was very big, 600 kids in just Middle School. But this school was 400 for kindergarten through 12th grade! It was all going to be different. But maybe different would be good for me. After all my nightly thoughts, I eventually drifted off to sleep. Not worrying about tomorrow.     

One Last Time

5:30am, August 5th, 2016 was finally here. Just a bit too quickly. I went straight to the bathroom and rinsed my worn out face. I had done more crying this summer than in this whole year. My face was all red, eyelashes dull, and my skin was left with tons of blemishes. I ran around the top floor of my house one last time, I would always do this before I went on a vacation. But now it would just be a permanent vacation. One I didn’t want to leave for. I grabbed my suitcases, grasped my bunny and in the other hand I held my pillow. I shut the door one last time, but I couldn’t seem to close it all the way. I knew one day I would be ready. But for today it stayed open, I couldn’t leave it all behind.

As the movers came in, I could feel the pain watching them take our furniture. But for my parents all they did was smile. That’s all they did till everything was gone. Just like that, a driver honked to take us away. My mom gestured her hand, but I didn’t move. I felt like I was stabbed, but in this case it was in the heart.

“So LAX, correct?” the driver said in his deep Italian accent.

“Yes, thank you,” my mom said as she leaned back into the car seat. My dad had out his computer, doing work.

“Is there anywhere you can’t work,” I mumbled under my breath hoping no one heard me.

“Aine?” my dad said looking over at me.

“Yes?” I asked, nervously fidgeting with my hands.

He looked over at me with a dark stare. Lets just say I was silent for the rest of the ride. As we arrived at the airport, I was still pretty upset.

”Gate B7 you may now board.” I heard the flight attendant say as my parents headed over to our gate. It was finally time, NYC Bound we were.

As my mother patted my shoulder in the middle of my long-lasting nap, I jerked up from the plane seat. My pillow was still against my head. My blanket laid across my torso. I looked over to the plane window. We landed. I could see the gigantic skyscrapers, and the sunset just about setting. I looked over to my mom you came closer and whispered, “Welcome Home.”

As we darted into baggage claim from the gate, I swiftly ran towards it. I just wanted to get home and sleep. I wanted to wake up in California, and attend my last day of school once more. I wanted pretend my dad never got promoted. Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way.

New Beginnings

As we hopped out of the cab from the airport, I was facing our new apartment building. It had been getting a handful of remodels from my parents, so I hadn’t seen it finished. They had told me my room was going to be great. But I had no idea what they had planned for it, but surely that was the last thing I was worried about. I still faced the building. It was coated in a dull gray, with golden streaks lining the windows. The doorman awaited us with his uniform on, inky colored coat with a hat labeled ‘UWS.Penthouses in a gold script.’ He gave me a smirk as he grabbed my carry on’s and placed them into the elevator.

“So you guys moving in?” he asked as he put in the key to lock to elevator in place.

“Yeah,” I responded as I sank down into the lobbies couch.

My parents unloaded their carry ons and air mattress for the night, they laughed and swooned together. Uck, parents.

“Where are you moving from?” he asked again, “Oh! I’m and I’m Andre by the way.” he said as he extended his hand.

“I’m Aine…” I said quietly while shaking his hand, “I moved here from California, and I really don’t like New York so far.”

“California! That’s great. Well I’m sure you will make some new frie-” he said but I interrupted. “Hahaha!” I laughed.

He stared at me, “Well I am terrible at making friends. It’s very hard for me. But I don’t want to talk about it. It brings me- uh nevermind.” I said rapidly slouching back into the couch.

“Well there is a girl name Chloe. She doesn’t have lots of friends either. I think you guys will be friends.” he says as he gets up from the couch.

He goes over to held my parents unload. For the first time in a while I smiled. I think Andre and I were going to be friends, but I didn’t know about Chloe yet.

I pushed 17, as we rode up I felt better than I had before me and Andre talked. He made me happy. My parents looked at each other when they saw me smiling, I looked back and hugged them. I wish I could have seen their shocked faces. When the elevator doors opened, my heart stopped. My parents walked through, but I second guessed myself. My dad quickly took out his keys, but for me it was in snails pace. I watched him thrust the key into the lock. The twist was slower, his hand turning a cherry color because of the force he had put on it. Then it cracked opened. But I didn’t know if I was yet ready, to see unleash the new discoveries of this house. It cracked more and more, until the coffee table arose, candles set on top, beautiful flowers, and a intricate detailed lamp. I looked to my parents and barely stepped into the doorway. The bright rose colored walls covered the whole apartment, as far as I could see. The lights were delicate and dim, but still brightened everything up. I moved stepped closer, my bag dragging behind me.

“It’s really nice.” I said walking more and more into the house. This was it. This was my new home.

Thanksgiving Surprises

NOVEMBER 24, 2016

It had been around a month since I had started school. It was pretty generic and just the right amount of difficulty for me. I met with a school therapist and my personal one I met with in August. School shrink twice a week, and my generic one was once a week. I hadn’t made any friends yet. Everyone was preppy, popular, and athletic. All the things I wasn’t. But the teachers were nice to me, at least.

I had been thinking about that Chloe girl for a month now, and I really wanted to meet her, and today was my lucky day. I turned around to see my mom standing there.

“Honey are you dressed?” my mom asked picking up clothes I had thrown on the floor.

“Almost,” I said as I looked for a pair of shoes. I picked out my cleanest pairs of sneakers.

“Honey!” my mom yelled.

“What?” I replied.

“No sneakers,” she said pointing her finger at me.

I threw my sneakers behind me as I picked out another pair of shoes.

As I was saying, today is Thanksgiving. We are still “Moving In” and our kitchen isn’t complete. So Chloe’s family invited us over for Thanksgiving! I was thrilled, but very nervous. I didn’t want to blow a chance to get a friend. I really needed one since Diane wasn’t around. Also it would definitely help my depression. Even though Chloe was two years younger than me, I didn’t care if I had a friend who was 4 or 22. Anyone would make me feel better.

I raced down the hallway to our living space. We were still living in a construction sight. The floor still getting redone, waiting for custom made appliances, and boxes still awaiting to be opened. We haven’t unpacked much because of our crazy schedule, but soon I hoped I could live a homey house again.

“We are leaving!” my parents yelled from the front door.

I grabbed my cat purse and fixed my hair in the mirror, my mom looked at me weird. She knows I never care about my appearance much. Today was a special day. Maybe I would be walking back into the apartment with a new friend.

As we walked up to her apartment building, I was filled with anxiety. I was eager to meet Chloe. As we arrived on floor 4, I faced the front door. Turkey balloons bopped around the outside.

As my mom knocked on the door, “Sarah, James!” the women says going for a hug to my mom and dad.

“And this must be Aine,” she says opening the door so we could come in.

“It sure is,” my mom says walking in.

I walked into the house, the table was set flawlessly. Perfect folded napkins, polished silverware, and chairs that were velvet. I looked in awe, as a girl in a intricity lace dress walked from her bedroom into the living room. We met eyes, I was tightened in my shoulders until she smiled. I brought my shoulders down as I took a deep breath.

“You must be Annie?” Chloe asked.

“Aine,” I replied with a sudden grin.

“Oh sorry, nice to meet you!” she said extending her hand out.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” I said.

AFTER DINNER

I scrapped off the last bit of mashed potatoes, and drank the last bit of apple cider.

“Chloe and Andrew?” their mother said pointing at the two siblings.

“Yes mother,” Chloe and Andrew replied.

“Why don’t you two go play with your friends till we finish cleaning up here , ok?” she asked them.

“Sure,” the siblings said looking at each other.

I thought to myself, Chloe has a brother? Does Andrew also have a friend over? I think I might puke. I was so nervous, I could barely stand trying to make friends with one person. Don’t even tell me 3.

As Chloe, Andrew, Andrew’s friend, and I walked into the sibling’s bedroom.

“Aine this is Eamonn, Eamonn this is Aine,” Chloe says smiling.

“Hi,” Eamonn said shaking my hand.

I freeze, as his hand is waiting in front of me.

“Hhh-ii,” I said freaking out inside.

Chloe looks over and covers her mouth, I can tell she feels bad for me.

“Hey, Aine come over her!” Chloe asks.

“Are you ok? You seem upset,” she said.

“I-I” I said.

“You can tell me,” she said, “I want to be your friend!”

“Ok, I have depression,” I said, “Since I was adopted, I have always felt left out. Now whenever I meet someone, I always freeze up and get unsettled,” I said again.

“Wow, well I’m here for you now”,” she replies, “Even though we just met, I think we can both use a friend,” she said.

We drew for the next 30 minutes, Chloe was much better than me. But I didn’t care. I had a friend, and that was the only thing I cared about.

“Aine?” my parents say as they come into the room.

“Yeah,” I said, looking over at them.

“We are heading out, are you ready?” they asked me.

“Mr&Mrs Smith?” Chloe asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

“Can Aine stay for a bit?” she asked.

“Aine?” my dad asked.

“I would love to,” I say looking over at Chloe.

“Alright be home in a hour ok?” my mom says.

“Alright,” I said as I kept drawing.

As Chloe and I spend time together, Andrew and Eamonn came bulging in from the play room with nerf guns.

“You have just become invavvdedd!” Andrew yelled shooting a nerf at his sister.

“ANDRREEWWW!!” Chloe yelled.

After 10 minutes of them yelling at each-other, Eamonn and I looked over at each other.

“Hey guys?” Eamonn said over the yelling.

We started laughing as the two fought, and couldn’t hear us.

“You live close by right?” Eamonn asked me.

“Yeah,” I replied.

“I can walk you home, if you want,” he asked.

“Sure, let me get my coat,” I said with a huge grin on my face.

I felt , I had already made a friend. I couldn’t even imagine making another. I keeped saying to myself, You’re not capable of doing this, you’re going to embarrass yourself! But I didn’t listen. For the first time, I wanted to try. Harder than I have ever before.

As Eamonn and I walked out of the apartment, we started to talk.

“So, you just moved to New York, right?” he asked.

“Yeah, just in August,” I replied pushing the elevator button.

“Where from?” he said as he held the elevator door open.

“California, but I was born in Ireland,” I said.

“Oh really?” he asked.

“Yeah, I was adopted from Ireland, but then moved to California,” I replied.

“Oh that’s weird, I was also adopted from Ireland,” he said.

As he says those words, I stopped. I looked at him.

“No way!” I yelled as we exited the building.

“Yeah,” he said as he swept his hair back.

For a while we barely spoke. Still at a loss for words for what just had happened.

“So anyway, what are your interests?” he asked as we crossed the street.

I smiled and answered, “Well I love school, mostly Writing, and I’m on a swim team, and you?”

“Well, I hate school, but I love sports, and I enjoy collecting pokemon cards,” he said.

“We are kind of polar opposites,” I giggled.

“Maybe sometimes that is what brings to people together, what makes them friends, it’s better to be opposite,” he said.

AINE’S APARTMENT

As I fall into my brand new bed, I sigh.

“Maybe New York isn’t so bad after all,” I say out loud.

I get into my pajamas, and brush my teeth. I think about what I did. I finally did it. I made a friend, well two! I snuggle up in my new bed and “BING”, my phone goes off.

*What are you doing tomorrow ?

-E*

*Nothing, why?

-A*

*I need emergency tutoring for creative writing, and I want to hang out. What do ya say?

-E*

*Sure:p, what time?

-A*

*1:00? Your house or mine?

-E*

*Mine, See you at 1, :))

-A*

I shut off my phone, and drifted off into sleep. I had a feeling tomorrow was going to be a day to remember.

 

You’ve Got a Friend in Me?

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, my alarm rang.

“Fine I’m up, I’m up!” I yelled as I smashed the snooze button.

“OMG!” I yelled as I jumped up from my bed, “He is going to be here in 20 minutes!”

I ran to my closet, “Classy but subtle,” I mumbled under my breath.

As I searched through my closet, I got butterflies. I had a meet up, with a friend! It was almost to good to be true. I looked through my shirts, skirts, sweatpants, and jeans. I grabbed my favorite pair of jeans, and my embroidered texas style blouse. I grabbed my red converse, and slipped them on. My hair put into two loose braids, barely staying put.

“Good Morning, what’s the rush to get ready?” my dad said as he walks in the door of my bedroom.

“Oh my friend Eamonn coming over, he needs tutoring,” I said redoing my hair.

“Eamonn, friend?” he asked, “That name sounds familiar,” he mumbled as he walked out of my room.

I put in my last bit of hairspray, then I headed out into the dining room. I grabbed my backpack and spread all my writing books on the table. I grabbed my No.2 pencils and new erasers.

BING, went my phone.

*Hey sorry, I’m running late. See you 1:30?”

-E*

*No prob;)

-A*

Thank goodness he’s late, I can fit in breakfast, I said to myself.

As I browsed the internet and finished the rest of my cereal, I heard a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it!” I yelled as I ran to the door.

“Hi Aine,” he said as he walked through the door.

“Hi!” I said, “Sorry the house is a mess, we are still moving in,”

“Wow your house is nice,” he said looking around.

“Oh, thanks,” I said, “The bathroom is around the corner, and the fridge. Well we don’t have one yet, we have a mini fridge,”

“It’s totally fine,” he said laughing.

“Do you want a house tour?” I asked.

“Why not,” he said smiling.

“And that brings us back to the living room,” I said as I led him back to the table.

“Great house,” he said.

“‘I’m going to grab my backpack so we can start studying,” he said.

“Ok,” I responded, smiling.

As we studied, I felt a feeling I had felt before. Companionship. I felt actually genuinely happy. Even though I knew he wasn’t always going to be around. It was good enough. It is enough for me.

“Aine, Who is this?” my mom asked as she walked into the living room.

“Mom, this is Eamonn-” I said but was cut off by my mom.

“Eamon?” my mom yelled, “Sorry, pleased to meet you,”

Eamonn and I looked at eachother puzzled, what had just happened?

“Anyway, have fun studying,” my mom said swiftly rushing out of the room.

“I’ll- I’ll be right back,” I said as I rushed to my parents room.

I leaned on the door as I listened closely.

“Why don’t we just call the adoption agency,” my dad exclaimed.

“I just can’t with you right now, It’s 2am there!” my mom yelled.

“Honey, please calm down,” my dad responded, “Why don’t we call his parents, if they know,”

“If they know what?” my mom asked.

“Aine?” Eamonn yelled before I could hear the rest of my parents conversation.

“Coming!” I yelled as I started to walk back into the living room.

The thoughts rushed in my head like a flood from a hurricane. What about Eamonn parents, and the adoption agency? I was puzzled, and worried sick. But I didn’t want to blow my chance at a friend.

“Hey, what took you so long?” he asked, “I read your story, it’s amazing,” he said smiling.

“Oh, thanks,” I said as I sat down in my seat.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes, yes, I’m fine,” I said, “Let’s look at your dialogue,”

I could hear my mom, yelling at my dad. I could hear them calling everyone they could. For what? That remained a secret. I was so worried and in distress. Eamonn looked at me concerned.

“Are your parents ok?” he said, “Should I leave?”

“Eamonn, don’t be silly!” I said.

“Are you sure?” he responded.

“Yeah,” I said sarcastically.

We continued to try and get over the fact that something was seriously wrong. I still tried to help study, but we eventually gave up. We sat there, and waited. Waited for what? An answer.

As I lead Eamonn to my parents room, we knocked.

“Aine, Eamonn, hello,” my mother said as she wiped the watering mascara under her eye.

“Mom?” I asked, “What is going on?”

“Nothing!” she laughed, sarcastically.

“Ok then,” I said as we walked back to the living room.

BING, went Eamonn’s phone.

*How’s it going?
-Mommy*

*Coming home now

-Eamonn*

“Sorry I lost track of time,” Eamonn said, “My mom said to be home by 3,”

As Eamonn rushed out the door, my heart sank. I thought that Eamonn wanted to be my friend. But as soon as I saw that text, that thought drifted away. And never came back.

I’m Never Letting Go

As I fluttered my eyes open, it felt just like another Saturday. I could smell the waffles that had just come in from the restaurant down the street. I could hear Marissa (the maid) vacuuming. And of course, the news roaring from the living room.

I checked my phone.

*Aine?

-E*

*Are you awake?

-E*

*Can’t wait to see you!

-E*

I looked over at the clock-10:51.

I texted back,

*Eamonn, what are you talking about?

-A*

*She Speaks! And we are having lunch, in 20 minutes, with our parents.

-E*

*BRB

-A*

I slammed my phone against the table. I barged in the doors of my parents bedroom.

“Honey, what are you doing in your pajamas!” my mother yelled as she started to fix my hair.

“I just woke up,” I said rubbing my eyes.

“Darling!” my dad said coming into the conversation from the bathroom, “We haven’t told her,”

“Ohh!” my mom mumbled, “We are going out to lunch with the Wilsons, Eamonns family,”

“Why?” I asked.

“Since you two are becoming friends, we wanted to get to know the parents,” my mom said.

“But we aren’t friends,” I mumbled under my breath.

“We’re leaving in 15 minutes, quick get ready!” my mom yelled as she made her way to her vanity, “Honey, it’s a very fancy restaurant!”

I ran to my room. I tore out dresses, skirts, and shirts galore. Finally, I found a navy blue dress. It had elegant long sleeves, and rather a puffy bottom. I put on my cleanest pair of white sneakers, and put my hair up in a pony tail. I secured it with pure white bow.

“Aine, we’re leaving!” my dad yelled from the front door. I stuffed my phone and lip gloss into my purse, and ran to the door.

“Right over here sir,” my dad said as he directed the Uber driver to the restaurant.

I looked out the window, I saw Eamonn and his family riding their bikes down the road. His mother in a summer floral dress, his father with khakis and a button up. My mother wore a pencil shirt, with an blouse complete with diamonds galore. My father wore a suit, even with a handkerchief sticking out of his coat pocket. I thought about how different our families were. My family were taking a car service, his were taking bikes. I couldn’t imagine that polar opposites would get along. I couldn’t imagine our parents getting along. But as Eamon said ‘“Maybe sometimes that is what brings to people together, what makes them friends, it’s better to be opposite,” he said.’

I walked up to the front of the restaurant, a chill went down my spine. I felt nervous, skittish, and upset. I didn’t know what was going to happen. Everything that had happened yesterday could just come out. Or not. I could walk out of this restaurant with a new piece of information, that could hurt or heal me. Or it could be a normal brunch, and nothing would happen.

“Reservation for Smith, party of 6,” my mother said to the hostess.

“Right this way,” she responded.

As we were lead to the table I spotted Eamonn and his parents. I could tell he knew his family was underdressed. I could see his face forming into a tomato.

“Mom, there they are,” I said facing the direction of the family.

“Oh, thank you sweetheart,” she said rushing over to the family.

As she chatted with the parents and showed them the table, I could see the fear in our parents eyes. My mother and Eamonns whispered, and laughed. The experience so far had hit me like a slap. I couldn’t believe it.

IN THE MIDDLE OF BRUNCH

The conversations we had faded quickly. Our parents obviously had tension between them. Eamonn and I could sense it. We reached for eachothers hands. We tightened the grip each time it could more awkward.

“Eamonn, Aine,” Eamonn’s mother (Kandice) said.

“Yes,” we answered in sync.

“We have some very big news to share with you, something that we didn’t think was going to come out anytime soon” my father said.

“First things first, Aine, where were you born?” Eamonn’s father (Owen) asks.

“Dublin, Dublin Ireland,” I said gripping Eamonn’s hand harder.

“And so was I, we were both adopted,” Eamonn said before anyone could stop him.

“Yes,” I said looking at him with my bulging out eyes from disbelief.

“And honey you have red hair, fair skin with lots of freckles, and of course green eyes, right?” my mom asked me.

“Yes,” I answer.

“Eamonn you have a bit darker red hair, fair skin with uncountable amount of freckles, with-” my mom said but was cut off by Eamonn.

“Green eyes,” he said trying to believe the words that were coming out of his mouth.

“And Aine and Eamonn, When are your birthday’s?” my mother asked us, closing her eyes.

“December 31st at 11:59PM,” we said in sync.

“No way,” I yelled as we both jumped back.

“You’re-” my dad said but we joined in.

“TWINS?” we yelled.

My mother handed us our birth certificates, we let go of our grip. Instead we hugged at tight as we could. A tear of joy fell down my cheek.

“I’m never letting go,” he said.

“Me either,” I said.

I was right, I would be walking out of that restaurant with news that I never saw coming. Information that made me a different person. It was a person with a companion. Someone who would always be at my side, because we were connected by blood. Not that it mattered anyway. I had got a medication that would never run out, or stop working. It was a brother, a true companion. Someone who would never let go.