Better Half

I stare out the window of our yellow school bus. Today was the first day of my senior year at Dayla High. I've been here since ninth grade, seen different people come and go. I have a twin, named Marley. She's always been the center of attention and tried desperately to make sure people don't know we are twins. But we are identical, you can't hide it. It doesn't matter, though, because no one really cares. I'm fine with my lack of attention, it's really much less stressful. Marley uses me for copying homework mostly, other wise she treats me like a nobody. It bothered me in middle school, because we used to be so close. We wore the same clothes, had the same friends, it was lovely. We got a kick out of people mixing us up. But in 6th grade, Marley started to wear make up and wear different clothes. People liked her much better than I. I never understood why until now.

"Can I sit here?" A tall boy with brown hair and brown eyes approaches me. He was extremely attractive. I hadn't even noticed the bus stopped.

"Yeah, of course." I smile, scooting over a bit to make room for him. I look back at Marley, who sits in the very back of the bus, to see her reaction. I knew the split second she gave me the evil eye that there will be an issue later.

"I'm Zayn." He reaches out his hand for me to shake.

"Charlie." I answer, grasping his soft hand and shaking slightly.

"Are you new here?" He asks.

"No, I'm a senior. Been here since grade nine." I reply with a smile.

"Great, I'm a senior too. So will you help me around?" He smiles in hope.

"Yes, sure, that sounds alright." I answer. Marley normally gives the hot boys the tours and ends up sucking face in the janitor's closet. Zayn looks around the bus and eventually spots Marley, who was laughing and teasing a freshman in front of her.

"That girl looks exactly like you. Is she your—"

"Yes she's my twin, unfortunately." I cut him off and sigh. Every year this happens.

"I can see why that's unfortunate." He laughs and turns to me.

"What?" I ask. Normally people ask why it's a bad thing that she's my sister, and ends up ditching me for her.

"I said I can see why you aren't happy she's your sister. She's making fun of people and being rude to her friends, and she dresses like a, excuse me for saying this, a slut. She wears too much make up, if she wore less she would look perfect." He says. I don't wear make up, and I take it as if he is calling me perfect. I blush.

"I'm fine with it, I agree with you. But be careful, don't say it to her face." I laugh.

"I wasn't planning on it." He answers. We chat, and we learn more and more about eachother. He's really nice to me. The only boys who talk to me want to get into my pants, or use me to get Marley's number. Zayn was the first boy I've ever heard say that Marley isn't all that.

The bus comes to a stop as we arrive at the school. I breathe in the fresh air as I exit the bus with Zayn. Marley speeds up behind us and stops Zayn in his tracks.

"Hey. I'm Marley. I can show you around if you'd like." She says, touching his shoulder.

"Ah, not thanks. I already asked Charlie to do that." He smiles, and continues to walk with me. Marley runs in her heels to catch up.

"Oh, you don't want to be around that. You will be teased for hanging out with, that." She points to me and looks disgusted.

"I really don't care. And 'that' has a name, you should know you're her sister." He glances at her and gives her a disgusted look back.

"Um, did you just reject me? No, that's not how it works. Charlie is a nobody! Nobody likes her! Everyone loves me! No!" She whines. She has never dealt with this before and neither have I. Zayn and I continue to walk to the newly painted white double doors, leaving Marley complaining to her 'friends'.

"Thanks for that?" I say, not knowing really what to say.

"You don't deserve that. Is she telling the truth?" He asks. I'm afraid that if I say yes he will go to her and leave me, but I never lie. Maybe that's my problem.

"I mean I have a few friends but pretty much." I laugh as we get handed our schedules. At the bottom it shows our locker number. Since Zayn and I have our last names start with 'M A', our lockers are right next to eachother, and Marley is right next to me, as always. That will me a major problem.

"Our lockers are right next to eachother, I guess it was meant for us to be friends." He laughs. We both have gym and chemistry together, but nothing else. Of course, like every year, Marley and I are in the same class.

"See you in gym, we have home room first." He says, and walks the other direction. I prepare myself for hell as I walk into the room where Marley awaits for my presence. I sit down in the seat assigned for me, which is next to Marley, who's face is filled with fury.

"You stay away from Zayn or I swear to god I will make your life a leaving hell." She scolds quietly.

"You know what? I don't care. You did that to me a long time ago and I really don't care what you do any more. Zayn doesn't even like you." I defend myself for the first time. She sits in disbelief that I just told her no. No one tells Marley Mayne no.

Notes