A/N: In case you glossed over it, this is an AU fic. The only real difference of note right now is the age difference between Miranda and Oriana. They are now about seven years apart. Also, obviously as this is a modern day AU they are not genetically modified twin ladies. Just normal ladies. Unreasonably attractive, yes. But normal… , obviously no aliens in this. Names will be used for fun, but everyone will be human beings.
WARNING – This is a heavily dialogue based story. If you are looking for romanticized descriptions and long winded paragraphs look somewhere else as I was not in the mood. :p
The warm rays of the sun seeping through the high windows of the library did little to calm Miranda as she shifted about in the uncomfortable folding chair. She sat at a large round table, waiting for another student who apparently did not deem it necessary to arrive to their prescheduled appointment on time.
It was rather irritating, waiting for some kid from grade nine who was likely to drop out before graduation when she had so many more important things to work on. She still had sixteen acceptances to work through from the various universities she had applied to. The decision was a daunting one, and her father was pressuring her for an answer. She had only agreed to tutor struggling underclassmen for yet another bullet point to add to her college resume. Now that acceptances were in, it was merely an afterschool nuisance.
Still, the year was almost over and soon she would be on to bigger and better things.
About five minutes passed before a girl finally approached her. She was lean and muscled with short red hair that framed her face in an unruly manner. Miranda could tell right away she was an underachiever. Her slouched posture as she walked coupled with her tardiness gave that away all too quickly. Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, Miranda plastered a carefully practiced smile across her face. It was never a problem when she had to help a student who was genuinely struggling, but kids like this one always turned out to be a frustrating project.
"Hello," the girl said cheerfully as she plopped down in the chair next to her.
"You must be the student Mrs. T'Soni told me about," Miranda said in way of greeting, surprised that her visitor appeared to have an American accent.
The girl seemed to think about that for a moment, and then a wild grin spread across her face. "Jane. But my friends call me Shepard," she responded nonchalantly as she pulled her backpack up onto the table, opening the zipper to reveal a mess of crumpled papers and broken pencils.
"Fascinating," Miranda responded disinterestedly as she scrunched her nose up in disgust at the display before her. "So Mrs. T'Soni told me you needed assistance in algebra, Jane." Miranda emphasized the name.
Shepard put on a hurt face. "Are you insinuating that we aren't friends?" she asked with a sniffle.
Miranda groaned. This was all she needed, an obnoxious class clown. "Can we just get to work please? You've already cut our time short with your tardiness."
With a mock salute, Shepard nodded. "Yes, Ma'am."
"Okay," Miranda said with a heavy sigh. "Show me what your class is working on."
"Are you listening to a word I'm saying?" Miranda gasped out in frustration for what was unfortunately not the first time.
"Yes," Shepard responded in irritation. "And I'm telling you it doesn't make sense."
"God." Miranda dropped her head into her hands. "I have achieved top of my class every year I studied here, I think I know basic mathematics," she hissed aggressively through her fingers. In her entire year as a tutor she had yet to meet as frustrating a student as Jane Shepard.
"I do not doubt your intelligence," Shepard shot back. "I'm saying that algebra is stupid and the rules don't make sense and I'm never going to use this ever again."
"Then stop wasting my time and go. I'm not the one failing my class." Miranda dropped her hands to glare over at her peer. "Trust me, there are plenty of other ways I would rather be spending my Friday afternoon."
"Oh yeah sure," Shepard scoffed.
She was being provoked, Miranda knew it instantly. And yet, she could not help but fall into Shepard's trap. "And what does that mean?" Her words were like ice.
Shepard was positively unaffected by the animosity being directed at her. She merely offered her tutor a warm smile. "You wouldn't have gone home and relaxed. You're going to spend this whole weekend locked in your room studying and ignoring all forms of social interaction."
There was practically fire in Miranda's eyes. "You don't know anything about me," she all but growled out. "Either focus on the work or get lost. I don't have to put up with this. You need me. Not the other way around."
With a heavy sigh, Shepard sat back against her chair. "You're right. I'm sorry."
Miranda looked at her suspiciously, waiting for the twist. Surely the girl was going to turn it into a personal jab in some way or another. Her silence prompted a laugh from Shepard. "Are you always this trusting?"
With a haughty sniff, Miranda straightened up in her chair. "Fine," she relented at length, "I accept your apology." She glanced at the clock on the wall and a genuine smile graced her lips. She was free. "Looks like we are out of time though. Too bad," she said cheerfully despite Shepard's crestfallen look.
"Wait," Shepard said in a panic as she watched Miranda collect her belongings and stand. "I still don't understand all of this. I'm not even close to being ready for the next test, let alone end of the year exams."
Miranda grinned wickedly. "Not my problem."
As she moved towards the doors of the library, Shepard was in hot pursuit, stuffing the papers they had been going over haphazardly in her bag as they moved. "Wait, can we set up another meeting?"
Miranda cringed, she had been afraid of this. "There is nothing I can teach you when you're so obviously unwilling to learn, Jane."
Shepard moved in front of her, walking backwards when she realized Miranda had no intention of being blocked. "I'll be better, please. I promise I'll be on my best behavior." Her hands clasped together as she begged. "You have no idea how important this is to me. Please."
Surprisingly, Miranda found herself softening a bit at Shepard's begging. More than anything though, she wanted the kid to shut up so that she get on with her life. She should have left to pick up Oriana at the dance studio five minutes ago.
"Fine," she finally relented reluctantly.
"Fine?" Shepard's face lit up as they both halted their step.
"Yes." She rolled her eyes. "Now can I go please?"
"Oh, yeah," Shepard moved to the side sheepishly when she realized she was blocking the door. Miranda pushed it open and they passed through side by side.
"Why are you still following me?" Miranda groaned as she passed through the now empty halls of the school.
"Well when can I see you again?" Shepard pressed cautiously. She was quickly realizing that Miranda had something of a temper on her.
"I don't know," Miranda said with little interest. "When are you free?"
Shepard shrugged unhelpfully, causing Miranda to grit her teeth. "Listen, I'm in a bit of a rush here," she explained with the little patience she had left. "Can I just give you my number and we can work it out later?"
Smiling brightly, Shepard reached into the pocket of her tattered jeans to whip out her phone, punching the keys dutifully as Miranda recited them aloud. "Okay," Miranda said when they were finished. "I'll be going then."
Shepard nodded and seemingly understood the dismissal, but when Miranda started walking down the hall once more, Shepard continued to follow. She narrowed her eyes in irritation and quickened her pace, but Shepard kept up accordingly.
"Is there something else I can help you with?" Miranda said a bit too loudly as she spun on her heels to face the girl behind her.
Shepard held up her hands defensively. "This is the way to the parking lot."
Miranda's face flushed pink with hot embarrassment and she quickly turned back around without another word. They passed through the double doors out of their school quickly after that, and she noted with barely repressed ire that Shepard was still trailing her.
It wasn't until she had reached her car that the girl spoke up once more. Shepard was glancing around the parking lot with feigned awe. "Would you look at that, all the buses are gone."
Miranda panicked at the implication and quickly unlocked her car, jumping inside before Shepard could ask what she so clearly intended to. Apparently she wasn't quick enough however as Shepard's grinning face was peering in at her from the passenger side window, a heavy fist knocking on the glass obnoxiously. For a split second, Miranda contemplating merely starting the car and peeling out of there. Eventually though, she reluctantly rolled down the window at Shepard's gesturing.
"The buses are gone," she reiterated with a stupid smile on her face.
"I'm going to pick up my sister," Miranda shot back frantically in response, trying desperately to ward the irritating nuisance off.
"Oh don't worry about that," Shepard said cheerfully as she reached through the open window to unlock the door for herself. "I don't have a curfew."
"Why are you an eighty year old woman?" Shepard laughed as she flipped through the small book of CDs that she had found when she began searching through the glove compartment without permission.
Miranda sniffed, she should not have to defend her music tastes to a virtual stranger. "Just put it down before you break something."
To her surprise, Shepard complied. "This is a fancy car," she mused suddenly. "You must be pretty well off."
Miranda did not answer. Her family's financial status was none of Shepard's business.
"So where are we going?" She asked in a childish tone.
"I already told you," Miranda sighed. "I need to pick up my sister."
Shepard rolled her eyes, though she knew Miranda could not see the gesture. "I meant where are we picking her up?"
"I," Miranda amended quickly, "am picking her up from her dance class. And then I am taking you where ever you need to be as quickly as possible."
There was a short silence. "You don't like me very much, do you?"
Miranda gripped the steering wheel tightly. "Figure that out all on your own, did you?"
"Maybe if you weren't so stand offish you would have some friends," Shepard replied easily as she watched the cars speed by next to them. Miranda drove quite like an eighty year old woman as well.
"Who said I don't have friends?" Miranda shot back rather harshly. Once again, she was playing Shepard's game, letting the conversation continue. She really needed to stop doing that.
"I can just tell," Shepard laughed. "You are rather," she hesitated as she searched for the right word. "Prickly."
"Prickly?"
"Mmhmm," Shepard hummed as she looked over at the older girl. "Prickly like the Opunita."
Miranda raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise, which caused Shepard to grin. "Not just a pretty face, am I?"
"Don't insult me and then look for compliments," Miranda chastised her. "It demeans us both."
Shepard laughed incredibly loudly at that. "You are seriously like the most typical rich person I have ever met."
"You meet many do you?" Miranda shot back, clearly getting fed up with the whole conversation.
"I've met enough," Shepard replied cryptically. Miranda hated herself for the flicker of curiosity that lit up inside her at the comment.
Frustrated with herself, and even more so with Shepard, she took the right into the dance school parking lot a tad more forcefully than was strictly necessary.
"Wide turn," Shepard called out happily as she was jostled about in her seat.
There was a young girl waiting by the entrance to the building and as Miranda pulled up to the curb, Shepard was taken aback by how similar the sisters looked. The girl happily skipped off the sidewalk and up to the back door, climbing clumsily into the back seat in the wondrous way only children can.
"You're late, 'Randa!" She said with an exaggerated pout, clearly complaining merely for the fun of it.
"I'm sorry, Ori," Miranda responded quickly. Shepard was surprised how sincere she sounded. So far her experience with Miranda had been all scathing remarks and snarky rebuttals. "I was held up." She flashed Shepard a sideways glare as she spoke.
"That's me," Shepard claimed with a grin, turning around in her seat so that she offered a hand for the younger girl to shake, "Shepard the Hold Up."
Miranda's sister grinned and shook her hand with quite a bit of exuberance, "Oriana Lawson."
Miranda cringed at her sister's admission. Shepard's hum of understanding and dramatically slow turn around in her chair to face her new tutor said it all. "Lawson, huh? Well that explains the car."
She held her breath as she waited for Shepard to say something more now that she knew Miranda was the daughter of one of the most influential business men in current existence. However, nothing more came. Shepard was tilting her head back to face Oriana once more.
"Do you wanna switch seats?" she offered kindly.
"Sure," Oriana shouted excitedly.
"No, Ori," Miranda cut in. "Stay in the back, it's safer."
Oriana fell back against the seat with her arms crossed, a pout clearly plastered across her face.
"Not if you get rear ended," Shepard offered to Miranda quietly.
"Please stop talking."
"As you wish, Miss Lawson."
And there it was.
When she found out where Shepard lived, which happened to quite out of the way, Miranda knew she should get Oriana home first as it was on the way and her father would want her to be working on her homework since their piano instructor would be over earlier than usual in the morning tomorrow. When they pulled into the driveway Shepard let out a long low whistle.
"Wow you really are rich. Like, super rich." She looked up at the house in awe. It was massive; there was no other word for it.
Miranda groaned. "Just wait in the car and don't touch anything. I have to get Ori settled and make sure Samara is in to watch her while we're gone." She got out of the car and Oriana followed suit. Shepard was outside with them as quick as a flash.
"Woah now, I'm not going to pass up the chance to be in an actual mansion. No way am I staying in the car."
Oriana grinned, happy to have a new friend, before she charged up the walkway leading to the house. She had the door pushed open in seconds and they could hear her screaming throughout the house for Samara's attention.
Shepard looked over the top of the car at Miranda, "So Samara is your maid then?" The amusement in her voice was clear.
"Housekeeper," Miranda corrected defensively.
"Right," Shepard responded with a happy grin. "Shall we proceed?"
Miranda rolled her eyes and turned to head up the walkway towards the large wooden door Oriana had left open in her haste. Shepard kept right up behind her, relishing in every moment of this experience. When she had woken up that morning, she had most certainly not been planning on Miranda Lawson.
As soon as they walked through the doorway, a wild dark blur rushed towards Shepard, hissing ferociously. Shepard leapt back in surprise, causing Miranda to let out a genuine laugh for the first time since they had become acquainted.
"What the hell?" Shepard gasped.
Miranda scooped up the wild ball of black fur into her arms protectively, soothing it quickly by holding the wretched thing close to her chest. "This is Cerberus," she said with a happy grin when Shepard reached out a tentative hand only to have to quickly pull it out of the way of oncoming fangs. Shepard decided then that she wasn't much of a cat person. Plus, the thing had some crazy eyes.
"I see he takes after you," Shepard joked. She was surprised when Miranda actually laughed with her for once. It made the girl look younger, more human.
"Perhaps," she responded cheekily.
Shepard grinned, happy to see a lighter side to her new acquaintance. She was about to press further when suddenly Miranda's face fell. It contorted quickly into the more serious expression Shepard had gotten used to seeing on her, and her arms pulled around the cat in her arms more securely.
"Good afternoon, father," She suddenly said, her voice sounding surprisingly meek. Shepard spun around to find a tall, stern looking man standing behind her. "I didn't know you would be back so soon."
He ignored her greeting, his piercing gaze focused entirely on Shepard. "Who is this?" The question felt almost threatening to Shepard. It was clear that if she weren't the right person, she would not be around for too much longer.
"Jane Shepard, I am acting as her tutor." It was so incredibly crazy to Shepard, how the statement was practically a question. Miranda was not acting as her tutor until this man acknowledged she was. The tension in the air was near stifling.
"I thought that was only until four." He wasn't asking a question, he was stating a fact.
"It is," Miranda admitted reluctantly. "She requires some extra assistance however."
His gaze finally left Shepard, and flickered over to his daughter. "Don't let it get in the way of your own work."
"Of course, father," Miranda replied immediately.
The man nodded before pushing past them out the front door. The two girls were silent for a few moments, the only sounds to be heard were of Henry Lawson's car starting and peeling out of the driveway, along with Cerberus' contented purring in his owner's arms. When the sound of the engine died off, Shepard let out a long whistle. "Harsh."
Miranda shot her a glare. "Come on, let's make sure Ori found Samara."
Shepard was taken with Samara quite instantly. The woman was gorgeous. Not in merely a physically attractive way, but in a motherly way as well, Shepard thought. She seemed quiet and thoughtful, more likely to lecture than to scold. Everything about her screamed care taker, and though she appeared somewhat stern, Shepard could feel warmth in the woman's gaze.
"So I will be back in just a bit," Miranda finished as she had explained the situation to Samara.
"Make sure you do not take too long," Samara replied serenely. "Mr. Harper will be dining with your father here tonight, and I believe he wishes you to be in attendance."
Shepard felt weirdly uncomfortable after that. It was almost if the words had been a warning. She had been fooling around and enjoying herself by irritating Miranda. Shepard felt awful as it dawned on her that perhaps her presence was more than just an annoyance. If she got Miranda into trouble she would feel just awful.
"Hey," she said quietly to Miranda. "Don't worry about it. I'll find my own way back."
The older girl sized her up for a moment and then shook her head. "As much as I would love to make you, it doesn't make sense for you to walk from here. Let's just go now and be quick about it."
Shepard felt guilty but she had no choice except to agree. Miranda was clearly the kind of person who did not show hospitality easily, and if it got rejected when she did, it would only aggravate her further.
"It's the one up here on the left," Shepard pointed out as they travelled slowly down the street.
Miranda pulled into the driveway smoothly and pushed down lightly on the brakes, shooting Shepard an expectant look. Shepard grinned, sensing that Miranda was now more than ready to be rid of her. Of course, that only made the desire to stick around more prevalent.
"So," Shepard said with a sly smile, "when are we meeting next?"
"Excuse me?" Shepard laughed as Miranda sounded almost alarmed at the idea.
"To study," Shepard explained cheerily. "You still need to get me to pass that test."
"I don't need to do anything," Miranda shot back in irritation. She took a deep breath to calm herself before continuing when Shepard proved she wasn't leaving until she got an answer. "When is the test?"
"Monday?" Shepard said sheepishly.
"Oh my god," Miranda groaned. "I don't have time for this."
"Please," Shepard begged. "You're my only shot at passing."
Miranda looked straight ahead, and Shepard could practically hear the wheels in her head turning as she contemplated the practicality of juggling both Shepard's needs as well as her own.
"Come on, you've seen how dumb I am," Shepard pressed. "Only you are smart enough to get anything through my thick skull."
To her surprise, Miranda actually smiled. "Flattery will get you everywhere."
Shepard laughed, "I was counting on that."
After a moment, Miranda sighed. "Okay. I can squeeze you in after piano tomorrow. I have a couple hours of free time before I need to take Ori to her violin teacher's."
"Are you guys starting a family band?"
Miranda shot her a venomous look.
"Sorry I'll shut up." Shepard mumbled quickly.
"So is around nine okay?" Miranda continued as if she hadn't been interrupted.
"Sure," Shepard replied smoothly. She left out the fact that she did not get up until around midday on most Saturdays. Something told her Miranda would not find that too impressive.
"I'll come here then," Miranda said quickly. She didn't want Shepard to have another run in with her father so quickly. He clearly had been unimpressed.
"Sounds good to me," Shepard grinned as she opened the door to get out of the car. "Thanks for the ride," she called out before closing it behind her.
Miranda watched for a moment as Shepard walked up the brick pathway leading to the front door of her far more modest looking home before she shook her head and quickly backed out of the driveway.
As soon as she knocked on the door, Miranda heard the wild barking of a dog. Suddenly the barrier was opened and a large mound of bounding fur was leaping up onto her chest. She took a few startled steps back.
"Sorry, Garrus gets a little overexcited when we have company." Shepard said apologetically as she grabbed the dog's collar and pulled him back. He calmed down then, but still seemed quite interested in getting closer to their new guest. Garrus was a beautiful husky Miranda noted, but clearly a rambunctious one.
Miranda looked down on the animal reproachfully. "Garrus isn't a real name," she stated plainly.
Shepard looked astonished. "Really? Then why is my dog called that?"
Rolling her eyes, Miranda pushed passed the girl to move inside. Shepard knelt next to her pet and looked at him sternly, "When we first met did you give me a fake name?"
Garrus started at her thoughtfully for a moment, and then leaned forward to excitedly lick her nose.
"That's what I thought," Shepard answered sagely.
"If it's no trouble can we please just get to work? I have things to do, Jane." Miranda reminded her impatiently.
"You know, my friends call me Shepard."
"Good for them."
"Hello." Miranda was startled as an unknown voice filled the room. She looked up to see a middle aged woman standing deeper in the room.
"This is my aunt, Karin," Shepard explained as she stood.
"It's nice to meet you," The woman said kindly. Miranda liked her at once.
"Thank you for having me," Miranda responded, remembering her manners.
The woman smiled and then moved away to give them some space as Shepard shot her guest a cheerful grin. "Well come on. You should be honored; I actually cleaned off my desk last night." She said happily as she lead Miranda upstairs.
"You really need to lighten up," Shepard said sadly as Miranda sat grinding her teeth over the fact Shepard seemed incapable of retaining information for longer than two seconds at a time. "Hang out with some friends."
When Miranda glared at her Shepard merely grinned. "Oh right, sorry I forgot you don't have any."
"I have friends," Miranda shot back, hating how defensive she sounded.
"Like who?" Shepard pressed.
"Niket."
"Is Niket your boyfriend?" Shepard questioned with a sideway glance.
"Certainly not," Miranda said quickly, sounding completely appalled by the idea. "He has been my friend since I was a young girl; he is like a brother to me."
Shepard laughed. "Okay. He wants to be your boyfriend though."
Miranda's eyes narrowed. "I can assure you he does not."
After sizing Miranda up for a moment Shepard shook her head with a laugh. "Trust me; he wants to be your boyfriend."
"Can we please just get back to work?"
"Okay, so when you have x and y-"
*squeak* *squeak*
"On the same side of the equation like this-"
*squeak* *squeak*
"You just-"
*SQUEAK*
"Jesus, I can't bloody," Miranda cut herself off, trying to remain calm. She glared down at Garrus, who had his head in her lap, a tattered old stuffed rabbit lodged firmly between his teeth. He squeaked it once more for good measure while looking up at her with hopeful eyes.
She looked pleadingly at Shepard for help, but the younger girl only laughed. "Looks like somebody wants us to take a break."
"Yeah so while mom is off on duty," Shepard said as she tossed the rabbit across the room to Miranda, smiling when Garrus charged after it, "I stay with Chakwas here. I'll be going back home after the school year ends." They were sitting on opposite sides of Shepard's floor as they spoke, Garrus moving between them happily.
Miranda lifted the toy high in the air so Garrus could not reach it before tossing it back towards Shepard. The dog followed without missing a beat. "You don't have any other family in America?"
"Nope," Shepard said in her usual carefree manner. "Just me and mom. Karin isn't really my aunt either. They were just best friends growing up."
As Shepard tossed the rabbit back and Garrus followed with it, Miranda fought the urge to ask about Shepard's father. It wasn't her place. Despite herself, Miranda smiled as Garrus stood in front of her. His tongue was hanging out of the corner of his mouth in his excitement, and his eyes never left the stuffed doll for a second. Suddenly Miranda hid the rabbit behind her back, laughing when the dog looked bewildered at its disappearance and began sniffing the floor around her.
"Oh I wouldn't do that," Shepard warned her seriously. "He holds grudges."
Hours later, they stood rather awkwardly in front of Miranda's car. Shepard appeared hesitant at first, but finally she spoke. "Hey, just so you know, I really appreciate everything you did this weekend."
Miranda shrugged nonchalantly, though a small smile graced her lips. "Let's not make a habit of it."
Shepard laughed warmly, and Miranda suddenly felt compelled to say more even though she could not quite pinpoint why. "If you ever need help with anything else for class, let me know." The offer probably surprised herself more than Shepard.
The younger girl smiled sadly, "Thanks. I don't think you're going to be too keen on keeping in touch after this though."
Miranda tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Shepard smirked. "Just a feeling. Call it woman's intuition." She shook her head for a moment, seemingly bewildered, and then continued, "Hopefully I see you around, Miss. Lawson."
Miranda rolled her eyes at Shepard's cryptic farewell before she moved to enter the car, knowing she had spent a fair bit more time with Shepard than she had ever intended.
Karin Chakwas was waiting for her young charge right by the door as soon as the girl returned. "What was that all about, Jane?"
"What?" Shepard responded innocently, though the wide grin she wore gave her act away.
"Nothing," Karin responded slyly. "You two were just very quiet up there."
"It was just math," Shepard laughed.
"You were doing math?" Karin replied in poorly hidden disbelief.
"Yup," Shepard responded cheerfully.
"You were doing math?" The woman repeated. "For two and a half hours. You. Jane Shepard."
The girl's laugh was infectious. "What? I love math. I find math incredibly attractive."
Her guardian smiled in understanding then. "Just keep in mind I'm shipping you off back home in a few weeks when school ends and there won't be any math in America."
"I know," Shepard called back sullenly as she charged with Garrus up the stairs once more.
When Miranda had woken up on Monday she was not prepared for the events of the day to follow. It happened when she was on her lunch period, her nose stuck firmly in her history textbook. A tentative voice called out to her. "Are you Miranda Lawson?"
She looked up to find a younger girl standing over her, looking flustered and anxious. "Yes?"
"Oh. I'm Kimberly," she said quickly, as if that explained the intrusion. "I just wanted you to know that I am so sorry about last Friday. My mom had an accident and wound up in the hospital. I had to end up watching my brothers and just, oh it totally slipped my mind. I really felt awful about it when I remembered. I hope it didn't put you out at all." Her words were quick and weak as she spoke.
"I'm sorry," Miranda cut in, incredibly confused. "Do I know you?"
"Oh um, I thought…" she trailed off, embarrassed. "You were the one who was supposed to tutor me on Friday, right? For Mrs. T'Soni's class?"
Miranda's heart plummeted.
*Message Sent* 2:36 P.M
You are a fucking psychopath.
*Message Received* 2:38 P.M
And good afternoon to you too.
*Message Sent* 2:40 P.M
Don't ever contact me again.
*Message Received* 2:42 P.M
If it makes you feel any better, I legitimately am bad at math.
Miranda never responded, and their next meeting wasn't for another three years.