Twin Hybrid

(Chapter 2)

She ran as fast as she could. Her little legs couldn't take her any further. She ran from her house. It was a stupid idea, but most kids try to run away and don't. She was determined to see if her parents really loved her. She raced around fences and through fences. She no longer saw familiar neighbors or neighborhoods of New York. The street was a busy intersection. She couldn't cross it. The danger of the whizzing cars was a strong deterrent The little girl sniffled as she ran down an alley-a dark alley. Her brown eyes scanned the area looking up and down. A rolling soda can made her jump.

It rolled away.

Odd scratching sounds echoed in the alley. Harsh language waved in and out of the entrances.

"Bad mans?" She thought. "If my mommy really loves me, she wouldn't have yelled at me. Why can't I climb the wall? I hope there is no bad mans."

A silver object whipped past her vision. She squeaked with terror. "Mommy!"

She leapt against the wall, dropping her blue bunny. Her hands stuck to the wall as a curious red glow shined on her face.

The darkness faded as a man's face smirked in the soft red radiance.

Audene Gunner's eyes snapped open. Tears had soaked her shirt. She sighed seeing the refrigerator half opened. She rubbed her ruffled, short brown hair.

It was night.

"What was I thinking? What a weird dream."

A male voice asked from the flickering lounge. The TV's light hid his features. "What happened?"

" I was reading the newspaper about Osborne and fell asleep. I dreamed I was running away from my parents. I was adopted, right?"

"Of course. Do you remember your previous parents?"

"Yeah, Winters. They were mean. I don't even know how I was adopted."

The TV continued to flicker as he spoke. "Winter's signed the papers in the park, you wondered off for a few seconds. You probably are confusing that with something else."

She sighed. "I better get it straight. School starts for me tomorrow."

As usual, the daily rush to school was the norm for May Parker. She'd swung most of the nights to stop crime and come inside to sleep at 2 Am. She'd then had to be at school at 8:00.

She rushed through the doors of her high school as a junior. She tripped over a purse on the floor of a locker of girl she never met. The shorthaired blond girl with small watermelon colored glasses stared at her for a while. May apologized, grabbed her bag and dashed off; all the while, the girl stared.

May took her seat out of breath and endured the embarrassing look from her teacher. May's tardiness was a common family 'trait'. This trait now was tiresome for her teacher. Her teacher pointed to the door and May sighed. She left her books there, flew from the seat, and walked solemnly to the door.

Her destination-the principal.

The new student walked into the class room she left and took a seat next to hers.

"Wonder what excuse to use this time. I could try the truth and see what happens."

Later on that day, at lunch, May carrying her tray, saw the girl she ran into. "She looks lonely."

The girl was the same height as May, had the same eye color and apparently the same interest. She had her science book out.

May smiled and sat down next to her. The new faced girl gave her an odd look.

"You want to sit next to me?"

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, unless you are a biology freak."

May smirked. "I am a biology freak. I'm more freak than you think."

They both laughed as she was nibbling on a few potato chips.

"So what's your name?"

"I'm Audene Gunners. I hate being new, but I came here."

"So, is this your first year here? Did you go to another school?"

"No, I was home schooled for a long time. I wanted a life other than books, so ironically I came here. I pestered my adopted parents until I got the opportunity to um, utilize the chance I've been given. Doh."

May blinked. "Who home schooled you?"

She looked away. "I can't really tell you too much. It's a long family story. I've had four adopted parents. A mother and father, and a mother and father—um, and just a single dad raising me. I don't know who my real parents are. Everyone gave up hope because—I'd rather not discuss it."

"You seem depressed?"

"I'm not used to so many people around."

"Do you live under a rock?" May took a sip of pop.

Audene seemed to be in a trance. She stared for a bit before answering her. " You could say that. I understand your sentence and am thinking of the best possible way to answer you. Ugh! I did it again!"

May's brows squashed together, "Did what?"

"My family raised me to use a lot of words and think logically. It's hard to say those things here. I know that New York public schools aren't exactly the kind of people who can go to Harvard. We are, however, at the worst school. I hope my words are not having a soporific effect on you."

May smirked. "My dad does that all the time. I'm like, 'stop talking like that'. It's ok. I understand."

"How can I fit in if I sound like a dictionary?."

"Well, you can't hide who you are. (Boy, why did I say that?). The real you needs to show."

Audene sighed. "Well, don't expect to meet him. He won't show up for 'open-house.' He hates this school and many other things. He limits his interaction for a reason. Noone thinks that single parents are good at raising kids and I know that I've got that stereotype."

"Wow, you really hit hard with deep subjects." May blinked.

Audene looked around the cafeteria. She noticed the chatter, and people all the pointed at her.

"I heard it in the halls before you tripped over my purse. I'm just a looser kid from some deprived house hold. You'd think I would fit in, after all New York is full of deprived youth. What sets me apart is that I'm a geek. I'm better off in the lab, than hanging out with everyone else."

"I'm a geek too, if that makes you feel any better. I play basketball like everyone else, but it doesn't mean I'm a pro."

"I have yet to embrace such a sport. I prefer mental games—chess is the way."

"Well, one thing, um about making friends is to try new things, whether you think you'll like them or not. And don't over-analyze things." May smiled.

Audene and May continued chattering the whole half hour eating their lunch, ignoring the gossip behind their backs. The sound of the lunch bell echoed lunch time was over. They took up their trays. Audene sat hers down as her phone rang. She really enjoyed just blabbering away, but now something more important was at hand.

"I have to go May." Audene said folding her eyebrows.

"Go?"

Audene shook her head. She dashed out the door with May staring. Kids bumped into her trying to get past her. May walked down the hall, seeing Audene exit the door, not with her backpack but her purse. She took her glasses off and her hair! Audene's short shaggy brown hair fell forth. The door slammed behind May, making her jump out of her thoughtless staring.

"What was that?" May asked as she walked to the door that Auden had left. May yawned. "I wish I could follow her, but I have to take a test now. I can't take 3 make-ups in one day."