Josie stood in the kitchen trying to wrap her head around what Penelope just said. Her twin… Penelope was a twin… Jed was her twin… But how? How was that possible? Penelope never mentioned him… But on the other hand, she never talked about her family. She never said a word about them in a year they spent dating… She really never mentioned anything Park family related. She got back to her room and found that Lizzie was sound asleep. She got into her own bed and for some time she just tossed and turned with Penelope on her mind. She tried to sleep but nightmares started pretty much the moment she closed her eyes. She woke up in sweat. She picked up her robe and shower things and went to the bathroom. She took a long shower and after she was done she believed she would manage to sleep. But she was out of luck. Lizzie was snoring, she was restless so she did the only thing that didn't require the spell, she went to Penelope. She knocked at the door and few moments later Penelope opened. She was in a long black cotton nighty and her hair was up. She looked beautiful and breathtaking. She was surprised to see Josie.
''Jojo?''
''Can I take you up on that offer?''
''My bed is your bed.''
They both blushed when they realized what Penelope just said. Penelope turned off the light in the bathroom and the mail light in the room so only light was now her bedside lamp. Josie got into the bed and Penelope smiled at her. She went in to the side that was closer to window. That was Josie's side of Penelope's bed ever since she spent the night for the first time. She loved window side, but Lizzie claimed the bed closer to window so Josie never could sleep where she wanted. Penelope didn't care about the side of the bed so she let Josie sleep where she wanted. She took off her slippers and got under the covers. It was awkward for a moment to be in bed and not say or do anything. So, Josie was the one to break the ice this time.
''You were up too? I didn't wake you?''
''Yes…I was up…''
''Couldn't sleep?''
''I was watching a movie… I didn't even try to sleep. I went to take a shower, but something is not working there so I had ice cold shower.''
''I know how much you hate it.''
''I do…''
''Water is good in the communal bathroom Miss Park.''
''I'll take you up on that if your dad doesn't send someone to fix it tomorrow.''
''Be sure that he will forget.''
''Why do you say that?''
''Because fixing your shower doesn't involve, Hope, Lizzie or any monster.''
''Well, Lizzie could be classified as monster…''
Penelope expected Josie to get up angry from the bed, but she surprised her by laughing her head off. She laughed that much that her eyes were wet.
''I am glad you find it funny.''
''Oh, Penelope… That was a good one…''
''Thank you.''
They were on their sides just looking at each other.
''I don't know why I came.''
''You wanted to sleep Jojo… And it's ok.''
''Is it?''
''It is for me…''
''We are not together anymore.''
''I know… You are just in my bed Jojo… Don't make it more than it is.''
Penelope moved Josie's hair from her face and kissed her forehead.
''Good night Jojo…''
''Good night Penny.''
Josie woke up when someone barged into Penelope's room. She and Josie jumped and saw Jed standing at the bottom of her bed.
''Oh, I had no idea you had company….''
''What do you want?''
''Can I shower in your bathroom?''
''Sure…''
Josie looked at Penelope with her eyes wide. Did she just send her brother to shower with an ice cold water? Soon they heard Jed shouting from the bathroom.
''Penelope Rosemary Elizabeth Park!''
Josie and Penelope giggled in the bed.
''He woke us up, that's his punishment.''
''You are cruel…''
''Oh, you have no idea Jojo.''
''I am afraid of you…''
She winked at Josie and bathroom door opened.
''Brother.''
''You knew there was only cold water?''
''Maybe…''
''Why did you send me to shower there?''
''Because it is fun.''
''I will kill you.''
''No, you will not… You love me.''
''You are lucky…''
He jumped on the bed and started tickling Penelope. Josie knew how ticklish she was. She was laughing, giggling and Jed was also having fun with this. When he stopped he just lied down between two of them. Josie was looking at the seeling.
''This is beyond awkward.''
''Chill Saltzman… It's a phantasy of many, many people…''
''What?''
''To be in bed with twins…Especially Park twins.''
''Oh, God! Jed! Do you ever stop?''
''Come on little sis… You know we are top of the crop… You are hot, I am hot… People drool…''
''Please tell me that mom dropped you on your head as a baby…''
It was the first time that Josie actually payed attention to Jed. He was now in his shorts and shirtless. He had amazing body and she was well aware how good Penelope looked.
''Don't you agree Saltzman?''
''On what?''
''That we are hot? Come on! You were with my sister and now you saw me. You must think we have good genes.''
''I don't think I am the right person for that conversation.''
''Why?''
''You know we used to date? It's awkward to comment my ex and her brother.''
''So? Who knows better than you? Come on!''
''Jed, leave her alone.''
''Come on Pen… We comment my exes all the time.''
''Jed, I am warning you.''
Jed turned on his side so he could face Josie.
''Used to date? That is your excuse?! We both know you think that she is hot… ''
Penelope was getting angry.
''Jed, now it's enough… Stop it or you will wake up with flees tomorrow.''
''Flees? Really Penny? That's the best you can do?''
''We both know that I can do a lot more… This is very peaceful threat.''
''Fine… I'll drop it… But let me tell you something… You still have hots for one another but are scared shitless to do something about it.''
''JED!''
''It's ok Penelope.''
Josie looked at him.
''We are over… She ended our relationship and we are over. She is free to be hot and sexy with you and whoever she wants… And it's ok…''
''Over? Penny over you? In what universe you live? She is over you as much as you are over her. Come on girl! You are in my sister's bed…She never lets anyone in her bed… and during the time you believed we were messing around….you were ready to set me on fire for being around your girl. I know the look you were giving me… If two of you re over, I am then graduating with honors.''
With that he left Penelope's room. There was some weird silence in the room. Josie was still in Penelope's bed unable to move. She wanted to get up and leave, but her body didn't listen to her brain. Her body needed to be close to Penelope at the place where it was all about Penelope.
''Two of you are really close?''
''Me and Jed?''
''Yes…''
''We are… And we are not… It depends of the moment we are in… Sometimes I feel like he is the only one who can understand me…And sometimes I feel like he is only one who can't understand me.''
''He really loves you.''
''And I love him too…Even when he is being a dick.''
''I guess he and Lizzie are the same when it comes to that.''
''I guess…''
''But you got it better…At least he knows he was a dick… She never gets what hurts me.''
''I am sorry.''
''P…''
''Yes?''
''Why you never mentioned you had a twin?''
''I didn't want to make you feel bad.''
'"What?''
''One of the main arguments you used was that she is your twin and that I don't understand… That two of you can share the oxygen and things like that. I didn't want to say that it could be different. I was afraid you will get me wrong. I was born holding his hand. I still love holding his hand when I am scared, or down, or anything… And his embrace is the one of the safest places for me…But he is not the only person who could do it for me… You could too… I loved you Jojo so much and you were my safe place…when you could allow yourself to be who you are.''
''What are you saying?''
''You like me and Jed and our dynamic… But… We are two separate people… He has his life, friends, interests… I have mine… And still we share the bond.''
Josie was silent…
''On the night we broke up… He was at home… There was some party… he was dancing with his friends and having fun and all of the sudden he couldn't breathe… He was chocking and throwing up…. Just like I was… They took him to the ER because they believed he was on drugs or drunk… They got all sorts of tests on drugs and he was clean… He was not ok until I calmed down… That's why you would see him often leaving my room. He was there for me…To hold me and help me calm down.''
''I had no idea you took it so hard.''
''I felt like I was going to die… And he helped me pick myself up… That is a sibling… Not Lizzie twisting the knife deeper and putting the salt on your wounds. I know I am not innocent in all this…But I left so you would rise.''
''What?''
''You need to find who Josie is… Josie alone… Josie without parents, sister, partner…You need to know who you are in order to be happy…''
''I don't know who I am.''
'' I can't tell you who you are and what makes you happy. Only you know it Jojo…''
''I am scared.''
''I know… But I am here for you. I promise Jojo… I am here.''
''Thank you.''
''Always.''
Josie looked at Penelope and lowered her gaze to the sheets around them.
''Penny…''
''Yes?''
''Can I ask you something?''
''Sure.''
''Can you hold me?''
Penelope opened her arms and Josie sneaked in and put her head on Penelope's chest. There it was. Her heartbeat… Sound that could calm her like a baby… Josie held onto her and Penelope played with Josie's hair. They both fell asleep like that.
Lizzie opened the door of Penelope's room and gave Josie very angry look.
''Dad is looking for you…. And there you are, cosing up to Satan. What will her boy toy say about this?''
''Lizzie…''
''Get out of that bed Josei… Who knows what disease you can catch?! Who knows how many people slept there?!''
She looked at Penelope and she just smiled and nodded at her to go and don't get excited about what Lizzie is saying. Josie turned to look at Lizzie's satisfied smug face and then she saw Penelope's hurt face. She was done. She got her hand out of Lizzie's and faced her sister.
''Stop it! Stop talking trash about her. God, Lizzie! Do you ever get tired of it?''
''What?''
''I am so tired of listening to you talk trash about people… Next time you want to trash someone and call them names, look in the mirror!''
Penelope was shocked and Lizzie was about to have one of her tantrums. Josie left and went to their room to change for seeing Rick. Lizzie got into the room and started throwing things. She was even angrier when she realized that Josie didn't really do anything to stop her. She siphoned some magic form the fireplace and used it to clean up the room and get everything back to its place.
''Let's go Lizzie… Dad is waiting.''
Rick was deep in some paperwork when girls got in.
''Dad, Lizzie said you were looking for us… What is going on?''
''I will have to leave the school for a couple of days.''
Josie was not surprised. The monsters mission was something he was very dedicated to. Lizzie on the other hand was a different story.
''Will Hope be joining you?''
''Yes, she will be…''
''That's nice… Hope is going but we are not.''
''Do you want to go?''
Lizzie ansered right away.
''Yes, we do want to come.''
''Ok… Then get ready.''
Josie looked at him and got up from the chair.
''Dad, I would prefer to stay. I am really not in a mood to chaise monsters around the state.''
''Are you sure honey?''
''Yes, you have Hope and Lizzie, what could go wrong?''
He did feel dose of sarcasm in her voice.
''I can't think of just one thing.''
He was pleading for Josie to come.
''Fine dad… But can I bring Penelope too?''
Lizzie was boiling with anger.
''Penelope? Josie is that a good idea?''
''The more the merrier…''
Lizzie turned to Josie…
''We don't have space in the car.''
''Don't worry. Penelope has her own car.''
''If she wants to come, she can.''
''Thank you dad… I'll talk to her.''
Josie left the office and Lizzie just gave her dad a look.
''What a delightful time… Three days with Satan and your pet… What a joy!''
''You wanted to come…''
''Yes, just us… You, me and Josie… But noooooo… Now half of the school is going.''
''You are overreacting…''
''No, I am not…''
''This will be trip from hell… You'll see.''
But she didn't have to tell him that. He already knew.