Somehow, after finishing my report and falling asleep on the keyboard, I was shaken awake by Joe. Except, the white fluffy clouds were replaced by manicured lawns and tall walls. Not only had he carried me from the plane to the car, but now he expected me to be presentable to the entire student body and my sister in a matter of minutes? He obviously did.
I pulled a small mirror out of my satchel and checked myself. Some, self made, hairspray fixed the loose hairs from my bun back into theor places and some light makeup hide my tired look. I pointedly ignored Joe's stares and Rebecca's eyes going back and forth between Joe and I. Something a lot of people did and assumed. At the door, we were greeted by kitchen staff who informed us we were late.
I wasn't able to absorb my hold home like I hoped to. Be able to walk around a reminisce. I would probably do it later when everyone was asleep. I didnt like to be tracked and watched by others. As we got closer to the hall, I couldn't help but remember how much easier it was for me to learn languages than it was for my friends. The only language I couldn't do for my life, was Spanish and therefor any variation of. It took my 16 years to become fluent in Spanish but now that I knew it, I wouldn't forget it.
We all could here Ray's 'welcome back' speech as we got within a few feet of the door. Instead of waiting, Joe and I continued straight through the doors. Joe gave me a look and a nod, and I noticed even though I was scanning the crowd. I noticed Rebecca slip from behind us to her friends. I noticed Ray's big smile. Worst of all, I noticed the hot glances every girl in the room was throwing toward Joe. I sighed, but Joe was oblivious as he sent a wink toward Ray. Seeing my twin sister made everything okay. I turned up my award winning smile, and tossed my arm around his shoulder.
"Sorry we're late." Joe said with a smirk, and a pain hit me hard when I seen Warren in him for a second.
Momentarily, I entertained the thought of leaving the great hall. I used to feel safe here, but now I felt like an invader as the new sisters sat and scrutinized us. We made it to the staff table without any incident of me trying to make a run for it. As soon as Ray's arms were around me, I was glad I didn't bolt. I may- or may not have- spent two weeks being tortured in a Russian prison, then break out using a belt and some bread- but I couldn't break out of Ray's vice grip.
"I missed you to, Ray." I said after she gave me a particularly rough squeeze that told me she wasn't letting go until she regained her composur.
After dinner was over, I excused myself from hours of endless interrogation by Rachel and the staff by claiming to be Jet Lagged. Joe wasn't able to use the same excuse, but he wouldn't anyway- since this allowed him to be with Rachel for a while.
I easily found my room. It was almost exactly the same as the room I had slept in for six whole years, but it was missing my three roomates. Grace, Rachel and Catherine. It seemed bigger now that I was the only one in here. My bags were already on my bed. Two duffel bags that I wouldn't unpack... I was always ready to leave and start over. It was a habit Rachel meant to break by offering Joe and I a job here. She wanted Joe to teach Cove-ops and me to teach seduction. Well, she called it 'skills-ops', where girls learned how to be women.
I scooted myself into bed and kicked my bags until the fell off with a resounding bang causing me to flinch. I dug through my bag and grabbed hold of a worn of picture in a slick black frame. I used to carry the photo in pocket until Solomen convinced me that a frame would preserve it longer. I placed my lips against the glass and felt several different emotions course through my body at once. I didnt want to cry, so I placed the frame under my pillow next to the gun that was confiscated when I entered Gallagher Academy.
"Goodnight, Warren."
Sleeping wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I kept tossing and turning, until I grabbed one of my bags and threw it across the room with a scream of frustration. I was going on three hours of sleep in three days, and despite being trained to stay awake for days... I was exhausted. Was I to cold? Was I to hot? No. No.
I finally gave up trying to sleep in my bed, and walked into the bathroom. I found it was easier to sleep in a bathtub when I couldn't get to sleep in a bed. I climbed in and huddled myself into a ball, if I was lucky- nobody would find me here.