CHAPTER 1: The Hastings
It has been a week since the cross dressing scandal transpired at Illyria's soccer game. It created a political stir around town, and made headlines of local newspapers. A considerable amount of reporters pestered the Hastings and the school's headmaster for interviews to which have all been declined to protect the students.
The twins sat quietly inside the principal's office, anticipating for whatever punishment was in store for them. Convoluted and frenzied thoughts raced, as anxiety induced adrenaline caused involuntary shaking of the knee and impulsive finger tapping on the chair's armrest.
"You two are quite the troublemakers," Principal Gold started, leaning on the sleek wooden desk. "I'm profoundly amused by the two of you. Quite frankly, I find it very impressive that you were able pull it off for as long as you did."
The unblinking stare of the principal rattled the boy. He loosened his collar as the suffocating heat emitting from his body became intolerable. "Uh look, can I just say I really didn't-"
"HASTINGS! I am not done talking!"
The boy jolted in his seat and let out an inaudible yelp. "Sorry!"
Viola glared at the fretful twin for his willingness to throw her under the bus. Unbelievable. After all those times I covered for him...
The guilt gnawed at her, however. He never asked her to take his place in school, causing a cluster of confusion along the way. It was her personal desire for revenge. That decision was hers alone.
Turning her focus back to the principal, she took in a deep breath, mustering the will and determination to take responsibility for her actions.
"No... he's right. He really didn't know anything about this," she said. "I just wanted to prove a point. Cornwall cut the girls soccer team like it was just this big joke to them! And to have them laugh in my face... to be told that I wasn't good enough because I was a girl? Without even getting a fair shot? That's just something I couldn't swallow. So I made it my mission to make them eat dirt! I just never thought it would get this much attention. I'm sorry."
Principal Gold sat still and expressionless allowing silence to fill the room, while he processed and absorbed the reasoning behind the reckless behavior.
"So you say." he finally uttered.
"I admire your hunger and thirst for justice, Ms. Hastings. Ah yes, teenage rebellion. Taking matters into your own hands, just grab, grab, grab!" he said with balled fists, imitating gripping gestures.
"So was it worth it? Do you feel better?"
Viola was unsure if that was meant to be rhetorical but chose to stand firm with her response.
"It was actually. And I do feel better. A lot better."
Gold stared at her, nodding his head. "Good. I'm glad you feel better. However, that does not mean you are off the hook. You do understand that there will be consequences for breaking the rules?"
Viola and Sebastian kept their gaze fixed on the floor, bracing themselves for the worse.
"Have I made myself clear?!" demanded the principal more sternly.
"Yes sir," the twins mumbled in unison.
"Good. You two will assist the drama club with stage production and any sort of creative design they need help with for two whole weeks as punishment. You, Viola, for impersonating your brother and committing fraud, and you, Sebastian for skipping school for two weeks and flying off to another country." The principal waved his hand dismissively, sitting back on his chair.
The twins exchanged glances, and a mixture of confusion and relief were communicated in between. Leniency was the last thing they expected.
"Oh, and Viola, welcome to Illyria. You too, Sebastian... for the second time. You're both free to go." Principal Gold said with a smile.
The twins gaped at the principal with matching furrowed expressions as they waited for the punch line, but all they got was a frozen grin.
"Um.. thanks?" A distorted smile of confusion came from the dazed girl as they exited the principal's office.
"Wait... So the Sebastian from biology had been his twin sister this whole time?!" Maria exclaimed in disbelief. "I thought he was just gay!"
Olivia laughed in agreement as they sauntered through the corridor in a sea of students.
"And now you're dating her brother? When you were really pretty much head over heels with the other twin... posing as him? Yeah, that's not awkward at all." Maria said raising an eyebrow.
"Well, it's not like I was aware it was her this whole time!" Olivia justified. "And besides, the real Sebastian is pretty cute! He's sensitive and writes amazing lyrics-"
"Yeah he sounds great and all that but he's not the Sebastian you were gaga for."
"So? He's not at all bad! I'm not actually into Viola if that's what you're thinking. I'm not a lesbian!"
Maria squinted her eyes. "I didn't say you were. All I'm saying is they're two different people. They may be twins but he's not the person you got to know and fell-"
"That's why we're getting to know each other, Maria!" interjected Olivia with slight irritation.
Maria sighed in defeat, knowing being the voice of reason at this point would be intrusive. "Your life, Lennox."
Maria means well, and her point was valid and reasonable but the previous events have caused Olivia enough confusion and embarrassment. She hated thinking about the obsessive behavior she displayed around the 'guy' she would later learn to be the girl who saved her at the kissing booth.
"...and then, I'm gonna kiss him so passionately that even the people he hates will feel pleasure!"
The bathroom confession with Viola played out like an old film in Olivia's mind. Her cheeks grew warm and pink as she shook her head, forcing the memories out, vowing to never revisit them again.
Upon reaching Biology, the pair made their way to their designated seats. "I'll talk to you later," Olivia said placing a hand on Maria's shoulder; a silent apology for being short with her.
Maria patted her hand and smiled in response.
Moments later, two bickering voices belonging to a male and female emerged at the classroom entrance, oblivious to the commotion they were causing. The obnoxious squabbling came to an abrupt stop when the twins met the glaring eyes of the professor.
"Hello there!" A futile attempt by the brunette to save face.
A wave of rush overcame Olivia. A physical response that often occurred around Sebastian in the past. And technically, Sebastian was in the room.
She casually positioned her hands underneath the lab counter to hide the trace of jitters that disrupted her usually calm and collected demeanor. Her gaze focused on the tall brunette. They haven't seen each other since the debutante ball, and Olivia was excited to start fresh with Viola. She was beaming at the brunette before spotting Duke's hand resting on her lower back. The blonde shifted her attention to the male twin instead. She waved at Sebastian and he smiled at her in return.
"Hey, it's that hot chick from the soccer game!"
"Didn't she flash the crowd? That girl's got some nice rack!"
The two hormonal male students puckered their lips shut when Duke scowled in their direction, visibly clenching his jaw.
Viola handed their personal documents to the professor serving as clarification for their separate and individual identities.
"See, I was living under his name for a while when he was in London, so I can play soccer in the boys team and now I've officially transferred here..." Viola trailed off, grasping for words but there was no simple explanation to justify her past actions, unless one can truly understand her love for soccer.
Sebastian stood in silence shifting his gaze between his twin and the professor. He attempted to help her better explain, but was cut off each time by Viola's rambling.
The professor put her hand up to cease the tall brunette from talking. She paused for a moment, raising an eyebrow as she studied the twins.
"You don't need to go that much into details. I know who you both are. Go back to your seat and continue where you left off with Ms. Lennox."
Turning to Sebastian, she continued, "Mr. Hastings. You will be assigned to work with the both of them."
Olivia's head jerked upward. Both Hastings? Could this get anymore awkward?
Sebastian walked towards the counter where Olivia was situated. He smiled at the girl he considered to be out of his league. A small part of him was bothered that she had been infatuated with the male-version of Viola not that long ago, but he avoided getting fixated on those thoughts. What mattered was her choice to be with him.