OMG. I opened up the file with this story, and the stupid program loaded only about 60000 words. The rest of the approximately 90000 words were eaten up by stupid Kingsoft Writer program. I then saved it, and didn't realize that most of it was gone. Fortunately, I also have the whole thing saved on my phone. I will put pictures in my profile soon for anyone who is interested.


I'm probably going to be moving soon, Nicholas said, as he chopped a couple of large portobello mushrooms and placed the pieces in a frying pan. He opened a can of cooking spray, and squeezed the nozzle till the contents coated the surface of the skillet.

Where to? chef Nicolas, Elizabeth teased, as he grabbed some ravioli from the refrigerator.

Well, I want to get a place, probably in the city. Maybe lower Manhattan, close to my job. My parents are offering to buy me a place, now that I'm divorced and we're talking to each other again. But I want to do it myself, you know?

Elizabeth nodded.

I get my bonus next August, so I'll get more serious about it then.

Elizabeth eyed him curiously. Where did you live before? Before your divorce?

We lived on east eighty sixth street, right near Central park. It was Sherry's parents' apartment.

Nicholas scoffed. I went from the Upper East side to Greenpoint, he said pensively.

But at least now I'm much closer to work. And this street is very quiet. It's not that bad.

Elizabeth watched as he added the ravioli to the mushrooms. Nicholas, how did you end up living here anyway?

One of my coworkers used to live here. He moved to Tokyo right after me and Sherry broke up. So I'm actually subleasing this place. I never meant for it to be permanent.

Well, you're lucky that you have a washing machine, Elizabeth observed, as she closed the small closet that contained it.

Yeah, that's one of the perks of living in this place, Nicholas agreed.

ActuallyNicholas continued, I might be moving to Greenwich sometime in the future. You probably know that Greenwich is very active in hedge fund management. The firm that I work for is planning to move there because of the better tax incentives in Connecticut.

I see, Elizabeth nodded. Will you live with your aunt, if you move?

Nicholas stirred in the pasta with a spatula. She wouldn't have it any other way. If I move in with her, she won't have to give up her house, not yet anyway. But…..

But what?

I don't want her breathing down my neck while I'm trying to entertain a certain young lady.

Elizabeth giggled as she pressed her hand into Nicholas' small twin mattress. She looked around at the small studio apartment, which was a mere twelve feet wide and twenty five feet long.

This bed is so lumpy. Nicholas, I know you're not that poor. You probably make way much money than me and this is your bed?

Elizabeth bounced up and down, her face lit up in amusement. What are you smiling at?

You. In my bed. I never thought that would ever happen.

Elizabeth folded her arms, and her eyes twinkled merrily. And here I thought I came here so you could cook for me, not to frolic on your lumpy bed!

I invite you here and you insult my bed? Some date you are. It is a date isn't it,? Nicholas smirked at her.

Is it? Elizabeth smiled shyly. I never thought I would ever want to date again, she said softly, as her expression grew serious.

Nicholas gazed at her change in mood. You're not still in love with Todd are you? Is that why you hold back?

It's not that. Well it is…in a way. I mean, I haven't really loved Todd like that for a long time.

So what is it then,? Nicholas said cautiously.

Todd is with Jessica now.

Nicholas raised his dark brows. Well, I didn't expect to hear that. No wonder you're estranged from her. That's a pretty rotten thing to do your own sister. And Todd, he's not any better. How could he do that to you? I can't even wrap my head around it.

It's true. After I came back from London, I thought he and I were getting closer. But all this time, she was seeing him behind my back. She came all the way to London to bring me home because she claimed to miss me. Turns out that she needed her doormat back securely in it's place, underneath her feet, she said, her eyes flashing. They're married now and they had a baby in October.

Wow, Nicholas said, taken aback.

And I never quite told you why I ran off to England in the first place did I,? Elizabeth continued. I did get that scholarship, but I wasn't even sure if I would accept it.

I had another boyfriend. His name was Sam. Sam Burgess. I caught them kissing. Jessica's excuse was that she was trying to get me to see what a jerk he was so I wouldn't sleep with him. She's done this our whole lives. That's why I can't be around her. And that's not the worst. This isn't at all only about my relationship with Todd. I'm truly over him.

There's more?

Yes. Elizabeth inhaled deeply. You must have known about the time I was in trouble for driving drunk and on trial for manslaughter?

Yes, I know all about it. But I never judged you Liz. I never understood how someone like you could ever do something like that. I mean, everyone makes mistakes. Look at Regina. She was at a party snorting coke before she died. I never thought my little sister would ever get involved with anything like that.

But that's just it, Elizabeth explained. I was driving drunk, and I did end up responsible for killing someone. It doesn't matter that the other car hit me, I still got behind the wheel after drinking. And you're right. I would never do something like that. I would never drink at that age, not when I was in my right mind.

Nicholas looked at her in confusion. So what are you saying? You were drunk weren't you?

Yes I was drunk, Elizabeth admitted. I was drunk because someone got me drunk. Someone spiked my drink. The person who got me drunk slept mere feet away from me every night for most of my life. The person who got me drunk was someone I loved more than anyone in the whole world, who I thought loved me too.

You mean Jessica? It was her? Nicholas said, his face incredulous.

Yes, it was her. She betrayed me. In the worst way.

But how? I mean, …. I don't even know what to say. So how is it they never arrested her? Why did you go on trial and not her? I don't understand.

Because I didn't know. I never knew. I only figured this out this year. I had no recollection of how I got drunk. I never had any real defense at my trial. If it wasn't for that other driver who confessed to hitting me, I'd probably be wearing an orange jumpsuit behind bullet proof glass somewhere.

I still don't get it. Why would she do something like that?

You don't know my sister. She puts on a very pretty picture, and most people are mesmerized with her beauty and charm.

I wasn't. Nicholas said. I noticed her beauty right away but she never charmed me. Not like you did anyway.

Elizabeth smiled at his heartfelt words.

Jessica does anything to get what she wants. That night, we were at a prom, one that I helped organize. I did most of the work planning it. Everyone at school knew it.

So that night, they were going to vote for the prom queen. It seems so silly, now that I think about it. I mean, I'm usually the last person who cares about things like that. Todd and I were still together then.

For once our lives, I was going to be more popular than she was. Everyone recognized how much I worked on the entire thing and they were going to vote me in. My sister couldn't handle that.

So she decided to get me drunk. I'm thinking that she probably wanted me to get caught, to get into trouble, possibly in trouble enough to get suspended from school. Her boyfriend also got drunk.

She probably didn't mean for him to drink, but it happened. Either way, she wanted me out of the competition. All for a silly crown made of paper and glitter.

And you know what? I pulled myself out of the running. I decided to let her have it, to let her win. I was tired of fighting her, tired of all the tension that had built up between us throughout the whole planning of the prom. So I stepped back, let her enjoy the lime light. But that didn't satisfy her.

She was determined to punish me somehow, for trying to steal her time in the sun. I've had nightmares about the whole thing, from the time it happened. I was paralyzed with guilt, knowing that I killed someone.

Or at least, was responsible for someone's death. It took me a long time to feel normal again. And she didn't end it there. After the accident, she made sure that I was punished further.

She went out of her way to turn everyone against me, to make sure no one supported me, to take away any hope that I had. She knew that destroying my relationship with Todd would hurt me and make me suffer even more.

When I think about what kind of hell my parents were under throughout the whole thing, it makes me very angry. I didn't even tell them. I couldn't. They're far too good to have a daughter who would put them through that.

Nicholas lowered the heat under the pan and sat down next to Elizabeth. How could she do that to you? How could she do that to anyone,? he said, holding her hand.

It's her. It's what she does. What she's always done.

I'm just flabbergasted Elizabeth. And completely disgusted. To think of you, the sweet, beautiful girl I met at sixteen, treated like that by her own sister. It makes me angry too Liz. He put his hand under her chin and tilted her face to his.

One of my biggest regrets was getting back with Todd after the whole thing, Elizabeth continued. I don't know why I did.

An old habit I suppose? Nicholas said. You were just a kid, trying to hold on to something that you thought was special.

I should have ended it right then. After that, our relationship was never the same. I was too young, and too foolish to see the light. The two of them teamed up to pull the rug out from under me. They did it back then, and again recently. I don't know why I was so surprised. I was too trusting, too naive.

Nicholas planted a kiss on her forehead. It's a lot, a lot to go through, especially at that age. I understand now, why you don't want to talk to her.

She pretty much killed someone, shoved the smoking gun in your hand, and left you alone to deal with the aftermath.

A tear escaped Elizabeth's eye. I haven't really told anyone else about it, except Enid. I haven't even told anyone here that I have a twin.

Nicholas caught the tear that was running down her face.

I don't want to think about her anymore, Elizabeth said.

She sniffed suddenly. Nicholas, what about the food?

Nicholas widened his eyes. Oh yeah, I forgot, he stood up and went back to the stove.

Phew, he said in relief. It's brown, but not burnt.

Good, because I'm hungry, Elizabeth said, her mood improved. And speaking of food…..

Maybe we can spend Thanksgiving together,? Elizabeth suggested hopefully. My roommate Chris invited all of us to his parent's house, but, I much rather be with you.

Nicholas frowned. My father has ordered me to go to Belgium with him. He's been planning it for months. My mother is tagging along, to see that we don't work too hard, or so she says. What she really means is that she'll probably find herself in Brussels shopping till she drops. We'll be gone for five days, including that Thursday. So there's no turkey and no pumpkin pie for me this year. He look at Elizabeth apologetically. I wish we could spend the holiday together.

Elizabeth sighed. Me too. But I understand.

But…..Liz…..you have to promise me you'll spend Christmas with me. We'll be at aunt Eleanor's. My parents will be there, and I'm sure they'd love to see you again.

Well…..Elizabeth hesitated. I do have plans.

Nicholas' face fell.

Not for the whole day, Elizabeth grinned, cupping his face.

I'll actually be at the Waldorf. Cityscoop is having a Christmas party for underprivileged children. I'll be handing out toys and helping out with serving the treats. Elizabeth giggled. I have to wear an elf's costume.

Nicholas grinned. I'd love to see that. Is the skirt going to be short,? he teased.

Ha ha Nicholas. Don't get any ideas.

You won't be there a long time will you? Nicholas pouted.

No, the party is just in the morning. We should be finished by midday. So that gives me time to take the train to Greenwich.

Don't even think about it Liz, I'll come pick you up.

You're sure?

Yes, Nicholas insisted. We'll have a lot of family staying over, and probably a lot of guests stopping by that day.

Where will I spend the night though? Elizabeth said, her eyes bashful.

You can stay with me…..