Elizabeth looked around the family room as she nervously awaited her mother's arrival. Steven was sitting on the recliner in the corner, and Elizabeth had to admire the way her brother could magically appear home whenever he was needed. Most college guys, she assumed, would have tons of work to do, as well as other commitments, but it seemed that Steven was still 100% there for his family. Steven, of course, knew that he was actually co-dependent on his family and there was not a chance in hell that he would ever spend an entire week at college. However, catching his sister staring at him, he threw her a grin. A characteristic sparkle shone off his pearly whites, emitting a "ping" sound and Elizabeth winked. Elizabeth often winked.
Suddenly, in flounced Jessica. There was no apparent reason for said flouncing, but we all know that Jessica is a grade A – or, more appropriately, E – attention seeker, so that was probably the underlying motive for it. Jessica, as promised, had changed her image.
Her hair was now bright pink, and cropped closely to her head. She had seventeen piercings dotted about her face, and her eyes were masked by thick black eye liner. She wore a stringy black top, cropped tartan pants, New Rock boots and various sweatbands, bracelets and necklaces to complete the image.
"Hello, actually," she said.
Whenever Jessica changed her image, she had a habit of speaking in what she thought was a British accent. It was really annoying.
She plonked herself down next to Elizabeth, who took one look at her and burst into tears.
Jessica rolled her eyes. She was starting to think she needed glasses.
"Liz, if you're going to do this every time I change my image, I may have to disown you."
This was a common threat used by Jessica, and it worked every time because, basically, Elizabeth was a total sap and fell for it every time.
"I know. You're right, Jess. It's just I love the fact we look like each other, it's like carrying a mirror around with me all day, which is kind of cool, when you think about it. And it gets you out of all sorts of scams, and remember the time when...?"
Before Elizabeth could continue with her mindless pro-identical twin drivel, their parents entered the room.
Ned sat down on the couch, pulling Alice onto his lap. Ned always touched Alice up; after all, he had almost lost her to Hank Patman... which doesn't make sense, which was why there had been a book to explain it: Sweet Valley Saga. Ned thought it odd that there were so many books around, starring his whole family, but before he could deliberate on this for too long he realised that he was procrastinating.
"Okay, we told you guys that we had some pretty big news..." Ned began.