Disclaimer: Just borrowing them for a little bit. They don't really belong to me, only Alex. Thanks for all of the fabulous reviews so far!
Alex flopped down on her cot, pulling her calculus book out of her backpack and cracking it open. She was on scholarship to a local community college, taking classes. She began to work on the first problem, then moving onto the next. She had stopped at the library on the way home to work on her paper over Hamlet. She thanked God for the hundredth time for the public library.
"What're you working on," she heard a familiar voice ask.
Alex glanced up to see Ruby, the woman who normally slept next to her sit down on the cot next to hers. "Calculus," Alex said, glancing up, "How was your day?"
"Made $10.00 on the corner of fifth and Manchester," she said, "Managed to buy me some medicine for 'da cold I've had for awhile."
"That's great," Alex said, "You could've just asked me for the money. I would've given it to you."
"You need 'dat money for yoself," she said, "Get yoself a college education. Show the rest of us up." She let out a cackle as the line began to form for dinner. "You get a shower yet?"
"No," she said, "Probably after dinner, then I was going to do some reading and do some laundry down the street. Need anything washed?"
"I got a few unmentionables," she said, reaching for a bag. Alex hide her grimace as she took the bag, placing it in her own bag. "You a good kid, Alex. You know that?"
"Yes m'am," she said, setting her book aside. She helped Ruby walk over to the line and wait for their food.
Alex felt her heart start to pound as she neared the table, wondering if she would see the girl again.
Her heart stopped as she realized the girl wasn't there.
Zoey flopped down on her bed, tears streaming down her face. The slamming of her door still resonated through the room. She wanted to scream. It seemed so unfair that she couldn't attend a simple party with her friends even though she had devoted half of her week to attending galas and balls for him.
She flipped over onto her back, wiping the tears away angrily. She stood up and walked over to the mirror, studying the image in front of her. A smile crept on her face slowly as she thought of a plan. A plan that would allow her to follow her parent's wishes and go to the party. She grabbed her jacket and walked out of the room, heading downstairs to catch a ride to the Haven Shelter.
Two weeks passed and Alex hadn't seen another sign of the girl that had looked so much like her. It was Friday and she sat on her cot, reading "The Canterbury Tales", not even paying attention to the girl who sat down across from her.
"Interesting reading you have there," she heard a voice say.
Alex looked up and was startled to see the girl sitting across from her. "Who are you," Alex asked, setting the book aside. "And why the hell do you look like me?"
"First of all, my name's Zoey. Second, we don't have much time," Zoey said, "I need you to pretend to be me."
"Excuse me," Alex asked, standing up, "To begin with, I don't know who the hell you are. And second, no I won't pretend to be you."
"Please. I'll pay you a hundred dollars," Zoey pleaded. She stood up, looking the girl in the eye. "Just for a night."
"This is ridiculous," Alex said loudly, starting to pace, "You want me to pretend to be you for one night and you'll pay me a hundred dollars. How do I know you're not some criminal or something?"
"Could you keep it down," Zoey hissed. She grabbed the girl's arm and dragged her over to a corner.
"Hey, let me go," Alex shouted, "You're hurting me." She yanked her arm away, rubbing at the red area.
"You have no idea of who I am, do you," Zoey asked, rubbing her forehead.
"No your majesty, I don't," Alex said, crossing her arms. "Now what the hell do you want with me?"
"I want to go to a party tonight, but my parents won't let me," she said, "My name is Zoey Bartlet. That ring any bells?""No," Alex said, "Should it? And your parents won't let you go to some party so you hire a body double? It's a wonder they let you out of the house."
"For God's sake. I'm the President's daughter," Zoey hissed.
"President of….?" Alex crossed her arms, a smirk on her face.
"The United States of America," Zoey shouted. People turned to look at them, her face blushing furiously. "You know what? Forget it. It's not worth it." She stalked off, fuming over the girl's reaction.
"I'll do it," Alex called after her, "Just don't get your thong in a wad."
Zoey stopped mid-step and turned to look at her. "You'll do it?" She crossed her arms over her chest, challenging the girl.
"Yeah. One hundred dollars. Cash. I'll do it." Alex met her eyes and walked over to her, standing a few inches from her. "What do I need to do?"
"Lay low, eat dinner with them, then go to Georgetown. You know about current issues in today's news?"
"Yeah. I do take Poli Sci."
"Great," Zoey said, "We need to switch clothes."
"I beg your pardon," Alex asked. "My clothes not good enough for the President and First Lady?"
"No offense, but no, not really," Zoey said. "We need to hurry. My agent's outside." She walked off towards the restroom to change.
"You have an agent," Alex asked. She slipped into a stall and began to take all of her clothes off.
"Her name's Gina. My parents are Abbey and Jed. Just call them Mom and Dad. The residence is up the main stairs and straight back. The agent's will probably lead you," Zoey said. "Dinner shouldn't be long. Then just tell them you need to get back to the dorm. I'll meet you there."
"You better," she said, throwing her clothes over the stall. She caught the clothes Zoey threw over and put them on. They were a bit big, but she was able to adjust them to fit better.
She stepped back out and washed her face and hands with the soap. "I brought makeup," Zoey said, stepping out. She wore the baggy jeans and layered short and long sleeved shirts that Alex had just had on.
"Great. It's like playing dress up," Alex groaned. She took the bag and began to lightly apply the makeup.
"Here. Lemme show you." Zoey said, trying not to laugh as she watched the girl try to put it on. She applied the base, then powder, followed by blush and eyeshadow.
"I've never used this crap before," Alex said.
"Be glad," Zoey muttered. She pulled away and studied the girl in front of her. "Close enough. Look in the mirror."
Alex turned around and gasped. "Not bad," she said, admiring herself in the mirror. Next to her was Zoey, who passed for her identical twin.
"Great," Zoey said. "And try not to do anything that'll get me trouble."
"Yes, your majesty," Alex said, rolling her eyes.
"Now Gina's waiting outside. I told her I had to come in and get something signed by the director," Zoey said, handing her a backpack. "I'll see you at the dorm."
"Okay," Alex said, shouldering the backpack. "What's the room number?"
"315," Zoey said, "The key's in my backpack."
"Great," Alex said, "Have fun at the party."
"I will," Zoey said, "Good luck." She smiled at Alex, who smiled back.
"My name's Alexandria, by the way," Alex said, turning to walk away.
"Nice to meet you," Zoey muttered under her breath. She grinned, watching as Alex climbed into the limo before leaving the shelter. She had shopping to do.