Feat

"You brought all your laundry home, right?" Sam asked Jason as she piled his plate high with eggs and sausage. "Dad will do that all for you while you're home on break. And we need to go to the mall too; I want to get you some new shoes. Your old ones look so worn from you walking around campus all semester."

"Um, yeah," Jason nodded. "We can go-"

"And we should get you some more pillows for your bed," Sam continued. "Speaking of which, how are you sleeping there? And how-"

"Let the kid breathe, Sam," Freddie chuckled. "He's been home for less than twenty-four hours."

"Well pardon me for missing my son," Sam snapped, swatting the back of his head.

"Jason and I are going to get those giant milkshakes from Inside-Out-Burger," eleven-year old Tyler said happily. "Right, Jason?"

"Right," Jason grinned. "As soon as you get back from school."
"How come I still have to go to school?" Tyler moaned.

"Because," Sam said, pouring him a glass of orange juice. "You're not on break."
"Speaking of school, where are the girls?" Freddie asked. "We're going to be late if they don't get down here for breakfast soon."

"I don't know," Sam said. "I'll go up there in a second and-"

"I'm up, I'm up," fifteen-year old Ashton yawned, hurrying into the kitchen. "Sorry, I had to finish going over the plans for the next student government fundraiser."

"Where's Emma?" Sam asked.

"I dunno, probably still asleep," Ashton shrugged. "She was up super late last night, which is why I'm so exhausted."
"No," Emma said, joining her family in the kitchen, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "I'm the exhausted one. Do you know she woke up at six in the morning?"
"Well I had to! You know I have a huge student government meeting today!" Ashton said. "I had to prep for it! It's your own fault you're tired for staying up until two."

"Well I had to all my muscle stretches!" Emma defended. "You know I had that big track meet yesterday! If I didn't stretch out I'd be all sore now!"

"Do you two have to start every day with a fight about something?" Freddie sighed. "Come on, your brother's home from college. He doesn't want to hear everybody arguing every second of the day!"

"Actually, I kind of missed it," Jason shrugged. "It's too peaceful down at Cal Tech. It's…weird."

"Well we'd fight less if we had our own rooms," Ashton mumbled. "Why can't one of us move into Jason's room since he's gone?"
"Um, I'm right here," Jason said, rolling his eyes.

"Nobody's taking over anybody's rooms," Sam said firmly. "You two will just have to start getting along better. I managed to get along with your Aunt Melanie growing up."

"You guys didn't even live in the same state!" Emma pointed out. "You didn't have to share a room with her!"

"I did when she visited, thank you!" Sam snapped. "And when she did, I was nothing but nice to her."
"I remember a slightly different version of that…" Freddie said under his breath.

"Baby?" Sam said sweetly. "Shut up."

"Well it's just so hard having to put up with all of Emma's stuff when I have so many important things to do," Ashton said, taking a bite of her eggs. "I happen to have a busy schedule."

"Oh, and I don't?" Emma retorted. "I have an insanely busy schedule. I have track, soccer conditioning starts soon, AV club-"

"Well I'm vice-president of the entire student government!" Ashton said. "Plus I have debate team, Young Future Business Professionals-"

"Alright, alright, you guys are both busy," Freddie said, cutting in. "But your mom's right. No one's going to be switching rooms, so you will just have to learn to get along better. Now let's go, go grab your bags and meet me and Tyler out in the car so I can take you to school."

"Fine," the girls huffed, finishing up the last bits of their breakfasts before getting up from the table and heading back up to their room.

"I can't believe you think you have a rougher schedule than me," Ashton said as they started up the stairs.

"I don't think that," Emma said simply. "I know that. Trust me, you wouldn't last one day doing what I do."

"Oh, and like you would last with my schedule?" Ashton said, rolling her eyes.

"I would," Emma said. "Hey! In fact…why don't we test this little theory and make things interesting?"

"What are you talking about?" Ashton frowned.

"Dude, we're identical twins," Emma said slowly. "And we've never even taken advantage of that! Well, except for that one time we were six and we wanted to prank Uncle Spencer."
"Still don't know what you're talking about," Ashton said.

"I'm saying that we should see if we can handle the other's schedules!" Emma said. "How about today we switch places? You know, I pretend to be you, you pretend to be me. We'll do everything the other normally does and at the end of the day, we'll see who has it harder."

"You think that would work?" Ashton said thoughtfully. "You don't think someone would realize?"

"No way," Emma said. "Like I said, we're identical. The only reason people can tell us apart in the first place is because of how we act and dress, right? Well, except mom and dad. But dad's going to be all antsy about getting us to school on time that he won't notice, and mom's too pumped up about Jason being home. So…you in?"

"I-I fine," Ashton sighed. "But this is just to prove that my schedule is way more hectic than yours. And we're setting some ground rules. Um…you can't get into any trouble while you're pretending to be me. I don't want to ruin my detention-free record."

"Yeah, fine, whatever," Emma agreed. "And-And you can't make-out with Quincy while you're being me either!"

"Isn't Quincy away at some pottery club field trip today?" Ashton asked.

"Oh….yeah," Emma shrugged. "Alright then. But-But you can't do any damage to my rep!"

"Your rep?" Ashton repeated, amused.

"Yeah, my rep!" Emma nodded. "So-So just don't act all girly and weak, okay?"

"Fine," Ashton said, rolling her eyes. "Okay, now that all that's established let's just hurry up and switch clothes and get downstairs before dad has an aneurism waiting for us."

The twins quickly switched their outfits and backpacks, looking in the mirror as they confirmed that they now looked exactly like the other.

"Bye mom, bye Jason!" they called as they rushed down the stairs and out the front door to Freddie's car.

"Finally!" Freddie said as they hopped into the back seat. "We're three minutes behind schedule, you know! That's three minutes later you're going to be getting to school!"

"So?" Emma, dressed like Ashton, scoffed. "It's not like I actually enjoy-I mean…sorry," she corrected as Ashton shot her a warning glare. "Sorry, daddy. And-And I'm super disappointed that-that I'm not gonna get to be extra early for school, since I am a good two-shoes."

"Well being a goody two-shoes is better than being in detention every other day," Ashton, dressed like Emma, shot back. "Like I am."
"Why are you guys being weird?" Tyler frowned.

"We're not!" Emma said quickly, punching her younger brother's shoulder.

"Ow!" Tyler cried. "Dad! Ashton punched me!"

"Ashton punched you?" Freddie frowned.

"Um…no-no I didn't," Emma said quickly. "He-He just had a bug on his shirt that I was getting for him. I would never hit him. I'm the good one!"

"Okay…we're running too late for me to deal with this," Freddie said, shaking his head as he pulled up in front of the school. "Alright, you guys, have a good day. Oh, Em, Jason's going to pick you up from practice today, and Ash, Aunt Carly said she'd drive you home when you and Clarissa finish up your student government meeting.

"Alright, bye daddy!" Ashton said, a bit too sweetly to be Emma. "Er…I mean…cool. Fine. Whatever."

"Um…okay then," Freddie said, giving the twins one last strange look before driving away.

"Way to almost blow it," Emma mumbled as Tyler ran off to the middle school.

"You were the one who almost blew it!" Ashton snapped. "Alright, we have minutes before first period. You have English right?"

"Uh-huh, and you have…"

"Advanced pre-calculus."

"Gross," Emma cringed.

"Just try not to fall asleep," Ashton sighed. "And remember what I said about getting me into trouble."
"Yeah, yeah, fine," Emma snapped. "And for your information, I don't need a million reminders. I can behave."
"Sure," Ashton said, rolling her eyes. "Then why do you wind up in detention so often?"

"Because half these teachers have it out for me!"

"Right," Ashton scoffed. "Look, I'm sure that's not-"

Just then the first bell rang.

"Hurry up, I'm never late!" Ashton said.

"Well take your time, because I always am," Emma said. "I'll see you at lunch I guess. Good luck, you'll need it."

"You're the one who's gonna need it," Ashton replied. "You'll see."

"-And so if we substitute sine squared in here, then we will be able to easily solve the rest of this problem," the trig teacher explained, scribbling away at the whiteboard. "Everybody understand? Good. Now, onto the next lesson."

How does this woman expect anybody to follow along? She moves so fast! Emma thought frantically, copying the board as quickly as she could, though not comprehending anything. How the heck does Ashton function in this class first thing in the morning? I'd be asleep by now!

"On second thought," the teacher said. "We'll forgoe that next lesson."

Oh thank God, Emma thought, relieved.

"We'll have an oral pop quiz instead," the teacher said brightly.

Emma squirmed in her seat. Uh-oh…Ashton's going to kill me! I'm going to completely blow her grade in this class with this quiz; I don't know anything! Okay…maybe-maybe she won't call on-

"Ashton?" the teacher said promptly, causing Emma to jump slightly in her seat. "Care to go first? I know my star pupil won't have any problems, after all."

"Oh, um-"

"Very good," the teacher smiled. "Now…if the sine of X is one-half, what would be the sine of three X be?"

What? Emma thought desperately. How am I supposed to know that? I don't even know what a sine is! I'm still in Algebra! Okay, I-I guess I-I can just take a guess…maybe I'll get lucky.

"Um…two?" Emma said nervously.

The teacher frowned. "Two? Is-Is that your final answer, Ashton?"

"Er, yes."
"Well, I-I have to say I'm shocked," the teacher said, shaking her head. "And a little disappointed. That is not the correct answer."
Emma slumped down in her seat as the teacher scribbled something down on her clipboard. It was going to be a long day.

"Now, since I'm going to assume everybody here is up-to-date on all the assigned reading so far, you all should have no problems keeping up with my lecture today," Emma's English teacher said, clearing her throat. "So pay attention. Now, if we look at Catcher in the Rye as a metaphor for-"

Okay, this is easy, Ashton thought to herself as she sat in Emma's seat. I can totally do this. I just have to sit here and listen to this guy talk. No problem! I'll even be nice and take notes for Emma…she could probably use them. I can't believe she always complains about this class…this guy seems fine. See, I told her if she'd just put a little more effort in her class, she'd be-

"Benson!" the teacher suddenly snapped, causing Ashton to almost fall out of her seat. "What are you doing?"

"Um…taking-taking notes," Ashton frowned, confused.

"With a red pen?" the teacher demanded, stepping over to her desk. "You know I do not allow red pen in my classroom!"

"What?" Ashton said. "That guy over there is using a red pen too!"

"It's maroon," the teacher sneered. "And this violation of my rules will cost you detention tomorrow morning!"

"Detention?" Ashton repeated indignantly. "But-But that's not fair! I-I didn't even do anything!"

"Was that lip?" the teacher frowned. "Alright, two detentions!"

"But I-"

"Would you like to go for thee, Ms. Benson?"

Ashton sighed. "No…sir."

"Good. Then get rid of that pen and behave yourself!" he said firmly returning to the front of the classroom.

Wow…Ashton thought as she switched her red pen for a blue one. Maybe-Maybe Emma isn't exaggerating when she says her teachers have it out for her. This guy is a total nut case! I can't believe he-

"Benson!" the teacher yelled again. "What have I told you about blue pens? I expect a three-thousand word essay on my desk by the end of the week on proper writing utensils!"

Ashton bit her tongue. This was going to be a long day.

…..

Why does Ash have to do this stupid student government thing? Emma thought, exhausted, as she dragged her feet into the classroom where the meeting would be held. Her brain felt numb from attending all of Ashton's advanced classes and working through lunch with the debate team to prepare for an upcoming tournament. All she wanted to do was go home and collapse.

The room was filled with students, all talking loudly and moving around. Emma spotted Clarissa at the table near the front.

"Hey, Ash!" Clarissa smiled excitedly. "Guess what? Polly Bailey called in sick today!"

"Who's Polly?" Emma asked.

"Come on, you know!" Clarissa laughed. "The student government president."

"Oh, um, right," Emma said. "Hey! If she's sick then it looks like this meeting is canceled, right?"
"No!" Clarissa beamed. "It means you get to act as president!"

"What?"
"Yeah, I mean, you are the vice-president," Clarissa nodded. "And since you'll be bumped up for today, as treasurer I get bumped up to your position. We get to lead this entire meeting today! Isn't that exciting?"

"Um…sure," Emma nodded. "Okay, well, let's-let's just get this thing started then so we can get out of here sooner. Alright! Hey! People, shut up!"

Clarissa gave her a strange look, but said nothing as the room fell silent at once.

"Okay…what-what next?" Emma whispered desperately to Clarissa.

"We have to discuss whether we're going to move the fundraiser to raise money for the animal shelter should be this weekend or next weekend," Clarissa whispered back.

"Oh, um…okay," Emma said. "Well, as president, I-I get to make the executive call on that, so next weekend it-"

"You do not get to just decide that!" a girl from the audience exclaimed. "You know the rules! We have to hear everybody's reasons for choosing that weekend over the next and then vote on it. And I, for one, happen to have a very convincing argument of why it should be this weekend. I even prepared a slideshow."

"I-Fine," Emma said, glaring at her.

"And I'll present my case after her!" another girl called out.

"No, I should go after her, because I think that the fundraiser should take place at the end of the month instead."

"Or!" another boy said loudly. "We could have the fundraiser go on continuously throughout the entire month!"

"Clarissa!" Emma said anxiously. "How-Why-Why won't these people shut up?"

"Ashton, this is how all student government meetings are, you know that," Clarissa said. "And it's your job to keep all of this in order."

"But-But they're all acting like maniacs over a stupid fundraiser date!"

"Well you can handle it," Clarissa smiled.

"But I-"

Just then a chair went soaring across the room as the debate continued to unfold.

Okay…this is too much! Emma thought as her and Clarissa quickly ducked. How does Ashton deal with all this chaos? Maybe…Maybe she does have it harder than me…

…..

I can't feel my legs! Ashton thought as she collapsed onto the grass next to the track, panting heavily. Oh my God, everything hurts! How does Emma have any energy after doing this every single day? I'd crawl into bed and never get up!

"Benson!" the track coach barked. "What are you doing on the ground; get up! You still have eight more laps!"

"Eight?" Ashton exclaimed.

"Yes, now quit whining!" the coach snapped. "And when you're done with your warm-up, you can start on your sprints! I want to see you shave another quarter of a second off of your time on the hundred next meet!"

That-That was my warm-up? Ashton thought, horrified. Oh my God…is Emma half robot or something?

"Hey, Em," another girl said, jogging over to her. "Remember, after track practice, we have to hit the weight room for an hour to start conditioning for soccer. Pre-season starts in a few weeks."
"The weight room?" Ashton sputtered. "That-That doesn't happen to be the same thing as a waiting room? You know, a nice, relaxing place I can sit?"

"Funny," the girl laughed. "Hey, wanna race for the rest of the warm-up? I think I may finally be able to keep up with you. No offense, but you're looking kind of slow out there today."
"Yeah, thanks!" Ashton snapped. "Man, do we ever get a break during this practice?"

"Who needs breaks?" the girl scoffed.

"People who would like to be able to walk tomorrow!"

"Oh-kay," the girl said, giving her a strange look. "Whatever. Just remember to meet in the weight room. I'll talk to you later."

I can't believe there's more after this, Ashton thought miserable as she slowly got to her feet. I don't know how Emma does this without dying. Maybe…Maybe she does have it harder than me.

"Ow!" Ashton winced later that day as she limped up the stairs and into her bedroom and turned on the light. "Ow, ow, ow!"

"Do you mind?" Emma mumbled from her bed. "I have a pounding headache."

"I feel like three elephants just sat on me," Ashton moaned, falling down onto her own bed, letting out a sigh of relief. "Your track coach is a monster. You wouldn't believe the work-out he made us do. You're lucky you got to miss it."

"What are you talking about?" Emma frowned. "The practice after a meet is always super easy. We only have to run like, thirty laps."

"That was an easy practice?" Ashton exclaimed.

"Dude, seriously shut up!" Emma cringed. "Your stupid student government people are animals! It was like being in a war zone! Everybody has a different opinion and always thinks they're right…it's horrible! That meeting went on for two hours!"
"That's it?" Ashton said. "That was short…they normally last four."
"Four?" Emma cried.

"Oh, and, um, I'm sorry, but-but I kind of got you two days of morning detention too," Ashton mumbled. "But it wasn't even my fault! Your English teacher does have it out for you! And your Spanish teacher's a jerk too! He yelled at me because I dropped by pencil by accident when he was talking!"

"Well, then we can say we're even," Emma sighed. "Because I sort of failed this pop quiz you had in math. Dude, your classes are impossible! Your teachers expect you to know so much! It's-"

Just then the bedroom door opened and Sam walked in. "Hey, dinner's in twenty minutes. We picked up Chinese."

"Um, okay," Emma nodded quickly.

"So," Sam said, looking back from Emma to Ashton. "How was your day?"

"Good," Ashton said quickly.

"Did you enjoy switching places with each other?" Sam smirked.

Emma and Ashton exchanged confused glances.

"What?" Emma frowned. "Um, what-what are you talking about, mom?"
"Quit the act, Emma," Sam grinned. "You should know you guys can't pull one over on me that easily."
"How'd you even know?" Ashton frowned. "You only saw us for like, two seconds after we switched. When we ran past you on the say to dad's car this morning."

"Well that's all I needed," Sam shrugged. "You were impressive, though, I will say. But…why'd you do it?"

"We-We kind of wanted to see who had it harder," Emma replied. "Whose schedule was the roughest."

"Yeah," Ashton nodded. "Since each of us thought the other had it easier."
"Ah," Sam said. "So? Who is it then? Who has it easier?"

"I do," both girls replied at once.

"Huh…" Sam smiled as the twins frowned at each other. "Interesting. Seems like this whole thing was a learning experience. One I didn't even have to do anything for…sweet. Well, I'll leave you two to reflect or whatever…just come down for dinner soon."

"Wait," Emma frowned as Sam left the room. "How-How can you think that you have it easier? Do you know hard your classes are? You're in advanced everything! Plus all that stuff you do for your clubs is so stressful! They even take over lunch!"

"Well I don't know how your legs haven't fallen off from all your practices," Ashton said. "It's laps and laps and laps and then the weight room! I hate that place. Plus, well, your teachers are kind of hard on you."

"So then…who-who actually has it harder?" Emma asked. "Wasn't that the whole point of this switch?"
"Maybe-Maybe it's not so important who has it the hardest," Ashton said. "Maybe it's just important that we do realize that we both have a lot of things going on and-and that we should both respect that."
Emma nodded. "Yeah, I-I guess that sounds right. And-And maybe I guess I can do my stretches and stuff downstairs or something if-if it's keeping you up at night. You do need your energy."
"And I can work on my student government stuff down there in the mornings too so I don't wake you up," Ashton agreed. "You clearly need your energy too."
"Thanks," Emma smiled. "Hey…you think if mom and dad realized how crazy we've got it they'd give us an increase in our allowances or ease up on our chores or something? I mean, they do have it kind of easy compared to us. They just have to go to work and make sure we're all okay."
"Yeah, and all of us can pretty much take care of ourselves by now," Ashton nodded. "Well, except Tyler sometimes, but he's kind of hopeless. You know…that's a good point, Em. We should bring it up to them. There's no way they can even begin to argue that they've got it harder."