Oh great, Becky thought, I overdid it. Why did she always have to come on so strong when met new people? Here was this girl, Rebecca, clearly trying to be nice, and Becky immediately started talking her ear off. The poor girl had looked like she was about to puke.
Still, Becky couldn't help wondering why Rebecca Hawkins had gone out of her way to help her. After all, Rebecca was ultra Goth. For someone like her to be friendly to someone like Becky twice in one morning was unusual to say the least.
Whatever. Becky had gym next, and she needed to find the locker room and change as fast as she could. The principal had said that Ms. Barnett, her PE teacher, was also the dance teaching coach, and Becky wanted to make a stellar first impression.
"You're not wearing socks, Ms. Hopkins," Ms Barnett said sternly less than seven minutes later. Becky had barely had a chance to introduce herself. "This is a physical education class, young lady. How can you receive a physical education if your feet are not properly attired?
Becky made sure she kept smiling, which wasn't easy considering she was also trying to nod seriously. "I completely agree," she said sincerely. "I've been dancing since I was eight, and I fully understand the dangers of painful blisters and unwanted foot fungus. I promise not to forget my socks again, ma'am.
Ms. Barnett nodded with begruding respect. There isn't a female gym teacher on earth who doesn't love being called Ma'am, thought Becky.
After Ms. Barnett had given her the details of the dance tryouts coming up in three weeks, she led Becky across the gym to where three girls were taking turns doing handsprings. She gestured to one with a blue/green ponytail, who bounced right over.
"Bulla Briefs, this is Becky Hopkins. She also interested in trying out for the team."
"You're the new girl!" Bulla cried. "Welcome to Domino High."
Becky smiled. "Nice to meet you."
"Come on," said Becky. "I'm just about to teach Alexis and Rio this unbelievable awesome cheer!"
For the first time all morning, Becky let herself relax. She'd found the dancers. Unlike the other students in gym class, all the three girls wore matching short pink and tight gray Domino T-shirts. Becky just knew she'd be having sleepovers and talking about boys in the locker room with them before long.
Becky watched Bulla run through the routine. The girl clearly knew her moves. She had good energy, sharp moves, nice tumbling. It was completely possible that Bulla Briefs was going to be new best friend.
"That was great, Bulla!" Becky said.
Except, she thought, "Domino" doesn't really rhyme with "blue," but, whatever. "We used to do a dance a lot like that at my old school."
"I wrote it myself." Bulla beamed.
The routine had some complicated parts but nothing too difficult. Becky got it in no time. After a few run-throughs, she even tried some new lines, shouting, "You know you're a dancer now you need to add more moves!" instead of Bulla's words.
"Sorry, Becky," Bulla said, running over from where she was working with Alexis and Rio on new dances. "I think you got the moves wrong. We'd better do it again." Which was fine. After all, it was Bulla's moves.
Becky was just relieved to feel that she fit in. In fact, at the end of class, she was on her way to the locker room when Ms. Barnett actually smiled at her.
"Nice dances, Becky" said the female gym teacher. Becky could have made a new move on the spot!
"Ms. Barnett says that everyone," Bulla said, as she pushed open the door to the locker room.
Becky shrugged. "Hey, this morning I was no one. "Everyone' is a step up!"
It sure didn't feel that way at lunch, though. Looking out at the cafeteria, Becky felt like no one again. She had no idea where to sit. She wished she was back in her old school, with Luna and Kotori waving at her from their table by the window.
Finally, Becky spotted Mai sitting by herself in the corner, slowly reading her sci-fi epic along eating her lunch. Becky almost took off running, she was so happy to see her.
She was almost at Mai's table when Bulla Briefs appeared wearing a red leather outfit(like Dragon Ball GT). Behind her stood Alexis and Rio, there smiles shining like white billboards above their trays.
"Come sit with us!" Bulla said.
Becky glanced over at Mai, whose still reading her book. For some reason, Becky's stomach sank. "Okay."
"This is the popular table," Alexis told her as they sat down.
"We sit here everyday," said Rio.
"Great." Becky smiled, silently noting that they were the only people at the table.
"Girls," Bulla said. "First things first. I think it's our duty to tell Becky the rules."
"What rules?" Becky asked.
"Duh." Alexis rolled her eyes. "Bulla's rules."
"No, Alexis." Bulla looked annoyed. "The rules of Domino High School." She straightened her back and took a deep breath.
"Rule number one," Bulla announced. She reached over Becky's tray and gingerly picked up a piece of garlic bread with two fingers. She looked completely grossed out, as if she were holding a dead bird. "Never order garlic bread. It totally kills..."
Vampires? Becky wondered.
"... your social life," Bulla finished, dropping the bread so that it landed back on Becky's tray with a thud.
"Rule number two," Bulla went on, wiping her hands on her napkins. "Pink is in. Black"- she shot a cold look at another table, where Becky saw Rebecca Hawkins sitting with some friends- "is so last season. But you already knew that, right?" Bulla added and winked.
"So I can't wait to borrow that dress," Rio said, looking Becky up and down approvingly.
"Anyway," said Bulla, "rule number two is: Pink is perfect!"
Becky shifted in her seat uncomfortably.
"But rule number three," Bulla continued, "is the most important rule of all."
Bulla looked at Alexis and Rio, who nodded solemnly. Then Bulla did a double clap, and all three spoke in unison: "The team is everything, and the leader makes the shots!"
It was as if they'd practiced it- which, Becky realized, they probably had. "Cool," she said, not wanting to be mean. "Who's the leader?"
Alexis and Rio looked at Becky like she'd popped a zit right at the tablr.
"It's all right," Bulla said. "She's new. That's a perfectly good question, Becky. I'm the leader."
Becky couldn't help it; she was shocked. She had to eat a forkful of fruit salad just to cover her reaction. Finally she swallowed. "I, um, talked to Ms Barnett in gym, and she said that the leaderships won't be decided until tryouts."
"I know," said Bulla, nodding sympathetically. "She actually has to say that or else she'll be fired. Like, to be fair. But everyone knows it going to be me."
"It's just like everyone on the team has to tryout again every year, so it at least looks like new people have a chance," Alexis said.
"Like you!" Rio chimed. Then she realized what she just said and added quickly, "Although I'm sure you'll make it if you stick with us."
Becky forced herself to smile and nod. I should have sat with Mai, she thought. And then, out of the corner of her eye, Becky saw Rebecca and her friends about to pass by, carrying their trays.
Bulla cleared her throat. "It's such a shame," she said ultraloud, "when people can't afford to buy from this century. We should totally set up a charity."
Oh, my gosh. Bulla did not just say that! Becky thought. She stared down at her tray as Rebecca brushed past with her friends. Luckily, they didn't say anything.
When the Goths had gone, Becky sat up straight. "Bulla what was all that about?"
"Excuse me?" Bulla said haughtily.
"That girl, Rebecca, saved my butt this morning. And even if she didn't, I don't really think that entitles you to smash her feelings."
"Well, thank you for the feedback, Becky," Bulla huffed. "But it's clear you don't know what you're talking about. Now, I'll forgive you for not knowing this because you're new, but let me tell you something about those Goths. The walking dead don't have feelings!"
How utterly great, Rebecca thought grimly as the bell rang for the last class of the day. The new girl- who looks just like me but is best friends with Bulla Briefs- is in my science class, too.
Rebecca slumped in her chair in the back row. She could not believe Becky had been sucked into Bulla's web so easily. Becky might share Rebecca's nose, but that was obvisiously where the resemblance ended.
Uh-oh. Becky was coming over.
"Hi," Becky said quietly. She seemed embarrassed.
She should be! thought Rebecca.
Becky said, "Mr. Kingery told me you're my lab partner."
What?! This is so unbelievably O-negative, Rebecca raged silently. She was now oficially having the weirdest and worst day ever. She was ready to say something really grave, but the look on Becky's face stopped her.
"I am so horrified by what Bulla said at lunch. I mean, you are, like the nicest person I've met so far. I know I should have said something on the spot. It's just that, I don't know, I was so shocked. I mean, look at you. You're got unbelievable style," Becky said.
"P-pardon me? Rebecca stammered.
"That's the coolest outfit I've ever seen all day!" Becky went on. "And I'm absolutely going to sometimes try putting my hair down like you did. You've got way more style than Bulla Briefs."
Rebecca was speechless.
"Anyway," Becky concluded, "I'm really sorry." Maybe Becky Hopkins wasn't a dance underling after all. Rebecca moved her books aside so Becky could sit down.
"It's okay," Rebecca said. "I'm used to Bulla's petty ways. I bet she didn't tell you I'm her next door neighbor."
"Are you serious?" Becky asked incredulously.
"Dead serious. And she never misses an opportunity to say something nasty." Rebecca rolled her eyes. "I guess it's a dancers thing."
Becky shooked her head firmly. "I cheered at my old school, and most dancers aren't like that-any more than Goths girls are all witches."
"As if." Rebecca laughed, impressed.
Becky opened her notebook. "I mean, it would be one thing if you'd done something. But for Bulla to act like that out of nowhere-"
"Actually," Rebecca interrupted, "there was sixth grade."
Becky's eyes widened. "What happened in sixth grade?"
"I tried-"
Mr. Kingery appeared in front of their desk. "Don't you think you should be preparing your materials like the rest of the class?"
"Sorry," they both mumbled. Rebecca sheepishly handed a pair of safety goggles to Becky. A few moments later, when Mr. Kingery had gone, she continued in a whisper, "I tried out for the dance team.
"YOU tried out-" Becky gasped, but Rebecca motioned for Becky to keep her voice down. "For the dance team?" Becky finished in a whisper.
"Yep." Rebecca smiled. "My Grandpa wanted me to have an extracurricular. I actually made the team... But... who didn't?"
"No way." Becky's jaw dropped.
"Way." Rebecca grinned. "Bulla was the only alternate."
"You can dance," Becky asked.
"I may not be a smiler, but I am really good at gymnastics," Rebecca replied.
"You can too smile," objected Becky.
"Yes, but I don't like to smile," Rebecca said. "And I certainly don't like to be perky. Truth is, I wasn't really into the 'smiling' part of the team."
Becky wrinkled her nose. "That part is really important," she admitted.
"It just wasn't my style," Rebecca explained. "Even my grandpa knew it. So, after the first week, I quit and joined the newspaper."
"And what happened?" probed Becky.
"Bulla got to fill the spot I left. That was the only reason she made the team. She never got over it. And the rest, as they-"
"Is middle school!" Becky blurted out. They both laughed.
"Ladies!" Mr. Kingery interruppted from across the room. "Please focus on the experiment at hand! We are exploring the combustion of plant matter, not your social lives!"
Becky straightened out her glasses and raised her hand to turn on the Busnsen burner. There was a dark emerald ring on her middle finger. The strange feeling Rebecca had experienced earlier when she'd looked at Becky like a tidal wave. Her hand instantly flew to her neck, and she felt for the ring on it's back chain beneath dark grey tube top. She found it near her throat. But how could there be two of them? The ring was the only thing she had from her real parents. She was sure it was one of a kind. How could Becky have one, too?
"Rebecca?" Becky was staring at her. "Are you okay?"
Somehow Rebecca forced herself to speak. "F-fine," she stammered.
Rebecca didn't know how she would make it to the end of class, but she did. When the bell finally rang, she grabbed Becky's arm. "Come with me!"
"Sure," Becky said. "Where to?"
Rebecca looked around wildly as they stepped into the hallway. "The bathroom."
Rebecca thought she would die if there was anybody else in the girls' bathroom. She checked to make sure it was completely empty.
"Are you going to tell me a secret?" Becky asked as she watched curiously. Rebecca came over and turned Becky to face the mirror.
Rebecca gently reached over to take Becky's glasses. Becky's eyes met Rebecca's blurry reflection, and all at once, Becky's smile disappeared. "Rebecca, what is it?"
Rebecca lifted Becky's wrist. "Where did you get this ring?" Rebecca asked, her voice trembling.
Becky looked stunned for a moment. Then she took a deep breath. "It's the only thing in the world," she said slowly, "that my real parents gave me."
Rebecca reached carefully into her shirt, pulled out her chain, and held up her ring next to Becky's. The rings were identical. They had the same ornate etchings on same oddly cut green emeralds. They even seemed to shine brighter now that they were next to each other. Rebecca and Becky's reconnected in the mirror.
When Rebecca spoke again, her voice was almost a whisper. "When's your birthday?"
Becky's voice shook. "May..." she began.
"Fifteen," Rebecca finished.
Rebecca gave Becky back her glasses. After she put them back on, she put a hand over her mouth. "You look just like me!"
"You look just like me," Rebecca said, raising her eyebrows.
Becky spun around to face her.
"Who were..." they both started.
"How did..." Neither of them finished.
Rebecca took a deep breath.
"When were..." they said as one.
"Okay," Rebecca cried. "You go first."
"Are you adopted?" Becky blurted. "I am."
"Me, too," Rebecca answered. "How old were you?"
"One," Becky replied. "You?"
"Same."
"Where you were born?" Becky asked.
"Yonezato Hospital, Domino City," Rebecca told her.
"Me, too!" Becky shook her head. "This is so out of control."
"When was the first time you moved?" asked Rebecca.
Becky's eyes lit up. "A few years ago. My parents drove to Tokyo, Japan, there was these unbelievably great place and trees."
"You have no idea how jealous I am." Rebecca sighed. She always wanted to go to Tokyo.
"What about your ring?" Becky asked.
"I got it for my 8th birthday," Rebecca replied. "My grandpa said my real parents wanted it that way. It was a condition of the adoption."
"That's exactly what my parents told me!" Becky bit her lip. "Do you... do you know anything else about them?" She looked at Rebecca hopefully.
Rebecca's heart sank. "No. My Grandpa said they died of freezing to death," she said.
For a moment, they were both quiet. Then Rebecca's mouth curled into a wide grin. "Well, Becky, I've always wanted an evil twin."
Becky rolled her eyes. "That is just what I was going to say!"