Love's Entrapment

By: Sokai

Disclaimer: I, Sokai, do not claim ownership to the workings of W.I.T.C.H. - I leave that honor up to Elisabetta Gnone. Nor do I own Das doppelte Lottchen ("The double Lottie"), or, as it was later renamed, Lottie and Lisa, written by Erich Kästner. However, I can and DO claim to own this story, its inspired ideas FROM each aforementioned creation, in addition to any featured original characters - Specifically, Alazne and Kalila.

Note: Weee, another update! My Muse is still continuing to make sweet, sweet love to me, hooray! =)

This chapter was created/written in August 2016.

Chapter Seven

Despite personally feeling to the contrary, the following three weeks, indeed the remaining five of summer camp had honestly flown by before either twin knew it, making their frantic preparation of attempting the daring intention to swap lives that much more so.

Being made to return to their original cabin assignments once their ongoing punishment had concluded had certainly put a crimp within the girls' planning, to be sure, as they no longer had a set, private place to carry on with everything they felt needed to be done before it was time to leave.

Nonetheless, they had managed to find a way, making further arrangements every day during their free time, without fail, to meet up somewhere as secluded as possible to further carry out what Alazne had covertly dubbed, 'Operation: Home Improvement.'

As tricky as everything had been, cramming as much knowledge about their lives, friends and family into their heads as possible, at least finally letting their camp companions in on it had surprisingly been rather simple.

In fact, not only did their quartet of friends appear to understand the entire tale once Alazne, and especially Kalila both hesitantly confessed one morning during breakfast, the following week after first coming up with their admittedly crazy idea, they had actually offered to assist.

"R-Really? I-I mean, Al and I honestly thought you wouldn't even believe us or wanna talk to us ever again – You know, considering we're both essentially the reason we're all still in trouble – let alone ever wish to help out," the more creative twin had admitted sheepishly after that early meal, and before all six girls had to part for the first of their latest set of activities that particular week.

"Well, in all honesty, as imaginative as you definitely are, K, you'd have to be outright insane to make up something like this, you know? And besides, we all knew something had to be up with you two, the way you suddenly were acting like the best of friends, and were all secretive with your 'hush-hush' whispers any time we got close enough," Lindsay had remarked with a shrug and grin, with the remaining girls all nodding within continued agreement. "So! Just tell us how we can help and we'll do it – Barring outright breaking any more camp rules, of course. . . ."

And that was all it had taken to convince their friends to believe their honestly outrageous story, each girl offering up as many suggestions as possible which might have helped make the twins' upcoming transition go as smoothly as possible.

Kalila and Alazne had ended up going with Beth's rather helpful proposition of gathering a few supplies from the camp's arts and crafts room in order to make a flow chart of sorts, listing everything each sibling had explained to the other about their previously separate home lives, since "Visualization is key," as the robust brunette had put it.

Alazne, at least, could have kissed the evidently rather studious and organized girl for that, as beforehand she honestly felt as though her brain was going to pop from all the sudden influx of knowledge!

The rest of their friends did their part, as well, acting as study partners during the times when the twins had to temporarily separate due to their activities, or being makeshift judges over how well they each behaved as one another.

It had gotten to the point that by the time the final week of camp had arrived, all six girls had practically known Kalila and Alazne's lives and behavioral manners inside, and out.

Indeed, despite their ongoing, overall nerves about the entire thing, both sisters were actually feeling rather confident that they really would be able to pull it off.

There was only one thing left to do. . . .

It was the final week of summer camp, and the night before the camp's closing ceremonies, and Alazne was one of the only campers to be feeling absolutely exhilarated, rather than the general gloominess over soon to be going home which was swiftly sweeping throughout the entire campus.

However, her personal excitement hadn't anything to do with camp, but for the fact that she was finally going to cut her hair!

After having pleaded with their mother for so long to be allowed to do so, the moment was at last here, as both Alazne and Kalila had decided that it would have been imprudent to trim her long, flowing locks earlier on during camp, as it just would have already started to grow back within length before either of them left.

But it was at last time, and Alazne couldn't wait to get it over with, honestly carrying on as though she had just won the lottery.

". . . . Do you really hate having long hair this much, Al? Personally, I think you look really cute with it at this length – Cuter than me, anyway, although that's not honestly why I cut mine. I just wanted to try out newer, different hairstyles for shorter hair, is all," Kalila casually explained with a light shrug and smile, watching Alazne finish impatiently braiding the tail end of her mid-back length hair, as the pair stood together inside of the for once empty bathroom of Alazne's Navajo cabin.

Alazne let out a loud groan before nodding, her long, honestly messy braid nearly whipping her sister across the face as she turned her strawberry blonde colored head to face her.

"Ugh! Do you see this? How long this braid is and how much time it took me to do it? This is generally the kinda crap I've had to deal with on a day to day basis back home! And if there's anything you've learned about me the last eight weeks, do I honestly look like the kind of person who'd have the steady patience to mess about with junk like fancy-schmancy hairdos all the time? No, exactly! So let's do this thing!" she remarked gruffly as her sibling began giggling at the display, before excitedly reaching toward one of the many sinks for the large pair of scissors Alazne had managed to snag from the camp's arts and crafts room earlier that day.

While technically not against the rules to have done so, generally only the faculty were allowed the regular use of said cutting object, while their campers were instead issued their smaller, safety scissors . . . but, as those were far more blunt by comparison, none of them would simply do.

"Okay! Scissors, check! Hair braided for easier, massive chopping, check! And now, if you'd be so kind, Kal," Alazne grinned, carefully handing the metallic, cutting instrument to her slightly apprehensive twin, who slowly took a deep breath.

"Mmm . . . i-if you're absolutely sure about th -"

"- For the final time, I am, Kal! And besides, it isn't as though we could successfully swap places if one of us still has long hair! I mean, I might be able to convince Dad that all this being outside and general summer heat helped it to grow faster while I was here, but all the counselors have gotten used to knowing which one of us is which because of the different hair lengths, for sure! But once it's cut and we officially become each other in two days, I'm pretty sure not even both Mollies will be able to tell us apart!" Alazne interrupted, impatiently at first, before turning around to rest a reassuring hand upon her sister's shoulder and squeezed. "I know we can do this . . . remember?"

Upon hearing her twin aptly quote the very same words said on the night they had both decided to put their plan into motion all those many weeks ago, Kalila nodded firmly and smiled.

"Right . . . I remember. Okay! Here we go, then! Just, you know, don't get mad at me if it comes out uneven – I've never honestly cut anyone's hair before, after all," she stated truthfully as she gently took Alazne's long braid into her left hand and slowly placed it in between the now open pair of scissors.

"You could cut it so short that I end up looking more like your twin brother, Kal, and I'd still be ecstatic to be rid of this massive 'mop,' no worries!" Alazne declared with a wave of her hand, now looking into the large mirror before her and at her reflection with such intensity, as she didn't want to miss the grand moment when her long locks were finally no more.

Taking a deep breath, Kalila couldn't help but continue holding it in as she slightly winced the moment her scissors made its immediately recognizable snipping sound, and Alazne's formerly in tact braid fell limply into her hand.

Even though it was only hair she had just cut, for whatever reason Kalila suddenly felt a bit queasy, nonetheless, as though having just finished severing one of her twin's arms.

Alazne, however, was feeling the complete opposite, as she immediately began squealing uncontrollably and jumping up and down at the new self image.

"Ahhh! Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, my wonderful, beautiful sister! Free at lassst, free at last!" she cried within ongoing joy, gaily tossing her head back and forth and causing her free, now chin length hair to fly wildly about. "For someone who's never cut hair before, you did an awesome job getting it in one go! And, look! Now we really look alike!"

Her previous sickness now subsiding, Kalila looked down at her sibling's discarded locks still clutched firmly within her hand a moment, before beginning to join in within the laughter, primarily due to the new thought which had then occurred to her.

"Thanks for the compliment, Al! And you're right, we do look super alike, now! But . . . you do remember that in order to look even more like me, you're going to have to do all the eccentric hairdos I told you I like doing all the time back home, right?"

At this, Alazne's previously enthusiastic facial expression immediately soured, and she turned to give her still giggling twin a deadpanned look as she roughly snatched her cast-off, braided hair from out of her hand.

". . . . Gimme my freaking ponytail back. I think I'd rather go back to having my long hair than have to spend the rest of the summer – And however long thereafter – being you, constantly fiddling around with it and making it into some new, crazy style," she grumbled with a loud huff, dramatically stomping out of the bathroom with her detached tresses still in hand, and a continually chuckling Kalila following within her wake.

"Girls, time to say your last goodbyes! The buses are loading!"

This was it. The final day at Camp Ashokan For Girls.

Molly Senior, her daughter Junior, and a fair majority of their fellow camp counselors were currently busy rallying and ushering as many of their soon-to-be former campers onto the parked line of shuttle buses as they could, a giant conglomeration of emotions churning around inside of them all as they did so.

It was always hard for the older woman and her faculty to say goodbye to their sea of charges each year, and to then close down the camp until the following summer, but she could imagine it was doubly hard for all the girls to part ways with their friends, new and old.

Unbeknownst to Molly Senior, however, perhaps none of her campers were having quite nearly as hard a time letting go than the two doppelgangers she had been regrettably forced to reprimand all those weeks ago. . . .

". . . . Okay. This is it," Kalila murmured against Alazne's shoulder as she squeezed her tight, feeling unable to release her as the sisters continued hugging one another among the crowd of fellow campers displaying their own various forms of affection with their own friends, as well.

The two had just before finished saying a very fond farewell with their companions and unexpected, but very welcomed partners-in-crime, exchanging email addresses and being wished the best of luck upon their mission to bring their family back together.

One half of the quartet had already gotten onto their respective buses, while the other half went to retrieve the last of their luggage, leaving only Alazne and Kalila to remain, firmly planted within their spots and more or less glued to one another.

". . . . I was excited to get this show on the road, but now that we're about to, I'm not really sure I can do it, anymore – O-Or at least, leave you again, Sis," Alazne lightly sniffled before she could stop herself, her now overwhelmingly protective nature for her twin kicking in once more. Somehow, however, she had managed to will herself to release her sister, and roughly wiped away a stray tear from her face before continuing. "But, we can do this! That's been our mantra this entire time, right? And you and I will be keeping in touch via email messages and video chat, anyway! O-Okay! So, remember the plan: You'll be focusing on finding out how Mom and Dad first met. . . ."

". . . . And you're gonna find out why they broke up," Kalila finished with an understanding nod, mirroring her sibling by flicking away a tear of her own from off of her slightly reddened face.

"Alazne Vandom! Your . . . limousine is here!"

On reflex, the real Alazne naturally looked toward the direction of her name being called, while Kalila, who was presently dressed within the same clothes her sister had worn on the first day of camp, did the same.

". . . . That's me, now, remember?" Kalila whispered with a light nudge at her sister's side, flashing her one of Alazne's trademark smirks she had been practicing perfecting during the past several weeks.

"O-Oh, right! Right . . . sorry . . . Al," Alazne sheepishly apologized, turning her head away from Molly Junior and her bullhorn, as the young woman continued looking over within their direction. "Let's just hope I don't screw up like that once I get to Maine. . . ."

"Well that shouldn't be a problem, seeing as everyone's been pretending we don't exist to the other, remember?" Kalila remarked, almost with uncharacteristic bitterness a moment, before shaking her head and carrying on. "Anyway! What time do you leave, again?"

"Well, after the bus ride to the airport you originally arrived at, my flight back to Maine won't be until about an hour or so after you've already taken off on Aunt Irma's private jet – Enjoy that, by the way," Alazne said with a grin as she blindly adjusted the glaring, tie-dye shirt her sister had given her to wear.

She, too, was now dressed identically as Kalila would have and in fact did, also wearing the same outfit the artistic girl had donned during their first day on campus.

Having to trade wardrobes hadn't really been that much of a big deal, and even having to adjust to the vastly different styles of clothing wasn't going to be as terrible as Alazne had originally thought – Especially not after having gotten a gander at a few of the pretty unique and honestly inventive bits of clothing her twin had brought along with her.

But it was honestly having to do up her newly short hair within as many imaginative styles as she could personally dream up which was going to be a nightmare to the usually indolent tomboy. As it was, it had already taken Alazne nearly half an hour that morning just to get the tiny, should-have-been simple bun just right, as well as shoving Kalila's candy striped chopsticks into it as 'elegantly' as she could manage.

Honestly, I have no clue how she could have the energy to do this kinda junk on a regular basis . . . but I just hope Kal won't get too 'bored' being me, by comparison, Alazne mused with a tiny smile at the memory, staring at Kalila's uncharacteristically plain appearance and uncomplicated, tiny ponytail.

"Alazne Vandommm, front and center!" both twins listened to Molly Junior call again, this time within a singsong manner, before Kalila catapulted herself into Alazne's awaiting arms one last time.

". . . . I'm going to miss you sooo much, Al! Make sure to give everyone a big hug and kiss for me – Well, you know what I mean! O-Oh! And I know you won't like him, but please try your best to get along with Mister Kermie, all right? Maybe you two will become the best of friends once all this is over!" she stated in between renewed sniffling, squeezing her slightly shivering and momentarily disgusted sister tightly before reluctantly letting go. "'Bye, Alazne . . . good luck, and . . . I love you. . . ."

"Last call, Alazne Vandom!"

"I-I . . . I love you, too, Kalila," Alazne whispered against Kalila's ear as she hugged back just as tightly, each face growing incredibly hot as they both openly professed their adoration for one another for the very first time . . . and it certainly would not be the last.

As Kalila slowly released her twin and picked up her suitcases, Alazne watched with bittersweet emotion as her brand new sibling quickly scurried off within the direction of the now slightly perturbed Molly Junior, and the girl's still awaiting white limousine.

"Goodbye, Alazne. I know your punishment seemed a bit harsh, but you girls survived it - And appeared to become rather good friends, after all," the young woman remarked with a light smile as her patience returned, helping Kalila place her belongings into the open trunk before closing it up.

Kalila swallowed hard at this and nodded automatically with a nervous smile, before quickly reminding herself that she was now meant to be playing the part of her far more outgoing, and ostentatious twin . . . who apparently was right within her presumption that not even the current woman in question would be able to tell them apart once they'd made their switch.

"U-Uh, yeah, yes, Miss Madison! Y-You'd . . . be surprised to hear just how close me and Kalila got this summer!" she replied, timidly at first, before finishing it off with a broad, Alazne-style smirk and casually stuffed her hands into the pockets of her navy colored shorts for good measure.

Slowly raising an eyebrow within honest, general perplexity, Molly Junior did nor said nothing more upon the matter, before then leaning forward to give the now taken aback preteen an awkward, albeit thankfully brief hug goodbye.

". . . . Good luck, Kal," Alazne softly whispered to herself as she sadly watched Kalila disappear inside of her – their Aunt Irma's stretch limousine, and secretly crossed her fingers behind her back for extra assurance as the vehicle began to slowly drive away. . . .

"Welcome back, Miss Alazne! Both your Aunt Irma, and Mister Marshall send their regards, as you know she is now too far along within her pregnancy to travel by flight, and Marshall has sadly taken ill. But your Uncle Martin will be at the airport to meet us once we arrive. O-Oh! And look at that! You've finally cut your hair, I see! It's very lovely!" Kalila nearly jumped within her very leather, and very comfortable seat as she turned her attention away from the tinted, car door windows and locked eyes with a young woman she vaguely recognized from Alazne's various photographs to evidently be another one of the famous actress and model's personal employees.

"O-Oh, um, I did, yes! T-Thanks for that . . . Paige! I was just distracted a bit, there . . . you know, because I'm a bit sad for leaving camp and all," Kalila quickly recovered honestly with a smile and wave at the blonde haired and green eyed thirty-something-year-old looking woman far in front of her, and who sat behind the driver's seat. "But I really can't wait to get home to see everyone . . . especially Mom!"

The woman known as Paige did not appear daunted by the preteen's admittedly flustered nature, merely chuckling and nodding her head, as they continued to drive away from the vast campgrounds which had been the young girl's home for the last eight weeks.

"I'll bet! Well, just sit tight and relax, Kiddo! We'll be on your aunt's jet and back home before you know it!"

Yeah . . . I can't wait, Kalila thought with growing excitement, her insides turning into sheer butterflies as her mind became flooded with the various, possible conversation starters and general scenarios she might soon try out the moment she was finally face to face with her long lost mother. . . .

Oh, God, this is it . . . I really hope I can keep up this charade. . . . Just remember what Al told you, Kalila: It isn't necessarily lying . . . just us doing whatever we have to do to bring our family back together, Kalila mentally coached herself an hour and a half later, as both she and Paige cheerfully exited Aunt Irma's large, private jet.

"Here, let me take those for you, Miss Alazne! Ah, and look! There's your Uncle Martin, waiting for you as I said!" the portly blonde remarked with a warm smile, as she gingerly seized the preteen's luggage from her and gestured straight on in front of them several feet away.

Standing, a bit lopsidedly and with both arms raised and waving frantically within the air, was the young man Kalila quickly realized to indeed be her new surrogate uncle, as the vaguely muscular, and blatantly nerdy blonde then began to lightly jog over to her.

"Hey, there, Al! Welcome home, my girl!" Uncle Martin cried out joyously, his tiny and round, silver framed eyeglasses nearly falling off of his slightly handsome face as he bent down to gaily scoop the now greatly surprised Kalila off of her feet and into a generous embrace. "And look at your new haircut! I love it! . . . . Let's just hope your Mom will, as well!"

I think I'm really going to like this guy, Kalila mused as she couldn't help but break out into a fit of giggles, while returning the warm hug without much hesitation.

"H-Hi, Uncle Marty! I really missed you!" Kalila remarked without thought, although she did still mean the sentiment, silently congratulating herself for recalling Alazne's personal nickname for the jovial man.

Uncle Martin gave his niece one extra squeeze for good measure before reluctantly releasing her and grinned, reaching up to gently push his glasses back up against the bridge of his rather bulbous nose.

"Ohh, I hope you had a lousy time at that camp, sweetie, because you are never going back! Well, obviously I'd have no say in the matter, but I just missed you too much – We all did!" he rambled on with a hearty chuckle, his deep voice warm and friendly as he continued. "Everyone should be back at the house by the time we get there, ourselves! Your mom was kind enough to take your Aunt Irma to her latest prenatal appointment in my place earlier this morning, while I drove over here to pick you up! And your grandparents should be arriving during the weekend, just in time to celebrate your Grandma Susan's fifty-fourth birthday!"

At this, Kalila instantly beamed.

"Really? You mean I'll get to see my grandparents, too?" she asked before she could stop herself, although to be fair, Alazne had not made it known that there evidently was going to be a birthday party within their grandmother's honor upon the girl's arrival from summer camp.

Uncle Martin merely chuckled, however, and lightly clenched the shorter girl's shoulder as he continued to lead them toward his awaiting vehicle.

"Uhhh, yeah, I'd say that is a very strong possibility, yes, Al! Although I guess I can understand your surprise, seeing as your mom just tell us all that she was planning to take you to California to their beach house as a last minute, mini-Family Vacation before school eventually starts," he casually explained, which caused Kalila to breathe a sigh of relief that neither she, nor Alazne had forgotten any important family detail. "I guess your grand-folks just couldn't wait another week to see you! Can't say I blame them – It just wasn't the same without you here!"

Wow . . . Al really is popular. . . . Everyone's absolutely crazy about her, Kalila thought with intermingling pride over her twin sister, and momentary concern for herself. I really hope they'll feel the same way about me . . . especially Mom. . . .

". . . . Well, that's great to hear, Uncle Marty! I really can't wait to see everyone!" she said with another, broad grin, her butterflies from earlier returning over the thought of now being a mere car ride away from finally seeing her mother in person.

"Well, hey! Then let's not keep them waiting! Come on, Al and Paige! Let's get you home!" Uncle Martin cheerfully beckoned as he let go of his surrogate niece once more, in order to kindly assist his wife's employee with the preteen's variously sized suitcases, before heading to the front seat of his vehicle in order to start it and drive them all away from that private airport.

Home.

After all this time, Kalila was finally going home. . . .

- End of Chapter Seven

(A.N. Wooo, Martin! I love him, I admit it. I've said it before. =) He reminds me here and there of my Gray-Ham, damn it! ….I'm good. LoL But, yeah! It's gonna be fun writing more of Adult Martin, and his gushing over his very preggie wife later on. HeHe

I was honestly going to continue on from here and have the 'big scene' of Kalila finally meeting Will, but seeing as it'll most probably be a long one, knowing me, LoL, I decided to splinter it off from this chapter. So, yayyyyy, all you Will fans – like me! You'll finally get to 'see' Adult Will! =p

I lovvvvvvvvvvve both versions of this movie to DEATH, like super seriously I do, but now as an adult, and even really as a late teen I'd always shake my head at the fact that the twins' parents, especially their mother, could be so willing to separate them, apparently for life had the girls not discovered the truth and intervened...which is why I've been having the one or both twins in MY story either think or make a few negative comments to reflect the obviously poor decision on Will and Caleb's part... Geez. LoL

Uhhh, what else, what else...It's the Olympics? =) * Does Evie's Happy Dance and song* Happy daaaance, happy dance! Happy daaaance, happy dance!

Anyway! Hope you enjoyed, and chapter eight should hopefully be out very shortly, although I do know it will most probably be far longer than this seven-pager. =) )