24

"Someday you will find me."

Josh

The tension hung heavy in the living room as our dad stood in front of us with his hands behind his back and a stern expression. His disappointment was palpable. Concern drenched my face, while Asher's face etched with defiance.

"What is wrong with you two?" He asked, his voice a low rumble that echoed off the walls. "You couldn't get along for one game?"

I shifted under our dad's gaze, while Asher met it with a stubborn glare and a jaw set in arrogance. He pointed an accusatory finger in Asher's direction.

"You may have cost your brother a chance at a scholarship because of your selfish actions," Dad said, his voice rising with frustration. "There were scouts out there and you blew it for him."

Asher clenched his fists, his anger simmered beneath the surface.

"My bad." He said with indifference. "It's been a while since I disappointed you. I figured I needed to step up."

Dad's features contorted into a mask of rage. His skin took on a red hue, as if his blood was literally boiling.

"You never fail at that, Asher," Dad said, his words venomous. "It's the only thing you have yet to fail at."

Sweat beaded on Asher's forehead as his eyes shifted into dark pools of anger. His muscles twisted like a spring, ready to snap. Without warning, he stood up and swept Dad's paperwork off the desk with a violent swipe of his arm. His outburst hung in the air, suffocating me as if the room closed on us. He stomped out of the room with a scream of frustration before slamming the door so hard that Mom's favourite vase fell to the floor and shattered into dust. Dad, not one to be outmatched, stormed out of the room and upstairs.

Sniffles echoed through the room. I turned and found Gracie in the doorway, her eyes wide with fear. I launched myself out of my seat and approached her, kneeling in front of her to wrap my arms around her quivering shoulders.

"It's okay," I said, my voice warm and reassuring. "It was just a misunderstanding."

I held her as she buried her face against my chest, her tears soaked into the black fabric of my shirt.

"They fight all the time." She said, her words muffled.

I placed a kiss on the top of her head and pulled her closer.

"They do."

I don't know what's been going on with Asher, but it's as if he'd morphed into a darker version of himself overnight. My twin had become nothing more than a stranger.

??

In the cozy corner of the cafe, I sat slumped over my coffee with my head in my hands. Sawyer sat across from me, her brows furrowed in concern as she reached over the table to grab my hand.

"What's going through your mind?" She asked, her voice filled with gentleness.

I let out a heavy sigh, my shoulders sagging under the pressure.

"The scholarship," I said. "It's as good as gone."

She squeezed my hand.

"You don't know that." She said. "They've seen you play before, so why would one bad run knock your chances down?"

I managed a weak smile, knowing she was trying her best to cheer me up. My heart warmed by her attempts.

"I appreciate you." I said, squeezing her hand. "I need this, though."

Her gaze met mine with unwavering determination.

"One scholarship will not define your future." She said, her voice filled with conviction. "You're so talented. I know you'll get tons of offers to play hockey."

I felt a surge of gratitude wash over me. She was looking at me as if I were already a hockey star. Her unwavering belief in me would be enough to motivate me to keep on trying, despite any obstacles that may be in my way.

"How did I make it through anything before I met you?"

She smiled, her eyes sparkled with delight.

"Who knows?" She said with a shrug. "I'm not planning on leaving."

I reached over the table to cup her face in my hands, brushing my thumb against her soft cheeks. We leaned in and shared a tender kiss. I pulled away, wary of us still being in public.

"Let's go home." I suggested, knowing she'd want to spend the rest of her day doing homework.

She'd get anxious if she left it for the last minute. We grabbed our stuff before bracing ourselves against the cold. I couldn't wait to get home and get warm.

??

We stepped out onto her driveway, bundled up in warm layers of clothing. Our breath formed clouds in the chilly air. With a mischievous grin, I scooped up a handful of snow. I sent it soaring through the air towards Sawyer. She dodged it just in time, her laughter ringing like church bells in the crisp winter air.

"You've started a war."

She scooped up a handful to launch at me. We danced around the driveway, our movements graceful as we launched snowballs at each other with reckless abandon. Our laughter echoed through the air, along with the soft crunch of sand beneath our feet. With each throw, we grew closer. Once she was close enough, I picked her up before dropping her into the snow. I fell beside her. The exertion made our faces flush as we tried to catch our breath and melted snow soaked through our clothes. We gazed up at the sky, watching the snowflakes fall as our gloved hands intertwined. It's as if my fears and concerns melted away into the ice. Sawyer had a way of making me feel better without even trying, and I couldn't be more appreciative. She was the only sanity in my insane world.