Chapter 1 The invisible twin

~Haisley ~

I woke up from bed, yawning as I rubbed my eyes slowly. It was the end of summer and time for school-School.

I laughed bitterly. Honestly, I hated it. Right from high school to college, school had always felt like it was a battlefield, a battle I never signed up for.

I strolled towards the mirror, my feet dragging against the cold floor. My reflection stored back at me- pale face, sleepy eyes, tangled hair. I looked like someone who had fought a storm in her sleep . the reflection seemed to beg me, not to go, to stay in the safety of my room. But I had to - not for myself, but for my parents.

"Haisley, are you in there?" My sister's voice cut through my thoughts, sharp, abrupt and impatient.

"Yeah," I muttered, fumbling for my brush as I paced round my room.

"Be quick, I don't want to be late for my classes," she said coldly, her tone dripping with irritation and hate.

Hazel.

My twin sister.

Identical, people said. But I had always felt like the lesser version - a rough sketch beside her perfect portrait.

Wasn't it supposed to be that reins shared a bond. A bond so deep that one could feel each other's pain?

That they understood each other without words?

Well not us. Not Hazel and me.

You see, Hazel didn't like me. Hate was too gentle a word - she despised me. And the worst part? I didn't even know why.

I had tried everything: talking, joking, even giving her space. But it was like trying to hug a shadow - the closer I reached, the faster she disappeared.

I sighed, strapping my bag across my shoulder and heading out of my room. The smell of buttered toast filled the air. Mom was humming softly in the kitchen, her hair tied up in a messy bun,but still managing to look elegant even in her

beautiful tone without even trying, she rarely cooked so why today.

"Good morning, sweetie," she greeted when she saw me,her eyes sparkling with joy.

"Morning," I mumbled, sliding into my seat at the dining table.

Hazel appeared moments later, her golden hair perfectly straightened, her makeup subtle but flawless. Even in a school uniform, she looked like she'd stepped out of a teen drama series.

"Morning, darling," Mom said to her with the same warmth she'd given me - but somehow, it always felt different, I didn't know why I felt like that.

Hazel smiled sweetly, that practiced, effortless curve of her lips that made everyone adore her. "Morning, Mom."

Our dad walked in with his newspaper tucked under his arm. "My girls, ready for a new semester?"

Hazel nodded eagerly. "Of course! I can't wait to see everyone again."

I just took a sip of juice, hoping no one would notice the silence hovering over me. I wasn't.

After breakfast, we climbed into Hazel's sleek car - another thing that screamed she's the favorite. I wasn't allowed to drive yet; "Too distracted," Dad had said.

The ride to Silver crescent College was quiet except for Hazel's music - upbeat pop songs that grated on my nerves. She sang along under her breath, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel. I watched the scenery blur past my window, the morning sun burning through the mist, my reflection ghosting faintly against the glass.

When we arrived, the campus was already buzzing. Students filled the walkways, laughing, hugging, showing off new clothes and summer tans,something I didn't care to know about. I instantly felt invisible.

Hazel parked the car effortlessly and stepped out. Heads turned, noise erupted

Of course they did. They always did.

"Hazel! Oh my God, you're back!" a blonde girl squealed, rushing over to her not able to hide her excitement.

"Nora!" Hazel laughed, her voice full of delight. They talked animatedly, like best friends in a movie.

She left me alone, well she had always did.

No one looked my way.

I tighted my grip on my bag strap and started walking towards the main building, head bowed down. Conversations floted around me - parties, new teachers, summer trips. None of them involved me.

I had barely made it past the courtyard when I bumped into something. No someone. Hard.

My bag slipped, books tumbling onto the pavement

"Watch where you're going," a deep voice said, low and rough.

I froze. Stood still. The guy in front of me towered over me - messy dark hair, storm-grey eyes, and that unmistakable aura that screamed trouble.

His black jacket hung loosely over his shoulders and a cigarette dangled from his fingers, lit, ashes falling to the ground.

"I-I'm sorry," I stammered, bending down to pick up my books, wishing I could evaporate.

He crouched too, grabbing one before I could. His fingers brushed mine, just briefed, but enough, enough to may my breath hitch

"Sorry doesn't change the fact that you nearly walked into me, Flower," he said, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he stared at me

His tone wasn't cruel... just..... teasing. Dangerous, in a way that made me small.

But I finally found my voice. You could've moved too, you know."

Thatade him grin, slow - amused? "Feisty. I like that."

My eyes widen, before I could respond, someone called out from afar, across the courtyard.

"Xaiver! There you are!"

He straightened, shoveling his hands into his pokects. Catch you around, twin girl," he said with a smirk before turning away, leaving me completely stunned.

Twin girl?

I frowned, realizing he must have seen Hazel earlier - of course he did. Everyone did.

As I walked into the hallway, the whispers started again, never seizing to stop.

"Isn't that Hazel's sister?"

"They even look alike. But this one is different"

"She's so quiet... weird, right?"

I kept walking, pretending not to hear. I'd mastered the art of being invisible - it was safer that way.

My first class was Literature, one of the few things I actually loved. Books didn't judge. They didn't whisper neither did they compare.

I slipped into the seat near the back, pulling out my notebook. A few minutes later, the door opened, and the teacher walked in - followed by Xavier.

He looked bored, hands in the pockets, headphones still hanging around his neck. Of course he sat right behind me.

Great.

No pressure at all.

As the class went on, I tried to focus on the discussion about "Wuthering Heights," but I could feel his gaze in me, watching. Once, when I turned slightly, he smirked again - that same lazy, dangerous curve of his lips.

When class ended, he leaned forward, his voice near my ear. "You've got a habit of showing up where I am, twin girl."

I turned to face him. You're in my class. "I didn'tplan it."

He chuckled softly. "Maybe fate did"

I rolled my eyes and shoved my books into my bag, but I couldn't stop my cheeks from burning. As I left, Hazel was waiting outside, surrounded by her friends, lost on their own world. She looked perfect as always - like she belonged under the sunlight while I belonged in the shade.

When her eyes met mine, she didn't smile. She didn't even nod.

Just turned away.

And for a second, I wondered what it would feel like- to be seen, really seen - not as "Hazel's twin," not as "the quiet girl," but just as Haisley

Maybe someday, someone would.

But for now, all I could think about was my studies and that strange glint in Xaiver's eyes when he'd said fate. We'll he was just teasing. He was a bad boy after all.

But something told me - maybe this semester wouldn't be so invisible after all.