'Always', 'Forever', and 'Infinity'. If you count the letters it contains I have exactly place it in ascending order, not that it matters though. But, let's face it; they are synonyms in which each and every one of us dream of having. But, for some people it's just a word anchored with hollow promises enough that it can drown you to endless abyss.

      I don't hate the word but I don't particularly like it. But, this guy came without a certain warning. He came fast like a lightning, swept me off my feet like a whirlwind. He totally shaken my world but nonetheless if he's the ground that will swallow me up, I'll gladly jump in between.

Ever thought of the fact where all the moving in will become useless when eventually you’ll just move out again? Well, I for one hated that kind of oblivion. Although, I may like the idea of travelling and sightseeing but its stills bug me that I have to say goodbye when I finally love the place and make new friends, it’s the undying truth where I’m already memorizing my bidding speech and preparing myself for an additional heartache even before I can eventually leave.

Since she was nine years old, they’ve been moving to one place to another due to her father’s occupation, he’s a well-known photographer, so it’s his nature to travel and see the world since his passions’ core are landscapes and sceneries. Don’t get it wrong she love her dad and admire his aspiration, what she hates is the constant moving. They’re like NPA’s No Permanent Address.

Once, she ask her mom, if her and Leo, her older overbearing yet sweet brother will just live with one of their aunts’ in Texas. Her mom just stared at her like she loses one eye and said she can’t leave her children behind. Therefore, she suggested that her dad could just travel alone so that she can stay with them but she said and she quote “I want to be a supportive wife but at the same time a good mother” end quote, and that shut her up.

Her thoughts were interrupted when her mom said “we are almost there”, and when her dad pulls them to a curb, she stuck her head out from the window and glance to where will their temporary house would be. The exterior of the two stories is quiet beautiful. It’s twice bigger than the last house that they have. They have a wide porch, green lawn and a pretty good walkway and a driveway enough for two or three cars. Although, the house is painted beige and she is wondering maybe they could repaint it with baby blue or gold or maybe even violet and she wonder if they have—

“Are you coming or you just gonna continue daydreaming?” Leo asks amused, because she didn’t even notice that they already arrive.

She jumps out the truck and help him to carry some things from the car’s trunk. As you can see, they only have few bags, because their parents will just buy the lacking furniture, clothes, utensils and all those necessary and even miscellaneous things. Their dad is pretty loaded so it’s not a big deal.

After a few hours of carrying and dragging of her stuffs, she felt like she has used all of her energy. Thankfully, she’s done putting her clothes in a walk in closet and she also able to take a shower and be in her comfortable clothes. Her room is kind of spacious with a king size bed, a study table, a love seat and the theme of her room is sky blue and nature green. Oh! She also have a hanging terrace, which she really like. The debate earlier between her and Leo suddenly flash her mind. He also wanted this room, but she called her mom and as usual the odds are in her favor. Leo just hunched his shoulder in defeat and stuck his tongue out on her, real mature.

She blinks furiously, and she didn’t realize she fell asleep. She notices the ray of light coming in and she glance at her clock; it’s now past four in the afternoon. She stands up and opens her double door and there, an amazing view engulfs her. The sunrays of the sunset lit ups their flower garden below. The projection of their silhouettes is undeniably amazing.

Before she knows what she was doing, her feet drag her to where her art supplies are located and her hands grab the appropriate paints and a couple of paintbrush. While her dad maybe a great photographer, she on the other hand love painting.

“It’s beautiful”, she glance up and see her dad eyeing her work appreciatively. She haven’t even notice that she’s almost done with it.

“Really?” she grin at him and he answered “Yeah, you’re really talented sweetie”, he walks towards her and kissed her forehead

“You know, you should start making some applications to those prestigious art schools, because you’re gonna be a senior at West High”, her ears perk up when he mention a school’s name, then reality hits her.

“Really, dad? Oh my God! You’re letting me go to school and on top of that, we’re staying here for a year, a year!” she attacks him immediately with a hug causing him to release a breathy laugh. You see, Leo and her have been homeschooled ever since her dad got his job so this is a major life changing event for the both of them especially to her.

“Yep, your mom and I decided that you need to at least experience how high school is, it can only be experience once and you’re not…” he trailed off and she looks up only to see the sadness in his eyes.

“Dad,” he cupped his face “I’ll be fine, and I’m really happy right now. Don’t worry much because Leo’s gonna be there too, right Leo?”

She saw his shadow jump in surprise behind her door, he’s always eavesdropping and as usual she always caught him. Maybe it’s the instincts they have because they’re twins. Yeah, they are but his older by 6 mins and 3 seconds.

Because of getting caught, he eventually decided to step inside her room and look at  their dad “Yes, dad no worries. I’ll be shoving any guy’s ass when they tried to get closer to her”, he said smugly and she can’t help but roll her eyes and her dad walks towards him chuckling and patted his shoulder in approval. He then exits their room because their mom called him and she went back to finishing her canvas as Leo watches her make some final touches.

It’s been a week since they have settle down and her mom surprisingly landed a job as a dance instructor in a dance school for kids. According to her, she’s not a pro or anything and she wonders why they hired her immediately after showing-off some of her steps, but don’t mind her, she’s just down to earth, because she’s a really great dancer.

She glances at the calendar and a smile tugs her lips. Five days more to go and school will finally start and she’s still not familiar with the neighborhood, maybe she can stroll around and greet my neighbors or something. Ugh, who am I kidding? She grimaces because she’s just really bored to death. Why? Well, for one, her dad already start his meeting with the rest of the crew as to where the location of their assignment be held. Two, her mom is already at the dance school because they start earlier. And lastly, Leo found a part time job at the so called Rainbow Café. Yeah, they are all having a life except for her. Then suddenly an idea pop in her head and she guess why not.

So, here she is changing in her dark blue jeans and a gray v neck shirt, paired up with her grey sketchers. She grabs her purse and head down, and wrote on a sticky note as to her whereabouts and posts it in the fridge, in case one of them will be home while she’s gone.

As she locked the door and faces the street, a swirl of excitement lies in the pit of her stomach. This is the first time she’ll be roaming around on her own, she held the map of the city on her right hand, and she thought, how hard it can be to navigate Knoxville city, right? She took a cab and when the driver ask her where to, she just said just drive, not because she don’t know where she would venture first but because she wanna see the city from a car drive. After a while, she notices a store named Artsy and immediately she made the cab driver halt. She paid the cab driver and walk towards the store.

She walks in and notices a few moms with their children buying some art supplies and she decided to look around, her eyes widen in amazement and awe. The art supplies are creatively organized, the store is also spacious and they also have three white tables along the glass window, she guess you can sit and sketch or make something you want.

“What can I help you dear?” An old man about 60’s asked her. He’s a little short and he has white beard growing around his chin and his kinda healthy, okay she mean fat.

“Well, I’m hoping you have some blank canvases, some acrylic paints and paintbrushes?” she ask unsure and he chuckles and leads her to the third aisle.

She grabs some student grade paint and a bunch of craft paints, a pair of paintbrush and a canvas of 20x24. She handed it to him and he gladly sums it up. Mr. Benny, is a charming one, they exchange a few details and he even give a discount because he reminds her of her granddaughter. After her shopping spree, she walks around and found an ice cream shop; she sat for a little while and enjoys her rocky road.

She glances at the clock and it’s almost 3 in the afternoon, she guess it’s time to head home. Well, she might not be able to completely take a tour yet she did enjoy herself today though. She took another cab back but decided to pull just right around the corner. She just wanted to take a walk and maybe familiarize some neighboring houses.

Suddenly, there are a bunch of kids maybe around her age or older came running towards her direction, and they run like maniacs so she step aside and look at them, once they are finally out of her sight she shook her head, boys.

“Watch out!” somebody shouted by, even before she can comprehend what was happening she’s already sprawling to the ground and her newly bought art materials are scattered in the middle of the road.

“Ow,” she wince in pain, she must have landed pretty badly.

“You should watch where you’re going”, two hands help her get up and she saw a boy with dirty blonde hair whose back is facing her because his picking up her things. He handed it to her and she murmurs a small thanks and look up to him and there she saw the most enticing light brown eyes. His hair is messy in a sexy way, his nose is perfectly pointed and his jaw is well-define. He’s like a boy who came out from a magazine.

The boy suddenly caught a slump in his throat, he was lost in the depths of her green eyes, it was the most beautiful green eyes he ever seen. They are like a forest bestowed by the rising sun, because they sparkle and they look alive.

She also has pink lips that look so soft and dark brown hair that he would love to run his hands through, and don’t get him started with her skin, pale but creamy. He looks down at her because he’s towering over her, and notice her arm lightly scrape

“Shit!” he hissed, he took her left arm and inspects it not before he felt how soft her skin is and then his eyes got caught of something

“It’s okay,” she withdraws her arm from him

“Sorry,” he said as he look behind him and grab his skateboard. She looks at him and she just realizes his towering over her. Well, she’s not that short she’s a 5’6 but she guess he’s a 6’ or 6’1.

“No, it’s my fault too, no need to sweat on it”, she give him a small and he suddenly felt something, like warmth

He purse his lips and said “Say sorry”, she didn’t understand what he means so she just frown at him

“Look”, he shoves his skateboard in front of her and she notices a dent and a crack in the edge of it. Oh.

Then her eyes widen in realization and she can’t help but glare at him. He wants me to say sorry for his stupid skateboard? She looks at him incredulously.

“Sorry, I made that to your stupid skateboard” her voice sweet but sarcasm lasing on it

“It’s not just a skate—” he cuts himself off and shook his head “Just be careful where you’re going next time babe” he smirks at her and took off

Unfreakingbelivable! Who does he think he was? She glare at his retreating figure

She finally arrived at home, still thinking of that boy and when she opens the door, both of her parents are sitting on the couch with the grim expression in their faces and Leo is pacing around. “I’m in big trouble” she thought

“Young lady, you have some serious explaining to do”, her mom said in a serious tone and it’s quiet scary

Well, after getting an earful from her parents and her brother, she’s grounded for three days and her dad finally decided to buy her a phone, well don’t be shock but you know they’re home schooled and if they ever go out, if not together, at least one of them go with the other so it’s not really necessary though. She’s not mad or anything, she know that they’re just worry about her but sometimes she just want them to stop worrying all the time, she’s not going anywhere, not yet.

Here she is humming with the tune of Someone like You by Adele when Leo enters her room.

“Hey, sis”, he greeted and she give him a closed mouth smile and he lay beside her on her bed.

“Are you nervous?” he asks and she knows he meant about school.

“Yeah,”

“You know it’s going to be different and crowded right?” he inquires, while he turns his head to meet her gaze.

Rolling to the side so that her facing him, she answers “Yes, but you’ll be there right?” he just nod and scoot closer to her to kiss her temple.

Finally, it’s her first day being a senior in a real school! She can’t get help but be excited to the point that she set her alarm clock in one hour advance. She immediately goes to her walk in closet and thinks as to what to wear. Of course, she wanted to make a good impression and prove that she can actually fit in. After shacking her wardrobe, she finally give up and she just decided to wear a gray leggings and a loose white tank top that says, “Geek is the new Sexy”, now don’t get her wrong she’s not a nerd, she just love to read and study, but Leo on the other hand is a genius, she swear she will trade anything for his photographic memory. She pulls out her pair of white sneakers and glance at the clock. She spent almost 45 minutes just for choosing clothes! She quickly rushes in the bathroom to brush her teeth; she loosely French braids her hair and ta-da! She’s good to go. She grabs her pack bag and head downstairs, immediately, the scent of maple syrup invaded my nostrils, and it must be her mom.

“Hey, mom. Good morning!” she greeted her enthusiastically.

“Hi, sweetie. You sure are excited”, she did not bother correcting her because she is, so she just shrug.

She kissed her check before she ask “Where’s dad?” and place her bag beside her sit

“He’s waking up your brother”, of course Leo is not a morning person, and he can sleep all day if he wanted to. Her mom turns around and hand her, her stack of pancakes.

“Good morning, my most beautiful daughter in the universe”, her dad leans down and kisses her hair.

“Dad, I’m your only daughter”, she pinpoint while teasing him.

“Well, yeah but you’re still the most beautiful”, he retort. Now, you see she’s a good combination of her mom and dad. She got her dad’s hair, so she’s a brunette but mostly her features came from her mom, including her big green eyes and her creamy white skin. While Leo on the other hand, got her mom’s hair. Yeah, he’s a blonde, well a different shade of blonde though, more like a shade of honey. But, they have the same green eyes although he looks exactly her dad in other aspects.

“Hey, mom”, Leo greeted her groggily and kiss her cheek, he walk around her and kiss the top of her sister’s head while he mumble morning.

She really loves her family; they rarely fight, well except for some random bickering between her and Leo. They are loving and kind, she couldn’t ask for more, she just wish she can always paint every moment she have with them.

“Lian, are you done?” Leo pulled her from her thoughts. She looks at him and nod.

“Let’s go, we don’t want to be late now, are we”, she stands up and bid her mom and dad goodbye. At first her mom is having a withdrawal syndrome, she’s crying and she’s refusing to let them go, her babies but their father save them from it.

“Hey, Jim”, she greeted their designated driver. You see, her dad always hire a driver whenever they will have to stay in a place, in case of emergency and stuff, and also for the fact that they’re not eighteen yet so driving is a no, no. Jim here willingly submits himself for he has been jobless for a couple of months and the pay severance that her dad offered is actually quite good.

“Hi, Mr. and Ms. Reid”, he greeted them politely.

“Oh, quit the formality, you can call me Lian and him Leo”, she pointed to her brother who nods curtly.

After a 20 or so minute drive we finally arrive at West High and all she can say is, it’s huge. As we walk out from the car, students are looking at them like an unidentified-flying-object. She starts feeling uncomfortable and Leo senses it.

“Hey, it’ll be fine”, he took her hand and squeezes it lightly for reassurance.

When they finally walk in the middle of the ground, she thought everybody will submerge the fact that they’re new here but how wrong she is. Instead, she can hear their questions and meet their scrutinizing gaze. Is high school always like this? She thought bitterly.

      ‘He’s hot’

      ‘She’s gorgeous’

      ‘Sexy legs’

      ‘Are they a couple?’

      ‘No way, she’s too ugly for him’

      ‘Their babies will be cute’

That’s it! Are these people blind? She scolds them in her head. They encounter people say that they don’t look alike except for the eyes but at least they don’t jump to conclusions! Couple? Yuck! They’re not incest. She feels disgusted and irritated at the same time.

When she looks around once again, she can see girls waving their hands, biting their lips seductively or flipping their oh-so-gorgeous hair, while the guys on the other hand are either winking or mentally undressing her. She shudders at the thought.

When she look at Leo, his face turn into a scowl, so that means he can also see or hear the fallacy in their judgment. After a torturous walk, they finally arrive at the schools registrar “Excuse me miss?” her twin ask the lady who seems busy glutting her face with make-up. After a few seconds, she finally put her mirror down to entertain them.

“Yes, what can I do for you?” She’s sure as hell, that question is only directed at her twin.

“We’re the new students, we’re here to get our class schedules”, Leo answered dryly ignoring the lady who is furiously batting her eyelashes, she’s afraid it might come off.

“Oh, I see. Here”, she chirped

“That’s your class schedule, school map and everything you needed for school”, they mumble thanks and her brother practically jog away from the place, and she can’t help but stifle a laugh.

While finding their way to the big school, they exchange schedules and sadly, they have different subjects well, excluding AP Chemistry and AP Physics, as she have mentioned her brother is practically genius so, he’s classes are mostly BC, so she guess there’s no helping it.

Being a caring brother he was, he insisted on finding her classroom first, and actually she’s grateful for it because, she’s not sure if she can find it before she can be late. After a few steps and a turn, they finally found it.

“You gonna be okay?” he ask warily as he stop by the door.

“Yes, Leo, I’m seventeen not five”, she jokes and he just let out a sigh. He kissed her forehead and walk-off to his own class, she hope he will not be late because of her.

It feels like her legs are composed of tons of granites that it barely move, when she saw the room already full with students that she might add suddenly observing her like a thin glass waiting to break. She took a deep breath and stride across the room and she’s more than thankful that there is a vacant seat by the window.

“So, you’re the new girl they’re talking about”, she move her head to the left and the girl beams at her

“Yeah, I am?” It’s more of a question than a statement,

She chuckles and “I’m Melinda by the way, Mel suits me though”, she offers her hand and she gladly shook it.

She seems nice, and she loves her shiny black hair and her coal eyes. “And you are?” she raise her eyebrow at her “Oh, I’m sorry. Lianna by the way, but Lian is cool”, she hastily responds.

“Can I see your schedule?” she asks and she willingly handed it to her.

“Hmm… base on here we can be buddy-buddy because we have most classes together except P.E and Arts”, she just stare at her “I mean if you want to”, she immediately said as if retreating her words

“Yes, yes I would love to!” she answer enthusiastically and she laughs lightly. Well, you see, sometimes she tends to embarrass herself whenever she’s too overwhelmed.

After a little chit chat with her new girlfriend, their homeroom teacher finally arrived. Mr. Fisher takes their attendance while suddenly someone came in.

“Nice of you to join us Mr. Parker”, the young teacher said sarcastically

“Sorry for being late sir, it won’t happen again” the boy who just enter the class mock at him

Her eyes snap because her ears hear something familiar, too familiar though. When she looks up, she saw him there standing. Wearing a ¾ sleeve shirt in black with a small pocket in the top of the right side and washed denim jeans with white converse, he sure knows how to swoon girls with his outfit. Simple yet didn’t make him any less handsome.

“Take a seat beside Ms. Reid, please raise your hand Miss”, did I just hear him right? She asks herself.  He’s gonna seat beside me?

Mel nudge her shoulder and she figure out she’s still in daze, so she immediately raise her hand to save herself from further embarrassment.

The boy looks up and when their eyes locked, his mouth is quirking upward, look whose here, he thought. In no time, he sits beside her. My day is not going to get worse, he thought as he took a sideway glance at her.

Should I say hi? Or hey, I’m the one you bumped with your stupid skateboard? Lianna thought. No. What if he doesn’t remember me? She turns her head to the side and wrong move, he’s looking at her and he smirks. She quickly look away to hide her cheeks that are sure tainted with red.

What a cute blush, the boy thought before paying attention to the class.

Thank the Buddha or whoever she calls into that her first class finally ends because to say that she’s uncomfortable will be an understatement.

“Hey, girly! So, how do you know Mico?” Mel ask and she look at her blankly

“The boy who’s sitting next to you?” she fills up noticing her confusion. So, that’s his name. She thought. It’s odd but she like the sound of it.

“Oh, yeah. We bumped to each other last week. No biggie”, she answers nonchalantly and Mel just nods in understanding

She can’t believe they have similar classes in the morning. She hopes they have different classes in the afternoon, because if they don’t she will melt under his gaze, she sigh inwardly.

Her and Mel are heading to the cafeteria and she immediately saw her twin, well who can’t? When he’s waving his hand like his waving the flag of America during July 4th.

While making her way through the crowd and mumbling a few “excuse me”, she’s trying so hard not to meet anyone’s gaze. Finally they arrive at their table. Forthwith, she notices two guys sitting with him. She’s not surprise; Leo’s a people’s person.

“Hey, how was class?” he ask as she sat beside him and put her bag over the table  

“Good, actually, yours?” he retort “Likewise- he answer “-oh, you don’t have to line up, I already bought your food”, he push the tray towards her and she can’t help but grin ear to ear. She’s staring at her chicken sandwich, Ice tea and an apple, he really knows her well.

“Aw, thank you, but you don’t have to though”, she cooed at him and peck his cheek. 

“Yeah, I’m best I know”, he brag and she shove him playfully. Suddenly, someone cleared their throat

“So, are you two done flirting?” Mel tease. They burst into fit of giggles, because seriously people? When she finally sober up, she look at Mel frowning at them, and in instant her twin brother smirks devilishly

“You like me as a flirt, honey bunch?” Leo said and she know what his playing at

“No, I don’t”, she reply seriously but she’s trying her best not to laugh though

“You love me though”, his comeback and she release a heavy sigh

“Yeah, sadly. How can’t I? When we’re practically swimming together our mother’s womb”

She looks at Mel, and her jaw drop and her eyes bulge. Even the boys choke on their food. Before Mel can speak up, she answer her unspoken question

“Yes, we’re twins. Mel this Leo my older twin brother”,

“No way”, Mel slump across the table beside the two other guys

“Seriously, you’re not alike at all! Well, except for your emerald eyes”, she said in disbelief

“Well, I’m Leonard, Leo for long”, and Mel giggle at his joke like a schoolgirl. They shook hands and Lian swear she saw Mel blush.

“Anyways, guys, this is my younger twin sister Lianna, Lian this is Clark and Steve”, the guys wave their hand at her. Clark has blonde hair and blue eyes and lean structure. Steve is handsome with his raven hair and athletic physic but she’s not sure if his eyes are black or grey, because his eye glasses are in the way. But, he wearing glasses made him look sexier not geeky kind of way.

“Hi, guys” she greeted shyly.

She’s sexy, Clark eyed her up and down, but he can’t really believe they’re twins. Maybe he can make her one of her conquest, he devilishly thought. Even Steve, who’s serious and quiet thinks that his pretty, too pretty. 

Time flew by and lunch ended. She and Mel eventually part ways because she has Art class and she has P.E which she figures out, she plays soccer very well. But before she can step forward, Mel’s curiosity shoot up and ask me why she doesn’t have P.E, where it’s a required subject, she just answered her “I’m more of an art person than a sporty one” which is true and she’s glad she buys it.

She excitedly enter their classroom and meet their art instructor Ms. Greene, she swear she’s like Aphrodite who decided to show up in human form. Many of the boys try to flirt with her but she just ignores them, she thinks she’s in her middle twenties or something. Besides her beauty she’s also so sweet and very nice.

She immediately gives us something to do. She said paint something that represents their selves. After an hour or so, she’s done with her work “It’s beautiful”, she watch Ms. Greene in her peripheral vision that is assessing her work. After a few seconds, recognition flashes her eyes but immediately leave, she then pats her shoulder and smile at her. She touches the swirl letters in blank paint Nelumbo Nucifera it says.