Twin Reunion

© 2014 Juliet Waters. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/24/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-1288-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-1291-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-1287-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014909072

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Contents

Chapter 1: The New Girl

Chapter 2: The Play

Chapter 3: The G.D.A.’s Success

Chapter 4: One Mystery Solved

Chapter 5: Kidnapped-Again!

Chapter 6: The Map

Chapter 7: The Journey

Chapter 8: The Truth-At Last

About the Author

About the book

Dedication

To Sanjana, the bestest little sister in the world

Chapter 1

Stacey

The New Girl

Dear Diary,

First of all, this was NOT my idea. I thought when mom said I needed my personal space, I was getting a computer. Or an IPhone. Or at least a Kindle. I did NOT expect a diary. But I guess I have no choice, so I’m stuck writing in you. I just hope this won’t be a total waste of time.

Honey, got your bag? My mom’s voice ran through our spotless kitchen. Right here. I replied, plopping my sky blue backpack on the marble kitchen counter and putting some extra books in it. Then I slung it over my shoulder. Concerned, my mother spoke again. Do you also have your- I interrupted, Books? Yeah. I said, smirking. And your- my mom countered again, as I interrupted her, again. Lunch? I got that too. I smiled. Sometimes my mother worried too much. But that’s how mothers are. Anyways, I spent the next few minutes untangling my long, straight, blond hair. When I was finished, my mom hugged me tightly and kissed me lightly on the top of my of my head covered with thick, golden hair. She grinned nervously. Amanda Jane Brown, I said, You worry too much. My mom replied, Now, don’t you go calling your mother by her first name, Stacey. Though her voice was stern, I could have sworn she tried to fight back a chuckle, and I saw a familiar twinkle in her green eyes as she gazed into my blue ones. It’s just-you grow up so fast. There were tears in her eyes. Next thing I know you’ll be carting off to middle school next year. But I am going to middle school next year. I reminded her. Then, smiling nervously (again), she seized me tightly (again) without warning, and a tear fell into my soft hair. I grinned. Well, I said, Enjoy me while you can. I turned around, put on my helmet, hopped onto my bike, and rode off, my hair dancing in the wind.

Typical morning on the first day of school.

Well, I guess I better introduce myself. I’m Stacey Brown, age 11, kind of skinny, I’m going into 6th grade, I go to Lincoln Elementary, and I’m about 5 foot 2". I’m an only child and my father died-it is kind of sad. But I try not to think about it. Anyways, funny when I’m in a good mood, a bookworm, and basically the teacher’s pet.

Oh yeah, I also don’t have any friends. Oddly enough, I have no idea how that happened, but I’m guessing it’s because I didn’t fit the kindergarten rules-which basically are to find someone and stick with them. BOOM-friend.

New kids are automatically incorporated into one of the groups-Boys/Girls Basketball, Girl’s Hopscotch, Girl’s Jump Rope, Boys Softball, Boys Football, etc. Everyone always fawns over them. But people know me, so it’s not really the same. Instead of being the new kid everyone talks to, I’m the barely familiar kid who no one talks to. I remember when I tried to make friends in fourth grade with Maria Morales (who’d been in the same class as me for three consecutive years) and it didn’t turn out that well… I mean, I’ve heard of short-term memory loss, but really? I remembered the conversation so well because it’s really the only conversation I’ve had with someone…

MONDAY-First recess

Me: Um, hi Maria. What’s up?

Maria: The, uh, the SKY, Lacy.

Me: Er, I guess you’re right… and my name’s Stacey, actually. I’ve known you since second grade. Well, for now, later, and hope you remember my name.

Maria: I will.

MONDAY-Lunch

Me: Oh hey, Maria.

Maria: Hi Casey.

(SILENCE FOR ½ A MINUTE)

Me: Stacey, actually. I sat next to you for half the year. And reminded you literally about two hours ago.

Maria: Sorry, this time I’ll remember. Uh, I have to finish my lunch-so if you could just-

Me: I’ll go.

Maria: Okay.

MONDAY-After school

Me: So… hello Maria. around. I

Maria: Hi again, Daisy-I’ll remember your name from now on-and I’ll see you really have to go.

Me: It’s Sta-nevermind. See you around too, Maria.

Maria: Bye, Daisy.

But I do really want a friend- a best friend. Someone who can hang out with me and have sleepovers and talk and laugh and that sort of stuff. I guess I’ve never really tried to make friends, and that’s probably why I don’t have any now. But I guess I should at least introduce myself to the newbies at Lincoln Elementary. Maybe one of them can be my friend. I should get back on topic.

Once at school, I parked my bike and walked casually towards my classroom-Room 23. On the front of the door a large sign bearing the words WELCOME TO 6TH GRADE in neon green letters was plastered. Wow. That’s so childish. We’re 6th graders, not kindergarteners. Come on. Anyways, as I stepped into the classroom I looked around. There really wasn’t much to see. The peach colored walls were bare and empty wooden shelves stood in corners. Standing in front of a shiny new whiteboard was an elderly woman wearing a huge smile. On her shirt was a nametag that read MRS. PIRKY. The woman, (obviously my teacher) had dark gray hair that fell to her broad shoulders. As soon as she caught sight of me, she pinched my red cheeks and hugged me tightly. " You must be Stacey! Oh, I’ve looked forward to meeting you! I, I thought, look forward to escaping from your hug-and your smile! Mrs. Pirky actually was perky. I already didn’t like her. Would I like anyone? I hoped I would.

Well, off you go! Find your seat! She smiled again and gestured to a few desks in the front that had been arranged into a neat table. Instead, I seated myself in the back, feeling it suited me, and began putting books in my desk. Another thing I have to tell you-I’m a neat freak. I organized all my books by subject and looked up expectantly. When the hubbub died down, Mrs. Pirky (I still can’t stop laughing when I hear that name) started talking. Hello class! I must say-it is great to be teaching here! And I am so happy to see your bright, eager faces, ready to dive into learning right away! All the students (including me) stared blankly back at her. None of the other 6th graders looked bright or eager at all. Or ready to dive into learning. They looked like they had things to do and places to be. Don’t look so down! Mrs. Pirky replied to our cold response. Today’s the first day of 6th grade! Aren’t you all super duper excited?

Super duper excited? Not really. More liked super duper bored. But, I always listen to teachers’ speeches, no matter how boring they are. If you’re an outcast, you have to be a nerd. Soon though, I got an idea. I took a blank sheet of paper and wrote a note. Then I crumpled it up and threw it to the person in front of me. Here is what it said:

Okay, I’m not too eager to be stuck in the same class for homeroom with Mrs. PERKY.

Stacey

A few seconds later, I GOT A NOTE BACK! Wow. Everyone knows that I’m friendless. This must be a new kid. She turned around, and sure enough, I had never seen that girl before. But somehow, she looked familiar. She had blond hair that was long and straight, looked about 5 foot 2", and was pretty skinny. Suddenly-it hit me. I was describing myself! Sure enough, we both had blue eyes. Our faces, though differing in a few ways, were fairly similar. Tweak her features a little, and we were twins! But I’m an only child. Huh. I decided to worry about that later. I unfolded the note she had tossed at me and read it. It looked like this:

I know, right?

Scarlet

Scarlet. Pretty name. She had to be new though. I’d never heard of anyone in my grade named Scarlet. I decided something right then and there. She would be my best friend. I sent her another note.

How old do you think she is?

Stacey

I waited.

At least 70. How about you?

Scarlet

I decided to exaggerate a little.

104.

Stacey

I heard silent giggles in front of me and guessed that Scarlet liked my note. I got another one back.

HA HA HA.

Scarlet

Before I could write another note, Mrs. Pirky clapped her hands. Stacey, Scarlet, I appreciate you writing notes about what we are learning, but I’d prefer you’d share them with the class. She thought we were writing notes about class? She must not be that smart… which I figured out already, so why is that a surprise? Anyways, we opened our math books to page 1, and I was asked to figure out what x stood for. I wasn’t as good at math as all of my other subjects. In fact, the problem didn’t even make any sense to me. And I may or may not been listening to it at all… But I took a wild guess.

103?

Very good! I see you are great already. And so confident!

I sneaked a sidelong glance at Scarlet, who seemed to have noticed I was just guessing. We exchanged smirks. Mrs. Pirky was still talking. Something like that-and on the first day of school too-deserves a star sticker! Mrs. Pirky to put the sticker on my hand. It was shaped like a star. Obviously. Yippee. Now I’ll be matching with the first-graders. Actually, it’s more like they’ll be laughing at me.

"See, in al-juh-bra, (she pronounced the word carefully like we were five-year olds) we use variables, which are letters that represent numbers. Tommy, could you tell me what y stands for in the problem? I’m sure if you know what x is, y will be… easy peasy lemon squeezy-as you youngsters say these days!"

"Oh, um… y stands for… a number."

We all snickered. What would Mrs. Pirky do with that? Usually, he would’ve earned a detention if he were in any other class, where humorous comments are not appreciated. But Mrs. Pirky was different. I’m sorry, the correct answer was -7. But you can still get a NICE TRY sticker! And let’s give your table a point for making class funny! She put the sticker on his hand. In big letters were the words NICE TRY. Tommy shot me a quizzical look and mouthed Wow. Then Mrs. Perky-sorry, Mrs. Pirky, gently drew a tiny tally mark next to Table 4’s tally chart proudly.

The next few hours turned out pretty much the same way-not the snooze-fest I expected. Finally the bell rang. What a relief. It was time for lunch.

I sat down with Scarlet at the back table and took out my lunch-a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Where’s yours? I