* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CHAPTER ONE
The brown leaf quivered, twisted, and then finally fell. It slowly wafted and floated as it fell gently through the branches of the tree, sliding through the intertwined twigs…and glided straight into her mouth.
She opened her eyes, startled, and spat it out with annoyance, screwing up her nose.
"Gross." She whispered.
It was an average Thursday afternoon, and she was sitting outside in an old oak tree taking in the sweet woody smell. The busy LA traffic could be heard faintly in the distance, but here on the outskirts of town it was quiet and peaceful, and she closed her eyes again in her contentment, even though the memory of the leafy taste was still lingering in her mouth.
"Shannon!!"
She opened her eyes.
"Shannon, where are you?!"
"What is it?" She called back.
A figure appeared in the nearby window. A girl of about 15 or 16, the same age as she.
"Where is my Offspring CD? You borrowed it remember?" She stated briskly, pushing her dusty blond hair behind her ears.
Her bright blue eyes reflected the sky as she spoke, making them gleam attractively.
"Rachael, I returned that ages ago." She replied indifferently.
Rachael threw her arms in the air in exasperation and stormed from the room, her silky blond hair sweeping over her slim tanned body. Shannon watched her go. She was beautiful. But then again, she always had been. Shannon had often wished in the past that she had been identical to her twin, but that wish had faded. No longer was her sister her idol, as it had been for so many years.
Shannon blinked lazily and gazed down the street as a car came smoothly down the road. She traced the bark with her finger carelessly as it neared. Suddenly her body went ridged in shock.
The cat.
She could see the accident coming as if in slow motion. The animal wondered briskly out into the street, and the driver saw her just in time to swerve…and hit a parked car. Her mother’s car. Shannon sat up straight, her heart speeding a little. But she didn’t race to announce the accident to the household, as many people would have done. She had given up that kind of thing long ago. Adults had always fallen in love with the cute, pretty, outgoing twin first, and seeking attention was a long forgotten part of Shannon’s repertoire. Nevertheless, she had memorised the numberplate just in case…
The car backed away, and parked awkwardly. In fact, so awkwardly that it had to back out and try a second time. Shannon smirked. She peered down in curiosity to see who would emerge from the car, and was amused to see a boy no older than herself exit, and promptly bash his own head against the car as he saw the damage.
"Oh MAN I’m so dead." She heard him exclaim.
Shannon smiled. He had longish blond hair, and looked pretty young. Any bets this was one of his first days with his license. She was right. Nervously, the boy wondered towards her house chewing his lip. She watched him walk with a smile, keeping silent. It didn’t matter; even though her parents weren’t home, Rachael was. She would handle this.
_ _ _
Shannon’s imagination began to float curiously as she gazed blankly at the walls of her house. It had been several hours since the boy entered, and he still hadn’t left. Then again, neither had she. She loved this tree. She spent many hours lying out here in the fork of its huge branches, escaping from the life she was faced with inside the constricting walls. She could permit herself to dream out here…
Eventually, when the sun had set, the moon was out, and the street was dark and shadowy, he finally emerged. And on his face was the largest smile she’d ever seen. Even in the darkness his radiating expression was unmistakable. As his car pulled away, Shannon was totally perplexed. Suddenly it began to rain. She looked up at the sky for a second in surprise before pulling herself out of the tree and back into her bedroom window. The rain tinkered on the roof eagerly, and Shannon closed her eyes for a moment in contentment. That had to be one of her favourite sounds in the world. It was enchanting, romantic, captivating, calming…
"Shan!!" Rachael squealed from her room next door.
Shannon slammed her window shut.
"Yeah?"
Footsteps thudded down the hallway, and Rachael almost fell into the room in her enthusiasm A magazine centrefold was shoved under her eyes. She recognised his face and smile instantly. It was the boy.
"Do you know who this is?" Rachael asked eagerly.
She shook her head in disbelief as she read his name slowly.
"Taylor Hanson."
"Nup!!" Rachael almost squealed, "My new boyfriend!!!"
Shannon’s mouth dropped open in dismay for a moment. She looked up at her twin, but she was already on the phone.
"Oh no, anyone but Rachael…" She breathed, unable to look away from the sparkling smile on the crumpled paper. But her pity was not for herself…it was for the boy…
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