Hello people! Yes, this story is proof that I am still alive! Yay! I know a lot of you probably want to kill me. Don’t worry, I have the next chapters to my stories… Well I’ve started them and they’re almost finished. But I just couldn’t resist writing this one. I am in no way abandoning my other stories so don’t worry!

Summary: Zacharee Langley does not have a very typical teenage life. First of all, her mother is a psychologist who seems to find Zacharee as one of her patients. Her dad lives with his boyfriend and her twin, Zachary, is a talented soccer player. Life gets more complicated when she gets re-united with her long-time rival and former love, Connor Beresford. But her luck seems to take a turn when she gets the upper hand… Don’t you just love blackmail?

Prologue

“Oh my gosh, Zach! What on earth did you do to your hair?!”

Casually taking the seat next to the beautiful Puerto Rican, who had asked the question, I shrugged.

“Our house burnt down and my hair caught fire.”

My best friend in the whole world – besides my twin brother, Zachs – gave me a cynical look.

“Even up to now, you still have this ability to yank the world from under me,” she told me, amusement mixed with astonishment in her voice. “You’re pretty calm with your house burning up and stuff.”

I grinned at her. “You should’ve seen my mom when Zachs and I tried to put the fire on my hair out. She was standing there, watching our house burn down with an analytical look on her face. I think she was already deciding on what type of house to build.”

My best friend, Helen, grinned in return. “And of course, being the studious girl that you are, you still went to school… You don’t look like a girl now though.”

I lost my grin and tugged on the bucket hat on my head. Well, to give you an indication of how short my hair was, Helen’s comment was straight to the point.

My hair was cropped so short that I looked like a guy.

And no, I’m not exaggerating. Just this morning, my mom called me ‘Zachs’!

How crappy is that?

“Don’t make me feel more self-conscious than I already am,” I mumbled. “I’m not gonna be wearing dresses and skirts in a while – not with me looking like this! I’d probably come across as a cross-dresser!” Actually, I know I will. I just tried a skirt on this morning and I grimaced as soon as I saw myself in the mirror.

“It’s not that horrible,” Helen tried to comfort me. “You still look like a girl… I was just kidding.”

“You’re just saying that,” I said dryly. Helen shrugged and I rolled my eyes.

“By the way, where are you staying now?” Helen asked as she started rummaging through her bag. It was still homeroom and our teacher’s always late by at least ten minutes.

“My dad’s,” I answered. “He and Roland are nice enough to let my mom and me stay.”

If you’re wondering who in the world Roland is, he’s my dad’s boyfriend.

…Yes, my dad is gay.

So what?

Well, now he and my mom are divorced.

Some of you might be saying, so what? Everyone’s getting divorced these days! But still…

It was a shock at first but my brother and I got over it eventually. My mom took it extremely well… But then again, she’s a psychologist… or maybe she really has such a strong personality… I don’t know.

Besides, Roland is a cool guy. He also gives the best fashion tips but let me tell you, he dresses in the latest male fashion so don’t go thinking he’s a cross-dresser.

“How did Zachs react?” Helen asked, trying to remain nonchalant. But of course, I knew better.

Helen Rocks has the BIGGEST crush on my twin, the popular, talented Zachary Langley! Of course, she’ll die before she lets him know though I don’t know why… I mean, I – the most protective twin sister in the whole world – approve of her so I don’t see why she shouldn’t go for it. But I guess she’s too shy.

Or she’s scared of rejection.

Of course, I know how Helen feels. I was rejected once – by my own childhood rival/friend.

Sad I know… (sniff, sniff – sarcasm?

But don’t worry! I’m over it and I grew to HATE him! Why? ‘Coz hating him is easier than moping over him. Now, two years later, I’m as happy as happy could be! It also helped that I moved away to the next town. I had one talk with my mom the psychologist (who considers me a project on teen psychology) and then mom the mother and before I knew it, she moved herself, Zachs and me.

I just love her for it!

Now, I’ve settled in my school, I have a bunch of new friends, I get excellent (well, for me anyways) grades and I have a new friend who is such a sweetheart – when she’s not being annoying, pushy and egotistical, a smart-ass, moody, bossy…

Well, you get the picture, I’m sure.

So yup. That’s my life.

Ain’t in grand? (coughsarcasmagaincough)

Of course, there’s the issue of my mom’s house burning down – including half of my stuff. Oh! My CD’s! My photo albums! My laptop! My souvenirs from the Bahamas! My collection of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter! ARGH!

And can you guess the only thing that I was able to save out of all my stuff?!

Mr. Brownie and my blanky!

What?!

Er… Mr. Brownie is my dirty old teddy bear from the age of five while my blanky I had ever since I was born…

Now, I’ll be honest and say that I’m secretly happy that I was able to save both of them… Yes, I’m a huge baby. I admit. But still…

It’s embarrassing if someone asks me, “What did you save from the fire?”

Well… (blushes and coughs nervously)

Hey! Don’t tell me none of you have a deep, dark secret!

Pause.

Fine! Be that way! I pity you heartless fiends!

“Zachs was the most hysterical,” I snickered. And it’s true! He literally ran out of the house, screaming like a girl, his arms flailing in the air! That’s the reason why I caught fire! I was laughing so hard I didn’t notice my hair was aflame until he started shrieking harder and pointing at me. Still, it was so worth it! Imagine the heroic soccer striker jumping around, squealing like a pig! HAHAHAHA!

Yes, I’m as evil as I am protective.

Now you might be wondering why we went to school anyway when we could’ve grabbed the chance of missing school? Well…

I have no idea.

I just got yanked out of my bed this morning and forced to dress up. My mom, along with my dad and Roland, told us that a burning house was no excuse to not get to school. (Hey, maybe a volcanic eruption is what it takes.) It was lucky that the school books that burnt were ones we can replace.

Have I mentioned how weird my parents are? …Which is saying a lot since my mom is a psychologist… Never knew how she got the job… Maybe to analyze mental problems, you have to be a bit eccentric yourself…

I’ll never understand her…

“He didn’t burn any body parts, did he?” Helen asked slyly. I laughed and shook my head.

“No. I got a nasty burn at my nape though.” I tugged my shirt down and temporarily removed my bucket hat to show her a red burn that had tiny flecks of purple. Helen hissed and shook her head. I replaced my hat and shrugged. “But don’t worry. It’s not one of those permanent ones. Actually, you can get burns like this in cooking.” I should know. My mom got a nasty burn when she accidentally placed her arm against a very hot pot.

“You’re very cool about this,” Helen remarked. I shook my head.

“Believe me, I was screaming my lungs out as soon as I stopped laughing and recognized the pain. I’m surprised I haven’t lost my voice.” True, very true.

Helen grabbed my shoulders and wrapped her arms around my neck and squeezed tightly in a hug. “Thank God you’re safe!” I yelped as soon as I felt the sharp pain and Helen quickly let me go with an apology.

My yelp had caused people in my homeroom to pay attention to me. Suddenly, questions about my hair came as if they just realized that my shoulder-length brown hair became nothing more than a boy-cut.

Many girls offered their sympathies – even those who I did not particularly talk to while the guys jokingly told me that I looked like one of them. Laughing sarcastically, I waved them away.

Now who am I? I think I should introduce myself. As you probably guessed, my name is Zacharee Langley. You might be wondering, who in their right minds would name their daughter such a name? I asked the same question and this was the answer I got:

“You and Zachary aren’t supposed to be twins. We weren’t expecting you and we already filled his form in and then you pop out. Basically, we couldn’t be bothered thinking of another name so we just gave you that.”

Sensitive, huh? And yes, this is my psychologist mom speaking.

I feel so loved.

Yes, sarcasm is my forte.

What else can I say? I just turned seventeen and we just recently started the school year… What else? Oh! My physical appearance!

Well, I havebrown hair that’s really short now andblue eyes. Single or not? Well, definitely single for now.

My brother came through the door, his movements sluggish, bags under his eyes. When he saw my happy and carefree attitude, he placed a pout on his face and gave me the finger – which he rarely did. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Aww!” I cooed. “Is poor Zachy-wacky all sleepy-weepy?” Helen sniggered right next to me. She may have a crush on him but that doesn’t mean she won’t jump at the chance to have fun at his expense.

“Shut up Zach,” he muttered, glaring at me. My eyes glittered as a sly smile came on my lips. Helen muttered, “Uh-oh” in this completely amused way.

“Do you want me to share a story regarding a certain incident last night involving a certain striker’s feminine-“

Zachs eyes’ widened and he actually dove for me to cover my mouth!

I just love him. He makes my life worth living.

“Don’t you dare!” he hissed.

I smiled sweetly at him. “Wash the dishes for three days, please?”

Growling, Zachs nodded. “You evil child! You cannot possibly be related to me!”

Grabbing his hands, I looked innocently up at him. “How can you say that?! We were spawned together, developed together, kicked each other in mom’s tummy, got out into the cruel world one after another and grew up together. How could you not love, adore and worship the ground I walk on?”

Zachs just shook his head and gave me a wry smile. “At least it’s just three days. You asked for a whole month last time-“

“-which you didn’t finish,” I reminded him. “But still, out of the goodness of my heart, I did not tell mom or dad about the six cartons of condoms I found in your drawer.”

That blush coloring his cheeks is simply beautiful.

Yes, I’m evil.

I saw Zachs glance at Helen who looked breathless at the information. I made sure that my voice was soft enough so only she could have heard.

“I told you,” Zachs said through clenched teeth. “They were given to me as a joke-“

I snorted. “Sure…”

“Really!”

“Uh-huh… and I’m a bobcat.”

“I’m serious.”

“And of course, I believe you… not.”

“Zach…” A warning tone.

“Zachy…” A sugary tone.

Helen suddenly burst out laughing. Zachs and I simultaneously looked at her.

“You two are so funny!” she said through her laughter. “I can watch you all day without getting bored!” I grinned at her while Zachs relaxed.

I pulled Zachs towards me and pressed our faces close. “Don’t you think we look alike more than ever?” My brother grunted but wrapped an arm around my waist. I just knew he loves me.

Helen obviously – to me anyway – took the chance to examine her crush. I let her.

Well, one thing you might want to know is that Zachs – being the athletic super star that he is – is one of the most popular guys in school… also one of the best-looking. Unfortunately, our looks look better for the male gender compared to the female gender.

So yeah… I’d probably be more popular if I were a guy.

Sad, eh?

“Zachs,” I said suddenly. “Have I ever told you how much I love you?”

He gave me a weird look. “Is it one of those random days again?” I nodded happily.

“Yup.”

So you might be thinking, sarcastic, evil, random and randomly happy… Weird girl, right?

Yes, I pride myself in being unpredictable.

The only predictable thing about me is being unpredictable. So, that being so, I am constantly unpredictable and in being constantly unpredictable, I am predictable. But if I’m predictable in being unpredictable, does that mean I’m really predictable? But to be predictable, I have to be unpredictable so I’m more unpredictable than predictable. So…

Did I lose you there?

…Thought so.

The teacher, Mrs. Hickey – yes, I’m not kidding; she’s Mr. Hickey’s wife – finally got in. Zachs and I let go of each other and went to our seats.

“Now I have to check the roll.” Duh. That’s what you’re here for. After checking the roll, she droned on about her weekend. No one really cared and no one really listened. We just let her go on. She’s been moody lately and whenever she got upset, her husband and the deputy principal of the school, Mr. Hickey, would come to our homeroom and give us all a week of detention.

The system’s corrupt, I tell you.

The door suddenly opened and everyone – including me – automatically turned towards it. Mrs. Hickey, however, didn’t seem to notice.

“Ahem.”

Blinking at the interruption, Mrs. Hickey turned towards the door.

“Oh goodness! I forgot all about you! Come in! Come in!”

A lean figure entered. The first thing one would notice about him was that his hair was the most gorgeous red you’d ever hope to see. It almost looked artificial but I knew better.

How?

It’s because I’ve asked him before if it’s artificial or not.

You’re probably thinking, “You know this guy?”

Yes I do. He’s the reason why I transferred to this school in the first place, along with my brother.

Those grey eyes landed on me and I instantly narrowed my eyes. I gave him my most wall-crumbling glare but as usual, he seemed unperturbed…

In fact, he smirked.

“Class, this is our new student.” Mrs. Hickey announced. I heard most of the girls sigh while the guys eyed him suspiciously. “Meet Connor Parkes.”

A.k.a. my former best friend, my former friendly rival…

My former love interest who took what I held most dear and diced it in front of my very eyes.

I hate him.

I hate him, I hate him, I hate him.

He made my life a living hell and destroyed who I was. I was reborn but I still held the scars. I’m going to make him suffer, make him regret everything he did. I want him to feel how it’s like to have your heart stolen, torn into a million pieces and then thrown at your feet.

My fingers curled as I tried to claw at my desk. I was that spiteful.

I’ll make sure you never get me again.

That I swear.

A/N: Woah! She’s pretty bitter – probably the most bitter character I have ever created! Well, she has her reasons.

Please tell me what you think!

Yram Hael Neeltah