(Written in 2002 for the school Lit Mag. 1st. Place. Dear god, I hate this story.)

I bet you're wondering how I got into this situation, aren't you? You know it couldn't have always been this way-I couldn't have always been this screwed up. Well you're right. I wasn't always this wacked out in the head. I've only been this way since the night of March 15, 1992. That was the night my twin sister, Holly was murdered. That was the night that you killed her. No, don't deny it, I know you-I've seen you face every time I close my eyes. For six years I've seen you behind my eyelids-your sneering, ugly face, the face of my sister's killer-and no one has believed me. No one believed me!!! I don't understand how everyone acted like nothing had ever happened, you know? After it happened, everyone just went about their business. Even went as for as to tell me that I never had a sister; that I was crazy. I'm not crazy!!! Don't you dare tell me that I am! You still don't remember? What's that? I'm not making any sense? Fine. I'll explain in detail. Don't worry; I'll use small words so you can comprehend, ok?

You don't know who I am, right? I'm Ivy. Holly was my twin. We were born on Christmas morning while the carol "The Holly and the Ivy" was playing, hence our names. That is also the order we were born in-Holly was first. She was the oldest. She was also the prettier of the two of us. You would think with identical twins it really wouldn't matter, but you're wrong. You have no idea how much it matters. The fact that she was the prettiest was what made you choose her, isn't it? Isn't it!?! Oh, yeah, you don't remember. Anyhow, she was the pretty one. I was the smart one-that's always how it works out- there is a pretty one and a smart one to every set. Looking at her was the same as looking in the mirror, of course, but there .about her smile-- or maybe it was her eyes--that made people look at her longer than me. It's what made you look at her isn't it?

Throughout our whole lives-well up until we were twelve-Holly was everyone's favorite. I didn't mind too much; I like being in the background. I'm shy. Bet you cant tell, huh? Well, I am. Holly was the popular one, but she was my only friend. We would do everything together: ride bikes, play with our Barbie's, just be kids and have fun. I've been all alone since I lost her. But that's your fault, now isn't it? You took her away from me! But don't worry; you'll get yours.

Now where was I? Oh yeah. Holly and I grew up and did everything together. Problem was that we did everything together alone. I had no other friends, and felt uncomfortable around hers. Except for you. I actually liked you. What's that? You don't know me? Oh, c'mon, you remember! I was the girl in the pool house when you-no, wait. That was Holly in the pool house. That was where you killed her: in the pool house. Now I remember. Sometimes I get confused. As I was was I saying? Oh yes, being alone. Well, that's how you got to her. We were playing in the pool house. You were babysitting us because our parents were out of town. Any of this ring a bell? Well it should-maybe you'll remember if I keep talking, hmmm?

Well, you were babysitting us. We were so excited! You were 17 and hot! At least that's what Holly said. We were only 12 and I didn't really like boys, yet. Actually, I still don't like boys and I'm 22, how fun is that? But you were still older, and that's what attracted Holly to you: you were older, more mature. We were playing in the pool house, and you came to see what we were doing. Holly and you started talking and you put your hand on my-no wait. I went out to get a pop, and left the two of you alone; that's right-I told you, I get confused, sometimes-blurry.

Anyway, I left as soon as you came in, because you gave me the creeps. I knew you were bad news from the start. But when I came was so were you. But the blood-the blood was everywhere! It was on the walls, on the table, on the floor, on my-no, her dress that was on the floor, on me-no, it wasn't on me, how could it be on me? I wasn't there; I had gone to get a pop. But I ran out of the pool house and all the way up to my room, locking the door behind me. I didn't know what to do! I didn't know how to reach my parents, and was too scared to call the cops; afraid that they wouldn't believe I felt . So I ran a bath and soaked for hours with the door locked. I stayed in there for hours-until I turned all pruney, trying to figure out what to do, and scared to move in case you were still around, and would get me next.

Eventually, my parents came home and found me in the tub. I quickly got out, dried off, and told them everything. They didn't believe me. I went out to the pool house to show them the there was none. There was no blood. None! You must have come back and cleaned it all up! I tried to tell them- I tried to tell them what you did to me--her! You had killed my sister! Do you know what they told me? They said that I didn't have a sister; that I was hallucinating. They thought I was on drugs or something. I tried to tell them! I tried to tell them that .you're are you crying?! Do you finally remember? Do you finally realize what you did to her?! What you did to me?! You raped me! My parents were right. I didn't have a sister- ten years of therapy taught me that. Holly was my invisible friend. You killed her when you stole my innocence from me! You murdered my childhood! I was 12! A little girl! What did you mean to accomplish by raping a little girl?! And for ten years; ten whole years; I couldn't face it-couldn't face what you did to me-what you stole from me! I did leave that day you murdered Holly in the pool house. I left my mind and didn't return. After ten years and a lot of therapy and meds, I returned, and found you living next door. How convenient: my sister's murderer-no, my rapist-living right. Next. Door.

here. Stop crying, scumbag, and look here! That a boy. Now, you see this in my hand? What? No, it's not a gun. Of course not! Just like I didn't have a sister, this isn't a gun. It's a camera. Now what is it? That's right, it's a camera. Now, with this camera, I'm gonna take a picture, so I can always remember you, ok? Smile big, 'cause when I say cheese, I'm gonna pull this trig-err, press this button, and take the picture, ok? Ready? .!

-FINI-