1 The One Where I Am Shipped With An Unknown Person

I hate moving around. Packing up and then unpacking again. And it's not just things that you pack and unpack again. It's also your entire life. You have to uproot everything and root it again somewhere else. It sounds exciting. Being able to move somewhere where no one knows your name or past and you can be anyone you want. But it gets old and you start hoping for stability and peace for once.

"Thalia! Dinner!" My sister calls from downstairs. I have been lying on my bed for an hour now. I set up my room two hours ago and then had nothing to do. I had zero motivation for going out and exploring this new city. Besides, I've been here a lot of times and have read all about it. It's New York after all. Frankly, I don't get the jazz about this city. It's cool and all but so are thousands of other cities in the world.

"Coming!" I yell back. I sigh and get off the bed, walking to the door. My body hurts from all the moving and all I want to do is sleep right now. I hate missing dinner time though. Knowing that my mom can take off anytime, makes every second we spend together really precious.

My mom, Clara Jace, has recently been promoted to Vice President of her company and hence the big move to New York where her headquarters are based. Life hasn't really been easy on her. Being the only daughter of a middle class couple, she has had to struggle for everything in life. After she had Teagan and I at 18, she decided that her daughters will never have to face the problems she had. Thankfully my grandparents were supportive people and took care of us as she completed her MBA and started working for the company. She has really worked hard to get here. Even while handling her career, she has always been there for us. Whenever we needed her, she was there.

Our father was a deadbeat guy that wanted nothing to do with mom after she got pregnant. So, it has always been Teagan, Mom and I.

"So, are you two excited for school?" Mom asks with a huge smile on her face. I roll my eyes at my plate as I shove more spaghetti in my mouth.

"I am. I don't know about Miss Bookworm here. Maybe she'll get some this year and get over that grumpy attitude of hers." My sister snorts. I look up at her with a frown on my face.

Being fraternal twins, we couldn't be any different. We share the same blue eyes but that's really where our similarities end. I have straight black hair like our mother's whereas Teagan has chestnut brown hair like our father had. I like to keep to myself most of the time and don't really do people. She loves surrounding herself with friends. She has a knack for getting in trouble while I struggle to keep us out of trouble as much as possible. She is the life of a party and I am always the designated driver.

But no matter our differences and arguments, at the end of the day, we always watch each other's backs no matter what. We will fight tooth and nail if someone tries to disrupt our little family.

"At least I don't have STDs, sis. I don't sleep with everything that moves." I snort. She smirks at me.

"I am just experimenting. I am young and free." She grins at me.

"That experimenting is going to come and bite you in the ass soon." I narrow my eyes at her. She sticks her tongue out at me,

"It's better than being utterly inexperienced."

"Alright, girls. Enough." Mom interjects while I roll my eyes again, "This year is going to be a bit different. I might have to go on tours more frequently than before since I told the company that I won't move again. I believe that you girls need stability in life at this point and I won't sacrifice your development and well-being for my career. I hope you two will be responsible enough and take care of the house and each other when I am gone. Of course, if there's an emergency and I'll come back rushing no matter where I am in the world." She explains.

"Yes, ma'am. We'll be on our best behavior when you are gone." I smile at her.

"No parties, no drugs." She says, looking at my sister sternly, "I expect you to do well in school this year."

"Yes mom. Have we ever disappointed you?" Teagan asks her, rolling her eyes. Mom smiles at us,

"No, you haven't. I am proud of you two. But leaving you alone scares me."

"Let's cross that bridge when we get there, yeah?" I say, placing a hand on hers. She smiles warmly at me before getting up and taking our plates to the sink.

"Teagan. You are on kitchen duty since your sister has to drive you both to school tomorrow." Mom kisses my head as she walks out of the kitchen. I grin at my sister. She narrows her eyes at me.

"You should have passed the test then, sis." I say. She rolls her eyes and gets up, turning to the sink. I pull my phone out and scroll through my Instagram.

"Okay class. We have two new students with us today. Please introduce yourselves, girls." The middle-aged teacher, Mr. Atkins, smiles at us. Teagan and I are in our first class of the day. Math. I hate Math as much as the next person but the teacher looks fun.

"Hi! I am Teagan and this is my sister Thalia. We shifted here from Washington DC and we hope to fit in with you guys." She introduces us to the class as I just stand there and wave at everyone. I hate this part.

"Thank you girls and I hope you guys help them fit in. Please take a seat anywhere you want."

We walk to the back of the class and settle down beside a guy who seems to be working on a worksheet. He looks up at us and gives us a dazzling smile that shows his pearly whites. He's handsome. Grey eyes that sparkle and blonde tousled hair. And by judging Teagan's dreamy eyes, she's already attracted to him.

"Hey. I am Cameron Donalds."

"Thalia." I say, smiling back at him.

"I'm Teagan." My sister says from the other side of me, twirling her hair around her finger. I roll my eyes and turn back to my worksheet

"Why did you guys move all the way to New York?"

"Our mom got transferred here." She says, pulling out her books from her bag.

"Oh… well, if you need anything else, let me know. I am happy to help." He flashes his million dollar smile and I take some time to study him. He looks like the typical jock from the movies. Grey eyes and blonde hair, pearly white teeth. Letterman jacket indicating that he definitely plays a sport and runs with the popular crowd. Popular crowds are always over enlightened people who think they rule everyone. I have been a victim of their bullying and I will not fall for it again. All they do is use you and make you believe that everything you do for them is actually you paying back the debt because they talk to you and associate with you.

"Will do." His eyes dim a little but he nods anyways, turning to the front of the class. I smile and turn back to my worksheet.

"There is this party tonight. You two should come. It would be a great way to mix in, you know?"

"We don't do parties on school nights, Cameron. Sorry." I snort as we pack our bags.

"Ignore her. We'll be there." Teagan says, rolling her eyes. I glare at her as Cameron waves and leaves.

"We can't go to a party, Teagan. It's a school night. And besides, mom is in town." I grab my bag and we start making our way out of the class. The hallway is crowded with people and there is barely a place to walk.

"Mom is going out with Sam and she's going to stay with her." Teagan reminds me, "Come on! You said you want to make friends, right? What's a better way than a party?" I sigh as my sister gives me puppy eyes. She got me there. I do want to make friends.

"Fine. We'll go. How do we get the address though?" I raise an eyebrow at her.

"I got Cameron's number. He's hot, isn't he?" She gushes as I roll my eyes at her.

"He is your typical jock, Teagan." I snort. Trust my sister to be attracted to the most stereotypical person.

"Come on. Obviously you don't find him attractive. I am sure there is a girl version of him around. They have a girls' basketball team after all." She grins mischievously.

"Wow. Stereotype much?" A body collides in me, making the books in my hand fall to the floor.

"Oh my God! I am so sorry!" The girl apologizes immediately, bending down to pick up my books at the same time as me.

"It's okay. The hall is so packed. And I was distracted too." I smile at her as we collect her papers and my books.

"Here you go." She hands me some of my books once we get back to our feet. I get a good look at her, "I'm Tara Gardner." She extends a naturally tanned hand and smiles widely, showing her pearly whites. I take her hand as her blue eyes dance happily.

"I am Thalia Jace and this is my sister, Teagan." I point to my sister who waves at her.

"Hey."

"You two are new, right?" She asks, running her hand through her wavy red hair. Teagan nods.

"Yup. Just moved in last week."

"Oh cool! What class do you have? I can help you find the way. The map is absolutely useless." She rolls her eyes and I laugh.

"I agree. We have English next."

"I have the same class. Let's go. It's all the way across the campus and the first bell will ring soon." She says, "Also you are going the wrong way." She points behind us and I roll my eyes.

"I told you." Teagan sings, "This one is useless when it comes to maps and roads."

"Shut up." I mumble as they laugh. I turn around and start walking, "You guys coming or what?"

"So, Tara. Are you going to the party tonight?" Teagan asks her as we walk. I stuff my hands in the pockets of my hoodie. I kept the books in my bag after the incident.

"Oh yeah. I think everyone is. Elliot throws the best parties ever."

"Elliot, uh? He hot? And single?" I roll my eyes and look at my sister.

"Weren't you just flirting with Cameron?" I point out. She sticks her tongue out at me.

"I am not going to put all my eggs in one basket, sis." She says it as if it's obvious.

"I like your approach but Elliot's a girl. And gay." Tara says in a very very amused tone. I snort out in laughter at the defeated look on my sister's face, "But yes. She is hot and single. The girl every guy wants to be and every girl wants to be with. If you are into girls, go for it."

"I am not. But my sister is." Teagan wiggles her eyebrows at me and I groan.

"I am not looking for a relationship. Not after Rachel. Popular girls only want one thing, my guy. To fuck you over."

"Amen, sister." Teagan nods wistfully, "But still. You can sleep with her. See what all the fuss is about."

"You two would look so cute together, to be honest." Tara pipes in, "And would have the cutest ship name. Ellia." I roll my eyes at her.

"It's not happening at all. So, forget it."

"Never say never, babygirl." Teagan giggles, "I like Ellia. That's it. I am shipping you two."

"Teagan. We haven't even seen her. Come on!" I groan.

"You are her type though. Short, cute, not too girly." Tara supplements.

"How tall is she?" Teagan asks at the same time, I whine, "I am not short!" You can guess who gets ignored.

"5'7, 5'8. Around that. She's our point guard and a damn good one too!"

"Woah! The height difference would be so cute!" My sister legit squeals, shocking me.

"You have very strong emotions for something that won't happen." I tell her.

"Hey, Tara. You want to get ready together? You can come over and we can go together." She ignores me. As usual.

"Sure! That would be great!" She stops walking and points to the class, "We are here."

"Sweet! What are you planning to wear?" She asks as they start walking in, "We got to make sure Thalia looks extra good if we want our ship to sail." I fall back a little with a groan.

"Agreed." Tara fist bumps her and they look at me with pure evil in their eyes, "Come on, Thals. You don't want to be late."

Only God can save me now. She better be watching my back.