Page 26 of Pieces

“You were spiraling. I could feel it,” he says, ignoring my lie. We’ve always had that thing where we can sense when the other twin isn’t quite right. Mom and Dad called it our “twin senses.” It’s not anything supernatural or weird; it’s just if he’s hurt, I think I feel it and vice versa.

I let out a large breath. “It’s just…” I pause, finding the words.

“Is it Dad being overbearing?”

“No, I’ve actually barely seen him on campus.” Another bow of guilt snaps at that.

Finn chuckles. “How have you managed that? I bet he’s been blowing your phone up, though.”

“He has,” I say with an empty laugh, feeling slightly guilty I haven’t seen him.

“So what is it?” he asks. “Someone break your heart already? You failing classes and need to come on my Australian adventure to escape?”

“Please,” I grumble. “I’m trying not to think about the fact that you’re halfway across the world.”

“So spill,” he insists.

“I’ve been working on this PR project, and it’s so important to me to make a good first impression with this, because I want this to be my major. But I keep getting in my own way.”

“Okay, so talk it out with me.”

I release a heavy sigh, already knowing the root of my issues. “I’m not even sure where to start with the worries.” The reality of voicing my fears is scary too, but Finn has always listened to me and been the levelheaded one of us. “I’m worried that maybe I’ve taken on more than I can handle. I had to drop track already because I just couldn’t commit with my courseload.”

There’s a pause on the other end, just the sound of him breathing as he takes in my words. When he speaks, his voice is calm, grounding. “If you need to scale back, no one is going to judge you. Aren’t freshman meant to party all the time anyway?”

I scoff in answer, so unlikely that’s going to happen.

“Listen,” he continues. “You’ve always cared about things other people barely notice, and that’s what makes you different. You’ve got this fire, this drive, and yeah, maybe not everyone sees it. But I do. And if letting something go means it keeps you going, then just do it.”

Tears well in my eyes again, but this time, I don’t fight them. “It just feels like no matter how hard I work, it’s not going to be enough, and the starting point to this particular hill feels really freaking high. I want to know all the things already. And what if… What if I can’t do this?”

“You can,” he says firmly. “And if you mess up sometimes? So what? That’s part of it, Daph. You’re a freshman. It’s all about messing up at this stage. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about caring enough to try. And you’re doing that, even if you don’t see it. But you have to let yourself breathe, too.”

I laugh softly, wiping a fallen tear from my cheek. “How do you always know exactly what to say?”

“Because I’m brilliant,” he teases, and I can hear the grin in his voice. “But so are you. You’re doing better than you think.”

I let his words sink in, the knot in my chest loosening slightly. “Thanks, Finn.”

“Anytime,” he says warmly. “Now, stop worrying so much and go kick ass on that project. Or, you know, call me again if you need more motivational speeches. I’ve got plenty.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I reply, smiling now. “Don’t you have a surf competition to prep for? Shouldn’t you be worrying about the waves instead of me?”

He laughs, and it reminds me of home, of growing up with him by my side always. Having each other to lean on, tell secrets to, telepathically communicate in our twin way. “Waves come and go. You’re stuck with me forever. But yeah, I’ll go practice, on one condition.”

“What?”

“That you call me the next time you feel like this, okay? No shutting me out. I’m never too busy or too far away for my favorite sister.”

“I’m your only sister,” I say, chuckling.

“Good thing too, because I can only handle one of you.”

Chapter thirteen

Hudson

“Again!”Coachshouts.Hisvoice cuts through the air like a whip, sharp and unrelenting.

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