CHAPTER 12
Around Thanksgiving, both of the Mendego boys had been granted break, along with the other hundreds of students that attended the prestigious University at Albany. Instead of going back to Lillian�s for the big holiday dinner, or ordering in Chinese food like they so often did when they were just too tired to give a damn, they actually went out for a night on the town.
Most cities were shut down for the day of turkey and thanks, but a few places remained open in Albany, including a quaint Thai restaurant that was one of their favorites. They had spent most of the day goofing off, playing board games and just being silly in general. Hours were wasted away in the kitchen, where they ended up having a flour war while making brownies to enjoy later on. Kane had made reservations a week in advance, guaranteeing the twins a table by the fireplace, silk cushions and all.
After the kitchen was cleaned up, which took a while since most of the counters and appliances hadn�t been fortunate enough to escape with their polished surfaces spotless, they went about getting ready for their night out. Jeans and t-shirts seemed much too casual for the place they were going to, so they opted for loose kimono tops and matching linen pants. Stepping out into the main room to admire each other, since Kane had hid in the bathroom while Hiro claimed the closet mirror to primp in front of, they smiled widely. The writer�s hair was a mess of braids pulled back in a sloppy bun, damn near identical to the way it had been in Vancouver; on the other hand, the artist had taken the top layer and braided it, a simple yet timeless style. Both young men had chosen deep hues to wear, Hiro in emerald green, Kane in navy blue. They complimented each other perfectly, and everyone knew it as they walked to the restaurant hand-in-hand, cozy winter jackets unbuttoned to expose the intricate work that lay beneath.
Dinner was a beautiful affair, one made very much enjoyable by the kind Asian woman who owned the place as well as served them their dinner. Hiro invited her to eat with them, saying there was plenty to go around and they�d be more than happy to share with her since she was generous enough to keep her restaurant open on Thanksgiving.
�My own children are all grown up, having families of their own. Kouji passed away seven years ago, and my own parents have been dead for many years. If I wasn�t down here with you, I would probably be upstairs, wallowing in my sorrows and becoming one with the couch, I�m afraid,� she explained, a light of regret obvious in her dark almond-shaped eyes. But her voice maintained an air of joy, her face held a charming smile. �What about the both of you? Why aren�t you at home with your family?� she inquired, curiosity quickly covering the sadness.
Hiro had just shoved a piece of chicken dripping with sauce into his mouth with his chopsticks, knowing that question was coming and not wanting to be the one to answer it. Silently, he thanked his brother as Kane replied in a soft whisper, barely audible, �We don�t have a family. Hiro�s all I have, as I am the only one he has.�
Kiyone lowered her eyes respectfully, biting her lip as she cursed herself mentally for not seeing the signs. She had known the boys since they moved up to Albany, and though she had never discussed such matters with them, she knew by keen observation and instinct that they cared deeply about each other, a love that ran much deeper than blood.
Offering them a bit of a forced smile, she excused herself, walking to the kitchen to get the fresh pumpkin pie she had made, but also giving the brothers a chance to regain control of the emotions that had shimmered all too clearly in their eyes when she had asked her question. Hiro and Kane looked over the burning candles at each other, apple green eyes brimming but not spilling a thing. They reached for the other�s hand in an instant, squeezing reassuringly before letting go, eating the last of their meal in silence.
The slightly portly woman returned, a warm pumpkin pie in her hands, a squeeze can of whipped cream balanced in the crook of her elbow. Clearing the dishes covered with excess sauce off of the table they were currently using, the twins made room for the dessert, leaving three small tea plates in place of the larger ones. Light conversation filled the air whenever a mouth was free to speak around the pumpkin pie and whipped cream. The atmosphere of the building had shifted to one of warmth, friendship and comfort, causing the twins to stay much longer than they had planned, not that they minded. They thoroughly enjoyed Kiyone�s company, and promised to stop by more often for the great food and soothing discussions they shared as they waved goodbye to the smiling woman, reluctantly leaving the warmth of the cozy restaurant to be assaulted by a November wind with a bite.
Pulling up their collars and buttoning up their jackets, their hands naturally sought out the others�, the gloved fingers interlacing to bring a smile to their wind-chapped lips. Not quite sure where they were going, but determined to see a movie nonetheless, the twins continued on down the slightly icy sidewalk, citrine eyes roving over the closed shops they encountered. To their surprise but great pleasure, they came across a cinema that was still open. You know the type that are notorious for showing obscure films and always held many dirty, not exactly secret, secrets.
The ticket vendor was one of the unfortunate teenagers who looked as if they were born on the top of the ugly tree, and somehow managed to hit every single branch on the way down; this particular teen girl was named Bebe, also unfortunate. And apparently, it was a mistake to put Bebe, the pink-haired wonder, on the graveyard shift; she was leaning dangerously back in his folding chair, obviously asleep. The hint that gave it away being the string of drool hanging from slightly parted lips and dribbling down her chin.
With a crooked smile, Kane tapped on the plastic window, effectively jolting the dozing girl out of her semi-conscious state. Wide amethyst eyes, obviously enhanced by contacts, looked up sharply, a blush dancing across make-up induced alabaster cheeks. Hiro was on the edge of the sidewalk, glancing up at the letter board to see what was playing. Biting his lip thoughtfully, he returned to his twin�s side, smiling broadly at the girl.
�Two tickets for Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind, please,� he requested, eyes dancing as he watched Bebe fumble with the ticket dispenser, mumbling something about �That�ll be $10.� Kane pulled his wallet out of his jacket�s deep pockets, flipping it open, a crisp ten between his fingers. Slipping it through the little arched hole in exchange for the tickets, both young men bestowed sweet smiles on the girl who wouldn�t find herself until it was too late.
Singing softly the words to His Infernal Majesty�s �Your Sweet 666� under their breath, the twins walked into the warm theater, not at all surprised to see it empty. Thanksgiving wasn�t exactly a night that people swarmed to the movies, especially small ones such as this one. Choosing seats in the dead center, and using the seats in front of them as leg props, they settled in for their third viewing of the movie. Since not even the previews had started, they used the darkness to their advantage, sharing tender kisses and gently caressing each other, having both shed their heavy winter coats.
They had been locked in a deep soul kiss when the previews flared to life, separating them instantly like two young children caught kissing in the closet by their parents during the ever-popular party game, Seven Minutes in Heaven. Fingertips brushed against plump lips, the pressure previously applied still felt as they turned in their seats to face the screen. Hiro rested his head on his older brother�s shoulder, sighing contently when those sweet lips brushed his forehead lovingly. A protective arm slid around his own shoulders, drawing him even closer to his twin�s side as Kane pushed the armrest between them up and out of the way.
At certain points, ones they knew by heart and could afford to miss, they�d make out just like any other young couple, but nothing incredibly hot and heavy. Though having sex in an empty movie theater was on their list of things to do, it would have to wait for another night. Tonight was supposed to be sweet, innocent, pure � a way of forgetting about their loneliness, and just enjoying each other�s company. And so far, it was working wonders on the tragedy-attracting twins.
When the movie finished, they were terribly reluctant to leave the theater, for once again, it was warm and the world outside was just the opposite. But they bundled back up, wrapping scarves around their necks and burying their fingers into fleece gloves, clasping their hands together as was personal tradition for the pair as they pushed open the double doors into the cold night. They would have waved to Bebe, if she had been awake to see it. She must have had a heater in there; she was out like a light once again. Oh well, the girl was probably bushed; she had this look about her that she hadn�t slept decently in a long time. They knew the feeling.
Walking pressed close to someone is rather difficult when you�re attempting to concentrate on where you were going so you wouldn�t get lost as the young Mendego men soon found out. Thick winter coast did little to block the sharp cold that pushed through every little gap, chilling their owners� straight to the core. The park had been their next destination, but as the rain began to pour down on the lovers, their heated dorm room seemed like the closest thing to heaven. Leaning heavily on each other for warmth, they pressed on in the darkness, their journey illuminated every now and then by the occasional streetlight or passing car�s headlights.
Hiro and Kane looked and felt like drowned rats when they finally made it back to their dorm room. Hardly the romantic look they had been going for, that much was for sure. Movement slowed by the startling mixture of extreme heat pouring out of their ever faithful electric heater and the cold that clung to their skin like a desperate child, they undressed at a maddeningly sluggish pace. The wet clothing ended up in a soggy pile somewhere by the hamper, neither of them really cared much as they searched for flannel pajama pants and t-shirts pilfered from the nearby thrift store. Forgetting completely about boxers, they slid on the dry clothing, Hiro moving to the kitchen to fix them something hot to drink while Kane fiddled with the radio. The Juliana Theory dispensed itself from the speakers, the familiar lyrics to �If I Told You This Was Killing Me, Would You Stop?� filling the enclosed space.
Not too long after their drenched arrival, the clock struck midnight, and their coffee maker clicked off, telling them that the caffeine was ready to go. Mixing milk in with the drinks to cool them down to a tolerable level of heat, Kane and Hiro returned to the living room, curling up on the couch like kittens. Sipping the beverages with soft noises of pleasure caused by the heat slowly unfurling itself in their stomach to travel in their veins. It was a beautiful thing � that much was for certain. When they finally climbed into bed, red digital numbers boasted that it was nearly 1am.
�Thank the gods we have tomorrow off as well, ne?� Hiro murmured, snuggling closer to his twin.
�You can say that again, little brother,� Kane replied, a tender smile touching his lips.
A kiss full of meaning, and quiet whispers of wishes for sweet dreams, the heat overtook them, pulling them deep into the hug that sleep offered arms wide open. And somewhere in the background, Emotion is Dead began again, �Into the Dark� playing at a muted level that went unnoticed by the sleeping youthful writer and artist.
December managed to sneak up on the twins who had been busy preparing for their term finals for their respective classes. The combination of late nights and early mornings did not bode well on the young adults � they were wearing down, and it was starting to become much too noticeable for their taste. Sweet by nature, but resembling a rabid pit bull when stressed, most of their friends gave them the space they needed, offering advice only when asked, well, begged by pleading citrine eyes. Lucky for the twins (and everyone else around them), winter finals came and went without a hitch, throwing students everywhere face first into a two week winter break, no longer Christmas break since the whole dispute that not everyone celebrates Christmas � one that bears repeating solely for the stupidity of it.
Once the vacation began, Hiro and Kane set to work on cleaning up the dorm, after all Lizzy would be arriving in a few days. The brothers felt a compelling urge to show their childhood friend that they could be independent � at least from other people, not each other � and a clean apartment would be a good sign in anyone�s book. Dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing, mopping, polishing � the Mendego men went all out. They scarcely recognized their own home when they were done with it, and their friends who stopped by every now and then kept thinking they had the wrong room. Not that our art students were filthy creatures by nature, it was just school held pretence over housekeeping.
The day of Lizzy�s arrival, 19 December, found the twins sprawled out in bed, even though it was closing in on 11am. Having woken up at various intervals the night before for some unexplainable reason, they were exhausted and when one is that tired, they tend to forget things, even big honking things like old friends coming to visit. Then again, it happens to all of us at one point or another, so it�s forgivable. Music tinged with static was coming from their bedside clock radio, which they ignored as they attempted to burrow deeper into the covers. This part was pretty easy, but ignoring a ringing phone means you have to listen to the answering machine later and actually call the person back � something neither student was looking forward to.
A weary hand slipped out from under the blankets, fumbling blindly for the phone. Picking it up, dragging it back to the �cave� of blankets they were buried under, Hiro murmured, �Hello?�
�Hey Hiro, my man!� Eddie�s cheerful mood was all too obvious in his loud greeting. Eddie was a good friend of the twins, who just happened to be a student aide for Administration and Student Services. Whenever something came up concerning the Mendego men, Eddie usually stopped by or gave them a call with head�s up.
�Mm, hey Eddie. What do I owe this lovely wake up call to?� the writer drawled, rubbing at his eyes with the back of his left hand.
�Oh, I woke you up? Sorry about that,� the brunette said. Hiro knew he was laughing into his hand; he could hear it and rolled his eyes in response.
�Ha ha, hilarious. What�s going on?� a yawn interrupted the question, butchering it about halfway through. Kane made a noise of protest, pawing at the phone. Succeeding in stealing the appliance from his brother, he shot a smile at Hiro.
�Yeah Eddie, what�s going on?� No jokes, no teasing; Kane was set on knowing just why his peaceful slumber had been broken by this seemingly pointless phone call.
�Well, you guys have a visitor. Pretty little blonde thing � says she knows you guys from way back. Her name is�� there was a pause, and muffled sounds as the phone was handed off to someone else.
�Lizzy, Lizzy Anderson. Ring a bell, Mr. Grumpy Pants?� a feminine voice teased.
�Hey Hiro! It�s Lizzy,� he stage-whispered to the boy who was trying to fight the sunlight that was pouring across the crumpled sheets and blankets. Returning his attention to the girl, �So Lizzy, do you trust Eddie to bring you to our room? After all, we just woke up and well, we kind of need that miracle known as a hot shower.�
Lizzy laughed, �Sure thing Kane. But you better be dressed by the time I get there. I don�t need to see you two naked � had enough of that eyeful when we were younger.� There was no mistaking the teasing tone in her voice, causing Kane to smile.
�No promises, darling,� the artist said in a mock of her even Texas accent, a soft chuckle escaping. They hung up, both smiling wide as the dial tone claimed the space previously filled with conversation. Kane poked his twin in the shoulder, getting a groan of complaint in response.
�Whaaaat?� Hiro whined, glaring at the young man next to him.
�Eddie is bringing Lizzy here; we have about five to ten minutes to shower and get dressed. Breakfast won�t be a possibility at this point, or should I say lunch?� the older brother explained, attempting to wrestle the blankets away from the stubborn writer.
Hiro threw back the covers, long ebon tresses mussed with sleep dangling in his face. He winced at the bright light, then scooted off the bed, his flannel pajama pants that were much too big for him hanging off of his slim hips as he stood, stretching with an arched back. With an exaggerated swing to his ass, he walked towards the bathroom, knowing that Kane�s eyes were watching with an avid interest.
Flipping on the shower, he wasn�t the least bit surprised to feel Kane�s hands dancing over his body, tugging impatiently at clothing while pressing himself firmly against Hiro�s back. �Patience, young grasshopper,� the poet retorted to the silent yet obvious request.
Shedding their sleeping clothes like a snake does with its� old skin, they stepped into the shower, shivering appreciatively as the hot water coursed down their fatigued bodies. A decent night�s sleep remained elusive, though the twins hoped that would change once the vacation was fully under way. They had quite a few wild nights planned for the time that Lizzy was staying with them, and they couldn�t possibly allow their bodies interfere due to a lack of sleep.
The shower took less time then expected, even though they had washed each other thoroughly. Their skin smelled of a fresh summer rain, like a grove of tropical flowers and tangy fruits all rolled into one � not an unpleasant combination at all if you could actually get your nose to imagine how that blend could possibly result in. Though their dorm room was heated, they still donned thick winter sweaters to accompany the baggy jeans that clung enticingly to narrow hips.
Kane was braiding Hiro�s hair; his own tucked out of the way in a messy bun that threatened to fall apart from the cheap elastic, when a knock cut through No Angels� �Daylight in Your Eyes.�
Muffled by the cheap door, Lizzy�s voice could barely be heard, �Hiro, Kane, it�s me! Open the damn door!�
�Hold on, Li-chan. Gods, you haven�t changed a bit,� the younger twin replied, bounding off the bed as soon as Kane let the finished braid fall heavily against his back. Tugging his hair out of the bun, the older of the two separated the dark cascade into three parts, braiding it swiftly, the strands following his finger�s directions like an obedient child. His own plait brushed its� slightly jagged tips against the sliver of bare skin exposed between the waistband of his pants and the hem of the sweater as Hiro threw open the door, a huge grin stretching from ear to ear.
Lukas, or Lizzy as he was now called, was almost as breathtaking as the pictures had portrayed, though seeing her on glossy paper and in person were two totally different things. She was leaning casually against the door jam, bright green eyes accented with electric blue eyeliner, her waist length blonde pulled into a high ponytail with a few strands framing her face. Low-rise hip hugging jeans covered her shapely legs, an assortment of rips, splotches of paint, and patches speckled across the denim. A powder blue cable knit off-the-shoulder top clung to her breasts, the ensemble completed with a cozy looking black acrylic duster that hung around her knees with chunky boots with two-inch heels. Long, obviously cared for, nails were painted a bright blue to match her eyeliner, and Hiro could only assume her toenails matched.
She cleared her throat, arching an elegant eyebrow at the man in front of her. �What, no hug? No morning kiss? I�m hurt, Hiro-chan,� she pouted, full lips graced with a light sheen of lip balm.
Shaking his head to return his eyes to the distinctly feminine face before him, Hiro beamed. His brother was now standing beside him, a crooked smile full of longing and memory dancing on his face. Lizzy threw herself in their arms, gladly taking the sweet kisses placed on her cheek, returning them with some of her own. Eddie waved at the twins, whistling happily as he made his way back to his post, thoughts of the gorgeous blonde filling his mind with something deliciously dirty.
Hiro ushered their old friend in, Kane closing the door behind them, flicking the lock with a subtle flick of his fingers. Some of their friends had an annoying habit of knocking for a split second and then barging in without an invite or hollering to see if the twins were even around (which translates to �if the twins were decent enough for company�s sake�). The writer had led Lizzy to the couch, leaving her there to partake in the evils of small talk with Kane for a few moments while he grabbed sodas and a plate of chocolate chip cookies they had made the night before.
The three college students settled onto the roomy couch once Hiro returned with the snacks, squirming and shifting to get comfortable � it was obvious they wouldn�t be leaving that couch for a while. Expectant green eyes searched each other�s, making it almost like an integration of some sort. The twins wanted to know all about Texas, the operation shifting Lukas to Lizzy, everything that had happened to the little boy that had grown up into this beautiful young woman, something they still had a bit of trouble wrapping their head around. They accepted Lizzy with open arms, just weren�t sure they understood why she had done it; her obtuse reasoning of starting a new life had a few holes in it.
As if reading their minds, �I guess you want to know why I look like this now, huh?� Her voice was soft, almost regretful. She was using her hands that were always so delicate to gesture at the addition of breasts and the lack of strain in her jeans. �Blaming it on Akio seems kind of pointless now, but he was one of my main reasons. I don�t think he really could accept himself for what he was � gay. He knew Amaya and Gavin would be disappointed; they wanted the family name to continue, through the blood in his veins. And we all know that fucking a man, up the ass no less, isn�t exactly the way to do that.� A bitter laugh, one so uncharacteristic for her pixyish appearance. �Every now and then, he brought up the idea of me getting a sex change, just for the sake of appearances. But that was when he was drunk; never once did it cross his mind when he was sober thank the gods. Under the influence, he would run his fingers through my hair and tell me how much better it would look with a rack to go with it. Or he�d touch my body, pointing out that I had the skin of a girl, soft and fragile, meant for more insubstantial things like cooking and cleaning instead of drinking, fighting and partying.�
She paused, taking a long draught of her Dr. Pepper, a visible tingle running through her body as the bubbles tickled their way down. �I�m not mad at him though� I mean, how could I be? He taught me so many wonderful things� like how to love. Clich�, I know. But it�s something most people take for granted, dirty sinners that they are. I never understood what love really was until Akio came to me, asking for a relationship. He was beautiful, male or not, so I went with it, thinking I could get out anytime I wanted and things could return to the way they used to be. After the first time we made love on his bed, and I was panting, my head on his chest, it dawned on me that there wasn�t going to be an easy way out of this. Not that I wanted out at that point, I had everything I�d ever wanted lying right there in my arms. Once he gave up that disgusting drinking habit, the possibility of me getting a sex change faded away, like it had never existed in the first place. It haunted the back of my mind of course, a suggestion such as that isn�t something you take lightly.�
Kane and Hiro watched Lizzy�s face intently, keen eyes searching for any sign of discomfort, of pleading to stop. But it never came, and they continued to listen, sipping at their cold drinks and nibbling on the cookies.
�Mom understood how broken up I was over Akio�s death. It was so incredibly hard to wake up every morning and realize he wasn�t going to be beside me, he wasn�t going to brush out my hair, he wasn�t going to take a hot shower with me just for the sake of fooling around, and he wasn�t going to be waiting for me to come to bed � ever again. I know you guys understand, more than anyone you understand, but I couldn�t get over it. Pills, shrinks, hypnotism, I tried just about everything so I could move on with my life, the one that I was unable to do. Over breakfast one morning, I casually mentioned the operation, wondering what Mom would say. She looked me straight in the eye and said if that�s what it took to make me happy, she let me go through with it. Two weeks later, I had an appointment with the most highly recommended doctor in Texas. We discussed it, poring over every little detail, and in the end, I decided that I wanted to do it. I had wanted to start over, and this would be the final step. No more tainted body, no more blood on my hands.
�Yes, this was what I needed. And Mom was there with me every step of the way. Dad was away on business, and we never told him. I was afraid he would convince Mom to stop me from going through with the procedure. He came home a month after my first appointment to find a daughter when he had been pretty damn sure that he had left a son behind,� Lizzy stopped, her dry humor showing through in her tale.
The older twin took this opportunity to get more drinks, taking the empty cans and cookie plate into the kitchenette. It was difficult to hear Akio�s name, and even more so to hear about the relationship he had shared with Lizzy�s former self. Going back into the living room, depositing the beverages on the coffee table before taking another for his self, cracking it open, he sat back on Lizzy�s right. Placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently, he encouraged her without words to continue.
�He took a while to get used to it, and always stumbled when he talked to me, because he wanted to call me Lukas, not Lizzy. Now he treats me like the daughter he never had, and just seems pleased that I�m happy again � no matter my gender. Having Mom and Dad�s support helped considerably; at first I was insecure about my new self. Would people like me? Would they know that I had been a guy for the first seventeen years of my life? After a few weeks, it hardly mattered what people secretly thought. I had friends, I was finishing up high school, and I felt like I was on top of the world.
�Don�t get me wrong, I miss the two of you, Akio and your parents like nothing else. You became my second family during all those years we spent together, and leaving you behind was just as hard as staying. I hope you�re not mad at me for that, because I honestly didn�t want to leave, but my heart wasn�t giving me a choice in the matter. It was stay and be miserable, or leave and try for something better, something fulfilling to put my broken heart back together. Akio was a big part of my life, and losing him hurt worse then any pain a mere physical wound could inflict. I�m sorry I left though� the Mendego family � your family � haunts my every memory. You�ll forever be entwined with my past, as well as my future, if you�ll allow it.� Her voice had gotten even softer by now, barely above a whisper. With a strength the twins had witnessed countless times, she held back her tears, plastering a sorrow-filled smile on her face.
Hiro rested a comforting hand on her left knee, looking up at the girl with painfully honest eyes. His brother followed suit, kindly gripping Lizzy's shoulder once more, his own chartreuse eyes holding a light that could pierce through anyone's heart, all within a single look. Still too proud to let the tangible proof of her past pain, she let the mask fall to be replaced with a knowing smile curving her lips. They understood like no one else could, after all, it had been their brother and parents lost that summer. No matter how close Lukas had been to the Mendego triplets and their loving parents, he hadn't been related by blood, which held a bond on an entirely different level.
"You're right, it was hard. It still is, but Hiro and I have moved on, in our own way. We're together at a university that we love, as not only brothers, but lovers as well. Akio is never far from our minds, nor is Amaya and Gavin. They will always be in our hearts and in our thoughts - you know that. Fate sure dealt us a hard hand, and though trying for another would probably be easier, we've learned to survive with what we've been given. Hiro's writing and my sketching are helpful when it comes to coping with nightmares that refuse to let go and haunt us even in the bright light of day. We've cried, we've screamed, we've begged on our knees for a chance to change things, for a trip back in time to stop Akio from pulling that trigger two years ago.
"Accepting his death seemed impossible, we were confused, we were angry, we were too young to suddenly grow up and take care of ourselves. We still needed Mom and Dad to hold our hands, and to pick us up whenever we fell down - but that was no longer an option. We had to grow up, starting the moment Akio's lifeless body hit the floor; he had even told us that much before he committed the deed. A million questions kept running through our heads, overiding any chance for anything else to survive in that tuberlant whirlwind of chaos. Why had he done it? Why then? Why not before? Why not after? Why not one of us? What did he expect to gain from his own death? Did he know that we were capable to stand up on our own even if we refused to see it? In his mind, did that somehow justify the suicide he inflicted upon not only himself, but everyone else who had ever been touched by him?
"We're never going to know what was going through his mind, which tramuatic experience led to this, if any at all. There are so many things we want to know, but are unable to ask, to form the words. We failed him, in the biggest possible way, and it seems even in the end, he forgave us for our imperfections." The tears now flowed freely down Kane's face as he fought to steady his voice.
"But please know, that we're not mad. We understood why you left. Hell, I wanted to follow, just to leave Akio and his death behind. Hiro didn't want to leave though, he wanted to fight for a life in the east coast state that never sleeps. Running away wasn't going to solve a damn thing, and we both knew it. So we stayed, and look where we are now." A wane smile crossed his lips for a moment, fading just as quickly.
Lizzy sniffled, a stray liquid crystal cutting a path through her startling blue eyeliner in an almost defiant manner. It had been much too long, this should have been done soon after the aspiring actor's death. Lukas' departure and everything else had prevented it, which had seemed for the best at that point. Never mind that the feelings were gnawing away at them, leading to the nightmares and twisted fantasies that followed their every move.
Silence fell like a heavy veil over the young adults, none of them being able to find the words that probably should have been spoken. And it lingered in the air just as a heady perfume would, overpowering, hardly subtle at all. Their bodies went through the necessary motions, the comforting hugs, the innocent kisses on the cheek, the tears that refused to stop falling, even as hands absently reached for the condensation dripping aluminum, twelve ounces of caffeinated delight, guaranteed to put send pleasant jitters throughout your nervous system in under fifteen minutes flat.
Conversation started after an eternity had passed, each of them making a conscious decision to avoid any topics that crossed paths with their past or Akio. They talked late into the afternoon, only the grumbling of their stomachs causing them to pause in their deep discussion on the new wave poseur conspiracy that was sweeping the nation, reminding them of Europe's black plague. Kane offered to pick up some Thai food from Kiyone's, as long as he could take the convertible with its' wonderful heating system. Laughing, Hiro tossed the keys at his brother, telling him in a playful tone to get the best Kiyone had or else. The 'or else' meaning: no sex for the entire duration of Lizzy's stay. Though, they were too much of gentlemen to actually to have a romp in the sack while a guest was present - they'd just wait for a time when she wasn't around. A mischievous yet completely unspoken banter went on between the twins before Kane stuck out his tongue like the child he was at heart, slipping into his jacket and buttoning it up tight. He yelled a promise of being back in less than thirty minutes over his shoulder, and then he disappeared from sight.
Now that they were alone, Hiro couldn't help but fidget with the end of his braid, avoiding Lizzy's citrine gaze. "Something on your mind, Hiro-chan?" she asked, looking at him.
"Umm.. No... well.. Actually, I was wondering what it was like to, well, be a girl," he mumbled, obviously embarrassed, his red cheeks a dead give-away.
The eccentric young woman couldn't help but laugh, "It's actually pretty cool. Sitting down to take a piss is a whole different ballpark though." Lime eyes danced as the nursing student explained the differences that were visible to the eye, and then the more subtle ones.
When Kane returned with two plastic bags full of hot Thai cuisine, the sight of Hiro experimentally touching Lizzy�s sweater-covered right breast greeted him. Something unidentifiable and slimy curled up in the bottom of his stomach, but was cast aside in a heartbeat as the hilarity of the situation struck him. The fact that he was just as curious probably didn't help matters much. Hiro looked up sharply at the sound, scarlet infusing itself in his cheeks as he realized what his brother had stumbled upon. But the laughter was infectious, and soon all three students were joking about it over noodles and chicken.
They were sitting on the floor now, various Styrofoam containers spread out across the coffee table, a pyramid of empty Dr. Pepper cans stacked dead in the center. Lizzy�s cell went off shortly after she let Kane fulfill his curiosity, his right hand firmly molding around the woman�s added flesh, marveling at how it felt under his fingers. She laughed as he started from the sound of her ringer, an acoustic version of Maroon 5�s �She Will Be Loved� that she had probably illegally downloaded at one point or another.
A giggle filled �Hello� came out, followed by a series of affirmative noises that didn�t even require moving her lips. �Oh, thank you so much!� finished up the conversation, and she flipped her cell closed, wiggling her eyebrows at the twins. �So, who wants to come and get my luggage with me?�
Hiro and Kane were all too eager to abandon the cleaning that glared at them, scrambling to their feet and searching for shoes and jackets. The girl found it to be funny that they took longer to do that simple task then it took her to do the exact same thing, and primp in front of their closet mirror. Exiting the dorm, linking their arms with Lizzy in the middle, the twins flanking her, they merrily skipped through the halls, sparing a few minutes to run like children across the sidewalk leading to the Student Services building. They burst through the door; three heads of long hair now slightly wind tangled, as well as dotted with snowflakes that were melting rapidly, running down their faces in little rivulets. Laughter filled the room, looking like quite the sight to the woman who was perched on a stool, chewing bubble gum loudly and flipping through some beauty magazine.
�Can I help you?� she managed around her wad of gum, her voice nasally, she didn�t even bother to hide the fact that she was annoyed with the students for interrupting her interview with teenage heartthrob, Orlando Bloom.
Before either of the men could open their mouths, Lizzy interjected with, �Yes, actually. I just received a phone call that my luggage was here?� She was using her best Southern Belle tone, sounding regal and prime compared to the 40-something teenage wannabe that sat behind the faux marble desk.
�Oh, you�re Miss Anderson? Your bags are right over there,� suddenly Susie�s attitude had changed completely, almost as if she was truly seeing Lizzy for the first time, not even realizing she was staring. Pointing with a crimson tipped finger, she smiled in what she thought was a charming manner, but turned out to be downright gruesome on her Botox injected face.
The twins looked at each other, trying indefinitely hard to keep themselves from laughing, cringing, or both. �What rock did she crawl out from under? And do you think we could send her back?� Hiro whispered, unable to keep his mouth shut any longer. A hearty laugh was disguised not too convincingly into a deep cough, chuckles still managing to be heard. Their female companion arched an eyebrow, pointing down at the two canvas suitcases by her feet.
�Hey hey hey! We never agreed to carry your luggage,� Kane whined, �Besides, those things probably are full of bricks and your real bags are already sitting next to the door of our room.�
�Hmm, that�s a brilliant idea, I�ll have to try that next time,� Lizzy grinned wickedly, �Now come on you two, I really need your help since I�m such a weak little thing and you�re both big strong men.�
Understatement of the century, but Kane and Hiro complied, went over to her, pulling out the handles so they could roll the infernal things down the hall. As they were leaving, the young woman looked back over her shoulder, and winked at the 80�s throwback that was staring after with a mix of awe, wonder and disgust on her face.
The trio bumped into Eddie on their way back, who kept teasing the boys for their lucky catch before darting out of range, knowing he�d get whapped upside the head if he stood too close. For a split second, Lizzy wondered how many girls the twins had been with since arriving at college, but scolded herself just a heartbeat later, knowing that for one, they were both swinging the blue bat, and for another, they were in their own relationship much too deep to even think of switching sides or cheating. Though she couldn�t ignore the appraising looks her old friends received from both sexes as they continued down the hall to their room; it was very apparent that the Mendego twins were lusted after by many, but unattainable by all.
This fact brought a smile to her lips as she plucked the key out of Hiro�s hand, twisting the doorknob herself to let them in. It was closing in on 8pm, a terribly late hour if you had been on a plane for quite a few hours, waking up early just to make it to the airport within the 2 hours prior your flight rule. And all the reminiscing and t�te-�-t�te talks had worn down what little energy she had had left. Having not slept well the night before due to the anxiety of seeing her childhood buddies after more than two years had passed, crashing on the couch or in the twin�s roomy bed sounded like heaven.
Kane noted her tired state in her slow walk and the dull light in her normally bright apple green eyes. �How about we call it a night? We can go hardcore shopping tomorrow, to make up for it,� he cajoled, knowing when Lizzy had been Lukas that he would never turn down a chance to go shopping.
�That sounds divine,� Lizzy smiled, �But where am I going to sleep?� Her mind was shifting through all the times she had shared a bed with all three of the Mendego triplets, their lithe forms making it easy to fit four people in the queen-sized bed that Akio had owned.
�Whether you�re a girl or a guy, you can still sleep in the same bed as us, right?� Hiro teased. �Or are you too good for us now that you have breasts?� He stuck out his tongue, earning a playful punch in the arm.
�What are you talking about, silly boy? I�ve always been better than the both of you,� she retorted, to which the men responded with tackling her to the bed, tickling her sides mercilessly. Lizzy�s laughter held a hint of masculinity, something that made the twins realized that Lukas was still there, just altered.
�Uncle! UNCLE!� Lizzy cried, squirming, laughing so hard tears ran down her cheeks, smudging her eyeliner and mascara in an almost erotic way. She truly was something else, Hiro concluded as she pushed him and Kane off the bed. They landed in an undignified heap on the floor, sides aching with mirth, small gasps accented with giggles escaping parted lips.
While getting ready for bed, they sniped at each other all in good fun; teasing remarks, playful pokes, slugs in the arm that were well deserved. It was if they were still young children, unable to settle down due to the excessive amounts of caffeine and sugar running through their veins like cheap heroin. Hiro and Kane gave Lizzy her privacy, allowing her to use the bathroom to get changed into her silky pajamas while they tugged on their own flannel pajama pants and their infamous baggy thrift store tee shirts in their bedroom. The kitchen sink became the spot of teeth brushing for the twins, splashing toothpaste into the faux silver basin.
Lizzy pranced into the kitchen for a bottle of water, a spring in her step as she took a long sip, eyeing the boys spitting in the sink. Still in a playful mood she smacked their asses when they bent over, drinking from the facet without a glass - typical manly behavior, kind of like when they lose the twisty tie to the bread bag, and just end up twisting the open edge under the rest of the bread, something that usually annoyed the hell of the female population. They yelped, Hiro banging his head hard on the tap, cursing colorfully. The girl squeaked with concern, rushing over to his side and rubbing the spot tenderly.
A formidable bump was slowly making itself known under Hiro�s hair; any brushing sensation against it brought a wince to his features. Kane retrieved an ice pack from their freezer, wrapping it in a worn out towel before handing it to his brother. Instead of turning in like they had meant to, the three young adults stayed up a while longer, sitting on the couch; the writer with the ice pack held to his bruise while they recited every single line to 10 Things I Hate About You since it was on USA.
The movie ended at 10pm, leaving the students in a tired state of mind. Now warm, the ice pack had obviously long since lost its� cold edge, so Kane tossed it in the freezer for tomorrow if the bump was still bugging his twin. Lizzy had become extremely somber after the incident; as if the sugar and caffeine induced hyper behavior had been drained out of her with a large emotional vacuum. She felt bad, but Hiro assured her it was no big deal, he got hurt all the time, as did Kane, even if they were just minor injuries like paper cuts.
Drowsiness overtook Hiro, causing him to go to bed before his brother and their old friend. On silent feet, the still awake adults with their childish tendencies picked up the sea of Styrofoam that claimed the coffee table, carefully dismantling the aluminum can pyramid so they could join the rest of their comrades in the mini recycling bins that took up a corner of the kitchen. While hand washing the dishes from earlier, an unusual hush fell over Lizzy and Kane. The artist glanced at the young woman beside him; she looked so sweet and innocent without the electric blue kohl circling her eyes, kind of like the boy he had grown up with.
Besides the two most obvious changes (the added breasts and the missing manhood), not a whole hell of a lot had been altered physically to make Lukas into the woman he was now. The naturally delicate features that had been the Anderson boy�s physique well through puberty had been more feminine then anything; and the fact that he never grew out of it, save for losing his baby fat around age fourteen, had been a blessing in disguise. It was almost as if whoever resided upstairs knew that when Lukas was seventeen, he would decide to take the dive and switch genders, becoming the striking eccentric Lizzy. A secretive smile slid onto Kane�s face as he returned to his cleaning, not even realizing he had stopped while staring at Lizzy. She had felt the weight of his stare, but knew that his stares had to do with his acceptance that his childhood friend was now playing for the other side, though technically he had never given up his love of the blue bat.
Shifting under the pressure that seemed to settle on her shoulders from Kane�s intense pale emerald eyes, Lizzy decided to start a conversation, anything to dissipate the quiet that hung over them in a nearly brooding manner. �So, what do you plan to do after college? You�re going for a Master of the Fine Arts degree right now, right?�
The man nodded, looking at his hands for a moment before verbally replying, �Yeah, I am. I don�t know what to do with it once I get it though. Painting is something I enjoy, but so is drawing in general. Might do commissions for a living, but it�s not a very steady paycheck.� He shrugged, �I don�t know, Lizzy.�
She gaped, �How could you not?! You�re already 19, and you don�t even know? What if you change your mind about art halfway through college? You�ll be screwed. Well, maybe not screwed, but you�ll be in school even longer, and Hiro will graduate without you. And who knows what that will lead to. He could move out of state, leaving you behind and then where you will you be? Alone and unhappy, that�s for damn sure!� Deep down inside, Lizzy knew that Hiro would never leave his brother behind, but she was attempting to make a point � instilling a seed of doubt never hurt when it came to this kind of thing.
�Yeah, but still� Oh hell, Lizzy, I honestly don�t know. You know that art has always been my passion, while Hiro has writing and Akio had his acting. It�s not like I could just give it up and turn to something else, like accounting or what not. I�m an artist at heart, that�s never going to change. I just don�t know if I could possibly make a living out of it, you know? It�s hard work to get recognized these days; everything�s been done to death. Originality is a rare spark, one I�m not even sure I have.�
�What the hell are you talking about, Kane?� Lizzy had given up on the dishes now, letting them soak as she turned to look incredulously at her friend. �You have an amazing gift for turning anything into a masterpiece. Your technique is different then most, a breath of fresh air in the sea of crap that you see these days. Like that guy who paints with coffee? I mean, what the fuck is that? He�s getting recognition all over the place, and his work isn�t even that good. It�s all because he uses coffee as his medium. Not that I�m suggesting you use like tomato paste and celery as your medium, because that�s just a sin against innocent vegetables, but you must know that your ideas are good, they�re damn good. They could get you somewhere, your name could be known far and wide for your work, if you went for it. And I know you have the ambition, and the ability to do it � but are you willing? Are you determined to make a name for yourself? Do you want to show the world just how talented you are?�
Kane was surprised, to say the least. He knew Lizzy was a passionate person, always had been and he guessed she always would be at this rate, but he hadn�t expected an outburst like this. He stammered, trying to think of the words that would ease the girl�s mind so she wouldn�t wake up Hiro, but it was too late. The newly awoken writer came staggering in, rubbing absently at his eyes. �God damn you two, do you think you could possibly be any louder? I don�t think Santa heard you at the North frickin� Pole!�
He wasn�t really angry; he just wanted to pretend so the students who were neglecting their cleaning for heartfelt conversation would feel guilty. It didn�t exactly work, but they faked it anyway. �Oh Hiro-sama, we�re so sorry!� they said in unison, dropping to their knees and bowing low, their foreheads resting on the cool tile. �Can you ever forgive us for our sins, mighty Hiro-sama?�
Nudging their kneeling forms with his toes, he snorted. �Oh, please. Get up, unworthy servants,� his tone was still playful, though Kane had a feeling that the fun was about to end by the serious look in his twin�s eyes. �So, what�s this bullshit I hear about you thinking your art isn�t good enough to get you anywhere in life?� An elegant eyebrow was arched to show that its� owner was curious to see how Kane was going to answer.
�Ano, it was nothing�� he whispered. Though he was sitting up on his knees, he kept his head lowered, shame coloring his cheeks. He knew that Lizzy and Hiro were right � he had what it took, or he would if he pushed his limits and did his very best work. Some of his latest pieces had been hailed throughout Albany thanks to some small art shows that drew crowds, all wanting to see what one of the infamous Mendego sons had to offer. He felt like an utter fool, for even doubting his friends and their encouragement. Kane knew they simply wanted him to be happy in life, and it was widely known that art was his first love, just like acting had been with Akio.
With a confident smile, one that seemed to brighten the very room they were standing in, Kane assured Lizzy and his brother that he had every intention of completing his art degree, maybe even graduating at the top of his class. �And when I�m rich and famous, I�ll remember to mention you in every single interview, Lizzy, so they think we had some secret affair going on in the background. You�ll be my Hollywood scandal.�
The girl laughed, her citrine eyes dancing in mimicry of the twins� own green orbs, a dazzling grin settling on her lips. She rose to her feet, pulling Kane with her with a gentle tug. Planting an encouraging kiss on his cheek, she hugged him close, whispering, �I know you can do this, K-chan. Don�t let anyone else tell you different, okay?�
Kane stepped back out of the embrace just barely when he felt Hiro�s hand on his shoulder, the younger twin hating to be left out of anything. He opened his arms, letting his brother in, turning it into a group hug that reminded the teen of teamwork, football huddles, and happy occasions such as weddings or the birth of a child. Lizzy slipped out from the arms that held her close, smiling as the twins moved closer to each other, turning the embrace into something a bit more personal as their lips met in what Hiro would later insist was a kiss for good luck � she knew better.
Turning a blind eye on the dishes that were still sitting in the soapy, now icy, water, Lizzy moved to the bedroom, crawling under the blankets to curl up on the side of the bed that faced the wall. A gasp, a suppressed moan, the sound of lips drawing reluctantly apart revealed that the Mendego men were aware that this wasn�t the time or the place for such an act. Soft footsteps were nearly swallowed up by the carpeting, Hiro and Kane slipping into bed with happy sighs. They both leaned over, first one and then the other; placing goodnight kisses on Lizzy�s forehead before sharing one last kiss themselves. Kane wrapped his arms around Hiro protectively, smiling as the writer nuzzled his neck like a kitten. Two pairs of eyes slid closed, sleep claiming them quickly. But the girl couldn�t sleep just yet, even though her body was crying out for sleep. Seeing the twins together as lovers was a bit of a hard thing to swallow, it reminded her too much of her past and the lover she had once had, sweet darling Akio. She missed him terribly, his gentle touches and lingering kisses haunting her thoughts constantly; but the pain seemed only to grow tenfold when she saw couples hugging, kissing, sharing intimate looks that held promises of so much more once they were behind closed doors.
She was happy to be here in New York with the two boys who preoccupied every single memory associated with her childhood. Lizzy honestly had let too much time pass before getting a hold of them. It was a nice feeling, to be in a bed with them, their warm bodies close to her own slightly chilled one. Turning over so she was pressed against Hiro�s back, she shyly wrapped her arms around his waist, tucking her head into the gap between his shoulder and neck with a gentle sigh. She had almost expected the man to start, to ask what she was doing, but nothing of the sort happened. In fact, he seemed to snuggle into her embrace, as well as Kane�s. In the faint moonlight, she could see a content smile gracing both of their lips. With that image imprinted on her eyelids, she drifted off to the lands of dreams herself.
Tantalizing aromas of sausage, bacon, eggs, and toast teased the twins into consciousness. Lizzy had gotten up roughly an hour ago, taking a quick shower and sorting through the clothes she had piled into her suitcases, hiding the brightly wrapped packages she had brought with her. She had finished up the cleaning that they had neglected the night before, and had managed to find all the pans, plates and utensils necessary for breakfast. Poking her flour-dusted face around the corner, and spotting the slowly rousing young men, she grinned.
�Morning boys. I made breakfast, it should be done in about� 10 minutes I suppose?� A timer of some sort went off, which struck Hiro as odd, because he didn�t even recall them owning a timer.
Kane rolled over, looking at the cheery girl. �How on earth can you be this bubbly, this early in the morning?�
�Well, it�s honestly not that early. Hell, I don�t even think 12:14pm qualifies as morning anymore. So I retract my previous statement. Afternoon boys, I made lunch,� Lizzy replied, sticking her tongue out before disappearing around the corner once more.
�12:14pm? What the�?� the artist glanced at their bedside clock. �Holy shit, she wasn�t joking.�
�Of course she wasn�t. You know her sense of humor only functions in the afternoon. Something about it being solar powered, I believe,� Hiro smirked, ignoring the dirty glare the cooking girl sent in their direction as she peeked around the corner again.
�Shut up, you brat. Now you better get out of bed and scoot your little half-breed asses in here before you miss out on another meal,� the nurse said in a mock scolding tone, her blonde hair swishing behind her as she shook her head in an attempt to hide her smile.
�Yes, Mom!� was heard from the bedroom, the twins sliding out of bed, bare feet wiggling in the plush hunter green carpeting that adorned their dorm room floor. Kane made up the bed with Hiro�s help, and by the time they managed to straighten out all the sheets and blankets, lunch was ready.
They discussed their plans for the remainder of the day over the hot meal after a murmured prayer of �Itadakimasu,� deciding upon a tour of the school and mucking around in the dorm until nightfall, when they would shift like changelings into mystical creatures of lore, complete with metallic eyes and sparkling tresses. Once that was decided, they eat in silence spattered by small talk, polite inquiries about how Lizzy�s parents were, and how Aunt Lillian was doing at the family law firm.
Once they had finished eating, the twins left Lizzy with the dishes, the young woman muttering harmless curses at them under her breath as they darted off to take their daily shower. Company or not, there was no way Hiro and Kane were going to forego the kinky event that was known as a hot shower involving the two lovers, enjoying the seemingly endless supply of warm water at the same time. Wrinkled pajamas were tossed outside the bathroom door, which would be shoved deep into the hamper afterwards, or if Lizzy got to them first. Neglecting to lock the door, they stepped under the humid spray, dancing a little in place before they set to washing each other quite thoroughly with hands, nylon loofahs, and berry scented shower gel.
The girl who seemed like Super Girl at this point, while the teens mulled over what to wear, swiftly braided towel-dried hair. �Oh, come on, it doesn�t matter until tonight anyway,� Lizzy said in an exasperated tone, plucking two pairs of boxers, jeans and bulky sweaters to go with, and tossing them at her friends. They even had the nerve to try and look embarrassed as the young woman watched them dress. �And how many times have I seen you naked?� she asked when Hiro voiced a complaint. Half-hearted grumbles made up the response, and she grinned. �That�s what I thought, smartasses.�
To anyone who didn�t know about their relationship, or how long they had all known each other, they would have accused Lizzy of being disrespectful and downright rude, probably whispering something about ignorant southerners while they were at it. But the twins understood her sense of humor, having a similar style themselves. Throwing on their jackets, scarves and gloves, their double-layered sock feet shoved deep into their snow boots, the dark-haired men and their blonde companion were ready to brave the snowstorm that raging outside, the entire event in the name of acquainting Lizzy with the school they had been living at since early July.
The snow provided a wonderful distraction as they went along, and kept the tour interesting when a snowball would come flying out of nowhere and peg one of the three young adults in the back, leg, arm � nothing was off limits except for above the neck. There never was anything pleasant about being hit in the face with ice particles that would melt in a heartbeat and run down your neck into the insulated barrier that they had wrapped themselves in before even leaving the heated dorm room. When Kane was bouncing ahead of his brother and friend, he bumped into Eddie who was precariously balancing too many things in his arms.
�Going home for the holidays, Ed-kun?� the artist asked, though the question seemed idiotic the moment he uttered it.
�No, K-chan, I just thought I would move a bunch of stuff out to my car for the hell of it and live out there. Here�s your sign, dude.� Brunette hair, grown out and taking on a shaggy appearance, was hanging in his eyes, causing Eddie�s eyelashes to flutter in an attempt to keep the strands out of the way.
Kane laughed, reaching out and taking the top two boxes off of the towering stack. �I�ll be right back guys, going to help Eddie take all of his pack-rat goodies to the car,� he called over his shoulder, receiving Hiro�s nod of acknowledgement before following his friend down the hall.
After helping Eddie move stuff to his car, and seeing him off, Kane returned to the room he shared with his brother to find said young man and Lizzy sprawled out on the floor, wrestling like children. �Hey, I thought you guys promised you wouldn�t fool around unless I was involved!� he whined, winking at the girl who had his thin brother pinned to the floor.
They laughed, Lizzy almost reluctantly letting Hiro up, throwing a look over the writer�s shoulder to find out the time. �Hmm, looks like it is 4:30pm already. How about we order out again from that cute little Thai place, and then get ready to hit the town?� she suggested, brushing stray blonde locks out of her face, cheeks rosy and eyes bright.
�That sounds great. But Hiro can go to Kiyone�s this time, since I went last night,� Kane decided, �I�ll help you get settled in here, Lizzy, since yesterday it never really got done.�
Hiro rolled his eyes at his brother, �Sorry dude, you�re gay, remember?�
�Shush Hiro-chan, go get food. Good boy,� the artist came back with, patting his twin fondly on the head like a puppy. Hiro made a snap at his hand with his teeth, sending a harmless glare his way. Grabbing the keys to their car, and bundling himself back up; he said he�d be back in thirty minutes or so, and not to have too much fun while he was gone. With that said and done, he closed the door, fading out of sight.
Staying true to his word, Kane helped the Texan girl get comfortable, making room in the closet for her clothes and in the bathroom for her hygienic gear, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, and all that jazz. When Hiro returned, they ate quickly, hardly tasting the food as they flipped through the racks of clothing with searching eyes.
An hour later, the twins and company were all decked out in their favorite clubbing clothes. Lizzy wore a black and red lacey corset with a plaid mini skirt that flared out at her hips in an enticing manner. Neon blue fishnet stockings hung on for dear life on her shapely legs, her outfit completed with black chunky heeled slippers that laced up to the knee with crimson ribbons. Her favorite electric blue eyeliner accented her lime green eyes, winging out from her eyes to form a cat-like design; lips tinted light pink to focus the attention on her painted up lids.
On the other hand, Hiro wore a rave dress over ragged Confederate jeans with his beloved flame adorned Converse; a fishnet shirt identical to the one Kane was wearing covering his arms. Over his fishnet, the artist wore a clingy neon green off-the-shoulder top borrowed from Lizzy, his jeans ripped in all the right places showing off delicious pale slivers of skin, his own Converse hiding his toes. They had swiped Lizzy�s blue eyeliner for their own purposes, matching her choice in make up and design flawlessly. Ebony locks done up in extravagant braids and twists, Lizzy�s just pulled back from her face with her so-called bangs framing her heart-shaped face.
Arriving at their beloved dance club around 8:30pm, they found a booth to throw their jackets and to set their drinks before heading out to the dance floor. It was mostly empty, since it wasn�t even 9pm yet, but they didn�t give a damn. The DJ was still playing, and that was all that mattered as their bodies picked up the rhythm that had come to be a natural part of their everyday lives. Hips gyrating to the music, spines arching, arms swaying over their heads that were thrown back as if in participating in some pagan ritual. Once the place began to fill up, none of the three young adults could tell whom exactly they were dancing with, so many bodies were pressed up against theirs, and it was a highly erotic sensation, like being seduced by a stranger you couldn�t see. Hiro and Kane clung to each other desperately, their lithe forms melding into one as Lizzy danced with some guy that had caught her eye at the bar. The liquor was flowing freely, purchased with fake ID cards that Eddie had bought for them.
Midnight found the trio panting for breath in their booth, sweat gleaming on their skin, the club lights flickering over them occasionally, the only thing to see by. Tipping back their drinks, finishing them in a single gulp, they threw themselves back into the mass of writing bodies, ready for another round. The club closed at 2am, which came all too soon for the teens, who wanted to dance until dawn, even though their muscles that had screamed earlier in exhaustion had become numb not too long ago.
Lizzy led them down the snow-covered sidewalk to a nearby park, leaving the car back in the parking lot until they had burned off the alcohol that was searing through their veins, warming them from the inside out. Dodging the occasional patrol car with ease, they played in the white powder that swathed everything in sight until dawn. Soaking wet, but smiling like the happiest idiots in the state, hell, maybe even the entire country, the Mendego twins and one Lizzy Anderson made their way back to the car they had arrived in so many hours ago. Hiro and Kane had drunk themselves silly, the alcohol only serving to fuel them on, to push their bodies to the limits � and the sweet Texan blonde was the soberest one of the bunch.
She drove back to the dorm, helping the boys she had grown up with stagger into their room, dripping wet outerwear and the clothes underneath clinging tenaciously to chilled skin. Not that this mattered � they were laughing and having a grand ol� time as they stripped out of their party garb, toweling themselves off before putting on their college sweats and curling up in bed to sleep off the rest of the liquor while warming their damp bodies.
And that was how the rest of break continued � much dancing, partying and silly antics filling the time. Christmas came, presents were exchanged, the ones Eddie had left for them being uncovered in one of Lizzy�s suitcases of all places. A carton of eggnog was downed throughout the next week and a half, and the twins were actually sad to see it go, but not as heartbroken as Lizzy was � they didn�t have such damn good eggnog in Texas, according to the deprived girl.
The day before Lizzy had to leave found Hiro and the young woman in the kitchen, fixing dinner while Kane was out renting movies for their New Year�s Eve marathon. And that was when she sprung the question on him, �What about your future? I�ve already badgered Kane into submission, so I know he�s not going to cop out when things get a little bit tough, but what about you?�
�I have my writing, and K-chan, what more to I need?� the writer replied, his hands swiftly shredding lettuce for the salad.
�How about letting go, Hiro-chan?� Lizzy said gently, her eyes sympathetic as she sliced the tomatoes and ham on the wooden cutting board.
�What are you talking about, Li-chan? I�ve accepted Akio�s death and all the other tragedies life has thrown our way. I�d like to think I�m done with all of it.�
�Write a novel, Hiro. Tell the story of your lives, of the Mendego boys who started out as three and became twins sixteen years later due to a tragic suicide. Tell about the hardships, the traumas, the trips to the hospital, the night you and Kane first made love� tell your story to the world,� the blonde said, her eyes bright with unshed tears. �You have to do this, Hiro. Because if you don�t, it will haunt you forever and you can never truly be happy.�
Graduation four years later was a marvelous event. Lizzy came with her husband, Blaine, and their two adopted little girls. Lillian took the entire week off to help her nephews prepare and then to finally see them take that final step of independence, to graduate with top honors in both their fields. Hiro got his degree in English, and had already published two books, his first being the story of triplets that were born on Halloween, and how Fate played with their lives. On the other hand, Kane was slowly pushing his way to the top of the art world; he was so incredibly determined to make people understand what he had suffered through via his paintings, rough sketches and everything else his hands conjured up. Their closest family and friends saw them off on the day they moved out of New York, leaving the first twenty-three years of their lives behind as they left America.