Curious, Anj opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. First he ran his fingers over it, trying to see if maybe it was written in braille. Next he smelled it to see if there was something unique about the paper, but he couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary. He turned on his sight spell, gave himself a few seconds to adjust to the flood of colors, textures, and depth washing over his eyes, then read the words.
“We’re happy to announce that you have been accepted as a recipient of a guide dog…?” Anj raised an eyebrow and read the words a few more times to make sure he hadn’t blended any of them together or mixed up any of the letters. He glanced at his mother and saw a huge grin on her face.
Zes was also smiling. “We’re getting a dog?”
She nodded. “I thought a guide dog would be a good option for you when you go off to college. You’ll have time to get used to him over the next few months.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say,” Anj said, truly speechless. They’d never had a pet of any kind in the house. It wasn’t exactly practical for him to get a guide dog. He’d been managing with the cane for so long just fine, but the gesture was sweet all the same. Still, his emotions were mixed.
“We’ll start the classes over break. It’ll be wonderful.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
“Merry Christmas, sweetie.”
“Merry Christmas.”
****
Later that night, Anj and Zes sat out on the four-season patio. Their mother had gone to bed around an hour ago, and their respective girlfriends were bonding in the living room. As part of the Christmas tradition, they each got into their sleep clothes for the night and a mug of something warm to drink, and then found a place to sit. Zes had a cinnamon herbal tea, and Anj had decaf coffee. While Anj would have preferred regular, their mother refused to keep it in the house because caffeine might stunt the boys’ growth.
“All right, ready?” Zes asked as he handed his brother an envelope-shaped present.
Anj nodded and gave Zes a small, poorly wrapped box about the size of a baseball. “On three, okay? One, two—”
“Three,” Zes said, and they both ripped the paper off their presents.
Now that they were alone, Anj didn’t feel many reservations about using his sight spell. His mother didn’t like it because she didn’t want him to become too reliant on the gift, a sentiment he shared. But this was a special moment.
Under all of the wrapping paper, there was an envelope. He tore it open and peeked inside to find tickets, two seats for the orchestra located downtown. He loved downtown. Their mother, of course, thought it was too dangerous for him because he didn’t know his way around and there was so much going on at once. But that was part of what made it fun for him. Gazing up at the huge skyscrapers and taking in the sounds of the street were highlights for him. And the orchestra was by far his all-time favorite place to visit when there.
“Wow, Zes, this is wonderful, thank you,” he said with the deepest sincerity. He was even more touched by the gift when he noticed the tickets were to a special sampling of movie scores, one of Anj’s favorite things to listen to. The two made eye contact, and then he watched his brother open the box with his gift inside.
“Yeah,” Zes said, his voice trailing off as he focused on getting the tape off the top. “I made sure the dates lined up for when the school goes to the city over break. That way Mom can’t stop—” He finally got the box top open and pulled out the contents, a rectangular obsidian pendant hanging on a silver chain. It looked a lot like a dog tag, only without all the letters printed on it. “What’s this?”
“A necklace.”
“Right, but I mean, knowing you it’s not just a necklace.”
Anj nodded, smirking. “Yes, you know me well. It has a match that I have so no matter where we are, we’ll be able to talk with one another. With you going off to some big school next year, I figured it would be more convenient than a cell phone.”
“We’re both staying at Vala for college. Wasn’t that the plan?” Zes ran his fingers over the smooth stone. “It’s beautiful. I feel something strong in here. There’s powerful magic.”
“Yes, and more than a simple communication spell. That might be all I’m able to use, but your magic is so much stronger than mine. Since it’s earth-based, though, you also get an extra advantage. If you look in the pendant, it will show you whatever you want to see, and you can use its power to travel through glass mirrors.”
Zes stared down at the pendant while playing with it. “Sounds complicated. But I like it. It looks cool too. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I figure when you go away, then you can also use it to see Cheyenne. Just don’t get creepy and stalker-like with it,” Anj teased.
“I’m not going away. I told you. I want to stay here for college too,” his brother insisted.
“Oh, I know. I just… ” have seen you go off to a bigger school, a normal one. But Anj couldn’t say that. “You’re so smart, Zes. You can go to any school you dream about. Sometimes I think you hold yourself back too much for my sake. With what you want to study, it would make more sense to me. That’s all.”
Zes laughed. “You want me to go. Is that what you’re saying? Go on, be honest. You’re kicking me out!”
“Are you kidding me?” Anj threw a piece of wrapping paper at his brother. “The last thing I want you to do is go away.”
“I’m kidding, but in all seriousness, I like it at Vala.” Zes brought his legs up underneath him.
Anj nodded, feeling the same way. He loved the school. It gave him a sense of belonging and security he’d never had anywhere else before.
“So we’re finally getting a pet!” Zes changed the subject. For some reason, he didn’t like to talk about what was going to happen after they graduated.
Anj sat back in his chair and rolled his eyes. “Yes, finally. Though the idea kind of makes me nervous. It doesn’t seem all too practical to me.”
“But it’s a dog! How long have we been asking her for one of those?”
“A while.” But it was more like Zes had done all of the asking.
Anj liked animals when he felt safe around them. Most dogs made him nervous because they tended to jump and lick a lot, two things he wasn’t fond of. Gooey, slimy tongue was not a sensation he enjoyed. He liked cats more, because they were easier to take care of, independent, and came to him for attention. Still, the company would be nice. A guide dog would be well-trained, so it would put most of his fears at ease, right?
Zes sipped his tea. “I feel like she’s making progress. Letting go a little bit. Do you think graduation has something to do with it?”
“Maybe. I still can’t believe that’s five months away.”
“Do you feel ready?”
“Not quite, but almost. I need to tackle being eighteen first, and then I can focus on graduation.”
In March the twins would officially be adults, and that was the part that Anj was having a hard time wrapping his head around. Eighteen would mean complete control of his life would be his. He was excited to get out into the world on his own, even if it was a scary thought. There’d never been a moment in his life when he’d been completely on his own, and now one was fast approaching. I might not have to be alone though…
Anj bit his lip, his mind running over the words Jewl had told him not too long ago. “Do you think it’s delusional to know you’re with the person you want for forever, at a young age?”
“No, I mean, when you know, you know, right?” Zes ran a hand over his lower lip, a classic sign that he wanted to say something else but wasn’t sure if he should. “Why do you ask?”
“Jewl brought it up. She thinks it might be, so I’m trying to figure out what that means exactly.”
“Girls are cryptic and weird. She’s obviously thinking about it too. Maybe she’s scared. But again, why do you ask? Are you thinking about, you know, proposing or something?”
I already have the ring.
“Something along those lines. I thought I’d ask for your expert opinion.”
Zes shrugged. “You love her, right? If you think she’s it, then ask her. If there’s a doubt in your mind, then don’t. Kind of like with everything else in life, all of those other leaps you can take…”
“Right, of course.” He frowned a little, wondering if Zes was alluding to something. His words were a bit cryptic, which meant he was keeping a secret. Zes was a horrible liar. Do I dare pry? Not tonight. Just in case it’s something bad; I don’t want to spoil a good evening.
“You don’t need to rush it, anyway. I mean, you just got back together, like three days ago? Don’t pressure yourself so much.”
Easier said than done. “You’re right. Merry Christmas. Should probably go see our women, huh? Before they start getting too chatty.”
Zes coughed and shifted in his chair. “Uh huh!” He paused. “Just let me add one more thing. I think the same things about Chey that you do about Jewl, so don’t feel like you’re weird or anything.” He clapped Anj on the shoulder gently. “I’ll send Jewl this way, how’s that? Thank you again for the necklace. Merry Christmas.”
“Thank you,” Anj said, grateful for so many things his brother did for him. “I’ll get breakfast in the morning, since I didn’t today.”
“Deal. See you then.”
Anj turned off his spell and relaxed in his chair, reacquainting himself with the darkness. He heard his brother leave, some muffled voices as he went to collect the girls, and then several footsteps walking about in the house quietly. While Zes and Cheyenne went downstairs, Jewl came to join Anj on the patio. She trailed her hand over his shoulders, announcing her presence silently. He reached out to wrap his arms around her waist and pulled her to sit in his lap.
“There was no almost-homicide, right? I know you aren’t exactly Cheyenne’s number one fan,” he said before kissing Jewl’s cheek.
“We’re friends now.” She rested her head on his shoulder, cuddling in close.
Coming from Jewl, that was saying a lot. The girl didn’t have friends. In fact, she made it a point to not make any. Outside of the twins, she tried to keep her close social circle limited. There were a lot of girls who followed her around and tried to be her “bestest friend ever,” but that was mostly because they wanted to get close to him. After all, Anj was the most popular guy in school. Being on her good side might get them an in with him, especially with how often the two broke up. But his eyes were only for her.
Anj closed them, tilting his head back. “Good. Zes is smitten with her. She might be around for a while. It’s so much easier with you two getting along. Maybe we can do more things together.”
“Maybe, but don’t push it too much. We’re friends, but she still irritates me sometimes. Besides, I don’t know if they’d come up for air if we went on a double date.”
“They haven’t been too awful these past few days. I told you things would simmer down once they weren’t so new. You know, when the glamor of first love finally wears off.”
“I don’t know if simmering down is what I would call it, but at least they’re keeping their romance private. Anyway, you wanted to see me?” She stroked the stubble on his chin where he’d missed shaving.
He took her hand in his own, thinking about the ring in his jeans pocket that he’d been set on giving her for months now. Anj had bought it over the summer, while they were broken up even, knowing that when they finally made up again, it would be for good. She was the one, but his stomach was in nervous knots. How she would react was still a mystery.
Swallowing, he forced a smile. “You didn’t think I’d honestly only give you a gift card to the bookstore, did you?”
“You’re not exactly the best shopper on the planet. But yeah, I was a little jealous you got Cheyenne a gift card and a selection of lotions, bubble baths, and other delicious-smelling body products. I know how much you hate going into those stores,” Jewl teased, and he knew her lips were pouting. They were puckered and plump when he kissed them.
He shrugged innocently. “It didn’t feel right to only get her a card any more than it does you and Zes. You should know me better by now than to think I wouldn’t get you something else. Besides, I wanted to spend more time with you.”
And for a few minutes, all they did was cuddle quietly in the chair. He listened to her soft breathing and the relaxed beat of her heart and wondered if she knew how fast his was beating. His free hand still fingered the ring in his pocket. Something about the moment didn’t feel quite right. Either that or he was letting his nerves get the better of him.
“Your present this year is a two-parter. One, I will tell you anything you want to know without any games. Two, I realized that I’ve never gotten you something to show off to your female admirers,” he said, and reached into his pocket.
She laughed. “Don’t you mean your female admirers?”
“To flaunt at them, then. I’m trying to say I got you something pretty.”
“Something pretty? That’s new.” She sat up, and he loved the tone of happy surprise in her voice. Her whole body seemed lighter.
Maybe now? No, later. He moved his hand around to the other piece of jewelry that sat in his pocket. Anj hadn’t bothered to wrap it. The gift would be more special without her having to get around his poor wrapping skills, and he hated using bags. He gripped the smooth, black, silk cord of the necklace he’d bought and pulled it out to show her. There were two necklaces, actually, as they came as part of a set, two steel puzzle pieces that were cut to fit together. Each piece hung on a cord. One was coated in a black metallic paint, and the other was in silver. The silver one had a diamond in the corner, and that was the one he gave her.
Jewl laughed, and he couldn’t tell if that was a good reaction or not. “You’re giving me a cheesy couples’ necklace?”
“If I was going for cheese, I would have gotten a heart shape or a lock and key, or there was one I saw that had peanut butter and jelly on toast. Okay, so maybe it’s a little cheesy, but I still meant it when I said I wanted something that showed you were mine. I think this does it nicely,” he said, trying to remain cool and not show how worried he was over her possible rejection of the gift.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, taking it from his hand. He helped slip it around her neck, making sure it was fastened.
“So then you do like cheese?”
She kissed his cheek. “I like what it means the most. It’s fitting, too, the design. We are definitely a puzzle. And it’s beautiful, and it makes me happy that you would wear it too. I know that’s not something you’d do lightly.”
“No,” he whispered. “It’s not.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“I’ll cash in on my other gift later.”
“Perfectly fine by me.”
It gave him more time to talk with the Elders. I’ll hear them out before I make any more moves, he decided.
Chapter Six
The last week the twins spent at their childhood home seemed to rush by. Zes wished he could have frozen time, but that wasn’t one of his magical abilities. Maybe he could have slowed the Earth’s spin, but there would have been a lot of bad consequences for using his magic for something so grand. Not a risk he wanted to take just for a few more hours to spend with Cheyenne. I’ve got it bad. But he couldn’t help it. She was, by far, the best thing to ever happen to him.
Her head was on his shoulder as they rode the bus toward the city. She’d been asleep for most of the ride, and now they were almost there. Every year, the school took a field trip to the city for all of the students who hadn’t gone home for the winter break. Since Zes and Anj lived in the same town as the Vala School and Seminary, they tagged along every year. It was often a highlight of the vacation for them both. This was Cheyenne’s first trip with the Vala students.
“Now, as you know, we will be staying in the city for the next two nights and leaving Sunday afternoon. The
girls will be with Mrs. Orinda and the boys with me. I do recommend no funny business,” Mr. Thantos said, and the fallen angel briefly made eye contact with Zes via the rearview mirror. He was the most feared and revered teacher in the school. Zes thought he was creepy; Anj loved him. Mr. Thantos was Anj’s mentor, and the two spent a lot of time together. The angel did so much for Anj; Zes tried to not let his fears get the better of him.
Zes swallowed, not wanting the teacher to single him out. Mr. Thantos must have known something was different between him and Cheyenne. How could he not? He could read minds. Not like he’d understand anyway. I bet he’s never been in love. He risked looking at the angel again and noticed how Mr. Thantos glanced at Mrs. Orinda ever so slightly while he drove.
As they got closer to the city, he decided it would be best to wake Cheyenne. Seeing the skyscrapers of downtown was always a huge treat for him, and it was something he wanted to share with her.
“Chey.” He rubbed her arm gently and whispered in her ear.
“Hmm?” Her eyes fluttered open.
“We’re almost there, see?” He pointed out the window as they passed under the first massive glass building.
She briefly looked out the window as well and then closed her eyes. “All right.”
He didn’t push her to stay awake. She might not care anyway. This is where she grew up. Maybe she’d have rather stayed back?
Denver’s unwelcome face popped up behind Zes, and his eyes were on Cheyenne. “Brings back memories, huh, babe?”
Zes wanted to stick his fingers in those bright green eyes of Denver’s and make the guy blinder than Anj, but he held back. Instead, he glared then went back to pretending like Denver wasn’t in the van. He’d done it for most of the ride. Cheyenne either hadn’t heard the guy’s comment or she too was choosing to ignore him, because all she did was go back to sleep.
Thirty minutes later, the group checked into their respective hotel rooms.
“So what are your plans for tonight while I’m out on my hot date?” Anj asked as he arranged his things around the room.
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