Page 51 of My Twin Sister's Ex

Mrs. Martin disappeared down the hall, and I set the box of chocolates on the coffee table. A few moments later, she reappeared by herself.

“Jessilyn doesn’t want to see you. I told her about the chocolates, and she said she would take them.” She reached out her hand, and I put the box into her outstretched palm.

“Thank you.”

“She said to tell you she’ll see you at practice after school on Tuesday.”

At least she wasn’t bailing on the Drama Competition. Not that I thought she would. She cared too much about getting into the musical theater program at Duke. Maybe she would warm up to me once we started rehearsing again. But she may never want to get back together again.

That was exactly what Jackilyn was hoping for.

* * *

Ileaned over the hood of the Ford F-150 to do a quick oil change. I could hear Uncle Ryan in the office chatting with the owner of the truck, who was one of his buddies from high school. I finished up the job and then pulled the vehicle out front. I brought in the keys and rang up the customer.

When he left, my uncle turned to me. “What’s your deal? You seem off today.”

“I accidentally kissed Jackilyn at the prom.”

“Wait a second. I thought you were dating her twin sister now. Or do I have them confused?”

“Nope. You have them right. I’m just a really big idiot.”

“Did you get the two girls mixed up or something? You said they're identical, right?”

“No. I didn’t get them mixed up. I can tell them apart just fine. Jackilyn usually has on three times as much makeup, so it’s easy to tell who is who.”

Uncle Ryan whistled. “You did mess up then. How’d you manage to get yourself in that situation?”

I told him the story of how Jackilyn had pressured me to dance with her and then kissed me unexpectedly.

He threw his head back and laughed. “I’ve been in some sticky situations with women, but I think you’ve got me beat with this one.”

“It’s not funny.”

“Come one. You’ve got to admit that this story is hilarious.”

“Her parents hated me before. I can’t imagine how they feel now.”

Uncle Ryan bristled. “Why would anyone hate you? You’re the best kid I know. Who are these people?”

“They live in The Heights. They probably think I’m the kid from the wrong side of the tracks.”

“Well, you are the kid from the wrong side of the tracks, but you’re still the most honest, hardworking kid you’ll find. If they can’t see that, then they’re not paying a bit of attention to what’s happening around them.”

“Thanks, Uncle Ryan.”

“I’m only saying what’s true.”

“How can I fix this? I need you to help me figure out a way to get Jessilyn back. She completely avoided me at school today.”

“Have you brought her chocolate?”

“I tried that Saturday.”

“And it didn’t work?”

“She took the chocolate, but she wouldn’t talk to me.”

---