Page 101 of Faking Ties

There’s a knock on the bathroom door.

“It’s Kai,” he says through the wood.

“What do you want?” Stella asks.

“The food’s here.”

Stella whips open the door, grabs the bags, and shuts it again in Kai’s face.

“Stella,” he warns through the wood.

“Oops, my hand slipped.”

We both wait until his footsteps disappear down the hallway before laughing.

“It’s the little things,” she says, grinning, “that I live for. Like annoying Kai.”

“Was he around for your entire recovery?” I ask.

“Ugh, yes, and it was so embarrassing. He helped me more than the nurse did.”

“It sounds like he cares for you.”

She rolls her eyes. “Only because he’s paid to.”

I’m not so sure about that, but I don’t say anything. It’s not like I’m an expert on these things.

“Do you have any plans when you get to Hunter’s?” Stella asks.

“Sleep?” I laugh. “I don’t know, I haven’t thought too much about it. He thinks I should open a bakery. Maybe I’ll work on that.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

“It’s a bit scary though. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time, and it’s always felt so far away until now.”

“Well, if it’s your dream, don’t delay doing it. I’ll be your number one cheerleader.”

“Will you make a chant and everything?” I joke.

“You bet. I could even sing it at my concerts.”

I laugh. She says it like a joke, but I have a feeling she’d really do it. Her support means so much to me, to have another person in my corner, cheering me on.

When she’s done with the cut, she starts in on the boxed color. She chats about the drama happening on her favorite TV dating show, and I ask if she’s ever seen my favorite baking show. We explain the concept of each one, helping to pass the time. I love the slice of normalcy we have right now, just chatting about nothing important but enjoying each other’s company. It’s what I’ve missed, these simple moments, since the whirlwind of everything after finding out we’re twins.

Once I wash the dye out of my hair, Stella asks, “Are you ready to use the fake tan?” She hands me a white bottle.

“Is this really necessary?”

“Yeah, we need to get you darker. Tomorrow, I’mgoing to get extensions for my bangs so I can hide them, and I’ll refrain from using the fake tanner for the next couple months.”

“Sure.” I follow her instructions on how to get the best fake tan of my life. When it’s all done, she points me in the direction of the mirror. I’ve been avoiding to look at myself in it since we started.

For the second time in a handful of months, I stare at my reflection in shock. The bob ends at the bottom of my ears and my bangs are thicker, heavier and skim the top of my eyelashes. The black hair is so shocking, I turn my face from side to side, trying to get used to it. The tan makes my green eyes pop, especially against the black hair. I don’t recognize the person staring back at me in the reflection and it’s more than a little disorienting.

“Do you like it?” Stella asks anxiously.

“Yeah, you did a great job. But it’s a bit shocking.”

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