‘Nope.Not yet.’I got a saucepan out and filled it with water, putting two eggs in to boil.
‘No crepes, Lex?You used to love them.’Mum sounded disappointed.
‘Sorry.Protein for breakfast.I’m in training.But, sure, I’ll take one as well.’I smiled and Mum’s face lit up as she handed me a plate with a crepe on it.
Niall snorted as he walked in, tie wonky, shirt tails hanging out, hair sticking up everywhere.And this is where me and Niall differed.I couldn’t leave the house like that, never mind go to school.
‘In training for what?’He walked over to Mum, sliding the plate of just-made crepes across the counter before drowning them in maple syrup.
‘I’m making the first team this year,’ I said.I’d told myself I was going to talk about it.Put it out into the universe in the hope that would help make it come true.
‘Oh really?’The food in his gob didn’t hide the sarcasm.
‘Yes, really.’I resisted the temptation to throw an egg at him.
‘Fair enough,’ he agreed with a nod, and I felt a flash of joy.‘Meg was saying Sadie’s gone all boss bitch this season.’
Meg?Only I called her ‘Meg’.
‘Yeah, what’s wrong with that?It’s the way it should be.It’s Westing FC not Ferndale United,’ I snapped.I didn’t get everyone’s problem with taking things seriously.If you don’t want to put the effort in, go to another club.
‘Nothing.Harrison’s the same; said there’s some new kid joining this week too.Better keep his hands off my position.’
‘Oh, I’m sure he won’t be as good as you, Niall,’ said Mum, Niall’s biggest fan.
‘Thanks, Mum.’My brother directed his smug smile right at me.
‘Bet Yamal doesn’t eat maple syrup,’ I said, checking the time for my eggs.
Niall responded by shoving the rest of the syrupy crepes in his mouth.
‘When’s Dad back?’I asked.I needed my own cheerleader home.
‘Not until Wednesday,’ Mum said.
I rolled my eyes, took out my eggs and sat down opposite Niall.‘You missed the match last night.You should have seen the goal Aitana scored.Free kick.’I kissed my fingers.‘Where’d you go after leaving Meg home anyway?’
‘Hunter’s.’
‘Oh, wow, proper bromance now,’ I teased.
‘Nah, he just wanted to show me his new football shirt.Venezia.Class.’Niall was scrolling through his phone.He smirked at the screen.
‘What’s so funny?’I asked, leaning over to see, but he slid the phone into his pocket.
He pulled a face then flicked my ponytail.‘None of your business.’
I sighed, fixed my hair, then lowered my voice so Mum wouldn’t hear.‘Did you do the maths homework?’
‘Shit!’Niall whispered.‘I meant to do it last night – completely forgot.Fuck.’Then he gave me his innocent begging look that worked for all the girls in our year.It also worked on me, but I had to at least hesitate before I said yes.He was just lucky that I didn’t want our name dragged through the mud any more than he’d already managed with his rubbish grades.Not that mine were amazing or anything, but they were better than his.
‘You can borrow mine.’
‘Thanks, I owe you.Best twin ever!’He disappeared to look for my homework.
After breakfast I looked in the mirror again, checking my slicked-back ponytail to make sure Niall hadn’t messed it up.I’d added a last-minute hairband to match the berry lip gloss I was wearing.I smoothed down my skirt and picked some fluff from my jumper.
I never wanted to be a ‘Blackport girl’.It’s one of the only private schools in Northern Ireland and the only reason we went there was because there was no chance in hell that Niall was getting into St Anne’s with his AQE score, and we hadn’t wanted to split up.