“We wouldn’t have gotten it for you if it was a problem.” I squeeze his shoulder. “Just say thanks, Jamie.”
Kai exhales, tension easing out of him. A goofball grin lights up his face as he says, “Thanks, Jamie. We gotta head to the skatepark and test this out.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Cake first.”
“Malakai,“ his mother shouts from below the stairs.
Kai rolls his eyes. “Good lord, she must be pissed if she’s using my full name.”
“Will you hurry up?” she continues to shout.
“We’re coming,” Kai calls out, tucking the drone under his arm as he dashes downstairs.
I follow and watch Kai veer toward Aunt Maddy and give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Mrs. Nelson corrals everyone into the dining room to gather around the table. Mr. Nelson finishes lighting the sixteenth candle on the heavily frosted cake and waves his hands like an orchestra conductor as we sing “Happy Birthday” to the twins.
After the twins—mostly Kai—blow out the candles, Mrs. Nelson encourages them to bunch up for a photo. It’s the annual tradition, even though it’s obvious both boys would rather not celebrate together.
“Mom,” Milo grizzles, flinching as his mother smooths his hair with her hand.
“Okay, okay,” Mrs. Nelson says, moving around the table and readying the camera on her phone. “Say cheese.”
Kai slings an arm around Milo and smirks at the camera lens. “Cheese.”
Milo’s smile is much more subdued, and he doesn’t say a word. Despite being identical, it’s easy to tell the boys apart when standing close together. Kai has short, cropped hair, whereas Milo’s has grown out to a longer length, making his hair appear fuller. They’re both tall with slim builds, however, Kai stands an inch taller and has some muscle definition. Then there are the glasses Milo wears, yet Kai has perfect vision. However, Kai has a scar below his left eye. How he got the scar is still a mystery. Kai refuses to tell anyone the story because he swears we won’t be able to handle it.
People at school randomly get them mixed up, but I just don’t get how it’s possible. Not only do their physical differences make them stand out asindividuals, but their personalities couldn’t be more opposite. As Kai puts it,“Milo’s commitment to the man makes him the enemy.”
After some small-talk and too much chocolate layer cake, standing around indoors gets too much for us.
“Okay, let’s get going,” Kai says with a thunderous clap.
“Are my blades still in your garage?” I ask.
Kai points toward the garage, nodding. “Yep. Let’s go.”
As the boys and I move out of the kitchen, Aunt Maddy calls out to me, “Wear your pads. I don’t want to deal with any broken bones right now.”
I huff, calling back. “Fine.”
“Have fun guys,” Mrs. Nelson says, clearing the plates from the table.
I turn and wave as Milo leaves the dining room in the direction of the staircase. His cat races upstairs, taking full advantage of the guys leaving. Milo gives a small smile and then I turn back to follow the guys out.
The boys ride skateboards, but I find rollerblading way more fun. I love bending low, widening my stance, getting as much speed as possible, and feeling the air whip around me. In my opinion, it makes taking the turns, jumps, and rails at the skatepark much more daring.
With my knees and elbows padded up, and head protected by a helmet, I’m ready to tackle the open road. Well, the neighborhood streets toward the skatepark, that is. Two months ago, I wrecked it on the way to the skatepark. I hadn’t even made it to any ramps or rails. I tumbled against the asphalt, gained some scrapes and bruises, a sprained wrist, and swollen ankle. Now, if I fall, I can aim for a padded area.
I didn’t break anything last time, but I don’t want to risk it. We live in the mountains, meaning it can be icy on the roads. Plus, it’s the middle of the soccer season. I want nothing jeopardizing my place on the team. It doesn’t help when Kai brags about his string of broken bones. First, he dislocated his shoulder at five-years-old, and lastly, he broke his collarbone before his fifteenth birthday. His history makes Aunt Maddy nervous, and I don’t need her stressing about me.
“Hey, what’s up with you?” Kai asks, latching onto my elbow. “Why do you seem so down?”
“No, it’s nothing,” I say, trying to keep my tone light. “I’m good. It’s your birthday. I don’t want to get into it.”
“Jamie,” Kai says in a supportive tone. “You’re my best bud. If something’s wrong with you, it’s wrong with me too.”
I grit my teeth, staring into his eyes. “Are you sure?”
