AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hannah’s blatant flirtation would almost bother me if I weren’t so distracted by Cassio.What’s with his voice? Is he getting sick, or are my ears playing tricks on me? And is he limping?His stride seems even enough. Just… different, somehow. I watch closely as he approaches Ellie and me, and his eyes find hers, then mine.
And it hits me. It’s not Cassio. It’s Lucca. They’re similar enough that no one would give it a second thought as to which one he is–especially when only one of them is in theater. Not to mention, Lucca is definitely wearing Cassio’s outfit from the last class. But it’s Lucca.
I know their unique traits, and now that I’ve identified the most obvious one–the freckle that’s missing from this twin’s right eye–I can recognize Lucca’s slightly neater hairstyle, his minutely more rigid gait, and the way his gaze shifts more readily to Ellie. Yes, this is definitely Lucca.
But then, where the hell is Cassio?He was just in our last class together.Wasn’t he?
I only experience a second of doubt before I recall his distinct smile as our eyes met in our last class. I just don’t have the same pull toward Lucca as I do Cassio. And it’s shockingly gratifying to realize I must have that same natural draw for Cassio.
Because Lucca doesn’t look at me like that. His eyes don’t linger on me, silently searching my soul. But they do with Ellie. He tried to hide it by looking at her first and keeping his glance short. But I could see their electric connection.
“Alright, everyone, pair off,” Professor Burgmann says as his usual introduction upon entering the room.
I half expect Lucca to remain with Ellie as I make my way to the back of the room, but instead, he follows me.
When we’re out of earshot of the rest of the class, I whirl on Lucca and level him with a signature glare. “Where the hell is Cassio?” I whisper to avoid giving away Lucca’s ruse.
Lucca’s face falls slightly before his expression shifts to impressed. “Ellie’s probably the only other person who can distinguish us that fast. Honestly, most people outside the family don’t even bother trying,” he says appreciatively. “But, man, I didn’t even have you fooled a full minute, did I?” He sounds comically disappointed by that fact.
I shrug. “You aren’t all that similar, in my opinion. But it definitely helps that I’ve seen you make goo-goo eyes at Ellie enough times to know just what it looks like, even if you’re trying to hide it.”
Lucca snorts as his lips curl into a smile. “You’re a sharp cookie. I always did think Cassio had good reason to like you so much, though I have to say, I’m impressed that you could hook him so well that he’d go to such great lengths to defy our father.”
Now that he mentions it, I’m dying to find out just what Lucca thinks of his brother’s behavior and how much he knows about all our relationship’s ups and downs. But I sense there’s a more pressing matter at hand. “Speaking of your absent sibling, why are you dressing up as your brother today anyway?”
“You need to feign a stomach ache or something and ask to go home,” he says, and I open my mouth to ask why I would want to do that. But he answers before I get the chance. “I’m here to be Cassio’s cover story so he can take you on that date he promised.”
I try to keep the surprise off my face to avoid attracting unwanted attention. “Wait, you’re skipping class, so Cassio doesn’t appear to be?”
“My lab class gave us independent work time for a project, so I have the rest of the day off. Seemed like a good opportunity to help Cassio disappear without disappearing, you know? Besides, it’s a win-win since Ellie’s in so many of your classes. I get to spend more time with her.”
His tone is casual, like this is just another walk in the park. I wonder how many times these two have swapped identities, for one reason or another, in their years of prank-pulling. I can only imagine.
“Where am I supposed to meet Cass?” I ask.
“Just get in your car. Cassio’s taken care of the rest.”
I’m floored by the lengths Lucca and Cassio have gone to make this date happen. I stand mutely for a moment as my mind catches up to the fact that I’m finally going to get to spend some uninterrupted time with the guy I’ve been crushing on since freshman year.
“Whoa, hey, if you’re feeling sick, then go home. I don’t want you yacking on my suit or something,” Lucca says, raising his voice for our neighboring classmates to hear and prompting my reaction.
I hunch my shoulders, curling in slightly around my stomach as I wrap my arms around my ribs.
“What’s that?” Professor Burgmann asks, making his way toward us as Lucca follows me back toward my stuff.
“Sorry, Professor. I think I might have eaten some bad food. I–” I slap my hand to my mouth as I make a heaving sound.
Professor Burgmann jumps back, paling visibly in what looks like a sympathetic gag response.
“Sorry, I think I better go home,” I say quickly.
“Yes, yes. By all means. Mr. Marchetti can find a new partner for the day. It seems Miss Langley’s partner is sick as well, so you can pair with her,” he says, nodding toward Lucca before gesturing to Ellie.
Suddenly, I wonder if Ellie’s absent partner was part of their master plan as well, but he couldn’t be. That would be far too small a detail to go into making this plan work without raising suspicion. Then again, it seems too great a coincidence that her partner wouldn’t show up on this exact day, and I am learning not to underestimate what the Marchettis can accomplish. When they want something, they find a way to get it. Ellie and I are perfect proof of that.
But I don’t waste time riddling it out. Continuing to hug my stomach and cover my mouth, I scramble toward my school bag and fling it over my shoulder before rushing out the door.
10
