E.G.S.A by Katie spellman (ap literature book list TXT) 📕

but it only sounded like a challenge to both Taylor and I.

“No, the E.G.S.A has their own building, that’s where only the E.G.S.A members can go in and out of. Not even teachers can go in, I on the other hand can come and watch my Valerie anytime,” the headmaster said. Arching a eyebrow at her I wonder what she is getting at ‘watch my Valerie anytime.’ Apparently Taylor and Maddie were thinking the same thing as they stood in front of me. I shrugged and turned around facing the others. I only recognized 4 people out of the 8. Raising my eyebrow I looked at the girl who looked like she admired me.

“Oh, I’m Savannah, It’s my pleasure to meet you, trust me,” she introduced causing me to laugh.

“It’s nice to meet you two Savannah, I’m as you know it Valerie,” I introduced softly and smiled.

“I swear this Valerie person has two identities, I’m Tristan,” the blonde guy said with a lopsided grin. He held out his hand for me and I was about to shake it when Taylor pushed me back and Maddie shaked his hand instead.

“We didn’t know if it was a trick or something, after all we need to look after our Val Val,” Taylor explained and played with my cheeks. Taking his arm I fully flipped him out me and when he landed on the floor I sat on him.

“Don’t play with my cheeks Taylor Mark Anderson,” I said coldly like Tristan said two identities. Turning to the face the other I still sat on Taylor’s stomach. Pointing to the girl beside Savannah I smile.

“I’m Rose, I’m honored to meet someone like you Valerie especially with your double personality. It seems to make your angel like appearance shine,” she stated and I smiled even when Taylor coughed.

“Nice to meet you Rose, I like that name, it reminds me out a garden I used to visit everyday. At the garden there was a rose bush I treasured, it was a shame when all of the bad kids in my class burnt it down when they realized how much I like it,” I told her quietly. They would always either love or hate me right? Never an in-between. Rose looked sad at my sudden story so I pursed my lips and hoped on Taylor’s stomach for help.

“It doesn’t matter because Maddie and I cheered her up and planted a new one,” Taylor explained and I nodded. Maddie crossed her arms and looked spaced out, probably reminiscing.

~back then
As the rose bush went up in flames shadows of smoke followed. Sitting on the dirt path I cried, why are they so mean? Running up to the bush I quickly picked out one of the roses that didn’t burn and cherished it. Plopping down on the dirt beside the now ashes and smoke rose bush I waited for Maddie and Tay to come to my rescue. When they did I hugged them tightly, Maddie, Tay, and the rose.

“We’ll just plant a new one, together,” Maddie told me wiping one of my tears away while Tay wiped the other one.

“Why don’t you hate me like they do? They are always giving me a hateful glare or doing something mean,” I asked sniffling up some courage. Taylor sat down beside me and took my small hand while Maddie did the same with my other. They will always be on either side won’t they, I asked myself.

“It’s because we,” Maddie started then Taylor finished, “love you Val Val, because you is you.” Squeezing their hands I felt at peace for once in my life.

-Now.

Standing up off of Taylor I felt happy to have my other half back, without him it just doesn’t feel like I can fully be there.

“Hey Val Val, you haven’t met my brother have you,” Taylor asked then took my head leading me to the other side of the room where all 6 of them talked.

“Valerie did you know Ivan is Taylor’s brother,” Maddie exclaimed. Titling my head I gave them my confused look. Maddie and Mattie sighed both knowing that look whole-heartedly. But I wasn’t truly confused I just didn’t understand why I have to be in an arranged marriage with my best friend’s brother.

“Are you guys the same age? When we were little I never saw him in your house or out,” I wondered and both Maddie and Mattie looked stunned.

“We’re twins, but when we were younger he was either on the rode doing something for the company or a competition,” Taylor explained.

“Hi Ivan, it nice to meet you properly before I hate you for the rest of my life,” I stated coldly and everyone flinched.

“She’s so scary at times,” Mattie whispered somewhere in the corner.

“Taylor didn’t you hear, Valerie and Ivan are in an arranged marriage,” the headmaster gossiped, and as she did so I quickly escaped the room. When I was outside the room I felt relieved that no one noticed, well that all slipped away when Ivan was in front of me leaning on the wall outside the door. The palm of my hand met my face as I felt horrible.

“You didn’t even wait for my reply, anyways, Valerie you have met me before in the house and you were my friend, but of course Taylor robbed those memories from you,” he explained causing me to gain interest. Stepping forward I quickly spun around then leaned against the wall beside him.

“Continue,” I stated softly, back to my old self. The corner of his mouth twitched as if a memory came up in his mind and he was enjoying it, but then his lips went back down to a fine line.

“Well, I was always gone, but when I was at home you’d always come visit me and tell me about the times you had with Maddie and Taylor, but when it was my birthday you would only think about me, when I turned 9 so did Taylor, but he asked one of the doctors at our house to erase the memories of me from you so that he would be the center of your attention that night, and he did. I thought you forgot about me so I didn’t speak to you again, I was foolish and young but I didn’t know what he did. Not until I turned 10 and one of the doctors told me. I was angry at him, but relieved inside because it wasn’t you who forgot me. It’s just sad how we didn’t make any more memories because you never knew I existed,” he told, once and a while he would look over at me to see if I was actually listening. I was, but why would Taylor do that?

“After I turned 10, after I found out what Taylor did I was mad and asked my father to send me away so I didn’t have to see him or you because you would never remember me again. Taylor still isn’t my number one fan, but we grew together after we turned 15 because neither of us was with you anyways. Forgetting all that, here you are with both of us. This is obviously war with him, because he still wants you to only look at him. Valerie, please don’t let him make me sound like the bad guy, but I’m not trying to make him sound like Dr. Evil either. I just want you to know the truth.”

“Wait, you’re last name is Prince but Taylor’s is Anderson, I think I’m being fooled by Taylor Mark Whateveryourlastnameis,” I murmured softly and took my hand back holding it behind me with my other.

“That’s a story for another time,” he said then walked down the hall. When I was left alone in the hall I couldn’t help but feel sad. Why would I be happy, Taylor doing something like that? After a minute or so the rest of the members come out of the room behind the headmaster.

“I’ll be leading you to the E.G.S.A classroom,” she announced then slowly walked us down the highly decorated hallways. Walking with the others I couldn’t help but look towards Taylor in wonderment and ask myself if he would truly do it?


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Publication Date: 02-05-2012

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