Shifting by Rachel D'Aigle

the trio was alone.
    “Not yet,” answered Meghan, grateful that at least for the time being, she did not have to lie.
    “How about you, Jae? How behind are you?” asked Colin.
    “I can catch up. I have to catch up. Getting behind doesn’t go over well ‘round here. Besides, I had a lot of chances to practice when I was on my own, best training I’ve ever had,” he said confidently.
    “You know I think you’re great!” said Colin enthusiastically. Jae laughed, brushing off Colin’s comment, but his face gave away how thankful he was to hear it.
    “See ya after school,” Jae yelled. He mouthed, “Good luck,” as he disappeared from view, leaving the twins alone. The twins waved back, noticing other students gawking at them.
    “Do these people ever stop staring?” asked Meghan under her breath.
    “Does not appear so,” Colin thought back to her.
    Up the road from the school, the twins slowed. Two unfriendly female voices rounded the corner. The twins moved to the side of the road hoping to let whoever it was pass by.
    “Hurry up, Dulcy. You’re making us late again,” the first voice admonished impatiently.
    “I’m trying, Darcy. Wait up,” the second girl answered in a whiny voice. As the one named Darcy spotted the twins, her eyes brightened with an ugly smirk. She blocked the road.
    “I was hoping I would come face to face with you two.” Meghan’s guard went up, and she went into defensive mode. Colin shut down, unable to speak.
    30
    “So what about it?” asked Meghan, her expression focused. The girl named Dulcy caught up to Darcy. She twirled her shoulder length brown hair, snickering.
    “Lucky for you, my time is short,” the girl said. She strode closer, her tan face scowling directly into Meghan’s. Her brown eyes were hateful and matched the color of her pulled back hair.
    “What do you suppose this is all about?” Meghan sent to her brother. Colin didn’t answer.
    Meghan glanced at him sideways. His face was blood red. “Okay, you’re not going to be any help.” She put her attention back on the girls. “I’m still waiting,” prompted Meghan, her gaze firm. Darcy’s eyes glared with fury.
    “Deliver the message,” she hissed to Dulcy.
    “You two better watch yourselves,” she warned, still twisting her hair. Meghan nearly laughed and bit her tongue.
    Did someone say valley girl! What an idiot! She thought.
    “It’s clear,” Dulcy continued, “you’re just a couple of wolves in cheap clothing! We’re watching you.”
    Meghan could not stop from laughing this time. Colin wondered if his sister had gone mad.
    “In cheap clothing… now that is an insult,” laughed Meghan.
    Darcy swatted Dulcy up side the head.
    “What?” she whimpered. “That was the message wasn’t it?”
    Darcy dug into Dulcy’s arm and tore away; glaring at the twins as she stalked passed them.
    “You complete ding bat!” Darcy spat out. “Sheep’s clothing. Not cheap clothing! How many times did I tell you that?” The girls disappeared.
    Meghan, still laughing, was scolded by Colin.
    “What were you thinking?”
    “We can’t let them think we’re weak, Colin.”
    “Easy for you to say,” he muttered. They continued on their journey to Grimble. “We should try not to make enemies. Remember what Uncle Eddy said about good behavior and gaining trust?”
    “I know, Col, but think about it. Those girls had their minds made up already.” He knew she was right about the girls, but he still despised making new enemies. This was not a place they could simply pack up and leave behind.
    As they entered Grimble, Colin realized he had not told his sister about Corny, living in the basement. Part of him did not want to and wished she would discover him on her own.
    “He lives in the basement? Does he get out?” she asked, confused. Colin decided she did not comprehend the old man.
    “No, I don’t think he gets out.”
    “That’s awful. They need to get him out, get some air.”
    “I