Three Thirds

1

Did you grow up wishing you had a twin?

Really? How about being in a triplet?

When you are in a triplet, you never feel alone, right? You have two other people who understand you. Two other people who you shared your mother's womb with. That's how it is. You did everything together growing up. You saw each other grow inch by inch. That's how it is. You would know when one of you lied, had a bad day, everything. It was a small world containing the three of you inside a bigger world containing everyone else. Although that sounds nice, it's not true. This story is about triplets. Robin, Jay, and Wren.

"Robin? Are you going to pay attention?"

I lifted my head from my desk, "huh?" Mrs. Mayweather sighed and pointed to a question entitled to the book. I shook my head and mumbled the round and cursive words written above her finger, "why do you think Dystopia is a common setting for novels," I raised my voice, "because it adds a sense of adventure?"

"Good, next time pay more attention, Robin." Mrs. Mayweather turned back to the white board.

I groaned and put my forehead back on the desk. Last block of the day. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I sit up and look to my left. Doug stifled a chuckle. He pointed to the center of his forehead then at mine. I pulled out my phone and went to the camera. A large patch of red was spread across my forehead from pressing my head into the desk. I started to rub it, but the color remained.

The bell rang, and I stood up and put my bulky phone in my pocket. "C'mon, boy who lived," Doug stated in a sarcastic tone.

I scoffed, "it's not my fault. This class is so dumb." I pulled my backpack from the floor and put it on. I cough and start for the door.

"So what's the Laurel family up to today?"

"I think Jay and Wren are going roller skating. I'm probably going to be disappointing my parents and getting the, 'you know, if you acted like your siblings we wouldn't have this conversation' talks."

"Damn. Are they still giving you crap about that? Are they homophobic?"

"Maybe. But I just think they wish I followed suit with my other siblings." I gave a laugh, "maybe deep down inside they're thinking, 'huh? Now you're gay? Tsk, you're no daughter of mine','" I mimicked.

Doug laughed, "whatever. If it gets bad you can stay at my house. My mom wants me to be gay."

I open the front door to the school, "lucky. My mom loves to tell me about the difference between Wren and I."

"Speak of the devil," he whispered under his breath as he nodded his head towards Wren and Jay.

Jay waved as we got closer, "hey Robin, hey Doug."

Doug shrugged and gave a three-fingered wave, "later three musketeers." He slowly walked to his car.

Wren laughed, "bye Doug." She adjusted her bag on her shoulder.

Jay poked my shoulder, "so do you want to go to Walmart and get pints of ice cream?"

I shook my head, "you two go, I'm going to go on a walk."

Jay shook his head, "are you-"

Wren gave a fake smile, "let her go, c'mon Jay."

I sighed and walked away. A sharp pain in my chest resonated with her words. She's been saying a lot of stuff like that lately. I think she's taking mom's words to heart. I readjusted my backpack.

I'm already slipping away.

Whatever. I'm turning eighteen in less than a month. They can deal with me applying for an out of state college. I cross the street to start toward my house. I realized that I have the Skype interview for the college in New York. I pull out my phone and text my mom that I need peace and quiet at five o'clock.

I put my phone in my sweater pocket. It buzzes but I don't look at it. Lately all her texts have been little stabs at me. I walk up to my porch. No cars are in the driveway, so I pull out my house key from my backpack. I open the door and walk into the house. I take my backpack off and slam onto the couch. My mind goes to the money stashed under my bed.

I close the front door and walk up to the attic. My parents moved me there when I was eleven: long story short, I made Wren's life a living hell, so I switched rooms with Jay. It wasn't all bad, I learned how easy it is to sleep without someone snoring. I walk to my bed and reach under to grab the mason jar containing three hundred dollars. I took a deep breath and put it back. I started that four years ago, and it still scared me whenever I thought of a family member finding it.

I lay down on the floor and take deep breaths. Just a few more months.