The Fog Between Us

We used to be very close, but now, it seems like there's a fog separating us. Jake and I were siblings and we were super close. In fact, we are actually twins but I no longer say that because no one would believe me anyway. Our mother had a hard time giving birth to us. Jake came out first, strong and healthy while I came out after much effort, frail and sickly.

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Everyone preferred Jake but I never really cared because Jake preferred me. It felt good to be the preference and not the leftover. In school, everyone spoke about how handsome and strong Jake was, while I was considered the nerd. Although no one dared to bully me, I couldn't help but feel sad and angry each time I heard their silent giggles as I walked past.

The girls were worse. During our high school, they'll all send gifts and loads of love letters to Jake. Sometimes, I'd be asked to hand it to him which made me very pissed

"Can't you tell them off already," I complained to him one day.

"I can. But do you think they'll listen if I do," he replied thoughtfully and it was the truth.

Since Jake had all the attention, I focused on my books and always came top of my class until she showed up. Her name was Lily and like her name, she was very beautiful, delicate, charismatic, and intelligent. Most importantly, she was different. She didn't swoon over Jake like all the other girls and was the first person to tie with me in a long time. She was very intriguing and I instantly had a crush on her.

Over time we became close and she agreed to date me. She saw the beauty in me and was everything I had dreamed of and more. When I began dating her, I became popular because of her constant public display of affection. We became the cynosure of all eyes and for the first time, I got loads of attention.

It felt awesome! We would drive to school together, do our assignments, and watch movies when we felt like it. Life with Lily was beautiful and also short-lived. Suddenly, she began to find excuses not to come to my house and would avoid me like a plague anytime. She moved her seat away from mine and would eat lunch alone in the cafeteria.

I became alarmed and depressed. I felt dumped, and rejected! I turned to Jake who consoled me and asked me to forget about her. I didn't take his advice and waited for her till I finally got the chance to speak to her.

"Lily, you've been avoiding me," I said

"I'm sorry John but let's just break up. This ain't working," she said and left again in a hurry.

I let her be and decided to move on but I noticed something strange. One day, while walking along the hallway, I began hearing fierce whispers and when I peeped I saw Lily and Jake fiercely arguing.

"What else do you want from me Jake, What else," Lily whispered-yelled

"I want you," Jake said

"I love you, Lily.

How could you pick that .... that loser over me," Jake said and I had a bad feeling I knew very well who he was referring to as a loser.

"Well, I'm also a loser because I love that 'loser'

You made me lose him but I won't settle for you," Lily said and stormed off.

I quickly hid till they were both out of sight before coming out.

And that was how the fig between us came to be. It created a barrier between us. High and mighty like the walls of Jericho. He became a competition to me. I began to feel threatened by all he did and most of all, I was curious about what he had on Lily to make her break up with me but she was too embarrassed to confide in me.

The days turned to weeks and the fog between us grew. Looking back, you'd never believe that we were once very close. I tried talking to Lily many times and eventually, she agreed for us to continue dating but low-key. It turned out that Jake had forcefully kissed her one day when she came to visit and I was running late and had taken some pictures.

She agreed to his requests because she didn't want us to become enemies and Jake had threatened to post it on the school platform since everyone knew of her relationship with me. I got pissed and confronted Jake.

He admitted it and apologized, saying he loved her too. I was so furious. Just like that, he destroyed every bridge that could have ever brought us back together. Lily and I got into college together and we love each other more than ever.