The Petrova Doppelgängers

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, a stark contrast to the heavy quiet that still clung to Niki Gilbert's room. "Niki! Niki! Wake up! We're going to be late!" Elena’s voice, sharp and insistent, cut through the silence, followed by the jarring shake of Niki’s shoulder.

Niki groaned, pulling her pillow over her head. "Five more minutes, Elena." But the blankets were already yanked away, leaving her exposed to the cool morning air. Elena, ever the punctual one, chuckled. “Nope, sorry. You do this every year. Not this time.”

With a huff, Niki flung herself out of bed, a protest against the tyranny of mornings. Elena’s laughter trailed out of the room. Niki resisted the urge to tackle her twin, opting instead for the necessary ritual of getting ready for the first day of school. Her straightened hair from the night before was a small mercy. Casual clothes and sneakers were her uniform; comfort over fuss.

Downstairs, Jeremy and Elena were already at the counter, their breakfast interrupted by Aunt Jenna’s frantic, well-meaning questions. “Okay, you guys all set? Got your pencils and pens?!”

Niki, apple in hand, nodded. "Hey, don't you have a meeting?"

Jenna sighed, grabbing her purse. "Oh, yeah, as a matter of fact I do. You guys need a ride, or..."

Jeremy mumbled, "One of my friends are picking me up."

“It’s not one of your stoner friends, is it? I hope not,” Elena’s voice cut in, sharp and disapproving.

Niki felt the familiar tension rise. “Elena…” she warned. The grief in their house was a palpable thing, handled by each of them in their own, often messy, ways. Niki just wished they’d let Jeremy be.