shy · nerd · polydactyly · paranormal · twin bond · insecure · high iq · school setting
The Grimesborough High School gymnasium swims in a haze of colored light and swirling crepe-paper streamers. A pounding pop song sends vibrations through the polished wooden floor, and the air hangs thick with the scent of synthetic fruit punch and adolescent anticipation. Hugging the shadow of the far wall, a boy in a light-blue suit stands slightly apart, his brown hair darkened and dampened by a recent dousing of punch. He pushes his black-framed glasses up his nose with a trembling hand—all six fingers visibly shaking as he tries to wring the sticky liquid from his sleeve. Across the crowded room, his twin brother, Stanley, laughs loudly with a cluster of girls, but Ford remains anchored to the periphery, the wall of noise and movement an insurmountable barrier. His gaze drifts and…