Chapter 2 - 001. Kimberly Westwood.

"So, Kristina, tell us. What made you start dancing?"Kristina smiles gently, eyes trailing away from the interviewer and upwards, as if she's looking for the answers. That perhaps it's written in the stars-- or better yet, the stage lights. "Well, my parents were the ones who signed me and my sister up for ballet. I guess to get us out the house and to learn something new at a young age-- I don't think they thought anything of it or that either of us would stick to it.""And obviously you did?" A rhetorical question paired with a toothy smile of jagged teeth and an audience who laughs casually, simply because of the comedic timing.Kristina laughs as well, light and airy. "Yes and I'm glad that I did. It was the best decision I ever made. 100%!"The interviewer nods, head turning to the audience. "And I'm sure we can all agree with you and say how lucky we are to have you as a dancer. Am I right folks?"The audience cheers, the camera panning over the different faces. It lingers on a few enthusiastic audience members and once on an unimpressed audience member. The camera flashes back to Kristina who glows at the reaction. "Warms my heart that you all feel that way. Thank you!""And I'm sure your parents are very lucky to have such a talented daughter. I know that I would be." Another round of laughter from the audience. Then it stops as the interviewer leans forward, as if he's going to whisper a secret to the dancer. "Though, there are some people who are curious about your parents. Most dancers love to post pictures of their families, especially when their families come to their performances, but that's not the case with you. Your fans have never seen any pictures of your family on your social media, none that you've shared or that they've posted. It's gotten to the point that some of your fans wonder if your family actually come to your performances.""Well, I'll assure you that my family do come to my performances. They're just very private and don't want their pictures spread online."The interviewer nods. "And that's understandable. Not everyone wants to be internet famous." His eyes, however, don't match his words, anyone could see that. Though, he doesn't push as he swiftly moves to a different topic. "But what about your sister. I assume that she didn't continue with ballet like you?""No, she didn't find the appeal in it. Said it wasn't for her, which I totally get," Kristina says. "But she still comes to my shows. No matter where or when it is, best believe she's there in the audience waiting for me.""I take it that she's your biggest fan.""She's more than that, she's my best friend. I can always count on her to be there for me." She has a found smile that pulls everyone, cameras included, to focus in on her. "She's my twin sister, trust, she'll always have my back, and I'll always have hers.""How many times are you going to watch that?""Until I have it fully memorized in English and Japanese.""You're unbelievable." And yet, Kimberly Westwood can't help herself from watching it over his shoulder.Wren Nishikawa shrugs, his usual boyish grin on his face. "I gotta prepare myself before we see her. She needs to know that I'm her biggest fan.""Yeah, good luck with that."Wren can try all he wants but Kristina Westwood's biggest fan is obviously Kimberly, aka her younger twin sister. No one can beat her when it comes to loving and supporting her sister, not even Wren who has known them since diapers. "We both know that it won't impress, Kris.""Maybe not but it will annoy the hell out of her.""You're terrible." Kimberly lightly shoves him as he lightly chuckles. "Are you really trying to be her biggest fan or her biggest hater?"Wren casually shrugs, pausing the interview on his phone, the frame stopping on a smiling Kristina. The pause is so easy and effortless that Kimberly wonders if Wren genuinely has the full video memorized. "Sometimes your fans can be your biggest haters. Look at the current stan culture, most of these fans really hate these celebs who they apparently love."Kimberly can neither agree or disagree with Wren, after all, she was just was informed of the meaning behind "stan" (Kristina was telling them of her new stans who have been a bit much lately). She has always been the most offline person ever, no social media accounts, never a huge fan, or stan, of anyone. The most she has is Doordash, Lyft, and WhatsApp. It's always Kristina and Wren who keep her informed regarding the pop culture world, though, very rarely does any of it stick."Where should I drop you guys off at?"The two look up at their Lyft driver, an old man that reminds Kimberly of her next door neighbor's pug. Wrinkles and all, the driver is just missing the runny nose and the desire to stick his tongue out. "Over there should be fine," Kimberly says, pointing to the right.The driver nods, following her directions. He parks with ease, unlocking the doors before staring at the two through the rearview mirror. Without saying a word, Wren gets out first and Kimberly follows, though, she has more manners than her best friend, letting out a quick thank you. By the time she's out of the car with her bookbag, Wren has already pulled out both of their suitcases. "Got everything?" He asks, closing the trunk."Yeah." Readjusting her bookbag straps, she waves and closes the car door. "Ready?""After you, m'lady."Kimberly takes the lead, walking up the short stairs that lead to the familiar dark wooden doors. Just a few months ago, she was here, carrying three boxes at once, attempting to appear as a normal young woman helping her sister move in. Only it didn't work as an older woman watched her with wide eyes, asking Kimberly what her parents fed her to make her so strong. Kimberly could only awkwardly shuffle away, unable to answer her. After that, she would only carry one box at a time.The door opens without either of them having to knock or press a button. There, standing on the other side is a face that instantly brightens up Kimberly's whole demeanor. "You guys made it!" Kristina throws her arms around her twin, pulling her close and practically crushing her. "I'm so happy to have you here, OMG!"Kimberly returns the hug, head resting on her sister's shoulder. "I'm happy to be here.""I'm also happy to be here." The sisters slightly pull apart, heads turning to look back at Wren and the two suitcases he was left to carry. "Do I also get a hug?"Kristina gives him the typical look that she always gives him, a combination of who are you and you ruined it. And in typical Wren fashion, he smirks, eating up the nonverbal response. And as usual, Kimberly wonders if the two will ever end this childish charade. Focusing on Kimberly, Kristina fully pulls away to hold the door open for her guests. "Come on, I'll show you guys my place."Her older sister's apartment has changed so much since the last time she saw her. Pictures, posters, framed tickets, and playbills cover the walls. Plants of different species and sizes were scattered around, some hanging from the ceiling, in corners, and on tables. The couch their parents bought was still there, this time with throw pillows and a knitted blanket, and even a light brown rug placed underneath. The apartment feels like a home, it screams Kristina and her roommate/best friend Dana, a fellow dancer she met in ballet school. "It looks nice," Kimberly says, nodding. "You guys did a good job."Kristina beams. "Thank you! It's still a work in progress-- Dana and I plan on going to a flea market with her boyfriend and his friends. We really want to get a bigger bookshelf, our current one cannot keep with Dana and her books." She gesture to the small bookshelf that is being drowned by books of all shapes, sizes, and colors. There are even books sitting on the floor around the poor thing.Wren whistles, pushing the suitcases up against a wall. "Has she considered going on a book ban?" He asks."You know damn well that book bans never work, Mr. I-Always-Gotta-Buy-A-New-Book-Wherever-I-Go."Wren shrugs, his shoulders lightly bouncing as he chuckles. "But I'm different. I don't buy books just to buy them or for the aesthetic. I buy books that will be read by the Nishikawa line for years to come.""Just shut up talking to me, Wren."Kimberly moves away from the two, having already developed the skill to ignore them whenever they start bickering like an old married couple. Instead, she focuses in on the pictures. Lots of Kristina and Dana with their dancer friends, of professional pictures of them dancing, and some from when they were students. Each carefully framed photo tells a story regarding Kristina's life, parts of her sister that Kimberly wasn't there to see. The familiar enemy known as envy fills her, hoping to drown her like Dana's bookshelf. Ever since Kristina moved to London to study ballet, Kimberly truly felt the disconnect between them. Kristina grew up, met new people, figured out who she was and what she wanted to do, while Kristina... stayed with their parents. Barely growing up, never meeting anyone new, and barely figuring out what she wanted to do. Instead, she does and follows whatever her parents tell her to do, fully becoming their little doll. It makes her ill sometimes."Okay, so, sleeping arrangements. You guys can leave your stuff in my room and use my bathroom. Kim will sleep with me and Wren you can have the couch," Kristina says, taking the suitcases into her room. "It's still pretty early out so you guys can explore Boston without me."Kimberly perks up, turning to look at her sister. "Without you?" She asks. "Where are you going?""I gotta go to rehearsal and prepare for opening night," she says, now fully inside her bedroom. "I'm only here because I had to let you guys in." Kristina comes out a second later, this time with her duffle bag. It's here that Kimberly takes in her older sister's appearance. Sweatpants, a dark blue pullover, pink sneakers, and her long braids pulled into a tight ponytail. Her guests may have arrived but that didn't stop Kristina from leaving, even as it pains Kimberly. "I'll be back late tonight, okay? But I promise that tomorrow we'll get breakfast and dinner, deal?"No deal. "Deal." Always unable to share her true thoughts and feelings, Kimberly just nods through the pain. "We'll see you late tonight."Kristina smiles, placing a gentle kiss on Kimberly's forehead. "See you tonight." She makes her way to the door, only to stop when Wren taps his cheek, expecting a kiss. She scoffs, walks pass him and out the front door."Well, that was a nice reunion." Wren turns to Kimberly, smiling pitifully. "Are you okay?"The answer is obvious to her best friend, he knows her better than anyone else, even more than her sister. "Come on, I'm hungry," Kimberly says, avoiding the question. What's the point of asking when Wren already knew the answer?Even so, he doesn't question her again or push her to speak. He just steps to the side, giving her the space to leave. "Ladies first.".There is beauty to an audience, as there is imperfection. It is the audience who influences the performers onstage. With each sigh, each gasp, each cry, and each sniffle breathes life into the performers, supplying them with the motivation and energy they need to perform. Even the most quiet and reserved reactions are felt and appreciated. Much better, and more desired, than a dead audience that gives the performers nothing.The one time Kimberly was ever onstage was when she was first leaning ballet. More than twenty-two years ago, no more than the age of six, Kimberly still remembers suffering under the stage lights and flashing cameras from the audience. The audience was eager to love and support their dancing children, some to coo at the adorable dancers who stumble on their dance routines, there was nothing but love. However, for a six year old Kimberly, it was an overwhelming moment in her life. The adoring eyes appeared sinister, glaring and waiting for her to fail. For her to mess up, to fall off the stage even. Too scared and caught up in her own imagination, Kimberly couldn't bring herself to move from spot backstage. It was only thanks to Kristina that she was able to go out there. Kristina who smiled brightly and wiped away Kimberly's tears, telling her that it'll be okay because they'll be together. Simple words that gave Kimberly the strength to go onstage, her hand in her sister's, never letting go as they danced together, giggling and smiling like the angels they were.Wren said the two of them looked like princesses dancing. It was last time Kimberly ever felt like one.As the final dance comes to an end, the hall erupts with applause. Their claps, and even shouts, grow louder as each company member takes their bows. Their faces flushed due to the immense love. Kimberly could pinpoint the dancers' friends and family just by pinpointing where the loudest screams were coming from. There's no shame in cheering for your loved one, she knows this better than anyone because as soon as she sees Kristina, she instantly becomes the loudest one in the room. It's become a tradition between her and Wren where they challenge each other to see who can scream the loudest for Kristina. For over twenty years, the two have made it to their goal to destroy the eardrums of those around them and their own vocal cords. Sometimes, they're given strange looks, other times people will smile in their directions, and occassionally someone will join in their fun. Really, neither of them care about those around them, nor have they kept tracked of who's been winning and losing. They only care about their favorite dancer and her bright smile.Only this time, when Kristina walks out to take her bow, the entire audience decides to partake in the challenge. It shouldn't be a surprise that the woman playing the Sugar Plum Fairy is receiving so much love, such an important and favored role. It's just the amount of love that her sister is receiving that energizes Kimberly, filling her with pride as if she were the one onstage. She can understand why Kristina adores the stage, the rush and attention would make anyone jealous.Here, everyone can see how much of a princess, no, a queen Kristina Westwood is.As Kimberly Westwood becomes the forgotten princess, never to be seen or heard from again.Right after bows, the audience all rush out. Many leave for the doors, geefully talking about the performance and of how in awe they are of the dancers. Others waited in the lobby, talking amongst themselves about the show and plans for afterward. Wren and Kimberly do the same, standing up against a wall, waiting for Kristina to come out.Kris: ill be out soon!!!"How soon do you think she'll be?" Wren asks. "Because I'm starving."Kimberly shrugs. "I think she's changing, so it'll take her a minute." Though, knowing her sister, it won't be a quick change. She'll get distracted very easily and try to talk to everyone, just until she remembers that Wren and Kimberly are waiting for her. It has happened more times than Kimberly would like to admit. "Start looking for a place to eat so we can go there right away."Wren hums, looking down at his phone. "But that also depends on what everyone wants to eat." His fingers glide across his little screen, scrolling through Google Maps in hopes of finding a place to eat. "I know that Kris would want to eat pasta, so it's going to be tricky finding a place that works for her. Oh, maybe we should try this place--"She's listening to Wren, even looking down at his phone to see what he has in mind for dinner. Until her heart starts to race and a buzzing noise fills her ears, drowning out the world around her. It's a feeling that she knows all too well, a sense that she has become familiar with since she was a little girl. Somewhere in this room is a vampire, and from the way her heart races, it's close.Her hand itches and flexes for her knife that she always keeps hidden on her, she's even prepared to tell Wren to prepare himself for a potential fight. However, just as she's making the decision to attack, she hears it. A dry laughter sets her heart off in a way that makes her feel pathetic. The laughter is so clear and loud that Kimberly almost mistaken it as Wren's laughter. However, she knows what his laugh sounds like, his now deeper and rumbles her bones. This laughter, while dry and humorless, it has Kimberly itching to find the owner and fawn over the person who's laughter rings like a melody that she's unable to forget.Kimberly turns in the direction of the sound, to catch a glimpse of whom the laughter belongs to. That's when she sees her. Standing a few feet away from Kimberly and Wren is the most beautiful woman she has ever seen. Light brown hair that cascades down her back, the front pieces perfectly framing her face. She can even see how her hair curls gorgeously and lightly bounces with every graceful movement. The woman wears a deep red dress that wraps around each curve of her body that Kimberly almost feels bad for staring at her in such a way. Even with the tan blazer that the woman wears, Kimberly desire to know more about the woman and the details of her dress.The woman stands with such grace that Kimberly assumes that the woman is someone of importance. It's obvious that the woman can easily command those around her, her aura alone has Kimberly wanting to know more about her, to study every bit of this woman who's laughter called out to Kimberly like a siren.Suddenly, aware of the eyes on her, the woman looks away from the man she was talking to and directly at Kimberly. It's there that she feels her heart drop into the pit of her stomach. Red eyes bore into her soul, in attempt to pull apart Kimberly and see her for who she truly is. It makes her shiver in both fear and excitement. It makes her want to claw away at her own skin and lay herself bare for this mystery woman, to let her see who she truly is. She would do anything for a woman so--"Beautiful.""What?"Then it's back, the sound, the music, the chatter. It's all back. Wren stares at Kimberly, confused. "Are you calling me beautiful? A little strange if you are, seeing that I'm not your type.""No, not you." Like he said, he's not her type. "I'm talking about--" She looks back in the direction of the woman, ready to point her out to her best friend. However, as she tries to search for the woman, she's not there, nor the man she was talking to. Just an empty space. "Oh.""Oh?"Oh. "I was talking about this... this woman. She was standing there, laughing and talking to this man. I swear, she was there, she was even looking at me with those--" Then it hits her, dread filling her at the realization.Wren gives her a look of concern, no longer caring about dinner. "Kimberly? Are you okay?""I don't know." How okay can she be when the most beautiful red eyes she's ever seen belonged to a gorgeous Vampire? One who she let get away?Welcome to Boston.