"Kara, hurry up! We're late already!" Tara called out to her twin sister, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and impatience. She was already halfway down the stairs, her school uniform neatly pressed but her shoes still half-on, as she struggled to slip her feet into them. Her long hair bounced around her shoulders as she moved, and the clock on the wall kept ticking relentlessly, reminding her of how much time they were wasting.
"Ugh, I'm coming, I'm coming!" Kara replied from upstairs, sounding slightly flustered. She was rummaging through her cluttered desk in her room, her messy hair falling over her eyes as she quickly shuffled through papers, looking for something important. "I can't seem to find my project book anywhere!"
Tara rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin, but she couldn't help the small smirk that appeared on her face. "Oh, don't worry. You know you're going to miss it again. Always misplacing things," she teased. "I did three photocopies for you. Just wait here. I'll get it for you."
Without waiting for a reply, Tara dashed up the stairs, her sneakers thudding against the wooden floors. She passed through their small hallway and into their shared room. Both girls had spent most of their childhood in this room, and it reflected their contrasting personalities. Kara's side of the room was organized but messy, with stacks of books and scattered papers piled neatly on her desk. Tara's side, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of colors—brightly colored clothes hanging off the chair, random drawings pinned to the wall, and a collection of shoes lying haphazardly on the floor.
Tara moved with practiced ease, grabbing a large cardboard sheet from beside her bed and flipping through it until she found the project she had carefully tucked away. "Here it is," she said, almost to herself, as she pulled out the photocopy. "It's not much, but I did my best to make sure it would help."
Kara's voice came from downstairs. "Thanks, Tara, but I swear, I'm going to fail if we keep getting these assignments with no time to do them! I'm we just resume three days ago" Kara was known for her quick wit and determination, but even she couldn't hide her frustration with the school system that seemed to pile on work at the worst possible times.
Tara chuckled as she made her way back downstairs, the project in hand. "You know it's not that bad. You're just stressed. This is our final year, Kara. We've made it this far, and we can't afford to slip up now."
Kara, still struggling to tie her shoes, let out a heavy sigh. "I get it, Tara. It's just that everything feels so rushed. I feel like I'm going to blink and miss everything. Why do we have to get a project assignment just two days into school? It's not even fair."
Tara could see the worry written across Kara's face. They were twins, after all, and even though they were polar opposites in many ways, she knew Kara better than anyone else. Tara had always been the one to take things in stride, while Kara was the one who agonized over every detail. Their different temperaments balanced each other out, but sometimes it meant they got on each other's nerves.
"Don't worry. We'll get through this. Just a few more months until university," Tara said as she handed Kara the photocopy of the project. "You can't back out now. You know you need to pass this year to get into the university you want."
Kara took the paper reluctantly, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "I guess you're right. But, honestly, sometimes I just wish we had a little more time."
Tara was about to respond when she heard their mother's voice calling from the kitchen.
"Kara, Tara, hurry up! You don't want to miss the bus!" their mom shouted, her voice always filled with warmth and concern.
Kara and Tara exchanged a glance, both knowing they couldn't waste any more time. "Okay, Mom, we're coming!" they shouted in unison, making their way toward the front door.
As they stepped out, their father was waiting for them by the door, adjusting his tie and glancing at the clock on the wall. "You girls are going to make me late for work if you don't hurry up," he teased, his deep voice filled with a playful tone.
"Sorry, Dad!" Tara called, giving him a quick hug before grabbing her bag. "We'll be fine, though. It's just school!"
Their father chuckled. "Just school? That's how it starts, and then next thing you know, you're paying bills and dealing with your own problems. But don't worry, I know you two will do just fine. Take care, okay? And stay safe."
"We will, Dad!" Kara and Tara said in unison, running down the path toward the bus stop.
Their mother called out one last time from the doorway. "Don't forget your lunch! You know how important it is to eat well!"
Kara grabbed her lunch bag from the porch and tossed it over her shoulder. "Got it, Mom. Thanks!"
The twins then raced down the street, their shoes hitting the pavement in rhythm. They had grown used to the morning rush, but every day felt like a new adventure. The bus stop wasn't far, just a few blocks away, but today it seemed farther than usual, as if the world was stretching the minutes out in protest.
"Can't believe it's already the third day back," Kara said as they reached the bus stop, panting slightly from the run. "It feels like we just left for the summer."
Tara grinned. "I know, right? But this year's going to be different. We've got so much to look forward to!"
Just then, the bus pulled up with a squeal of brakes, and the two sisters quickly hopped on, flashing their student passes to the driver before finding two empty seats.
As they settled in, Kara looked out the window, lost in thought. The hustle and bustle of the morning faded into the background, and she allowed herself a moment to reflect. The thought of their last year of school sent a bittersweet wave over her. On one hand, she was excited to move on to university, but on the other, she was overwhelmed by the pressure of making the most of their last few months in school. So much would change after graduation, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.
Tara, ever the optimist, nudged Kara's shoulder. "Hey, don't overthink it. It's just one year, and then we're free. Think about all the new things we'll get to experience at university."
Kara smiled at her sister's unshakable optimism. "I know, Tara. You always know how to make me feel better."
Tara winked at her. "That's what sisters are for."
The bus ride was short, and soon they arrived at a stop close to their school. As they got off, Tara pulled ahead, already excited for the day ahead, while Kara took a moment to gather her thoughts. It wasn't just about the project; it was about everything—what came after school, what came after graduation. The future was both thrilling and terrifying, but she knew one thing for sure: no matter what happened, she'd have Tara by her side.