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I admit I wasn't expecting a glorious invitaion. But something would surely have been nice. I sighed, shaking my head. I had only started at Kaston School of Magic three months ago, and felt like an outcast. I always got strange looks from people, but was never really noticed. Everyone was undoubtedly better at everything than I...and probably thought I was deluding myself if I even thought of being anything but a shadow. Well, I might as well live up to my new rep. It wasn't like no one could see me: I have blood red hair and golden green eyes, wasn't really that short, and didn't appreciate wallowing in darkness. My clothes were the average uniforms that Kaston required.

~Never mind that, Aylin, you're on the right track. Just keep your head up and you should be just fine.~ I told my self this over and over again, but the more I told myself, the more hopless it seemed. Today was supposed to be the day I was to dread most anyway. Parents Day. One day a school year where parents/siblings are allowed to come and visit for a whole day. Being as it is that I don't have any parents made this day officially suck. I do have a sibling though. A twin brother, in fact. Aremis. He and I were indeed twins, but he had dark raven black hair and depthless dark grey eyes. I had always assumed that's what attracted people to him. He and I were as close as could be. I mean, he was always looking out for me, and did enjoy spending time with his two and a half mintue younger sister. But he still had his friends. These days, I'm surpassed by the "in" crowd that adopted him right into their group right away, leaving me coughing in the dust behind. I'd always been an after thought compared to Aremis. Our parents died seven years ago, and he was undoubtedly their favorite. My name means "halo around the moon", and I'm not bad looking, but Aremis had that wrong-side-of-the-tracks look about him, while still being funny, and the sweetest guy you'd ever meet, that still loves his sister.

"OW!" I exclaimed as a tall boy interjected himself right into my path of walking. He didn't even look back...just kept power walking away.

~Great, unseen, unheard and unknown yet again.~ I rolled my eyes at the thought. I had to get to class. If I was late to Potions one more time, I was certain Professor Lorenthaw would turn me into a rat and cage me for three weeks. I almost began sprinting. The deafening bell clanged just as I slid into my seat.

~Safe.~ I let a breath of relief escape. Lorenthaw began his lecture and I took attentive notes. Maybe if I was really good, he'd let me hide in his class during Parent's Day only one short class away. My stomach tied itself in knots. I ran out of ink twice. That's how much writing I was doing. Suddenly, a crumpled paper landed on my desk.

~Careful, your arm might fall of, Adaire.~ It read. Why my brother insisted upon calling me by my last name, I should never understand.

~I'm trying to take notes, Aremis.~ I threw it back. I knew his handwriting anywhere, and could spot it from a mile away. Plus, there was always his bright spark of energy that was left from his hand on the paper whenever he sent me notes.

~I can see that. Don't hurt yourself. What's the rush anyway? You never take notes this...diligantly.~ I took that as an insult. Brothers.

~Thanks for not noticing. I take notes everyday. Maybe not so much, but I'm used to writing a lot. Now stop it before Lorenthaw gets us in----
I didn't have time to finish. Professor Lorenthaw already had his pointing stick skeward through the middle of the note. Why was I always the one getting caught? Aremis got away with everything!

"Passing notes in class, are we Miss Adaire?" My eyes widened as I looked up at my Professor. I tried to explain myself, but I was coming up blank. I had nothing. A group of Aremis's friends were laughing and snickering at me.

"Yes, sir. I didn't mean to be a disruption." I said quietly. Aremis nicknamed me "Whisper" because I didn't talk particularly loud in public.

"You shall serve a detention after class." He dictated, picking up the freshly shishkabobbed note. "As well as your brother. I have a feeling he had some part in this as well." Aremis's face went pale. He never got caught. My own jaw dropped, and the room became dead silent. His head numbly turned toward me from across the room. He looked indifferent. Only seconds ago had he been petrified, now he was all cool beans about it. I tried not to look at him for the remainder of the class, but I knew I was going to get it...and it wasn't even my fault. My notes really dulled after that. We did little work with actual potions that day. After all, we were in the beginners class still. It made me feel stupid. My grades were exceptional in Potions, and Aremis's were perfect, but neither of us had been moved up. Acctually, Aremis was provided a chance to change classes, but he stayed because of me. He wanted to throw pieces of paper at me and get me in all kinds of trouble. Lovely. When class concluded, I didn't move from my seat as Aremis was moved to a seat farther away from me. Professor Lorenthaw talked with Aremis, then came to me.

"You usually don't get into trouble, Miss Adaire." He paused, thinking a moment.

~Yeah, I know you're rethinking that.~ I thought.

"You aren't the type to disrupt the class. I don't know what's gotten into you today, but it ends now. Are we clear?" He said, firmly, but kindly. I was shocked. I was being let off with a warning. No scrubbing the floors or washing the cauldrens? No harsh punishments?

"I understand." I replied, quietly.

"Aremis, you may leave. But mind you this, do try and take care of your sister." Lorenthaw called after Aremis. He stood slowly.

"I always will. Thank you, sir." He left without another word. That made me smile. I felt protected at that moment.

~Thank you, Aremis.~

"Now, you may go, Aylin. There's no point in keeping you in." He dismissed me and walked over to his desk. I hesitated.

"Um, Professor?" I asked, daring to raise my voice so he could hear.

"Yes?" He seemed a little distracted as he put his papers away, as if to leave. He was probably going to meet some parents.

"Do you think---um, do you think I could stay in here for Parents Day?" I asked boldly. His head shot up, holding eye contact as soon as it was made. He knew about my situation, and I hoped he would understand.

"Very well. You may study here. I am going outside. If there's anything you might need, you can come and find me." With that he left. I nodded to myself.

~Thank you.~ I put my head down adn closed my eyes. There was nothing but sorrow for me outside. Nothing to be gained, no joy to be found. Only stabbing pain and dark lonliness. I wondered what Aremis was doing. I assumed he was meeting his friends' parents and having a good time.

~Good for him.~ I thought. ~He deserves to have a good time.~ With that, I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.