Ballet Rehersal

"He spat at me this morning..."

Chelsea's eyes snapped open, "Why?!"

Tom shrugged. "I called him ugly."

Chelsea looked down.

"Which, you know, is as much a criticism to me as it is to him!"

Chelsea nodded, "Neither of you are ugly."

"No, Simon isn't. I am. You know every year the girls do this silly voting the most handsome guy thing? Well...I came seventh...Simon came first! How does that happen? We're identical!"

"Neither of you are." Chelsea reapeated firmly. "Just because you are identical, does not mean that people don't see you in slightly different ways, and besides, how many guys are in this school? you are still in the top ten."

"Ugh...you know...my...my parents can't tell the difference between us..."

"Do you want them to be able to?" CHelsea asked gently.

"I want them to see us as individual people..."

Chelsea nodded, "I can understand that..."

"But...you know...it hurts to think that even though we're identical...he's still better-looking than me..."

"That only comes as a matter of opinion, and not everyone sees people the same way," Chelsea said softly.

"Everyone thinks that! Even you!"

Chelsea pulled back and crossed her arms. "I never said that."

"Oh! Chels! It is so obvious!"

"I do not think that!" Chelsea was getting upset.

"Chels...since we first met...you've always...well...been a bit more giggly around him..."

"I have not!" Chelsea said, tears appearing.

"Chels...I don't care...not about how you feel...just how others feel..."

Chelsea put her arms around him and hugged him.

Tom hugged her back.

It made Chelsea sad to think that Tom thought that she thought Simon was better him, becuae that wasn't true. No where near it.

Tom knew he had to tell her at some point and now seemed the best time. "Chels...I...I've got something I need to tell you..."