Blaze

Chapter 1 

            I liked the idea, from the very beginning. Let me just say that right up front. My parents were reading a magazine article about this school in Stonewall called Oaks High, as my family had to move there because my Dad’s job was transferred. I would have like my old school if it wasn’t for the fact that the children weren’t taught properly at all and half of them are in trouble with the police.
                This brings me back to my first point. I figured that moving to a new city and having a fresh start at a new school would be great and Liz and I loved the idea.
                And I am? I’m Johanna Harper, thirteen years old and so is my sister, Elizabeth. We’re identical twins. That means we have the same birthday and we look exactly alike. We both have blue-green eyes with long, thick, straight brown hair and we wear name bracelets so that people can tell us apart. Only Mum, Dad and our fourteen-year-old brother, Mike, can always say who is Jo and who is Liz. Well, almost always.
                Most of our friends are surprised that Liz and I are so different. They think identical twins should have identical thoughts, but I think that’s silly. I wouldn’t like it if there were two of me!
                “Guess what Mum just told me?” asked Liz while we sat under the pine trees on the hill behind our house on a bright Friday evening.
            “What?” I asked grinning.
            “Guess!” she replied sticking her tongue out at me.
            “Is it about Oaks High?” I asked picking up a pinecone.
            “Hmmm…That’s just half of it,” She said nudging me.
            “Then what is it already? The suspense is killing me!” I demanded. Liz has a habit of drawing little stories into murder mysteries. She would tell you that she broke her leg when she broke her toenail.
                “Well, Mum went and bought us these riding outfits because we’ll be staying at a ranch during the weekends. Oh and I almost forgot. Moving day is tomorrow because school starts on Monday”
                “What?? I haven’t packed yet!” I said getting up to my feet.
                “Relax. I already packed for both of us” She replied pulling me back down.
                That’s the best part of having a sister who loves shopping and clothes. She always packs my clothes when we go somewhere I thought as the sun and shadow made patterns on the ground while the scented breeze lifted my hair.
                “Three whole days! I can’t wait until Monday!” I groan.
                “I know! We’re going to have so much fun!” she said grinning.