When your father finally allowed coeducation in his school it was obvious you’ll transfer there. You were Alex’s twin sister after all, he was with your father all the time, you should too. Be with your family.

You got privileges. Of course you did. Your father’s favorite child, the golden girl. And him being the principal made it very easy to get what you wanted or get out of the trouble. Not that you got into any — at least not with your father knowing.

Then Nigel joined the boarding school. He got the freak label very quickly, Alex made sure of it. He couldn’t help but be petty when he had to share a room with Nigel.

And Nigel — he was different, to say at least. Alex always told how he had this morbid obsession with everything that’s dead. The taxidermy, the constant smell of formalin in their dorm, the sections Nigel did on dead animals.

Alex specifically told you to stay the fuck away from this freak. Yet you couldn’t help but be drawn to him. To the silent, observing eyes. Pale face. Quick and sharp mind.

Maybe it was his doing, maybe it was the fact that Alex hated him, maybe it was just a teenage curiosity. Maybe his fascinating, yet unsettling charm that made you fall for him so easily.

Boys in girls’ dorms very strictly prohibited. Strictly. Your father couldn’t risk his precious daughter having a boy in her room. Yet it didn’t really stop you from having him over.

First you would do your homework by your desk. You had the luck of not having to share the room. Another privilege. It made having him here even easier. Then he would gather his stuff, leave your dorm and sneak in, in the evening — telling Alex he’s going to library, excuses to not make him suspicious.

And you honestly preferred him like this — out of the school uniform, in pajama pants, sweater and tank top under it. Laying in your bed, head against the headboard, arm around your shoulder, fingers in your hair. Relaxed, calm with his eyes on you.