I go stiff, my fists curl ready for an attack.

　　"Ow." She breathes out rubbing her nose.

　　"Uh, sorry." I say and side step around her to get on my way.

　　"Wait, wait." She pants, shuffling her small legs to catch up.

　　I stop mid-step when she whips in front of me to cut me off. Her bright blue eyes twinkle as she removes her hand from her nose to give me a small wave and a wide smile. Does everyone in Centrum smile like that?

　　"I know, I know." Her tinkling words are as rapid as her head nodding. "I seem familiar riiiiight?"

　　She waves a hand to the top of her head and down over the rest of her body, presenting herself to me. Oh, oh no, what if this is what Fletcher was warning me about? The civs. I squint my eyes at her. She stands tall, ready for my perusal. My eyes catch on the Elite symbol of her black jacket collar.

　　"You`re a member of the Elite Squad?" I say with more surprise than I`d like.

　　Her wide smile drops into a pout. "No, no." She huffs, crossing her arms. "Well, yes, I am, but that`s not what I meant."

　　"I don`t have time for this." I say and sidestep her again picking up the pace down the long hallway.

　　"I know." The small blonde moves fast beside me and seems to float across the tiled floor with her prancing steps. "You have to get to the banquet."

　　I slow, looking down to gauge her expression, to figure out what game she`s playing. She expects me to follow her and I`ll end up locked inside some dark closet somewhere. She chuckles at my blank stare and her white smile beams back at me.

　　"You do seem familiar." I say.

　　"Yes!" She raises both arms above her head in victory.

　　This one`s over excited and making me uncomfortable. So I do what I do best, ignore her and walk away. Her tiny feet follow me and then she`s dancing around me like a gnat I can`t shake.

　　"I`m Addy." She stops in front of me, too close this time. I jerk back to keep from running her over. "Doran`s twin sister." She flashes that megawatt smile.

　　"Who?" I ask trying to move around her, but she jumps in front of me each time.

　　She must have me confused with someone else. It`d explain why she`s so friendly. No one goes out of their way to meet me.

　　"Ugh!" Her hands fly up as she rolls her eyes. "Fletcher. He called dibs on our last name at the academy."Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

　　Fletcher? Fletcher has a twin? Great, there`s two of them. I can see it now, both are over the top. I leave her muttering to herself about the pains of having a brother and take a couple of turns. I only have a few more minutes to find the banquet room, so I push some power into my senses. It has to be close. Addy`s light footsteps catch up to me fast.

　　"Well, you don`t seem surprised or impressed the way most people are."

　　I glance down at her upturned face, too close again.

　　"Yep." She pops her p` like Fletcher and continues talking with no need for my response, just like Fletcher.

　　"They get surprised and say, twins unbelievable!` or I bet I can guess who`s the oldest.` which they never do. So why aren`t you?"

　　I take another turn and I`m back in the longest hallway. Great, I made a circle. The sooner I answer her question, the sooner I`m rid of her.

　　"Why aren`t I what?"

　　"Why aren`t you surprised, gushing, shocked? I don`t know, something?" Her voice raises before she starts rambling again.

　　Of course, I got turned around with her dancing in front of me and her non-stop chatter. This is the only time my name hasn`t had people fleeing my presence in disgust or ignoring me. Centrum is backwards. She stops mid-sentence hearing my exaggerated breath.

　　"I don`t care, that`s why." I say with my steely gaze on her wide-eyed face.

　　It`s the cold stare I mastered for this very reason, to be left alone. Her whole body is still as she stares back. Then Addy busts out laughing so hard she actually leans against my chest to keep from bending over.

　　"Oh!" She says on an inhale, wiping at her eyes and catching her breath. "I don`t care." she parrots in a low serious voice that`s supposed to be me I guess.

　　"Fletcher said you`re entertaining. I`m definitely keeping an eye on you."

　　I place my hands around her biceps, cutting off her laughter, and pushing her off my chest. What`s with all the physical contact around here? I know the vibe I put out. I spent years perfecting it. It`s not inviting.

　　Addy wipes her eyes with the back of her hands and breathes deep, pulling her shoulders up before letting it out with a smile. Her small hand grips my uniform sleeve and she starts dragging me down a new hall. I have to lengthened my strides to keep up. She takes four steps for every one of mine and is still ahead.

　　"Move these freakishly long legs or you`re going to be late, Oren."

　　"My legs aren`t freakish."

　　"Yup they are." She calls over her shoulder while barreling ahead.

　　"You`re freakish."

　　"I heard that. Now come on. The captain sent me to make sure you arrive on time. You`re not getting me in trouble for messing about in the halls."

　　We round the corner and all of a sudden we`re before a vast, glittering golden room.

　　"It`s amazing right?" Addy whispers and places a hand over her chest with a sigh.

　　We stand before the banquet room`s wide entry. The vaulted ceiling sparkles in crystal and gold accents. Its walls are covered with polished golden paneling that creates a mirror effect, making the room look like it`s bursting with glowing people.

　　"Oh, no." Addy`s whispered panic breaks my daze. She releases the grip on my arm and tries to smooth the creases she made in my sleeve.

　　I don`t want to go in. It`s the only reason I`m letting her continue to pat me. With a brief nod to herself for a job well done, she looks back into the room. A chill moves over me as her warm hand leaves my arm.

　　"We only get to see it all dressed up like this a couple of times a year. It`s my second favorite place in Centrum." She says.

　　I wonder what her first is.

　　"You`re lucky I`m such a sucker for shiny things. You might have wandered around all night and missed this. Or worse, got stuck with Kane as your guide." Her shutter has me cataloging that name.

　　We turn back to watch the people in silence. After a few moments her small hands are on my back, and she`s shoving me into the room. I`m propelled forward with more momentum than a tiny Fletcher should be capable of. I ignore her tinkling giggle and take steady steps inside with my shoulders held high, chin up, armor on.