Hey guys! I'm back! I'm sooooo sorry for the very long wait. It's been a crazy few years full of extreme writer's block and carpal tunnel in my writing hand. Anyway I've been working on this for a while and finally feel confident enough to put it up. I would really appreciate it if you could give me some feedback. Thanks! Love, Ellivia22

Disclaimer: If I owned Suite Life, I would be on a Caribbean cruise right now.

Gemini

By: Ellivia22

Part I

Cody

My life is ruined. It's all Zack's fault!

Angrily I slam a stack of photo frames into the large box on my bed. It's starting to get full. It seems like everything I own reminds me of Zack in one way or another. I need to get rid of it-all of it. It's the only way I'll be able to start my life over. This time, however, I am going to be an only child.

As I throw more items into the cardboard box, I reflect once again over Dr. Spaulding's offer last Saturday. The last time I'll hopefully ever see Zack.

I stared at Dr. Spaulding in shock. I couldn't believe that he was here. He had made it clear just hours before that I was forever banned from his laboratory. He looked less angry now. I hung onto his every word, my heart beating so fast it might just leap out of my chest. "Well, I sent your application to the scientist who runs it-Dr. Olson. He was quite excited. There is just one thing."

A rush of excitement flowed through my veins. I couldn't believe that I was getting a second chance. "Anything. I'll do anything."

"Well because the work Dr. Olson is doing is on twins, you and your brother will need to attend."

All my joyous emotions popped like an over inflated balloon by that one sentence. I sighed in frustration, sitting back on the piano bench. "Just not that thing!"

Dr. Spaulding gave me a measuring look from behind his glasses. "That is Dr. Olson's one requirement. After reading your paper he thinks that you could be the ideal twins to participate in his research."

He must be crazy. Didn't he see the damage Zack did to the sea wall just hours before? "Me and Zack? In a lab?"

"Hey," Zack interjected. I detected a small amount of hurt in his voice. I was too angry to care. "It's not like I'm just some idiot who doesn't know anything about science!"

"Oh yeah?" I challenged. "What's matter?"

"Nothing," Zack answered. "What's the matter with you?"

I looked back to Dr. Spaulding. I had just proved my point. "See? SEE! I can't go anywhere with him!"

Zack glared at me. I could tell that I touched a nerve. "Yeah? Well I don't want to go anywhere with you first and when I get there, you're not welcome."

"Ouch," I said sarcastically as Zack walked away.

"That's a shame," Dr. Spaulding said. He turned to leave. Then after a second he faced me again. "You know, this internship could help you qualify for a scholarship to Yale."

"It would?" I asked.

"Cody, are you really going to let your anger towards your brother jeopardize your entire future?"

I thought about it. It would be stupid to not take this opportunity. It was my second chance. On the other hand I know that even if I did do the internship Zack would ruin everything again sooner or later. It was what he was best at. I'll find another way to pay for Yale without his help. Somehow.

I stood up and shook Dr. Spaulding's hand again. "I really appreciate you giving me this opportunity, but I cannot accept. I do not want to burden Dr. Olson with all the damage that Zack will cause."

Dr. Spaulding hands me a white business card. "Here is his information. Give him a call if you change your mind."

Once Dr. Spaulding was out of sight I left the lobby, placing the business card in my pocket. I decided to go to the library and study. It was the only way I could forget that this day ever happened.

That was two days ago. Since it is the Monday of Spring Break and I have no internship, there isn't much to do. So I've been spending most of the morning getting rid of every possible item that reminds me of Zack. I haven't seen him since he left the lobby. Not that I care. I would be happy if I never saw him again. I'm tired of him ruining my life.

Finally I toss in a pair of sunglasses that Zack left in my room ages ago. I glance around my side of the cabin. It's practically empty. I didn't realize that so many things connected me to him.

The door to the cabin opens. Woody enters, carrying a medium sized gold trophy. Looks like he won the eating contest that occurred over the weekend on the Fiesta Deck. I hadn't seen him since he and Zack ruined my lunch with Bailey. I'm not mad at him for it. I blame everything on my former brother.

"Hey Cody. Why aren't you at the internship?"

I look at my friend, ready to tell him the whole story. All the anger I've been feeling flares up inside. Finally I get to vent. "You're not going to believe what Zack did this time..."

Zack

I press my cellphone firmly against my ear to make sure that I heard correctly. "Please," I ask desperately. "Is there any possible way you can let Cody into your internship?"

I can tell that the woman on the other end is starting to lose patience. "I already told you, Mr. Martin. Our internship started this morning. I have no more space left. I'm sorry."

Sighing I hang up and draw a line through the last name on the list in front of me. All my hopes seem to crash down all around me. All the potential internships are full or have already started. I have no way of getting Cody another chance for a scholarship to Yale. I know I shouldn't have messed up his internship in the first place, but it wasn't my fault. If Cody had just given me the car like I asked, none of this would've happened.

Reluctantly I leave my desk and cross the room. It's the last thing I want to do, but I need to apologize to Cody. Apologize for ruining his internship and not being able to make up for it. Not that my apology is going to make any difference. Cody hasn't talked to me in two days. He still hates me. That thought makes my chest twist painfully. As much as I hate to admit it, I can't stand not having him around.

I make my way from my cabin and over to Cody's. I raise my hand to knock, trying to figure out the right words to say to him. I freeze when I hear Cody's voice from the other side of the door. By his tone, I can tell immediately that he's still in a very bad mood.

"I just can't believe Zack! How could he do this to me?! He knows how much Yale means to me! He knows that Yale is the only way I'd be able to prove that I'm more than just the nerdy twin-to prove that I'm worth something. But he doesn't care! He's just a selfish jerk!"

I wince, not only from Cody's words, but the great amount of anger in his voice. I had hoped that he would've cooled off after two days. Obviously I'm very wrong.

"Cody," Woody says in exasperation. "You told me this part already."

Cody doesn't seem to hear him. I practically lean against the wooden door, not having the strength to run back into my cabin and away from my brother. "I mean, not only did he ruin my future, he ruined my relationship too. There is no way Bailey is going to forgive me now."

"Cody..."

"I think I figured out why Zack ruined my life. He's jealous! Jealous because I had a promising future and all he has to look forward to is life as a juice boy! I'm surprised that he hasn't dropped out already! It would serve him right!"

I hold back a sob. It's not easy. I feel as though Cody had punched me hard in the stomach. He never talked about me like that before. His hate and disgust is so strong it's starting to make me physically sick.

"I'm sure it was just an accident," Woody says in an attempt to calm Cody down. "Zack wouldn't intentionally hurt you like that."

"You obviously don't know Zack as well as I do," Cody snaps. "He'll hurt me in any way possible as long as he gets his way. I hate him and hope that I never see him again!"

I can't stand to hear any more. Quickly I retreat back to my room, slamming the door behind me. Slowly I slide to the ground, my back against the door.

I'm surprised he hasn't dropped out already!

How...how could he? How could he say such horrible things? What happened at the Aquarium was an accident. Why can't he understand that? I never meant to ruin his plans. I'm not heartless. I do care about him-more than I care about myself most of the time. What is his deal?

He knows that Yale is the only way I can prove that I'm more than just the nerdy twin-to prove that I'm worth something!

Cody's words echoing in my mind hit me at full force. The pain in my chest is worse than ever. For the first time I realize the gravity of what I have done. Yale. That school is Cody's dream, and I messed that up just to impress some girl. Now because of me he has no future and no way to boost his self esteem. No wonder he's so angry. The guilt is powerful. I swallow the large lump in my throat. No wonder he hates me.

I feel as though I lost all my energy to move. All my thoughts are consumed with Cody's words. I am more desperate to apologize to my brother. But how can I do so and show him that I really mean it?

I'm sorry, Cody I think desperately, wishing that he could read my mind. I'm really sorry!

...

knock knock

I lift my head from my arms. I don't know how long I've been asleep in this position. I glace at my watch. 3:54PM. I had been sitting on the floor for at least an hour. My back hurts from being in this position for so long.

Knock knock

I force myself to get to my feet. My legs wobble and feel all numb. They must've fallen asleep too. Who's outside my door? Could it be Cody? Is he finally calm enough to let me apologize? I throw open the door to see not Cody, but Woody. He's clutching a huge cardboard box that is completely full. "Hey Woodchuck," I say, trying and failing to sound cheerful. "What's up?"

Woody looks really uncomfortable. His shoulders sag slightly from the weight of the box. He refuses to make eye contact with me. "Cody wanted me to give this to you."

"What is it?" I ask. I recognize a lot of the items in the box: a mixture of clothes, photo frames, a football, a pair of sunglasses that I thought I had lost ages ago. Everything in there connected me to Cody in some way. Why would he want to give this to me?

"Cody also told me to tell you," Woody says very quickly as if he wants to get this over with. "Goodbye and have a nice life."

My hands shaking I take the box from my friend. I realize what Cody is doing. He's permanently cutting me from his life. I struggle to keep my emotions together. It's not easy. I'm losing everything I care about so fast.

"Are you all right, man?" Woody asks in concern.

I force a broad grin on my face, but don't have the strength to look my friend in the eye. "I'm great! Finally I'll be rid of my annoying, n-nerdy brother." My voice shakes. "Today is the best day of my life."

"I'll talk to him," Woody promises. It's obvious that I'm not fooling him one bit.

"No really." My voice drops to a sullen monotone. "It's okay. Thanks for stopping by."

Before he can say another word I shut the door in his face. I sit on the bed and slowly go through the contents of the box. At first it contains my clothes and other items that I've left in his cabin over the years. The more I pull out, the more depressed I become.

I look at each of the pictures, remembering all the crazy things we've done together: learning about our heritage in Sweden, the crazy adventure in Antarctica, and the many times playing basketball at the park back in Boston or in the lobby at the Tipton and so much more. I can't believe Cody wants to forget everything. I hurt so bad I can barely stand it. When I grab the last item in the box I lose all control of my emotions. The tears fall fast from my eyes. I clutch on to the metal object, the sobs escaping my throat.

Cody's telescope. The Galileo N Telescope. I had saved for weeks to buy this for him after our 16th birthday. Cody was so happy. When I gave it to him he told me that the telescope would always remind him that we would always be brothers-no matter what.

I lay on the messy bed, sobs escaping my throat so fast that breathing is becoming difficult. I clutch the telescope tighter against my chest. I am truly alone. There is nothing left for me now.

Slowly my crying ceases. I sit up, wiping my wet face. It stings really bad. I glance at the items strewed across my bed. Underneath is a bunch of old school papers, covered in D's and F's. I make a decision.

It's time to accept the fact that there's nothing left for me on the ship anymore. I decide to drop out of school, rent a car, and drive cross country until I find meaning in my life. Mom will be disappointed, but not surprised. As for Cody, he will finally be free of me.

When I pull out the tattered brown suitcase from under my bed, I feel calmer. I'm more confident about my decision than ever. It's time to move on. Before I go though, I have to right some wrongs. It's the least I can do before I leave the ship forever.

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