Chapter Nine-Wherein I Get Treated Like a Ten Year Old and Great Aunt Harriet Starts Making Sense-PART ONE

“I don’t need a babysitter!” I protested. It was two days before I was leaving to go to Grandma’s house and everyone was going out for dinner and bowling. Everyone except me because of my “irresponsible behavior”. Even Anna’s “eternal grounding” was lifted for tonight.
“Yes, you do.” Dave said. Dave turned to Stella, my babysitter. “Don’t take your eyes off of her.” he warned, and then left. “This is so unfair.” I muttered. I started to go upstairs but Stella stopped me. “Ah, ah, ah, Dave told me to not let you out of my sight.” I rolled my eyes. We sat down on the couch. Stella turned on the TV and started flipping through the channels. It was Thursday, and almost 7 o’clock. Great. That meant Stella’s favorite show “Vampire Diaries” was on. Not that I didn’t like the show, I really did. It’s just, I’ve had way too much vampire in my life lately.
“Would you mind if I watch-”
“Go ahead.” I sighed. What I really wanted to say was “Yes, I would mind. Greatly. I’m really not in the mood to watch a show that reminds me that I’m not human or even my own person for that matter. The only thing I like about that show right now is the way British people say doppelganger and it comes out ‘doppelgangah’ ”, but I really just didn’t feel like it.

“Oh my GAWD he’s just so BEAUTIFUL!!!” Stella gawked at one of the dudes on the show. I rolled my eyes. The one thing I love about watching TV with Stella is that she always shouts out funny things at the TV. She noticed the way I was looking and smiled. “You’ll get it when you’re older.” she said.
“Um, I get it.” I said.
“Ow old are you? Twelve?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re a tween.”
“Almost thirteen.” I muttered under my breath, “One more month.” How old does she think I am, 10????? Geez. Us twelve year olds have feelings too. Teddy bears and puppies aren’t the only things that are cute in the world to us. The phone rang. Since our phone line was plugged into the satellite box, I could see who was calling on the TV screen. It was an unknown number, but I thought I’d seen it before so I answered the phone. “Hello?”
“I’m bored. I wasted 3 hundred years of my life wondering what I’d do when I escaped and I’m honestly BORED.” Katherine. I laughed.
“Where are you calling from?”
“Local bed and breakfast. Small but cozy.”
“At least you’re not cooped up in a house with a babysitter.” I said.
“Have been for years, remember?”
“Right. Why do you keep calling me, anyways?”
“I don’t know. You’re the only one who doesn’t hate me.”
“Who said I didn’t hate you?” Stella was looking at me funny.
“Who said you did?”
“Point taken.” I turned to Stella, who was still staring at me. “Oh, mind your own business.” I said to Stella. “Who are you talking to?” she asked.
“My friend Katherine , if it’s any of your business.” I said.
“You’ve never mentioned her. What’s she like?” Nosy much.
“Hey, how long until everyone gets back?” Katherine asked.
“Few hours, why?”
“I’m coming over. I kinda want to scare the crap outta your babysitter.”
“Okay then. Bye.” Katherine hung up. A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
“Who’s that?” Stella asked.
“Katherine.” I replied. “You got a problem with that?” Stella shook her head. I went to open the door.
“Took you long enough.” Katherine walked in.
“I like you’re house.”
“Um...thanks.” she laughed.
“Yes, I’m being nice to you. Get used to it.” She walked into our living room.
“You must be Stella. I’m Katherine.” she said in her innocent voice.
“Nice to meet you. You look familiar.” Stella turned back to the TV. “OH MY GOD you look like her!” Stella yelled pointing to the TV. Katherine glanced at the TV. The girl Stella was pointing at was the character that was based on Katherine. Katherine rolled her eyes. “Impostor.” she mumbled. She walked back to me. “Why are you here?” I asked.
“I told you. I was bored.” She said.
“Well, I’m going to London, Ontario in two days, so what’re you gonna do then?” she shrugged. “Follow you.”
“WHY?????”
“Ouch. I’m hurt.” I rolled my eyes at Katherine’s twisted humor. Just then, I heard the door swoosh open. Katherine turned around, looking straight into Dave’s furious eyes. Stella, meanwhile, was still watching TV.
“You said-”
“I thought they were coming later.” I told her. My mom stood there, staring at Katherine.
“David who is this and why does she look like my daughter?” mom asked, bewildered.
“Janette, it’s hard to explain.” Dave said. Mom started shaking her head.
“No, Dave. No more secrets. Why does she look like my Kieyra?”
“Because I’m the doppelganger.” I cut in. Mom turned her attention to me.
“What, sweetie?”
“I said, I’m a doppelganger. THE doppelganger. HER doppelganger.” I pointed to Katherine.
“And who is she, honey?”
“She’s Katerina Petrova.” my mom looked at me like I had four heads.
“No, mom, not the character on a TV show. The REAL Katherine. The one she’s based on.”
“Well, this is too much drama for one day. Goodbye, Kieyra.” Katherine disappeared.