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H

ad a tornado touched down beside her bed? Zimra looked around in disbelief her jaw practically touching her collar. Being in the same bunk with her twin sister Shira was sometimes challenging but today it had reached a new level.

“Would you mind telling me” she demanded turning to Shira “what is going on here?”

“Oh just a project I’m working on.” Shira waved an airy hand not looking up from the collage she was making. Snippets of magazine cutouts littered their whole area. That was in addition to stationery laundry toys and assorted shoes.

“Ouch!” Zimra yelped wincing as she massaged her foot. “Why is your charm bracelet in the middle of the floor?”

“You should really look where you’re going” Shira advised carefully cutting out another picture.

Zimra clenched her fists biting back a furious retort. And then she remembered what their counselor had announced.

“Today is the end of the contest for the cleanest bunkhouse” Zimra said slowly. “And they’re starting the judging in our room. My part of the room looks good” she continued giving her neatly made bed and orderly shelves a quick nod of approval. “But it looks like you have some work to do.”

Shira arched an eyebrow but was clearly not listening.

“When did you say? Next week?”

“Try in an hour” Zimra replied wondering if they should hire a U-Haul to pick up all the junk.

That got through. “An hour?” Shira shrieked jumping up in dismay. “I’ll never be able to get this place clean in an hour!”

It looks like it’ll take at least a week Zimra agreed silently. “Good luck” she said sitting down on her bed to start writing her letter home.

“Zimra can you help me? This is impossible! I can’t get it ready in time!”

Zimra bit her lip. She worked hard at being neat and enjoyed living in well-kept surroundings. Anytime she used something she always put it back in its place. Was it her fault that her twin never bothered putting anything away? Did she have to sacrifice her time because Shira couldn’t get her act together?

“Sorry” Zimra said shaking her head. “I really need to take care of this right now.”