Always R&R

Being a twin is one of the best things. Honestly, I would wish it upon every single person.

I think being a twin is a bond that so many people never get to experience, and I am so glad that I can. No one ever really understands how close we are. People think it is weird that we have such a good bond compared to everyone else and how we share everything with each other.

But I have had someone since before I was ever born.

Raiva is my built-in best friend.

Having a twin means having someone you can talk to about everything and trust with your life. I get to experience so much with my twin, and so many people don't get to experience the same things. Yeah, we have different experiences and our own lives, but we still go through so much together.

I couldn't imagine switching schools or starting high school without her. Starting high school meant a new school, new people, and basically everything being different, but I already had her. We have always had similar friends but different “best friends,” and I think that is something I really like about being a twin. We can have our own lives but still have each other.

I think the little things are what make having a twin so special.

We steal each other's clothes and makeup. Well, mostly she steals my stuff. I like having her right across the hall from me. Sometimes we are in the same room doing completely different things, and then we just start laughing or get each other completely distracted.

We also have our own secret language. We can know what the other person is feeling without even saying anything. Me and Raiva honestly have twin telepathy.

People confuse us all the time, which I don't really understand because we aren't identical. Like, I don't think we look that much alike. But I guess when you first meet us maybe you can get confused.

The most annoying question is definitely, “Which one are you?”

Like... really?

We always get into arguments, and then two minutes later we are either laughing or completely forgot what we were arguing about.

Yesterday, we were talking about how alike we are, and we didn't even notice some of the things we do. Our teacher pointed out that we were doing the exact same things without realizing it, like having our hand on our chin at the same time.

We literally don't even think about it.

When we were born, I had to stay at the hospital for two more weeks. I wouldn't stop crying, and the second I got home, I stopped crying because I was with Raiva. I obviously don't remember this, but I think it is crazy that we have been together for that long.

I think I started realizing how lucky I was when we started high school. I already had someone who knew me before I even knew myself.

And now college is making me realize that we won't always be right next to each other.

Yeah, we have about a year and a half left. But what am I going to do when I don't have her across the hall from me? What am I going to do when she can't just walk into my room?

Honestly, right now I get so annoyed when she barges into my room to steal my clothes.

But I already know I'm going to miss it.

I'm going to miss waking her up and yelling at her to get ready. I'm going to miss her annoying me. I'm going to miss just being able to talk to her about everything without even thinking about it.

I want to go to college internationally, and she wants to stay here, so I know it will be harder to talk as often. Of course I can still call her, but it won't be the same as having her one step away.

I think the weirdest part will be not being “Rayna and Raiva” anymore.

Not “R and R.”

Just Rayna.

I think college will help me become my own person, and I am excited for that. But the people I meet in college won't know Raiva. They won't know my best friend who has been there since before I was even born. They won't know all of our stories or why I randomly bring her up.

But they will know her eventually.

Because I will talk about her all the time.

And when she comes to visit me, they'll get to meet her. They'll get to understand why she is such a huge part of my life.

I have spent my entire life being R and R. Things are going to change, and I know I will have to learn what it is like to just be Rayna.

But I think that's okay.

Because Raiva will always be my twin.

And when she comes to visit, we'll be R and R again.