When thinking of twins, be it identical or fraternal, many myths and truths are conjured up due to years of societal stereotypes. While stories of secret languages, sinister motives and magical powers are completely fiction, some true facts are just as interesting. To get a more accurate perspective on twins, I interviewed a couple.

Sophomores Harry and Charles Dear are energetic, intelligent students. Both are average height with brown spiky hair and wide smiles, and the only way to tell them apart is Charles’s thick sideburns. While they may look identical, the two are actually fraternal twins. And while their personalities, appearances and demeanors are extremely similar, they are far from the same person.

Myth: Twins have ESP and special powers.

Fact: When asked, the brothers laughed at the idea. However, they did have an answer.

“We can communicate with our eyes,” Charles said, and Harry agreed.

This sort of “deeper communication” is something many people have experienced within their own lives. When you know someone very well, you don’t even need words to read each other.

Myth: Twins either have identical personalities, or polar opposite personalities.

Fact: Harry and Charles have similar personalities and hobbies, but are still their own people. Charles considers himself more outspoken than his brother.

I had shared a class with Charles last year, and he was very open with his opinions and feelings. He seemed to be friends with everyone, and constantly had a joke or story to share. Though I consider myself a bit more reserved than most, even I made friends with him.

“Maybe I’m a bit more extroverted,” Charles said.

“I’m not introverted, but I’m not extroverted,” added Harry.

What about hobbies and strengths?

“I’m decent (at Spanish), but he’s head and shoulders above me,” said Harry.

Myth: Twins are “double trouble” for their parents.

Fact: Harry and Charles are both good students and very friendly. Both are energetic about school and learning. The most mischievous they’ve ever been is walking into each other’s classes, pulling a classic “switcheroo.”

“I went to his (Charles’s) English teacher and said, ‘Hi, Ms. Myers, I’m almost done with the introduction,’ or something like that. And then we were talking for a bit. And I said, ‘Hey, did I tell you I have a twin?’ And then she looked at me again. And then she was like, ‘Oh my god, you are that twin.’”

I’d actually seen them do this another time in the Spanish class Charles and I shared last year. I hadn’t met Harry at the time, so I didn’t think much of it when “Charles” came into Mr. Ponce’s class missing his trademark sideburns. However, it didn’t take long for Ponce to notice it wasn’t Charles sitting in his class. We all had a good laugh when the real Charles walked in.

Just from speaking to the two, I could tell they were very close. They consider themselves very good friends, and do many things together.

“He’s a great friend, I can talk to him about pretty much anything,” Harry said.

“Yeah, this is my boy,” added Charles.

The concept of a “twin bond” may not be scientifically proven, but I could see it in Harry and Charles. They finish each other’s sentences, talk to each other about life problems, and, of course, have been friends since they were born. While many siblings are close, having a sibling who looks like you, shares your interests, and has shared every birthday with you is something special.